A new study led by a Berkeley Lab scientist and UC Berkeley professor establishes for the first time copper's role in fat metabolism, further burnishing the metal's reputation as an essential nutrient for human physiology. More>
Which Cleantech Pitch Would You Vote For?
The Lab hosted a cleantech pitchfest in San Francisco on June 1, featuring six researchers presenting their cutting-edge technologies to help combat climate change. Those attending the event voted and selected both CalWave, which harnesses energy from ocean waves, and DIY Efficient Windows, a paint-on coating for energy-efficient windows. Which one would you pick?
Got Plaque? New Technology Provides Measure of Artery Health
What if checking the state of your arterial health were as simple as monitoring your blood pressure? New technology developed by Jonathan Maltz of the Biosciences Area could soon make detecting the process of plaque buildup in vessels a routine part of a visit to the doctor and, perhaps, home healthcare settings. More>
Hunting for Dark Matter's 'Hidden Valley'
Kathryn Zurek realized a decade ago we may be searching in the wrong places for clues to the unsolved mystery of dark matter. Despite making up 85 percent of the total mass of the universe, we haven't yet figured out what it's made of. Now, thanks to extraordinary improvements in experimental sensitivity, "we increasingly know where not to look," she says. More>
New Path Forward for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries
A team of materials scientists has made a major advance in understanding the chemical processes in "lithium-rich cathodes," which hold promise for a higher energy lithium-ion battery. More>
Brewing Jet Fuel in a One-Pot Recipe
Lab scientists have engineered a strain of bacteria that enables a "one-pot" method for producing advanced biofuels from a slurry of pre-treated plant material. The achievement is a critical step in making biofuels a viable competitor to fossil fuels. More>
Local Second Graders Learn About Computers During Visit
The Lab's IT Division hosted students from LeConte Elementary School in Berkeley. The kids learned about computer software, hardware, and networking, through various hands-on activities. The annual event aims to motivate youngsters to pursue their interest and education in IT and computing.
DoseNet Delivers Environmental Data as an Educational Tool
A network of radiation-monitoring devices - designed and engineered by UC Berkeley students working with Lab researchers - and a companion website and open-source code serve as educational and outreach tools for an international project called DoseNet that stretches from Northern California classrooms to a city hall in Japan. More>
Alivisatos Receives National Medal From President Obama
Former Lab Director and materials scientist Paul Alivisatos attended a special White House ceremony on May 19 to receive the National Medal, the nation's highest honor for lifetime achievement in science. More>
Towers Gauge Impact of 2012 U.S. Drought on Carbon Cycle
In 2012, the U.S. experienced the warmest spring on record, and severest drought since the Dust Bowl. Scientists - interested in the carbon flux between vegetation and the atmosphere during extreme climate events - used a network of 22 carbon-sensing towers to map flux across the nation during 2012. More>
