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ALSNews Vol. 397

August 29, 2018

Graphene-Based Catalyst Improves Peroxide Production

Scientists characterized a graphene-based electrocatalyst that potentially makes the production of hydrogen peroxide more selective, efficient, and cost effective. Hydrogen peroxide is an important commodity chemical with growing demand in many areas, including the electronics industry, wastewater treatment, and paper recycling. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Structure Reveals Mechanism Behind Periodic Paralysis

X-ray crystallography of a membrane protein provided a structural understanding of how a single mutation can result in periodic muscle paralysis. The results suggest possible drug designs that could provide relief to patients with a genetic disorder that causes them to be overcome suddenly with profound muscle weakness. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

New Manganese Materials Bolster Cathode Capacity

The most expensive component of a battery, the cathode, requires rare transition metals like cobalt. Previous attempts to replace cobalt with inexpensive and non-toxic manganese delivered insufficient performance. Now, researchers have optimized the composition of high-energy-density, high-capacity manganese-based cathodes. Read more »

Oxygen Vacancies Matter in the LaNiO3 Metal–Insulator Transition

Electronic structure measurements using x-ray absorption spectroscopy suggest that oxygen vacancies contribute to the metal–insulator transition in ultrathin films of LaNiO3. The results give scientists another “knob” to turn to tune this important transition, which could be useful for making advanced electronic devices. Read more »

Jeff Neaton, Energy Sciences Associate Laboratory Director

Jeff Neaton is the Energy Sciences Associate Laboratory Director. He joined Berkeley Lab as a postdoc at the Molecular Foundry in 2003 before becoming a staff scientist. While maintaining his research program, he has also taken on many leadership responsibilities at the Lab. Read more »

ALS Introduces New Organizational Structure for Science

The ALS has recently reorganized its scientific structure. The newly formed Photon Science Group will encompass science, operations, and development related to beamlines. A separate Science Council and groups organized around cross-cutting science thrusts will advise ALS management on strategy, launch new initiatives, and form collaborations. Read more »

2018 Shutdown Recap

Users have returned to the ALS after a six-week summer shutdown. Among the many small and large changes, we performed a major upgrade of the HVAC system that will stabilize the temperature throughout the experimental hall. None of the changes will affect the delivery of light. Read more »

September 5 Deadline for General User Proposals

The User Office is accepting new General User Proposals (GUPs) from scientists who wish to conduct research at the ALS in the 2019-1 (January–July) cycle. The deadline for submissions is September 5, 2018. Applicants are reminded that they may request joint access to the Molecular Foundry, a nanoscience user facility at Berkeley Lab, to support their ALS activities. Read more »

Register Today for the ALS User Meeting, October 2-4

The User Meeting early registration deadline of September 16 is fast approaching. This year’s event features an exciting new format designed especially with students and early career scientists in mind. We will also celebrate the ALS’s 25th anniversary with retrospective talks about how the ALS was built and how our science has evolved over time. Read more »