Scientists found that the element berkelium breaks form with its heavy element peers by taking on an extra positive charge when bound to a synthetic organic molecule. This property could help scientists develop better methods for handling and purifying nuclear materials. ... Read more »
A Seaweed Derivative Could Be Just What Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Need
Lithium-sulfur batteries have great potential as a low-cost, high-energy, energy source for both vehicle and grid applications. However, they suffer from significant capacity fading. Now, scientists have found that carrageenan, a seaweed derivative, acts as a stabilizer, allowing for more cycling and an extended lifetime. ... Read more »
A Systematic Approach to Customizing Cyclic Proteins
Proteins consisting of identical subunits arranged symmetrically around a central axis (cyclic homo-oligomers) play key roles in many biological processes. Researchers have now developed a systematic approach to their design and demonstrated its accuracy using protein crystallography and small-angle x-ray scattering. ... Read more »
Monika Blum, Assistant Research Professor and UEC Chair
Moni Blum has been coming to the ALS since she was a young graduate student. She’s now an assistant research professor at UNLV in Clemens Heske’s group and oversees their synchrotron activities at the ALS. The group uses ALS Beamlines 8.3.2 and 9.3.1 to study materials for energy conversion. Blum also serves as chair of the UEC. ... Read more »