Steve Kevan highlights the ALS achievements of the past year and looks forward to progress on many fronts. The ALS-U Project, Science Council, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) will all shape the ALS of the future. Read more »
ALSNews Vol. 412
January 29, 2020
Milestone in Advanced Light Source Upgrade Project Will Bring in a New Ring
On Dec. 23, the ALS upgrade (ALS-U) project received CD-3a approval, which authorizes an important release of funds for purchasing equipment and formally approves the start of construction on the accumulator ring. Read more »
The Choreography of Quantum Dot Fusion
X-ray scattering experiments helped reveal how nanosized crystals (“quantum dots”) self-assemble and fuse to form “supercrystals” with potentially useful electronic properties. The findings provide new insight into the fabrication of high-performance, low-cost electronic materials for photovoltaic and photon-sensing applications. Read more »
Molecular Handle Enables Viral Attack on Joint Cells
A collaboration of university and industry researchers used x-ray crystallography to investigate how the chikungunya virus, which can cause debilitating joint pain, engages a receptor protein found on the surfaces of joint cells. The work provides a path forward in the fight against a family of viruses that can result in acute and chronic arthritis. Read more »
Crystallography Reveals How New Molecular Cages Trap Toxic Gases
Current technologies for reducing toxic gas emissions are often ineffective and wasteful. Crystallographic analyses of two new MOF materials revealed how they reversibly bind their target gases, enabling the materials to be reused over many cycles (reducing waste) and permitting subsequent conversion of the gases into valuable chemical products. Read more »
New Catalyst Resists Destructive Carbon Buildup in Electrodes
Key challenges in the transition to sustainable energy can be met by converting CO2 to CO through the use of solid oxide electrolysis cells. But because these can suffer from carbon deposition at the electrodes, researchers have now identified and tested a new, cerium oxide–based catalyst that is more resistant to carbon buildup. Read more »
Angela Setiadi, User Service Administrator, and Shawna Vila-Flores, Administrator
In Fall 2019, Angela Setiadi, user service administrator, and Shawna Vila-Flores, administrator, joined the User Office. Every user meets them—but do you know their nicknames for each other? Read more »
March 4 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 2020-2 (July–December) cycle. The deadline for submissions is March 4, 2020. 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 »
ALS Mission and Values Event
Earlier this month, the ALS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Committee hosted an interactive staff event to gather input on the ALS Mission Statement and a new set of core values. Once approved by the ALS community and management, these elements will help guide strategic decisions for the ALS and set work environment expectations. Read more »
ALS in the News (January 2020)
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- First detailed electronic study of new nickelate superconductor
- Influential electrons? Physicists uncover a quantum relationship
- Jennifer Doudna awarded 2020 Wolf Prize in Medicine
- New discovery makes it easier to design synthetic proteins that rival their natural counterparts
- Milestone in Advanced Light Source Upgrade Project will bring in a new ring
- The superpowers of super-thin materials
- Unique cancer drug discovered with help from Advanced Light Source begins historic clinical trial
- Scientists discover how proteins form crystals that tile a microbe’s shell
- MIT researchers realize “ideal” kagome metal electronic structure
- Freeze frame: Scientists capture atomic-scale snapshots of artificial proteins
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