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In this issue:
Collaborative White Paper Makes the Case for Future X-ray Sources
Public Lecture Tonight
WIS Seminar on Climate Change Tomorrow
Last Call for Volunteers: Science Bowl at SLAC!

SLAC Today

Tuesday - February 24, 2009

Collaborative White Paper Makes the Case for Future X-ray Sources

In December 2008, scientists from Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley and SLAC national laboratories finalized a white paper titled, "Science and Technology of Future Light Sources," illustrating the scientific need for more powerful light sources.

"X-ray science can help solve some of society's challenges in areas such as health, technology, energy and the environment," said Joachim Stöhr, Director of SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. "We [the authors] wanted to outline the power of X-rays to answer fundamental scientific questions and prepare the path for increased funding of photon science." The authors submitted the paper to the Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Science, a timely input to help brief the Obama administration on this evolving field.  Read more...

(Photo - public lecture poster)

Public Lecture Tonight

All are invited to Panofsky Auditorium tonight from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. to hear SLAC researcher Anders Nilsson present "Water: The Strangest Liquid."

Water, H2O, is familiar to everyone—it shapes our bodies and our planet. But despite its abundance, water has remained a mystery, exhibiting many strange properties that are still not understood. Why does the liquid have an unusually large capacity to store heat? And why is it denser than ice? Now, using the intense X-ray beams from particle accelerators, investigations into water are leading to fundamental discoveries about the structure and arrangement of water molecules. This lecture will elucidate the many mysteries of water and discuss current studies that are revolutionizing the way we see and understand one of the most fundamental substances of life.  

Nilsson's talk will be followed by refreshments and discussion. The event is free and open to the public.

WIS Seminar on Climate Change Tomorrow

(Photo - Pamela Matson)
Pamela Matson, dean of Stanford's School of Earth Sciences

For Stanford School of Earth Sciences Dean Pamela Matson, it's not a question of whether humanity can meet its energy and food needs while adapting to a changing climate; it's a question of how. Answers lie in a broad-based interdisciplinary approach that includes solid science, environmental economics and policies that include all stakeholders. For an overview of what is possible, please join the Women's Interchange at SLAC for Matson's presentation, "Understanding, Limiting and Responding to Climate Change," Wednesday, February 25, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Panofsky Auditorium. Come hear Matson talk about what we and our policy makers need to be doing right now. The talk is free and open to all.

Matson has been dean of the Stanford School of Earth Sciences since 2002. She is professor of Environmental Studies, a member of the Woods Institute for the Environment, co-leader of Stanford's Initiative on Environment and Sustainability, and a past president of the Ecological Society of America.

(Image - SLAC Science Bowl 2009 logo)

Last Call for Volunteers: Science Bowl at SLAC!

The final training session for volunteers participating in this year's regional Science Bowl will take place today in Panfosky Auditorium from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will bring representatives from 17 high schools around the Bay Area to SLAC this Saturday, February 28, for a day of exciting competition. Volunteers are still needed; if you'd like to know more about the event or want to get involved please contact Melinda Lee (x8547) or visit the Science Bowl Web site

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