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Summer 2022 Shutdown Recap

The ALS returned to user operations on August 23 after its summer shutdown. The work included larger projects, such as installation of magnet stands for the ALS-U accumulator ring and the replacement of the liquid nitrogen tank, as well as several other facility improvements. Read more »

Tracy Mattox, User Services Group Leader

The new user services group leader is coming to the ALS from our neighboring user facility, the Molecular Foundry, where she has been supporting and collaborating with users for 15 years. Outside of the lab, she is a track and field coach, yoga instructor, and children’s book author. Read more »

A Nano-IR Probe for Proteins in Liquid Environments

A new technique using infrared (IR) light revealed how the self-assembly of proteins is affected by environmental conditions in a surrounding liquid. This nanoscale probe of soft matter in a liquid matrix will facilitate advances in biology, plastics processing, and energy-relevant applications such as electrocatalysts and batteries. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Structures Signal Fresh Targets for Anticancer Drugs

Researchers from Genentech used a suite of methods, including small-angle x-ray scattering, to learn how an assembly of three proteins works together to transmit signals for cell division. The work reveals new targets for the development of drugs that fight certain types of cancer, including lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Beamline 7.3.3 SAXS/WAXS User Forum

We invite you to a user forum on October 11 (12:00–1:00 p.m.) to discuss the closure of the 7.3.3 SAXS/WAXS beamline three years from now, necessitated by the parameters of the upgraded ALS source, and the plans for developing an upgraded beamline at a new source point to better suit the needs of the community. Find more details and submit questions on our Events page. Read more »

A New Material System for Mixed-Plastic Recycling

Scientists have designed a new material system to overcome one of the biggest challenges in recycling consumer products: mixed-plastic recycling. Their achievement will help enable a much broader range of fully recyclable plastic products and brings into reach an efficient circular economy for durable goods like automobiles. Read more »

Highly Selective Methane to Methanol Conversion on Inverse SnO2/Cu2O/Cu(111) Catalysts: Unique Properties of SnO2 Nanostructures and the Inhibition of the Direct Oxidative Combustion of Methane

Inverse catalysts generally consist of oxide nanoparticles supported on metal substrates, which can exhibit exceptional catalytic properties. The small SnO2 nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on a Cu2O/Cu(111) substrate enabled a unique SnO2–Cu2O interface that can completely convert methane to methanol directly under the environments of oxygen and water. Read more »

August 2022 Message from the UEC

Ming Yi, UEC chair, celebrates a successful User Meeting. This year’s virtual meeting has inspired new ideas for ways to bring science to more people in the future. She encourages the user community to get involved by submitting feedback or even joining the UEC. Keep an eye out for the call for new member nominations. Read more »

Valeriy Yashchuk Receives 2022 Klaus Halbach Award

Valeriy Yashchuk aims to make the binary pseudo-random calibration tool (BPR) the internationally recognized standard for thorough characterization of a broad spectrum of topography measuring tools. Others might find it daunting to convince scientists around the world to agree on one standard, but Yashchuk is accustomed to roadblocks, and finding creative solutions to them. The ALS Users’ Executive Committee recognized Yashchuk, program lead for metrology, for developing this critical technology. Read more »

Steve Kevan Says, “See You Soon!”

After announcing his impending retirement earlier this year, ALS Director Steve Kevan has worked to ensure a smooth transition to the interim ALS management team. He shares his vision of the collaborative future of the ALS and his goal to return as a user before saying not a farewell, but a “see you soon!” Read more »