Presidential Early Career
Award for Genome Expert

Pennacchio

Len Pennacchio, senior staff scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Genomics Division and head of the Genetic Analysis Program at the Joint Genome Institute, is among the recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Pennacchio was recognized for his significant contributions to the generation and interpretation of the human genome sequence. Specifically, the committee cited his systematic assignment of gene regulatory function to the human genome through the coupling of vertebrate comparative genomics and large-scale studies in mice, using a world-class mouse resource that he established. Full story. Go here to read a DOE press release and view a list of all winners.

Solar Energy Boom
May Help the Poor
By Gerard Wynn

A surge in investment in solar power is bringing down costs of the alternative energy source, but affordability problems still dog hopes for the 1.6 billion people worldwide without electricity. A worldwide scientific body said last week efforts to curb climate change must target vast numbers of people who lack basic energy. "It's sad that 1.6 billion people live without electricity and two to three billion use energy in a primitive way very damaging to health," said Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu, a co-chair of the report for the Dutch-based body. Full story.

Chemistry Classes Behind
The Bars at San Quentin
By Linda Wang

Dance Club Hosts
Party Tomorrow

Berkeley Lab’s Ballroom Dance Club will host a party tomorrow at noon in the lobby of Building 51 (Bevatron). All employees are invited to attend and dance, no partners required. The club will begin new lessons next week, with beginning East Coast Swing on Mondays and intermediate Rumba on Wednesdays. Staff can purchase tickets to the club’s holiday party, on Saturday, Dec. 8, during the noontime lessons.

Zettl, left and UC Berkeley student Kenneth Jensen

First Fully Functional Nanotube Radio Created

Make way for the real “nanopod” and make room in the Guinness Book of World Records. A team of researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley has created the first fully functional radio from a single carbon nanotube, which makes it by several orders of magnitude the smallest radio ever made. “A single carbon nanotube molecule serves simultaneously as all essential components of a radio — antenna, tunable band-pass filter, amplifier, and demodulator,” said physicist Alex Zettl, who led the research. “Using carrier waves in the commercially relevant 40-400 MHz range and both frequency and amplitude modulation (FM and AM), we were able to demonstrate successful music and voice reception.” Go here to read the full story, which includes video of sound (Star Wars theme) recorded on the nanotube radio.

New System Manages
Aerosol Can Waste

The Facilities and Environment, Health and Safety Divisions have acquired a system to manage waste aerosol cans. The aerosol waste is collected in a drum, and the empty cans are sent to the metal salvage hopper for metals recycling. The consolidated contents of the aerosol cans are managed as hazardous waste. This method eliminates the need to manage aerosol cans as hazardous waste and saves time for EH&S staff and users. The system can only be used by trained personnel. Employees with aerosol cans for disposal should contact Mark Lasartemay at x6825 for evaluation. More information about managing wastes can be found here.

Memorial for Wife
Of Physicist Birge

Thomas

The wife of retired Berkeley Lab physicist Bob Birge, Elizabeth Cawdry Thomas, will be honored at a memorial service in Berkeley tomorrow. She died Oct. 20 at age 67. She taught cooking in Berkeley for 20 years and was known for her pioneering work in “molecular gastronomy.” Her husband worked at the Lab for many years, including service as director of the Physics Division from 1973 to 1981. The memorial is set for 2 p.m. at the Town and Gown Club, 2401 Dwight Way. See an obituary from the San Francisco Chronicle here, and a website on Thomas here.

Office of Science’s
Dehmer Promoted

Patricia Dehmer, formerly the Associate Director for Basic Energy Sciences in the Office of Science, has been appointed as the Deputy Director for Science Programs. The Office of Science will now have three deputy directors: Science Programs, Resource Management and Operations, all reporting directly to Director Raymond Orbach. Full story.