Researchers demonstrated a new way to confine, or “squeeze,” infrared light by coupling photons with phonons (lattice vibrations) within a certain type of thin film. The work heralds a new class of optical materials for controlling infrared light, with potential applications in photonics, sensors, and microelectronic heat management. Read more »
Slideshow
Manganese Cathodes Could Boost Lithium-ion Batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used in mobile devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. But supplies of nickel and cobalt, commonly used in the cathodes of these batteries, are limited. New research opens up a potential low-cost, safe alternative in manganese, the fifth most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Read more »
Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Window to Open in October
Applications for the next round of ALS Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowships are due November 1 for a start date of May 1, 2025. Fellows spend a year in residence at the ALS pursuing research projects in teams that include staff and the user community, and are exposed to current scientific challenges that can be tackled using advanced synchrotron radiation tools. Read more »
Mechanism of an Economical Way to Produce Al–Ce Alloy
A time-resolved diffraction study conducted at the ALS revealed mechanistic insight into a multi-step chemical reaction for the economical production of aluminum–cerium alloy, a high-performance material with superior temperature stability. The results provide crucial information for the application of the method on an industrial scale. Read more »
Reports from 2023 Science Visioning Workshops Published
The compiled reports from four ALS science visioning workshops held in 2023 are now published. The document reflects the user and broader scientific communities’ viewpoints on how the ALS’s science portfolio should evolve into the 2030s and where investments will be needed to realize the vision. Read more »