Vimont, left, Chu, center, and SNAP group leader Michael Levi

Pierre Vimont, France’s ambassador to the United States, and other French government representatives came to the Lab yesterday to learn more about the research taking place here. Particular focus was given to the development of new alternative energy sources and the SuperNova Acceleration Probe, a program conducted in collaboration with the French scientific community. The group included Pierre François Mourier (San Francisco French Consul General), Didier Janci (San Francisco Economic Mission), Anne Marie Descote (Ambassador Vice Counselor), and Daniel Ochoa (Science and Technology Attaché).

DOE Seeks Applicants
For Energy Centers

The Office of Science's Office of Basic Energy Sciences announces the initiation of Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) to accelerate the rate of scientific breakthroughs needed to create advanced energy technologies. The program seeks applications for the establishment of EFRCs that will bring together multiple investigators to enable fundamental research of a scope and complexity that would not be possible with the standard individual investigator or small group research project. The awards are expected to be in the $2.5 million range annually for an initial five-year project period. It is anticipated that approximately $100 million will be available annually for multiple awards starting in FY 2009. Go here for more information.

Lab’s Perlmutter to Speak
At Dark Energy Meeting

Perlmutter

The Space Telescope Science Institute will host a symposium May 5-8 on “A Decade of Dark Energy.” The meeting will explore the latest observational results, theoretical advances, strategies for optimizing future observations, plans for future dark-energy projects. Among the scheduled speakers is Berkeley Lab physicist Saul Perlmutter, who will discuss “The Latest Results on Dark Energy from Supernovae.” Perlmutter heads the Lab’s Supernova Cosmology Project, which, along with the High-z Supernova Search Team, found evidence of the accelerating expansion of the universe. He is also a lead investigator in the SuperNova/ Acceleration Probe project. Go here for more information.

Don’t Put Cigarettes
Down Sewer Drains

Lab employees who smoke are reminded to put butts in designated outdoor ash cans. Sewer drains should not be used for disposal. These drains lead to the Bay and cigarette butts cause contamination. And with the dry season just around the corner, using the ash cans prevents fire hazards. Also, smokers must keep at least 20 feet away from building entrances, exits, and operable windows. Go here to view the Lab’s smoking policy.