January 2019 – July 2022
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Earthshots Initiative is designed to accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade. Secretary of Energy Granholm announced the goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen as the first Earthshot. https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-granholm-launches-energy-earthshots-initiative-accelerate-breakthroughs-toward
An Advanced Light Source (ALS) and University of Kentucky collaboration, supported by EPSCoR — a DOE program that encourages partnerships between national labs and researchers in qualifying states and territories — has resulted in pioneering research and career advancement for young scientists. https://als.lbl.gov/epscor-collaboration-fosters-new-research-and-new-careers/
Advanced Light Source (ALS) studies helped scientists understand how a nanoscale magnetic lattice (artificial spin ice) acts as a toggle switch for X-ray beams with spiral character — an important step toward a new tool for probing or controlling exotic phenomena in electronic and magnetic systems. https://als.lbl.gov/artificial-spin-ice-toggles-twist-in-x-ray-beams-on-demand/
Five scientists at Berkeley Lab have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science to receive funding through the Early Career Research Program (ECRP), which provides recognition and funding support to exceptional researchers during the first ten years following their Ph.Ds. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2021/05/27/five-berkeley-lab-scientists-receive-prestigious-five-year-research-grant/
Are you a Lab researcher who wants to bring your technology to market? The Energy I-Corps two-month training program is accepting applications for the next cohort to begin in September. Team applications are due May 28. Attend the information session to find out more. https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=N24wdjEzbDVsNzBrdnB1NXVxc2FybDBiYWMgbGJsLmdvdl80czRycmcxMmw2ZXFnNm5jbWMya3QwdmNnZ0Bn&tmsrc=lbl.gov_4s4rrg12l6eqg6ncmc2kt0vcgg%40group.calendar.google.com
Fellows with the Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program — which brings together leaders from each national lab to learn more about the DOE and lab system — visited last week for briefings, networking, and tours. Contact Peter Nugent or Noel Bakhtian for more info on the program. https://oselp.org/
Teams from Berkeley Lab and Sandia National Laboratories have collaborated to develop a streamlined process for converting woody plant matter like forest overgrowth and agricultural waste – material currently burned either intentionally or unintentionally – into liquid biofuel. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2021/04/14/fire-risk-wood-into-biofuel/
What does innovation look like? How do you practice it? DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) and the Lab’s Intellectual Property Office present a discussion on innovation Tuesday, April 20 at noon with Dr. Vanessa Z. Chan, DOE’s Chief Commercialization Officer. https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=Nmg0dnQ0YTJpYTR2am0zaXAycWhyY3RkZ3RfMjAyMTA0MjBUMTkwMDAwWiBsYmwuZ292XzRzNHJyZzEybDZlcWc2bmNtYzJrdDB2Y2dnQGc&tmsrc=lbl.gov_4s4rrg12l6eqg6ncmc2kt0vcgg%40group.calendar.google.com
Vanessa Chan, DOE’s Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, virtually visited the Lab last Friday. She toured the ALS and the Molecular Foundry and was a guest speaker at the Lab’s celebration of inventors and software developers. https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/contributors/vanessa-z-chan#:~:text=Chan%20is%20the%20Chief%20Commercialization,production%20facilities%20across%20the%20country.
David Turk was sworn in Friday as the Deputy Secretary for DOE. At his virtual swearing-in ceremony, Turk said he was looking forward to working with those who are working on America’s toughest problems. He previously served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for the DOE in a previous administration. https://www.energy.gov/articles/david-m-turk-sworn-deputy-secretary-energy