Using specialized equipment at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), including a custom-built reaction cell, researchers uncovered the role of manganese in cobalt manganese oxide catalysts used for fuel production. Read more »
Identification and Structural Characterization of Antibodies for Severe Malaria
Researchers used x-ray crystallography at the ALS to characterize how two newly discovered antibodies prevent the protein interactions responsible for severe malaria. Understanding this mechanism offers novel insights for vaccine development. Read more »
Hide-and-Seek with Sneaky Electrons in Solids
Researchers used angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) to demonstrate the existence of dark—state electrons in solids for the first time, providing insights into complex phenomena in physics, such as high-temperature superconductivity and optoelectronics.
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ALS Statement on ALS-U Project Update
The ALS-U project recently made an extensive update to its project plan, resulting in a shift in the start of the one-year dark time from October 1, 2025, to June 22, 2026. The updated project schedule will allow the ALS to deliver more beamtime to users before the start of the dark time and further reduces the possibility that the ALS dark time will overlap with the APS’s ramp-up to full operations following their upgrade, currently in progress. Read more »
ALS at the Far West Section of the American Physical Society Meeting
The 2024 Fall Meeting of the APS Far West Section at Cal Poly Humboldt featured over 100 students presenting research. Inspiring attendees through their expertise and mentorship were ALS colleagues Antoine Islegen-Wojdyla, Hendrik Ohldag, Xiaoya Chong, and Wei “Francis” He. Read more »
Engaging Future Scientists: Hosting Scouts at the ALS for Nuclear Science Day
As part of the Berkeley Lab’s Nuclear Science Division’s Nuclear Science Day, the ALS hosted 180 local scouts and 50 leaders for a day of science exploration around the light source. Activities included building electroscopes, detecting radon, and exploring particle detectors, with tours showcasing nuclear science at the Advanced Light Source. Read more »
ALS Establishes Code of Conduct
The ALS stands committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and professional environment that upholds its core values, supporting scientific discovery and discourse. In November, we adopted a Code of Conduct to ensure these principles are upheld for all ALS community members. Read more »
Vote for New UEC Members: Term Starting in 2025
The Advanced Light Source Users’ Executive Committee (UEC) invites you to vote in the election of five new UEC members: four regular members and one student member. The elected members will begin their terms on January 1, 2025, with regular members serving three years and the student member serving two years. Voting deadline: Wednesday, December 4, by 11:59 p.m. PST. Read more »
Berkeley Lab User Facilities and University of Oklahoma Collaboration Awarded EPSCoR Grant
The ALS, Molecular Foundry, and a partner at the University of Oklahoma were recently awarded a four-year DOE EPSCoR grant to study bio-inspired membranes for recovering rare earth elements from waste streams. This project aims to develop a model for resource recovery applicable across industries. Read more »
Protein Pioneer: Enabling Scientists to Design Novel Proteins for the Future
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for the development of protein structure prediction and design. At the ALS, Baker leveraged high-throughput small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and protein crystallography capabilities to design novel proteins and pave a new pathway for science, technology, and the environment. Read more »