Michael Witherell
mwitherell.bsky.social
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.
The next few years will see amazing advances in quantum computing.
The Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA) at Berkeley Lab, co-led with Sandia National Laboratories, received $125M in renewed funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. 🧪 ✨
The Quantum Systems Accelerator Embarks on Next Five Years of Pioneering Quantum Technologies for Science
Berkeley Lab-led center will accelerate progress toward practical quantum computers, ultra-precise sensors, and powerful new tools for science.
newscenter.lbl.gov
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
DYK AI isn’t just changing the game, it’s helping us discover faster? From nanoscale materials to supercomputing, Berkeley Lab researchers are using AI to accelerate science in real time! Learn more ⬇️✨

@als.lbl.gov @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov @esnet.bsky.social @nersc.bsky.social
How AI and Automation are Speeding Up Science and Discovery
Berkeley Lab is transforming research across disciplines from energy to materials science and more, strengthening American innovation and the nation’s scientific edge.
newscenter.lbl.gov
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
The DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Centers continue their mission.
www.energy.gov/articles/ene...
Energy Department Announces $625 Million to Advance the Next Phase of National Quantum Information Science Research Centers
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $625 million in funding to renew its five National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.
www.energy.gov
November 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Weather changing over San Francisco Bay
September 18, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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
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.
newscenter.lbl.gov
May 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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.
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.
bit.ly
May 30, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
✨ 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. 🧪
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.
newscenter.lbl.gov
May 29, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The new results from DESI were placed right on the front page in Le Monde, just where they belong.
🗞🇪🇺 COMMENT L’EUROPE ENTEND SE RÉARMER EN CINQ ANS

Voici la une du journal Le Monde, demain vendredi 21 mars 2025. #Europe #Défense #Defence #Armée #army #EuropeanArmy
March 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
An international team of astronomers on Wednesday unveiled the most compelling evidence to date that dark energy — a mysterious phenomenon pushing our universe to expand ever faster — is not a constant force of nature but one that ebbs and flows through cosmic time.
Astronomers Get ‘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.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:35 AM
This is exciting.
🔭👀 New results from the @desisurvey.bsky.social strengthen hints that #DarkEnergy might evolve.

News release ⬇️
newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/03/19/n...

#Space #arXiv 🧪
March 19, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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! 🧪
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.
openai.com
February 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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...
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.
thequantuminsider.com
January 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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

🖥️🧬🦠

biosciences.lbl.gov/2025/01/17/t...
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.
biosciences.lbl.gov
January 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
Congratulations to Lab scientists Raúl Briceño, 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. 🧪

More ⬇️
newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/01/16/t...
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).
newscenter.lbl.gov
January 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
US National Academies: Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation
Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation
Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.
buff.ly
January 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
🧪 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
January 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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...
January 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
“On 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...
Berkeley Lab’s Jennifer Doudna Awarded National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Jennifer Doudna has been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
newscenter.lbl.gov
January 7, 2025 at 8:07 PM
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo... Congratulations to all of the award winners for their remarkable accomplishments in science and technology.
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 Innovation—our nation’s
www.whitehouse.gov
January 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
Excited to share groundbreaking research from our @molecularfoundry.bsky.social team in collaboration w/ Columbia Engineering! Our scientists helped develop revolutionary nanoscale force sensors that could transform everything from robotics to medicine.🧪
www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/news/t...
A Tour de Force: Columbia Engineers Discover New “All-optical” Nanoscale Sensors of Force | Columbia Engineering
www.engineering.columbia.edu
January 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Michael Witherell
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
November 18, 2024 at 7:02 PM
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.
December 30, 2024 at 11:19 PM
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.
My bill with Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, and Rep. Underwood is on its way to President Biden's desk!

Dr. Helen Edwards was a scientific and technical leader of Fermilab, and she was a dear friend of mine. I'm thrilled that the IERC will honor her memory.

foster.house.gov/media/press-...
Foster, Durbin, Duckworth Celebrate Passage of Resolution to Name Fermilab Research Center After Renowned Physicist Dr. Helen Edwards
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S.
foster.house.gov
December 30, 2024 at 1:20 PM