To Speed Discovery, Infrared Microscopy Goes “Off the Grid” February 22, 2021 - Researchers developed a highly efficient way to collect infrared microscopy data that avoids the use of slow, grid-based raster scans. The method substantially reduces image-acquisition times by autonomously increasing sampling density in regions of interest, facilitating infrared spectromicroscopy of biochemical processes in real time. Read more »
Chiral Spin Textures in Amorphous Iron–Germanium Thick Films February 22, 2021 - Robert Streubel and co‐workers report the formation of topological magnetization vector fields in disordered materials with local inversion symmetry breaking, harnessing high‐resolution Lorentz microscopy, quantitative x‐ray microspectroscopy, and coherent scattering. The image shows the reconstructed in‐plane magnetic induction of closely packed Bloch skyrmions embedded into helical spins. Read more »
3D Whole-Cell Mapping of Insulin Secretion February 19, 2021 - Researchers used soft x-ray tomography to gain a 3D whole-cell view of how insulin-producing pancreatic cells react upon exposure to glucose and a diabetes drug. The approach enables direct quantification of intracellular responses before, during, and after cell stimulation, providing new insights into how drugs alter cell function. Read more »
Probing Composite Materials to Make Better Batteries February 16, 2021 - Researchers found that when an ion-conducting polymer composite is placed in an electric field, it forms ion-rich hotspots that continue to grow for hours after the field is removed. The study opens a new path to understanding the dynamic structure of composite materials for smaller, lighter batteries. Read more » Actor in a Supporting Role: Substrate Effects on 2D Layers February 10, 2021 - ALS studies highlighted interactions that can occur between technologically intriguing 2D materials and the substrates that physically support them. The results provide important insights into the issue of non-negligible interlayer coupling and demonstrate the potential for tuning single-layer properties through substrate engineering. Read more »
2D MXene Shows Evidence of a Magnetic Transition January 25, 2021 - A variety of experiments, including ALS x-ray studies, provided direct evidence of a magnetic transition in a 2D compound called a MXene (pronounced “maxene”). The finding adds new functionality to a family of materials with numerous ways to fine-tune properties for applications ranging from spintronic devices to electromagnetic shielding. Read more » 
Stacking the Deck for Custom-Built Hybrid Materials January 25, 2021 - Researchers fabricated an electronically coupled heterostructure from a novel semiconducting 2D polymer and a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide. Dramatic optical and electronic changes emerged as polymer thickness decreased, underscoring the potential for the discovery of emergent phenomena in studies of hybrid heterostructures. Read more »
Inhalable COVID-19 Protection via Synthetic Nanobodies January 24, 2021 - Protein structures obtained in part at the ALS helped researchers to increase the potency of simplified antibodies (nanobodies) designed to neutralize SARS-CoV-2. Stable enough to be used in inhalers or nasal sprays, the nanobodies offer a new option, aside from injected vaccines, for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Read more » 
Molecular Complex Removes Copper Ions from Water January 22, 2021 - X-ray analyses provided key insights into the copper uptake mechanisms in a new organic-inorganic hybrid material that quickly and selectively removes copper ions from water. The material provides an efficient tool for copper remediation as well as a blueprint for creating other hybrid materials for removing toxic metals from water. Read more » 
Functionalization of Benzotriazole-Based Conjugated Polymers for Solar Cells: Heteroatom vs Substituents January 8, 2021 - Understanding the structure-property relationship is important when designing new conjugated polymers for high-efficiency polymer solar cells. Rech et al. systematically explore the impact of a variety of functional groups, including nitrogen heteroatoms, fluorine substituents, and cyano groups. Read more »