Since before I came to Berkeley, I always wanted to visit Lawrence Lab. For others, it might just seem like a massive boring facility where a bunch of nerds works, but for me, it was almost like a Disney Land for a 5-year-old. I even applied for the monthly free tour for 3 consecutive months, Jan, Feb, March (in December!), but I was instantly placed into the waiting list. I was pretty sad that I might not be able to visit my Disney Land, but I had hope. Then one day, Rick told everyone that we’re going to D̶i̶s̶n̶e̶y̶ ̶L̶a̶n̶d̶ Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory!! Not once but twice!! I was way too excited, and I have been waiting for the day Since! I packed my passport the day before and was totally ready for it. Then the day finally came.
We started our field trip by missing the bus. I obviously couldn’t wait for the next bus to come, so we Uber’d to the SCET Meeting point. Where we shortly began our journey. We had a lovely walk through the gardens and a bunch of aesthetic nature. We saw the famous grave of the “Igor Fetch.” A beloved dog buried by the residents of bowels hall. It was pretty sad to know that it lived for only 4 years, but it got a grand burial.
We continued our journey to the Lawrence lab on the orange line bus. Finally, after 3 confused stop, we were at the Molecular Foundry. Where we got to see this breathtaking view from the balcony.
We met the Deputy Director of the Molecular Foundry Branden Brough there who really amazing and seemed like the perfect person who’d run such a cool place like this. Kind, Informative, and Humours. We explained to us about a lot of the Logistics of the lab. That’s when I found out that it’s a public free-to-all laboratory, which means anyone with the right brains can start working there! Which seemed like a really fantastic thing. Then we learned about different segments of the Lab (Synthesis, Fabrication, Theory, etc.), and we also got to know about the fantastic pieces of equipment that they have there. Berkeley is known for its research in Quantum physics. I could believe I’m standing in a facility that is arguably one of the top 10 labs in the world. Our first visit was a “Clean Room.” As soon as Branden mentioned it, I assumed it to be some room where they clean their equipment (They have to do it somewhere). But when I saw it. It seemed something out the movie “Outbreak,” which ironic given the situation with COVID-19 (Safety and Precautionary measures here btw). People inside were wearing protective clothing. We later found out that it was not a protective gear for them but for the room. A Cleanroom is basically a room that’s maintained so clean that it doesn’t contaminate any chemical procedures carried out inside. They had 1000 Clean Room and a 100 Clean Room, which meant 1000 particles and 100 particles per unit area, respectively. Since we humans produce dust, we have to wear protective clothing that prevents that.
We then proceeded to Biological Lab, where we met W.A.N.D.A, A robot that carries out biological experiments. It was so exciting. An interesting question came up during the tour at Biological Lab. “Do you think a silicon-based life form is possible?” It was particularly interesting because silicon belongs to the Carbon family (What we’re made of), that means, in theory, it is a possibility. Which is precisely what Branden answered but in a better way with adding “As a Scientist” to his answer.
The tour got more exciting as we proceeded further. The next stop was the Electron Microscope. Yes! Finally! It was so amazing to learn that Berkeley Lab had the world’s best Electron Microscope for over 20 years, and it’s still one of the finest for the top 10! For the first time in my life, I saw a molecule’s picture. It was a silicon nitrate. It looked so satisfying.
We ended the tour with a blast. By visiting the actual Microscope itself. It was like in space movies. A small dark room with an expensive and highly sensitive piece of equipment and man sitting down with computers doing something amazing!. We learned about electromagnetic lenses, and we also saw one.
All in all, this was the best tour for me so far I am so thankful to be able to see this.
