Researchers used machine learning to predict and control the shape of an x-ray mirror’s surface with exquisite accuracy and precision. The work represents a key step toward mirrors that can fully exploit the x-rays from upgraded, state-of-the-art light sources and could also enable the engineering of x-ray beams with novel characteristics. Read more »
Electric Vehicle Batteries Could Get Big Boost With New Polymer Coating
Scientists have developed a conductive polymer coating—called HOS-PFM—that conducts both electrons and ions at the same time. This ensures battery stability and high charge/discharge rates while enhancing battery life. The coating also shows promise as a battery adhesive that could extend the lifetime of a lithium-ion battery from an average of 10 years to about 15 years. Read more »
Howard Padmore Elected AAAS Fellow
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced their 2022 Fellows, including the ALS’s Howard Padmore who was recognized “for distinguished seminal contributions to the technology and scientific application of synchrotron light sources.” Read more »
Under Pressure, Gold Nanoclusters Reveal Structure-Property Relationship
Metal nanoclusters have unusual optical properties that are of interest for fundamental reasons as well as for applications like diagnostic imaging and 3D printing. To better understand how nanocluster structure relates to optical properties, researchers performed high-pressure diffraction studies on single crystals of gold nanoclusters. Read more »
Mike Martin and Ken Goldberg, Photon Science Group Leads
Mike Martin, Photon Science Operations lead, and Ken Goldberg, Photon Science Development lead, have more in common than growing up in the Bay Area and loving physics. Together, their groups enable the current and future science of the ALS. Read more »
