A Macromolecular Scaffold for Probing Actinium Chemistry November 25, 2024 - By encapsulating actinium atoms within a macromolecular complex for analysis using protein crystallography, researchers discovered that actinium has a unique solid-state bonding configuration. A better understanding of actinium behavior could help improve a promising cancer treatment known as targeted alpha therapy. Read more »
Lattice-Dependent Spin Textures in High-Tc Superconductors November 25, 2024 - Researchers found that in bismuth-based cuprate superconductors, charge imbalances caused by lattice distortions generate persistent and universal patterns of spin polarization. The results supply a previously missing but essential ingredient in efforts to understand the mechanisms driving the electronic behavior of high-temperature superconductors. Read more »
Excited States in CO2 Clusters Shed Light on Astrochemical Formation Mechanisms November 25, 2024 - A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization study conducted at the ALS revealed a new mechanism between molecules that converts high-energy ultraviolet light into free electrons. The results provide insights into interactions between CO2 and organic molecules, which are crucial for understanding astrochemical interactions as well as green chemistry and renewable energy development. Read more »
Magnetization Switching in Highly Magnetostrictive Microstructures October 22, 2024 - Researchers learned how the size, shape, and orientation of microstructures affect how they switch magnetization directions in response to an applied voltage. The work advances our understanding of strain-responsive composite materials for use in energy-efficient electronic applications such as memory devices, sensors, and actuators. Read more » 
Tracking Oxidation in “High-Entropy” Alloys with Multiple Principle Elements October 21, 2024 - For extreme applications such as nuclear fusion reactors and high-temperature jet engines, scientists are experimenting with “high-entropy” alloys that consist of many metals mixed together in equal proportions. In this work, researchers begin to unravel how these materials degrade under high-temperature oxidative environments. Read more »
Studying Interfacial Effects in Solid-Electrolyte Batteries October 21, 2024 - An ambient-pressure probe of a solid electrolyte revealed how surface electrochemical mechanisms lead to poor electrolyte performance and battery failure. The results can help scientists engineer better coatings and interfaces, which are essential for building safer and better-performing batteries, particularly for use in vehicles. Read more » 
The Spatial Dynamics of Bone Remodeling During Lactation October 16, 2024 - To mobilize the minerals needed for milk production, osteocytes—the cells responsible for maintaining bone quality—facilitate the release of calcium and other minerals from the bone matrix surrounding them. In this study, researchers investigated how osteocytes balance the rapid release of calcium with maintaining bone integrity. Read more »
Electronic energy transfer ionization in naphthalene–CO2 clusters reveals excited states of dry ice September 14, 2024 - The interaction between CO2 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is of interest in astrochemically relevant ices, the transition to renewable energy, and the development of green chemistry. We investigate the VUV excitation of the naphthalene–CO2 complex and observe excited states of CO2 through a newly identified electronic energy transfer ionization mechanism. Read more »
A Promising Compound for Reversible Male Contraception September 3, 2024 - Researchers found that a small-molecule protein inhibitor—screened from billions of compounds and analyzed using structural insights from protein crystallography—reversibly suppresses male fertility in mice. The work addresses the pressing need for more contraceptive options that enable all individuals to control their own fertility. Read more » 
A New Way to “Squeeze” Infrared Wavelengths Down to Size September 3, 2024 - Researchers demonstrated a new way to confine, or “squeeze,” infrared light by coupling photons with phonons (lattice vibrations) within a certain type of thin film. The work heralds a new class of optical materials for controlling infrared light, with potential applications in photonics, sensors, and microelectronic heat management. Read more »