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How Berkelium Stands Out in a Heavy Metal Crowd

Using several spectroscopic techniques, 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 »

Could This Enzyme Help Turn Biofuel Waste into Something Useful?

A protein used by common soil bacteria is providing new clues in the effort to convert aryl compounds, a common waste product from industrial and agricultural practices, into something of value. This Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) study, which involved ALS Beamline 8.2.2, targets LigM for its role in breaking down aromatic pollutants. Read more »

2017 ALS Shutdown Recap

The last few months were quieter than usual for ALS users but not for staff tasked with maintaining and improving the ALS. The recent ALS shutdown was one of the longest on record, spanning almost three months. Those involved say it was also one of the most successful, with everything on the to-do list crossed off. The work accomplished paves the way for new beamlines, better water-cooling capacity, and ALS-U. Read more »

Ancient Ocean Temperatures Recorded in Mother-of-Pearl

Researchers have shown that the thickness of the nacre, or mother-of-pearl, that lines the insides of mollusk shells can be used to estimate ocean temperatures as far back as the early Jurassic period. X-ray studies of modern and ancient shells help establish the method’s feasibility. Read more »

7th International Conferences on Hard X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The International Conferences on Hard X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy will be held September 11-15, 2017 in Berkeley, CA. They will bring together researchers from a wide variety of fields, from fundamental condensed matter and atomic and molecular physics to more applied surface and interface studies of catalysis, energy and IT device- and process- development, and environmental research. The abstract deadline is June 15, 2017. Read more »

Call for Abstracts: Novel Trends in Synchrotron and FEL-Based Analysis

Abstracts are requested for the AVS 64th International Symposium and Exhibition, to be held October 29 – November 3, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Novel Trends in Synchrotron and FEL-Based Analysis session will provide a forum for communicating the most recent achievements in surface and interface research using SR and FEL radiation from IR to hard x-rays. The abstract deadline is May 1, 2017. Read more »

UEC Update from March 2017 Meeting

The ALS Users’ Executive Committee met in mid-March. Topics of discussion included this year’s User Meeting and possible combined projects with the Molecular Foundry UEC. Users should mark their calendars for the next User Forum, to be held June 1 at 3:30 p.m. User Forums are an opportunity for users to learn about UEC activities and to bring up questions and concerns. Read more »

Mapping Catalytic Reactions on Single Nanoparticles

A new study confirms that structural defects and jagged surfaces at the edges of platinum and gold nanoparticles are key hot spots for chemical reactivity. The experiments should help researchers customize the structural properties of catalysts to make them more effective in fostering chemical reactions. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35