Molten Salts Give
Biofuels a Boost

A new approach for breaking down cellulose could improve prospects for energy-efficient biofuels, Joint Bioenergy Institute researchers report. Although making biofuels from the cellulose in cell walls of switchgrass or wood chips should require less energy than making corn-based ethanol, finding efficient ways to degrade cellulose has been difficult. But molten salts can help break down the tough, energy-containing cellulose molecules without creating unwanted by-products. Full story.

Ergo Self-Assessment
Training Updated

The Remedy Interactive web-based training for computer users was rolled out on March 17, and to date over 500 employees have completed the training. To avoid employee-training deficiencies in the JHQ for EHS 59 (Ergo Self-Assessment & Training), this course has been reclassified as “recommended” instead of “required” in the training database. Effective July 1, the class will be required for all staff that answer “yes” to the question “Do you use a computer for four or more hours per day?” Employees will have three months (until Sept. 30) to satisfy this requirement. Employees who’ve previously completed EHS 59 will only be required to take the annual refresher EHS 58 (Ergo Self-Assessment). Go here to access EHS 59 (click the "Start Training button). Call x2228 for more information.

Smoot in National
Academy of Science

Smoot

George Smoot, Berkeley Lab astrophysicist and co-winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics "for discovery of the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation,” has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the nation’s highest honors for a scientist or engineer. He is one of 72 new members and 18 foreign associates inducted into the NAS, which was established in 1863 under President Lincoln for the “furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare.” Smoot’s election to the academy brings the total number of Berkeley Lab NAS members to 61. Full story.

Gadgil’s Students
Win EPA Award

Amrose, left, and Kowolik

UC Berkeley students Susan Amrose and Kristin Kowolik won a $75,000 award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s People Planet Prosperity competition. Their work is titled “Electrochemical Arsenic Remediation in Rural Bangladesh.” Both students work with Ashok Gadgil of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division. The goal is to develop an affordable and easily deployed technology to help Bangladesh reduce the amount of arsenic in drinking water. Sixty million Bangladeshis drink water that is contaminated by arsenic at levels well above the standards set by the World Health Organization. In addition to Gadgil, this work received guidance from Robert Kostecki and Venkat Srinivasan of EETD. Go here for more information.

Memorial for Campus
Energy Expert Friday

Farrell

UC Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group has scheduled a memorial on Friday for Alex Farrell, an associate professor who died recently at the age of 46. The event will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Lipman Room on the 8th floor of Barrows Hall. Colleagues, students and friends of Farrell are invited to attend. Read the full obituary here.