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Chatbot-Style AI Designs Novel Functional Protein

Researchers used an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, similar to those used in natural-language (“chatbot”) models, to design a functional protein that was then structurally validated at the ALS. The work could speed the development of novel proteins for almost anything from therapeutics to degrading plastic. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Intrinsically Chiral Twist-Bend Nematogens: Interplay of Molecular and Structural Chirality in the NTB Phase

Cartoon depiction of the formation of the heliconical chiral twist-bend nematic phase (N*TB) from its constituent bent molecules. The presence of a single enantiomer of the chiral, lactate-based liquid crystal dimers biases the formation of helices with only one handedness, unlike in the conventional NTB phase, observed for achiral molecules, for which the left- and right-handed helices are doubly degenerate. 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 »

Shaping X-Ray Mirrors Using Machine Learning

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 »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

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 »

A 2D Electron Liquid Floats on a Crystal Surface

Researchers discovered a liquid-like layer of electrons that floats on the surface of an unusual crystal and appears to undergo a phase transition upon doping. The system is an ideal platform for studying exotic phenomena involving electrons (e.g. superconductivity) without complications arising from other types of interactions. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Winter 2023 Shutdown

The winter 2023 shutdown was relatively short. It started just after the holiday shutdown, and user operations resumed on February 16, delivering on the ALS commitment to minimize shutdown length as much as possible. Read more »

Macromolecular organic matter in samples of the asteroid (162173) Ryugu

We investigated the macromolecular organic matter in samples of the asteroid Ryugu—brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft—measuring its elemental, isotopic, and functional group compositions along with its small-scale structures and morphologies. Analytical methods used included spectro-microscopies, electron microscopy, and isotopic microscopy. Read more »