Bifurcation of High- and Low-Energy Electrons in Microbial Metabolism February 26, 2024 - A class of chemical reaction found only in biology, electron bifurcation channels two electrons from one donor to two separate acceptors, with one electron elevated in energy at the expense of lowering the energy of the second. Researchers used the ALS to study this process in a microbial protein involved in this bioenergetic pathway. Read more »
The Effects of Diabetes on Spinal-Column Biomechanics February 26, 2024 - Researchers found that type 2 diabetes induces earlier onset of plastic (nonrecoverable) deformation in intervertebral discs by impairing the biomechanical behavior of collagen. A greater understanding of the underlying causes of tissue failure in diabetes—a growing problem worldwide—is important in helping to prevent and treat symptoms. Read more »
Probing Active-Site Chemical States in a Co-Based Catalyst February 26, 2024 - Researchers identified the dominant chemical state of active sites in a cobalt-based catalyst using resonant photoemission spectroscopy under realistic conditions. The work will help scientists develop more-efficient catalysts for removing noxious carbon monoxide gas from exhaust streams generated by the burning of fossil fuels. Read more »
Tracking the Breakdown of Cellulose at the Micron Scale February 23, 2024 - A time-resolved study using infrared spectromicroscopy in a carefully controlled environment revealed why enzymes get bogged down when trying to break up cellulose from plants. The work sheds new light on the challenge of extracting the sugars locked up in plants for use in making petroleum-free fuels, chemicals, and medicines. Read more »
How Processing Affects Structure in Composite Nanotube Yarns January 29, 2024 - Using the ALS, researchers found quantitative correlations between processing parameters and the structure of ultrafine, polymer-reinforced carbon-nanotube fibers. The work will facilitate the production of high-strength materials, including those needed for positioning target capsules for fusion research at the National Ignition Facility. Read more »
Cobalt or Nickel: Which is Better for High-Energy Battery Cathodes? January 24, 2024 - High-energy Li-ion batteries can provide both high capacity and high voltage, both of which are important in electric vehicles for greater range and faster acceleration. Here, researchers untangled the contributions of nickel and cobalt in high-energy Li-rich battery cathodes, pointing the way to optimizing them via a compositional approach. Read more »
A Bio-Inspired Metal-Organic Framework for Capturing Wellhead Gases January 23, 2024 - Burning of natural gas at oil and gas wells, called flaring, is a major waste of fossil fuels and a contributor to climate change. In this work, researchers synthesized and characterized a metal-organic framework that uses biomimetic chemistry to convert wellhead gases into economically valuable feedstocks for petrochemical products. Read more »
Flat Bands Signal Electrons Trapped in 3D January 12, 2024 - Researchers found flat electronic band structures—known hallmarks of electrons trapped in two dimensions—but in a material that extends this phenomenon to three dimensions. The work opens up a material framework for exploring superconductivity and other exotic states in three dimensions for advanced electronic applications. Read more »
Correlating Conformational Equilibria with Catalysis in the Electron Bifurcating EtfABCX of Thermotoga maritima January 2, 2024 - Anaerobic SEC-MALS-SAXS at the SIBYLS beamline probes the conformational states behind electron bifurcation in the Thermotoga maritima EtfABCX, revealing insights on mechanisms at the thermodynamic limits of life. Shown are the bifurcation- and electron-conducting-like states experimentally observed for the first time in solution. Read more »
Shaping the Water-Harvesting Behavior of Metal–Organic Frameworks Aided by Fine-Tuned GPT Models December 27, 2023 - The reticular design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks enable the structures to be engineered at an atomic level, allowing their properties to be harmoniously harnessed. AI-assisted design of building units can reduce human labor in the enumeration and search for possible structures, thereby accelerating the discovery of MOFs. Read more »