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Understanding the Key to Henipavirus Infection

The Hendra virus was the first member of the genus Henipavirus, an emergent group of viruses with a high mortality rate. Knowledge of the protein structure that mediates Hendra entry into host cells could enable the design of antigens with improved immunogenic response. Read more »

New Fuel Cell Design Powered by Graphene-Wrapped Nanoparticles

Hydrogen is the lightest and most plentiful element on Earth and could serve as a carbon-free, virtually limitless energy source. Recently, researchers working at the ALS and the Molecular Foundry developed a promising new materials recipe based on magnesium nanocrystals and graphene for a hydrogen fuel cell with improved performance in key areas. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

ALS-U Update: BESAC Announces Results of Facility Upgrade Prioritization

On Thursday, June 9, DOE’s Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) released the recommendations of the BES Facility Upgrade Prioritization Subcommittee. I’m pleased to announce that the subcommittee considers ALS-U “absolutely central” to contribute to world leading science and “ready to initiate construction”–the highest possible ratings. Read more »

Power-Amplified Predatory Strikes in Trap-Jaw Spiders

Using a combination of high-speed video, molecular phylogenetic analysis, and x-ray microtomography of a family of tiny trap-jaw spiders, researchers discovered that power-amplified predatory strikes evolved four times independently, once the basic trap-jaw body plan was in place. Read more »

3D Charge Order Found in Superconductor

Resonant soft x-ray diffraction studies of a cuprate high-temperature superconductor revealed a 3D, long-range charge order—the first of its kind ever reported in a cuprate—that competes with superconductivity. A better understanding of such phenomena could help in the design of more robust superconductors with higher transition temperatures. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

In-situ Characterization of Highly Reversible Phase Transformation by Synchrotron X-ray Laue Microdiffraction

In situ measurement of the orientation matrices for the austenite and martensite phases of the alloy Cu25Au30Zn45 across the interface was performed by synchrotron x-ray Laue microdiffraction at the ALS. Together with theoretical calculations, researchers verified directly and quantitatively the factors that contribute to the alloy’s elastically compatible interface, which ultimately leads to the ultralow fatigue property of phase transformation in martensitic materials. The approach can be generalized to characterize the evolution of microstructure when the transport properties are sensitive to the structural compatibility at the heterogenous phase boundaries. Read more »

An Atomic-Level Understanding of Copper-Based Catalysts

Copper-based catalysts are widely used in chemical industries to convert water and carbon monoxide to hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methanol. There are theoretical models used to explain this reaction, but a complete understanding of the process has been lacking. However, recent research at the ALS has shed light on the process, giving scientists key data about how copper-based catalysts function at the atomic level. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Reducing Plant Lignin for Cheaper Biofuels

Scientists have identified and validated a novel approach to reducing lignin in plants by tweaking a key lignin enzyme. Their technique could help lower the cost of converting biomass into carbon-neutral fuels to power cars and other sustainably developed bio-products. Read more »PPT-icon-35

Shutting Out Ebola and Other Viruses

Researchers have used protein crystallography at the ALS to understand how a drug molecule that has shown some efficacy against Ebola in mice inactivates a membrane protein, called TPC1, used by viruses to infect host cells. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35