Congratulations to ALSNews for reaching Volume 400! In 24 years, the ALSNews distribution list has grown from a few hundred subscribers to over 6300 in 49 countries. It has gone through 4 designs and 8 managing editors. Here we provide a short survey for your feedback and describe a bit about how it all began. Read more »
ALSNews Vol. 400
December 12, 2018
The Smoking Gun of Soot Formation
Scientists identified a mechanism for the formation of soot involving a series rapid chemical reactions rather than the typical condensation of particles from gas. The results are critical to developing methods for controlling emissions responsible for millions of deaths annually, severe degradation of air quality, and enhanced global warming. Read more »
Toward a Blueprint for Anti-influenza Drugs
Researchers obtained high-resolution structures of several influenza antiviral drug molecules bound to their proton-channel targets in both open and closed conformations. The structures provide an atomic-level blueprint from which to design more effective anti-influenza drugs that can overcome growing drug resistance. Read more »
Tunable Ferromagnetism in a 2D Material at Room Temperature
Researchers combined soft x-ray spectroscopy and microscopy to demonstrate the tunable ferromagnetic characteristics of a two-dimensional layered material at room temperature. The results open up exciting opportunities for the use of such materials in low-power spintronics, high-density magnetic storage, and flexible electronics. Read more »
Palladium and Zirconium Convert Greenhouse Gases into Fuel
Greenhouse gases cause the rising global temperatures associated with climate change. At the ALS, researchers have determined that palladium/zirconium catalysts can reduce greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide by converting them into useful fuel. Read more »
Memristor Collaboration between ALS and Hewlett Packard Labs Propels Theory to Application
The development of an idea into a commercial product can take decades, a timeframe that allows contributions from multiple generations of scientists and requires investment in basic research. Collaborative research between the ALS and Hewlett Packard Labs has advanced the memristor, a device that can store information using little to no power. Read more »
Cindy Lee, Communications Specialist
Cindy Lee joined the ALS communications group earlier this year. Trained as a molecular biologist and linguist, she’s now using her skills to enhance the workplace culture and broaden the impact of ALS work. Read more »
ALS Staff Honored with Berkeley Lab Director’s Awards
ALS staff were recognized by Berkeley Lab Director Mike Witherell at the annual director’s awards ceremony on November 30. Zahid Hussain received the Berkeley Lab Citation; Ethan Crumlin was recognized for receiving a DOE Early Career Research Award earlier this year, and also received the Director’s Award for Exceptional Early Scientific Career Achievement; Carolyn Larabell received the Director’s Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievement; and Christine Beavers, Dula Parkinson, Ina Reichel, Tom Scarvie, Doug Taube, and Ashley White received the Director’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Outreach. Read more »
New UEC Members for 2019
Welcome to the new Users’ Executive Committee members for 2019! Emma Anquillare (Student Representative, Boston University and Berkeley Lab), Clemens Heske (UNLV and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), Johanna Nelson Weker (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory), and Antoine Wojdyla (ALS-U) will be joining the UEC in January. Read more »
ALS in the News (December 2018)
- Topological Matters: Toward a New Kind of Transistor
- The Battery Industry is Blowing Up and It’s Changing Everything, from Cars to Phones (video)
- Berkeley Lab Takes a Quantum Leap in Microelectronics
- Ancient Romans Created Super Strong Concrete by Mixing Aggregate with Mineral-Rich Sea Water
- Solving a 75-Year-Old Mystery Might Provide a New Source of Farm Fertilizer
- Newly Characterized Toxin Gives Bacterium a Leg Up on the Competition
- Fungal Spores Are a Primary Source of Sodium Salt Particles in Amazon Air
- 2018 Director’s Awards Announced
- Unearthing Evidence: Kansas State University Researchers Examine Processes that Support Soil Health
- Researchers Create Most Complete High-Res Atomic Movie of Photosynthesis to Date
- Naturally Occurring “Batteries” Fueled Organic Carbon Synthesis on Mars