A pair of new grants to Berkeley Lab’s Nuclear Science Division (NSD), one from the U.S. Department of Energy and another via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, showcase NSD’s Applied Nuclear Physics program, which develops equipment created for basic research into tools that can address practical needs like cancer therapy and homeland security.

As funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act start to flow into Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, much of that funding is flowing out to small businesses. To date, Berkeley Lab has been awarded more than $220 million in Recovery Act funds, a large part of which will go toward infrastructure projects and buying and upgrading computers and scientific equipment, such as microscopes, lasers and gene sequencers. So far, $38.2 million in Recovery Act subcontracts have been awarded, of which 58 percent went to small businesses.

The first portion of an allocated $115.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding has arrived at Berkeley Lab. With $70 million directed to nine construction projects, hiring is already underway and is expected to result in up to 700 jobs for local contractors and employees, as well as suppliers in California and around the nation.