Schedule:

10:00 - 10:30 Organic Chemistry Lab --A great deal of advanced chemistry goes into many of today's high-tech computers. Take microelectronics, for example -- chemically-amplified photoresists and polymers with electrical properties aren't about lines of code. These hardware-enabling technologies have their roots in pure science. At IBM's Almaden Research Center, we create materials to be used in experimentation, constantly pushing the limits of just how much information can be placed on a tiny chip. Rick DiPietro will demonstrate the art of science in a tour of Almaden's chemistry labs.

10:30 - 11:00 Blue Gene -- IBM's Blue Gene, the world's fastest computer, is dedicated to exploring frontiers in supercomputing. We've got our own two-rack Blue Gene right here at Almaden -- you'll be able to see, hear and touch the world's 29th fastest computer. Jed Pitera will show how and what researchers create with this raw computational power, including animations, and present a demonstration of protein folding.

11:00 - 11:30 Model Shop -- Researchers, like artists, often make the tools they work with, from complex microscopes to simple crescent wrenches. David Altknecht will show visitors our on-site model shop and demonstrate almost instantaneous plastic fabrication.

11:30 - 12:00 Walking Tour of Almaden -- Much time and thought was put into blending our building seamlessly into its beautiful surroundings. Merridy Howell will share stories about its unique composition and show some of the local art in and around the building including "The Singing Chairs."