SLAC Today logo

What does the text-only version of SLAC Today look like?

Thursday - August 3, 2006

SLAC Today is available online at:
http://today.slac.stanford.edu [http://today.slac.stanford.edu]

In this issue:
SLAC Today to Offer Text-Only Version
Science Today: A Novel Form of Iron
The Greening of SLAC

SLAC Today to Offer Text-Only Version
-------------------------------------
by Kelen Tuttle

Beginning today, subscribers can choose to receive either an HTML or text-only version of SLAC Today in their e-mail inboxes each morning. The change is a result of responses to this summer's SLAC Today survey, in which many readers noted their desire for a plain text version of the newsletter.

"The survey gave us some really interesting results and we're pleased to be able to react to the suggestions of SLAC Today readers," said Director of Communications Neil Calder. "We look forward to continued feedback [mailto:today@slac.stanford.edu] and subsequent evolution of the publication."

All SLAC employees and users with an @slac.stanford.edu e-mail account automatically receive an HTML version of SLAC Today. To receive a text-only version instead, please send an e-mail to tip@slac.stanford.edu with "text-only" in the subject line.

Everyone else can subscribe or unsubscribe to either version here [http://today.slac.stanford.edu/subscribe.asp].

A Novel Form of Iron
--------------------
by Brad Plummer

Chemists have synthesized and characterized a new, highly reactive form of iron that promises to deepen our understanding of this important element. Iron is found in abundance in the natural world, and in its ionized form plays a crucial role in virtually all living processes.

An iron atom can have as many as eight valence electrons in its outer shell, but most typically iron has five or six of these valence electrons. The new form of iron, designated iron(VI), has only two electrons in its outer shell, making it very electron deficient and thus highly reactive. Only one other form of iron(VI), ferrate, which is tetrahedrally coordinated by four oxygen atoms, is known. Ferrate is a powerful oxidant, but reacts indiscriminately and thus can be difficult to use. The new species of iron(VI) which is octahedrally coordinated, instead forms a bond with nitrogen, which results in different reactivity, and thus holds promise for industrial and biomedical applications.
Read more... [http://today.slac.stanford.edu/feature/ROW-080306.asp]

The Greening of SLAC
--------------------
by David Pindroh

SLAC seeks to take an active role in maintaining the health of the environment. One way to do this is to ensure that everyone at the lab uses environmentally sound products. Although SLAC has a good program in place for purchasing recycled paper products, not all purchasers at the lab recognize other opportunities to buy recycled or recovered products.

In conjunction with Executive Order 13101, "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition," the Department of Energy has established a website [http://twilight.saic.com/ap/RecycledContent.htm] of EPA-designated items containing recovered materials. The latest version of Peoplesoft purchasing software includes links to these materials.

Please take a moment and review the above DOE website link. It contains lists of various materials, including products related to: landscaping, park and recreation, transportation, and office supplies. By ordering these products, you can help maintain the health of the environment while helping the lab meet Executive Order 13101.

For more information contact Deputy Purchasing Officer David Pindroh (x8515, pindroh@slac.stanford.edu [mailto:pindroh@slac.stanford.edu]) or Senior Buyer Pamela Wright-Brunache (x2440, pdwb@slac.stanford.edu [mailto:pdwb@slac.stanford.edu]).

Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* August 8: (12:30 p.m.) Experimental Seminar: CMS Physics Commissioning
[https://www.slac.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/meetingmaker/200512/webevent.cgi?
cmd=listday&ncmd=startup&token=&d=8&m=08&y=2006&sb=1&cf=list&swe=0&set=0&
sa=1&sort=m%2Ct%2Ce&ws=0&stz=Default&sib=1&de=1&tf=0&cal=cal2
]

Access
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* A&E ADA Restroom Renovation
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/access_detail.asp?id=5456]
* Bulb and Ballast Replacement in Bldg. 84 and 40
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/access_detail.asp?id=5590]

Lab Announcements
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* 2007 Child Care Subsidy Grant Informational Sessions for Faculty and Staff
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/today_detail.asp?id=5670]
* Supervisor and Manager Training on ES&H Self-Assessment
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/today_detail.asp?id=5637]
* Kids Day - August 16
[http://www-project.slac.stanford.edu/kidsday/2006/detailhtm.htm]

Community Bulletin Board
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* Reminder: Bike Safety
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/feature/safety_052306.asp]
* Uwe Bergmann to Discuss Archimedes Manuscript TODAY
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/today_detail.asp?id=5465]

News
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* Optical Breakthrough Makes 'Lab-on-a-Chip' Possible
[http://www.physorg.com/news73749361.html] PhysOrg.com
* X-rays Reveal Archimedes' Secrets
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5235894.stm] BBC News

--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------

* Milestones
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/milestones/default.asp]
* Flea Market
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/fm/default.aspx]
* Linear Cafe Menu
[http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/cafe/]

* Search the Archives [http://today.slac.stanford.edu/a/]
* Subscribe/Unsubscribe
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/subscribe.asp]
* Submit a Story Idea or Text
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/submissions.asp]
* Send Us Your Feedback
[mailto:today@slac.stanford.edu?subject=SLAC Today Feedback]

--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------

View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/
[http://today.slac.stanford.edu/].