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Michael Witherell

@mwitherell.bsky.social

Director of Berkeley Lab, a DOE national laboratory that carries out world-leading research over a remarkable range of science and technology. www.lbl.gov.

1,087 Followers  |  410 Following  |  23 Posts  |  Joined: 01.07.2023  |  2.1456

Latest posts by mwitherell.bsky.social on Bluesky

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DOE Announces New Supercomputer Powered by Dell and NVIDIA to Speed Scientific Discovery The NERSC-10 system at Berkeley Lab will accelerate DOE Office of Science research in an era of rapidly advancing simulation, data, and AI capabilities.

NERSC-10 will be named Doudna: DOE awards contract to Dell for #supercomputer powered by NVIDIA’s next-generation Vera Rubin platform

newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/05/29/d...

#HPC #AI @nersc.bsky.social @cs.lbl.gov

30.05.2025 01:06 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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US supercomputer named after Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna to power AI and scientific research A new supercomputer named after a winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry will help power artificial intelligence technology and scientific discoveries from a perch in the hills above the University of California, Berkeley, federal officials said Thursday.

A new supercomputer named after a winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry will help power artificial intelligence technology and scientific discoveries from a perch in the hills above the University of California, Berkeley, federal officials said Thursday.

30.05.2025 03:00 β€” πŸ‘ 74    πŸ” 20    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 2
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DOE Announces New Supercomputer Powered by Dell and NVIDIA to Speed Scientific Discovery The NERSC-10 system at Berkeley Lab will accelerate DOE Office of Science research in an era of rapidly advancing simulation, data, and AI capabilities.

✨ Berkeley Lab's @nersc.bsky.social, @delltechnologies.bsky.social, and NVIDIA announce new public-private partnership for game-changing US Dept. of Energy Doudna supercomputer, (NERSC-10, strengthening U.S. capabilities, accelerating discovery, and powering future science. πŸ§ͺ

29.05.2025 22:54 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
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Weight-loss jabs could halve risk of obesity-related cancers, study finds Experts say findings are transformational and could herald new era of preventive medicine Weight-loss jabs could almost halve the risk of obesity-related cancers, a landmark study suggests. Cancer experts said the findings were β€œtransformational” and could herald a β€œwhole new era of preventive cancer medicine”. Continue reading...

Weight-loss jabs could halve risk of obesity-related cancers, study finds

11.05.2025 22:08 β€” πŸ‘ 154    πŸ” 32    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 4
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Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A Promising Source of Round-the-Clock Energy A Q&A with Geothermal Systems Program Lead Eva Schill, who discusses the potential of Enhanced

newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/04/10/e...

18.04.2025 02:23 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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New DESI Results Strengthen Hints That Dark Energy May Evolve The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument used millions of galaxies and quasars to build the largest 3D map of our universe to date.

And here is the original story: newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/03/19/n... @berkeleylab.lbl.gov

25.03.2025 00:16 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The new results from DESI were placed right on the front page in Le Monde, just where they belong.

25.03.2025 00:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Astronomers Get β€˜More Than a Hint’ That Dark Energy Isn’t What They Thought New data further challenge the best scientific theory of the history and the structure of the universe. But a separate recent result reinforces it.

An international team of astronomers on Wednesday unveiled the most compelling evidence to date that dark energy β€” a mysterious phenomenon pushing our universe to expand ever faster β€” is not a constant force of nature but one that ebbs and flows through cosmic time.

20.03.2025 02:35 β€” πŸ‘ 424    πŸ” 67    πŸ’¬ 22    πŸ“Œ 14

This is exciting.

19.03.2025 22:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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1,000 Scientist AI Jam Session: Advancing science with the U.S. national labs OpenAI and nine national labs bring together leading scientists for first-of-its kind event.

We are thrilled to welcome 200 scientists to our Lab today at @lbnlcs.bsky.social for the 1,000 Scientist #AI Jam Session! We can't wait to explore how AI can accelerate discovery alongside our fellow US DOE National Labs, OpenAI, and @anthropic.com! πŸ§ͺ

28.02.2025 20:19 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Dark energy could be getting weaker, suggesting the universe will end in a 'Big Crunch' "The discovery of evolving dark energy would be as revolutionary as the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the universe itself, if confirmed."

We aren't yet sure if acceleration caused by dark energy is weakening. We will know much more when the DESI collaboration is able to publish the results from its full five-year survey. As to what that could mean for the fate of the universe, here is a good article: www.space.com/desi-cosmolo...

01.02.2025 21:02 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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NERSC Opens Access to IBM Quantum Computers Through Quantum Innovation Center Starting January 2025, NERSC users will access IBM’s quantum computers via the cloud, enabling research on scientific applications.

It’s great to see IBM headlining in scientific #HPC again, especially with a leading partner like @nersc.bsky.social. While AI is sucking so much air out of the room, quantum is a green field for innovation.

thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/24/n...

25.01.2025 19:47 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Taking Stock of the Known and Unknown Microbial Space - Biosciences Area Using publicly available genome sequence data generated over the past three decades, JGI researchers assess the known fraction of microbial diversity.

In Science Advances: "We took a deep dive into over 1.8 million bacterial and archaeal genomes to see how much of their diversity we’ve actually captured. Turns out that despite all the genomes we’ve sequenced, we’ve only scratched the surface." -Dongying Wu

πŸ–₯️🧬🦠

biosciences.lbl.gov/2025/01/17/t...

17.01.2025 19:27 β€” πŸ‘ 43    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2
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Three Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive PECASE Award Three scientists with Berkeley Lab were among the nearly 400 scientists and engineers awarded by President Biden to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

Congratulations to Lab scientists RaΓΊl BriceΓ±o, Stefan Wild, and Ahmet Kusoglu for receiving the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor the US government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers. πŸ§ͺ

More ⬇️
newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/01/16/t...

16.01.2025 16:01 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.

US National Academies: Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation

13.01.2025 18:33 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ§ͺ From groundbreaking automation in experimental data to advancing early career scientists, our LDRD program is driving innovation forward. With 109 projects funded at $27.5M, we're building a future of limitless possibilities. ⬇️
research.lbl.gov/2025/01/09/l...

#ScienceInnovation #NationalLabs

13.01.2025 16:00 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Is there a link between #ClimateChange & increasing risk/severity of #wildfire in California--including the still-unfolding disaster? Yes. Is climate change the only factor at play? No, of course not. So what's really going on? [Thread] #CAfire #CAwx #LAfires iopscience.iop.org/a...

09.01.2025 22:05 β€” πŸ‘ 797    πŸ” 367    πŸ’¬ 30    πŸ“Œ 73
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Berkeley Lab’s Jennifer Doudna Awarded National Medal of Technology and Innovation Jennifer Doudna has been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

β€œOn behalf of the Berkeley Lab community, I extend my warmest congratulations to Jennifer for receiving the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Her groundbreaking research will push the boundaries of science and benefit humanity.” - @mwitherell.bsky.social
newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/01/07/b...

07.01.2025 20:07 β€” πŸ‘ 51    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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President Biden Honors Nation’s Leading Scientists, Technologists, and Innovators | The White House Today, President Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovationβ€”our nation’s

www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo... Congratulations to all of the award winners for their remarkable accomplishments in science and technology.

05.01.2025 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
A Tour de Force: Columbia Engineers Discover New β€œAll-optical” Nanoscale Sensors of Force | Columbia Engineering

Excited to share groundbreaking research from our @molecularfoundry.bsky.social team in collaboration w/Β Columbia Engineering! Our scientists helped develop revolutionary nanoscale force sensors that could transform everything from robotics to medicine.πŸ§ͺ
www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/news/t...

03.01.2025 19:49 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

New starter pack by @berkeleylab.bsky.social to make it easier to find me and my colleagues here at Berkeley Lab!

go.bsky.app/9X5y998

18.11.2024 19:02 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

This remarkable chart brings to mind the work of Arthur Rosenfeld, who drove the establishment of the California energy efficiency standards in 1977. www.tang-prize.org/en/media_det.... Art was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2011 for his contributions.

30.12.2024 23:19 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Helen Edwards was both a brilliant accelerator scientist and one of the most inspiring leaders we have had in the field of particle physics. It was a privilege to work with her at Fermilab. She deserves to have her name on the Integrate Engineering Research Center there.

30.12.2024 13:20 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Shaping the Future of AI | National Academies Artificial intelligence and related technologies – such as machine learning, large language models, and neural networks – are advancing at a rapid pace. As AI is used increasingly in daily life and…

As artificial intelligence increasingly becomes a part of daily life, the National Academies are advising the nation on AI use, policy, ethics, and innovation. Explore the work we're doing to shape the future of AI:

26.12.2024 15:50 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Berkeley Lab’s Ashok Gadgil Receives National Medal of Technology and Innovation

All of us at @berkeleylab.lbl.gov are so proud of what Ashok has accomplished. newscenter.lbl.gov/2023/10/24/b...

25.12.2024 20:24 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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My invention brought clean water to millions. Don't rewrite the law that made it possible None of this could have happened without a little-known 1980 law called the Bayh-Dole Act

Ashok Gadgil has devoted his career to bringing inventions like this one to millions of people who need them: www.salon.com/2024/12/24/m...

25.12.2024 20:16 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Department of Energy Extends the University of California’s Contract to Manage Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

πŸ”ˆ ​Our legacy of innovation continues as ​DOE extends the University of California’s contract to manage the Lab for another 5 years.

Together, we’re expanding the frontiers of knowledge and delivering solutions for a better future.
newscenter.lbl.gov/2024/12/18/d...

#ScienceForAll #Innovation

18.12.2024 20:06 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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DOE Releases New Report Evaluating Increase in Electricity Demand from Data Centers Domestic Energy Usage from Data Centers Expected to Double or Triple by 2028, DOE Continues to Accelerate Development and Deployment of Solutions to Meet Growing Demand

And here is the DOE release: www.energy.gov/articles/doe...

21.12.2024 21:10 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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US data-center power use could nearly triple by 2028, DOE-backed report says U.S. data-center power demand could nearly triple in the next three years, and consume as much as 12% of the country's electricity, as the industry undergoes an artificial-intelligence transformation, according to a Department of Energy-backed study that was first reported by Reuters on Friday.

Reuters story about the report on data-center energy use by @berkeleylab.lbl.gov for the U.S. DOE: www.reuters.com/business/ene... "The report's lead researcher Arman Shehabi and his team recommend publishing the report annually, or biannually, to more closely track data-center trends."

21.12.2024 21:08 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Top UC stories in 2024
YouTube video by University of California Top UC stories in 2024

UC's incredible faculty and staff are the heart and soul of this institution. The work you do makes an impact for the greater good of our students and our world. Thank you for all you do and happy holidays to you and your loved ones #FiatLux ✨ www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUOf...

20.12.2024 17:46 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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