Researcher Pushes
Floating Solar Islands

Creating cheap, clean energy is a huge problem. So, how's this for a big solution: Swiss researcher Thomas Hinderling wants to build solar islands several miles across that he claims can produce hundreds of megawatts of relatively inexpensive power. Mark Bollinger, a renewable energy researcher at Berkeley Lab, thought it would be possible to create such an island, but questioned the viability of the enterprise. "I'm sure it's possible, but it seems a little bit out-there, just given where the technology is and how little of it has been developed on land," Bollinger said. Full story.

Clean Tech Tricky
In Developing World

Qdrum enables rolling water to remote locations

Bringing clean technologies to the developing world may not be the top priority for Silicon Valley deal makers, but interest is expanding, according to entrepreneurs, scientists, and venture capitalists who recently met at Santa Clara University. Serving the world’s poor won’t get far if entrepreneurial hopefuls fail to maintain humility and respect local ingenuity, warned Ashok Gadgil, with Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division. He invented the portable UV Waterworks purifier, which the lab licensed to Water Health International. And figuring out the right business model is tricky because people at the bottom of the economic pyramid don't necessarily want handouts, but they can't pay high upfront fees either. Gadgil praised Solar Electric Lighting Company, or SELCO, in India, because its novel financing model requests small monthly payments for its solar-powered lights. Full story.

X-Ray Burst Leads
To Supernova Study

The lucky capture in January of an X-ray outburst from the very beginning of a supernova allowed astronomers around the world to quickly follow up with ground-based telescopes and collect a wealth of new information on early processes in stellar explosions, according to a paper newly submitted to The Astrophysical Journal. According to first author Maryam Modjaz, with UC Berkeley, capturing the breakout flash was a case of serendipity. "The results are stunning and illuminate one of the last frontiers in stellar death," added co-author Joshua Bloom, with Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division. Full story.

Onsite Classes Offered
For Excel, Word Programs

The Berkeley Lab Institute is offering Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word classes on Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12. Class times are 8:30 a.m. to noon for intermediate and 1 to 4:30 p.m. for advanced.  The classes, taught by Learn iT, are $40 each.  Due to limited space, interested employees are encouraged to sign up early. Go here for more information and to register. Project ID numbers can be given to Karen Paris (x5122).

New EH&S Class
On Nano Material

Berkeley Lab’s Environment, Health & Safety Division announces a new online training class on Safe Handling of Engineered Nanoscale Particulate Matter (EHS0344). This course is required for personnel who handle or may be exposed to the hazards of engineered nanomaterials, as identified through the Job Hazards Questionnaire (JHQ).  The Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan describes the hazards and required controls for work involving nanomaterials. Direct questions to Larry McLouth (x5286).