Issue 5 - May 2009

In This Issue:

• Labs21 Conference Updates
• Training Tidbidts
• I²SL's Spotlight On...
• Ask Your Lab Question
• I²SL Around the Industry

There's a lot going on these days: May brought presentations from I²SL around Europe, as well as many from the Labs21 Community that participated in ACHEMA 2009. Summer won't slow things down for I²SL. Workshops are planned in the United States and Canada, and conference registration opens June 1, so we can count on remaining busy during these tight times. With the economy on everyone's minds, don't forget about the ways in which I²SL can help to save you money. The Labs21 Conference and Workshops can provide the tools you need to significantly decrease energy and other costs in your laboratories and high-performance facilities. Get involved with I²SL to share knowledge and experiences with other leaders in the industry!

Sincerely,

Phil Wirdzek
President and Executive Director
I²SL

Labs21 Conference Updates

Conference Registration Opens June 1!

Registration for the Labs21 2009 Annual Conference will open Monday, June 1. Don't get lost amid home appliances or office building ideas at other green building conferences this summer. The Labs21 Conference is the premier event for architects, engineers, operators, owners, and managers of high-performance facilities. Get the knowledge you need today! View the preliminary technical session agenda on I²SL's website.

I²SL would like to give a special thanks to our new 2009 Conference Sponsors:

Join these outstanding organizations by making your company a sponsor of this one-of-a-kind event.

I²SL has been working with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), who recently signed up as a Labs21 Supporter. AASHE will hold its "Greening of the Campus" meeting in partnership with Ball State University at the Indiana Convention Center from September 20—22, while the Labs21 Annual Conference is also taking place. Each organization's evening reception will be open to attendees from both conferences. Learn more about AASHE and opportunities for involvement.

Training Tidbits

Labs21 Summer Training Opportunities

Don't forget to register for one of the Labs21 Workshops offered this summer in the United States and Canada. These courses educate laboratory professionals on the sustainable techniques and strategies that can increase efficiency and decrease costs at your facility. Join I²SL for one of the Labs21 Workshops scheduled for this summer:

June 9
Labs21 Introductory Course: High-Performance, Low-Energy Design
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
This course will be held as part of a two-day event sponsored by LabWize, Inc.

June 16
Labs21 Advanced Course: Laboratory Ventilation and Design
Westwood, Massachusetts
Hosted by: NSTAR and the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Project

July 27 and 28
Labs21 Advanced Course: Laboratory Ventilation and Design
Labs21 Workshop: Operations and Maintenance
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hosted by: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Learn more about these course offerings on I²SL's website, or register to attend a class today!

I²SL's Spotlight On...

SEMCO, Exhibitor and Member of I²SL's Global Community

This will mark the eighth straight year that SEMCO has participated as a vendor in the Labs21 Technology and Services Fair. SEMCO is a pioneer of the Labs21 Approach, and its products work to improve indoor environments and create sustainable solutions that contribute to a healthier, safer, and better environment for people everywhere. Learn more about SEMCO and the services it offers in the Global Community!

Ask Your Lab Question

I²SL continues to increase its level of support for the laboratory community. If you have questions geared toward increasing sustainability in your laboratory or high-performance facility, submit them to I²SL to be featured in the Sustainable Laboratory Times for consideration by the entire Labs21 community.

We are still accepting answers to last month's question. Please submit them to I²SL!

This month's question:

Did you see the newly released Star Trek film?

Martin Cooper, generally considered to be the inventor of the modern cell phone, has often said his creation was inspired by the Star Trek communicator. What else can we learn from the latest expression of these "modular laboratories"?

Have an answer? Submit it to I²SL.
Answers are posted on the I²SL website.*

*When submitting your answer, please note if you would prefer that we omit your name and affiliation.

I²SL Around the Industry:

We'd like to offer a round of applause to I²SL Board member Gordon Sharp, who testified before the House Small Businesses Committee in a hearing entitled "Climate Change Solutions for Small Businesses and Family Farmers." He spoke about innovative technologies that can help lessen these effects and ways that Congress might be able to further encourage sustainable development, including applications in laboratory facilities. Learn more about the hearing.

IASP 2009
June 1—4
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Phil Wirdzek and Lisa Galley will present on How Sustainability Advances Science Parks, Their Users, Communities, and Investors

Federal Environmental Symposium-East
June 16—18
Bethesda, Maryland
Phil Wirdzek will join Dan Amon, EPA, and Will Lintner, DOE, to provide a full overview of Labs21, including international opportunities for involvement through I²SL.

Coming Next Month...

• Conference registration updates and additional agenda announcements.

• I²SL's Spotlight on...Tom Smith, Exposure Control Technologies.

• A look at how variable air change rates in laboratories increase efficiency.

• Answers to this month's question.

...and much more!