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Nano
We were pleased to
see the excellent article on the LBNL Molecular Foundry, "Engineering
is Key to Silence at New Nanotechnology Lab" (ENR 8/15
p. 19). We consider the project to be one of our better efforts.
One of the major points of the article was the effort required
to achieve a good vibration environment but the article failed
to mention the vibration/acoustics consultant responsible
for that effort, Colin Gordon & Associates (CGA).
We have been the vibration/acoustics
design consultant for the majority of nanotechnology facilities
in North America and have provided peripheral services for
several others. We have been involved in the first capacity
with four of the five Dept. of Energy nano centers and peer-reviewed
the fifth.
Facilities for nanotechnology demand
the best that design and construction can offer with respect
to the buildings internal environments, addressing vibration,
acoustics, electromagnetic interference (EMI/RFI), temperature
stability, and electrical quality. It is a close collaborative
effort to deliver an environment that is of appropriate quality
at a reasonable cost, and the specialty consultants play a
much more significant role than with conventional design and
construction.
Think Again
I take issue with
the editorial, "Katrina Recovery Effort Finally Hits
High Gear" (ENR 9/19 p. 52). You are falling into the
trap opened by other hysterical news correspondents beating
up on the response effort. No matter what the response, it
would be too little too late. Our political and legal systems
train us to demonize and blame: There are no heroes, no successful
governments, and no altruistic corporations.
ENR of any news journal should
understand mobilization, scope, and orders of magnitude. We
are confronting the largest displacement of people in the
shortest time in our 200-year national history. We had massive
relief effort on the ground by Saturday after a Monday hurricane.
The Coast Guard was operational and flying rescue out of the
New Orleans Naval Air Station on Tuesday. Countless people
rescued stranded neighbors. Yes, at all levels things might
have been done better but we do not live in a perfect world.
We insist on building in flood plains on alluvial soil below
water level. That is the insanity at all levels of government.
Applaud the effort, the incredible
results chronicled in ENR. Stand in awe of the organization,
planning, and logistics that you report. You are witnessing
the miracle of what our country, our phenomenal construction
industry and our relief organizations can do. This is our
chance to show how we too are a great generation.
Pray that we do not again build
below water.
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