Skip to main content

ALS

Home / News

All News & Updates

Salt in the Amazon Air Comes from Local Fungi

The abundant salt in the atmosphere above the Amazon basin has long been attributed to the Atlantic Ocean. But now, using the Advanced Light Source, scientists have found that much of it originates much more locally: fungal spores in the rainforest. Pinpointing the origin will improve climate models and understanding of rainforest ecosystems. Read more »

Meteorites Suggest Galvanic Origins for Martian Organic Carbon

Nanoscale analyses of Martian meteorites suggest that organic carbon on Mars may have been formed by electrochemical reactions between briny liquids and volcanic minerals, as might occur in a galvanic cell. The study has major implications for astrobiology and could also shed light on the reactions that led to life on the early Earth. Read more »

ALS Tips Hat to 10 Years of Top-Off

In February, the ALS marked the 10th anniversary of one of the biggest upgrades in its history: the transition to “top-off mode,” which took place on February 11, 2009. To celebrate, the ALS community gathered for ring-shaped pastries (i.e., donuts) and coffee (topping off allowed). Brief remarks were given by Steve Kevan and Dave Robin. Read more »

Getting to the Bottom of a Metal/Acid Interface

Researchers identified the molecules that collect at the interface between a platinum electrode and an acidic electrolyte under an applied voltage. Knowledge of the structure and composition of such nanometer-thin interface regions is key to understanding topics such as corrosion, geochemistry, electrocatalysis, and energy storage. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Spin-Momentum Locking in Cuprate High-Temperature Superconductors

A form of spin-momentum locking, similar to the strong linkage between electron spin and momentum in topological insulators, has been found in a cuprate superconductor. The results open a new chapter in the mystery of high-temperature superconductors, suggesting that new, unexplored interactions and mechanisms might be at play. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Hidden Flow of Lithium Ions Points Way to Better Batteries

Experiments revealed that lithium ions unexpectedly flow along the surfaces of electrode particles, boosting the growth of lithium “hot spots” that shorten battery life. The results correct decades’ worth of assumptions and will help improve battery design, potentially leading to a new generation of lithium-ion batteries. Read more »PPT-icon-35

UEC Chair Fanny Rodolakis

Fanny Rodolakis, the chair of the Users’ Executive Committee (UEC) for 2019, gives a preview of the UEC’s plans for the year, including the User Meeting. The UEC encourages users to submit general feedback and suggest speakers for this year’s User Meeting. Read more »