Nuclear Energy Renaissance in the U.S.
Thu, April 24, 08
Jasmina Vujic
Nuclear Engineering
The USA has neglected nuclear energy for the last 20 to 30 years, but nuclear energy will be the way of the future if the United States wants to have energy independence and reduce the human influence on global climate. Besides electricity, one of the outputs of a nuclear power plant is heat, and with some of the new designs, those high temperatures could be used for efficient production of hydrogen. With the growing concerns about the energy cost, supply and CO2 emissions of fossil fuels, nuclear power appears increasingly attractive to many as a green energy source. Even with seemingly so many pluses and support from the current presidential administration, a nuclear revival could be a tough sell to the public. This presentation will view the recent advances in nuclear energy technologies, spent fuel reprocessing and closing the fuel cycle, and the new generation of nuclear reactors.
Jasmina Vujic
Nuclear Engineering
The USA has neglected nuclear energy for the last 20 to 30 years, but nuclear energy will be the way of the future if the United States wants to have energy independence and reduce the human influence on global climate. Besides electricity, one of the outputs of a nuclear power plant is heat, and with some of the new designs, those high temperatures could be used for efficient production of hydrogen. With the growing concerns about the energy cost, supply and CO2 emissions of fossil fuels, nuclear power appears increasingly attractive to many as a green energy source. Even with seemingly so many pluses and support from the current presidential administration, a nuclear revival could be a tough sell to the public. This presentation will view the recent advances in nuclear energy technologies, spent fuel reprocessing and closing the fuel cycle, and the new generation of nuclear reactors.
A New Generation of X-Ray Light Sources
Tue, March 11, 08
Professor Roger Falcone
Physics, LBNL
Dr. Falcone is currently Director of the Advanced Light Source Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1979 and joined the Berkeley Faculty in 1983. His current research focuses on the investigation of condensed matter, molecular and atomic physics using ultrafast, high intensity x-ray and laser sources.
Professor Roger Falcone
Physics, LBNL
Dr. Falcone is currently Director of the Advanced Light Source Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1979 and joined the Berkeley Faculty in 1983. His current research focuses on the investigation of condensed matter, molecular and atomic physics using ultrafast, high intensity x-ray and laser sources.
Cell Characterization Using Protein-Functionalized Pores
Thu, February 14, 08
Professor Lydia Sohn
Mechanical Engineering
Cell characterization through identification of membrane components is an essential element in cell biology, disease diagnosis and monitoring, and drug discovery. In this talk, I will describe a highly-sensitive, label-free method for characterizing individual cells based on cell-surface receptors. Our method involves measuring the current pulse generated when an individual cell passes through an artificial pore. When the pore is functionalized with proteins, specific interactions between a cell-surface marker and the functionalized proteins retard the cell, thus leading to an increased pulse duration that indicates the presence of that specific biomarker. We demonstrate the power of our label-free method by screening murine erythroleukemia cells based on their CD34 cell-surface marker in both a single and mixed population of cells. Further, we demonstrate our ability to screen small number of cells with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Professor Lydia Sohn
Mechanical Engineering
Cell characterization through identification of membrane components is an essential element in cell biology, disease diagnosis and monitoring, and drug discovery. In this talk, I will describe a highly-sensitive, label-free method for characterizing individual cells based on cell-surface receptors. Our method involves measuring the current pulse generated when an individual cell passes through an artificial pore. When the pore is functionalized with proteins, specific interactions between a cell-surface marker and the functionalized proteins retard the cell, thus leading to an increased pulse duration that indicates the presence of that specific biomarker. We demonstrate the power of our label-free method by screening murine erythroleukemia cells based on their CD34 cell-surface marker in both a single and mixed population of cells. Further, we demonstrate our ability to screen small number of cells with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Nanotechnology and Society
Wed, December 05, 07
Professor Paul Alivisatos
MSE, Physics
The shape of a nanocrystal can be controlled by growing the crystal in the presence of an organic molecule that selectively adheres to one crystallographic facet, effectively reducing the growth rate of the facet compared to others. This method of shape control has been applied to CdSe, CdTe, Co, iron oxides and titanium dioxide. In each case, a variety of shapes can be prepared, including rods, disks, and branched structures. Common principles about how to create the different shapes are emerging based on the comparisons between the several systems. The resulting materials can find a wide range of applications, from components in new solar cells, to reporters in cell tracking and cancer diagnostics.
Professor Paul Alivisatos
MSE, Physics
The shape of a nanocrystal can be controlled by growing the crystal in the presence of an organic molecule that selectively adheres to one crystallographic facet, effectively reducing the growth rate of the facet compared to others. This method of shape control has been applied to CdSe, CdTe, Co, iron oxides and titanium dioxide. In each case, a variety of shapes can be prepared, including rods, disks, and branched structures. Common principles about how to create the different shapes are emerging based on the comparisons between the several systems. The resulting materials can find a wide range of applications, from components in new solar cells, to reporters in cell tracking and cancer diagnostics.
Power to the People: Approaches to Generating Electric Power from Biofuels
Wed, November 14, 07
Professor Robert Dibble
Mechanical Engineering
This talk will summarize various approaches to making electric power from fuels. The goal has been to generate electric power "on site" and use the waste heat locally. Examples are hotels and hospitals that have both a need for electricity and a need for lots of hot water, to wash sheets. Other examples would be every COSTCO, Safeways, etc store could use this "Combined Heat and Power". Yet, most stores do not have CHP; why? The road is difficult, as small engines may have more pollution per kWatt than the power plant. Even more challenging, that large power plant may be in another state. Talk will also discuss transportation fuels: ethanol, bioDiesel, and other proposed alternative fuels.
Professor Robert Dibble
Mechanical Engineering
This talk will summarize various approaches to making electric power from fuels. The goal has been to generate electric power "on site" and use the waste heat locally. Examples are hotels and hospitals that have both a need for electricity and a need for lots of hot water, to wash sheets. Other examples would be every COSTCO, Safeways, etc store could use this "Combined Heat and Power". Yet, most stores do not have CHP; why? The road is difficult, as small engines may have more pollution per kWatt than the power plant. Even more challenging, that large power plant may be in another state. Talk will also discuss transportation fuels: ethanol, bioDiesel, and other proposed alternative fuels.
