The ALS has received federal approval to start construction on an upgrade that will boost the brightness of its x-ray beams at least a hundredfold. The DOE approval, known as Critical Decision 3 (CD-3), formally releases funds for purchasing, building, and installing upgrades to the ALS. Read more »
ALSNews Vol. 443
November 16, 2022
Watching Nanoparticle Chemistry and Structure Evolve
Using a multimodal approach, researchers learned how chemical properties correlate with structural changes during nanoparticle growth. The work will enable a greater understanding of the mechanisms affecting the durability of nanoparticles used to catalyze a broad range of chemical reactions, including clean-energy reactions. Read more »
Protein Assemblies Show Surprising Variability
Protein-structure studies performed in part at the ALS helped researchers discover that the protein assemblies in a key carbon-cycling enzyme can rearrange with surprising ease. The findings raise the prospect of genetically tuning the protein in agricultural plant species to produce more productive and resource-efficient crops. Read more »
Crossing from One to Two Dimensions in a Single Material
Low-dimensional materials exhibit excellent properties for use in next-generation electronic devices. Now, researchers have discovered an ideal platform for tuning between 1D and 2D physics, expanding the possibilities for device engineering and offering a versatile platform for the exploration of intriguing low-dimensional physics. Read more »
Distinguishing Nanoparticles from Gas-Phase Species in Reacting Flows
Researchers developed a strategy for distinguishing between gas-phase species and newly formed nanoparticles in mixed gas- and particle-phase reacting flows. The approach uses small-angle x-ray scattering to study particle formation as it occurs by explicitly accounting for temperature-dependent scattering from gases. Read more »
Andrea Taylor, Senior Administrator
As a member of the business administration team, Andrea Taylor is involved in many processes across the ALS—work that draws on her previous roles in hospitality. She has also lent her musical talents to our User Meetings, so be sure to check out the music videos. Read more »
Updated 2023-1 Operating Schedule
The operating schedule for the 2023-1 cycle has been updated. The next long shutdown is expected to begin in January 2023 and last until early February (shorter than originally planned). The most up-to-date information on the current schedule and future outlook can always be found on the Operating Schedule web page. Read more »
Vote for Your 2023 UEC Representatives
The Advanced Light Source Users’ Executive Committee (UEC) invites you to participate in the election of six new UEC members to represent the ALS community. The new members will take office for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2023. View candidate statements and submit your votes by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, December 1. Read more »
Spring 2023 ALS Doctoral & Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications Open
ALS Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships allow researchers to spend a year in residence at Berkeley Lab working at the frontier of synchrotron radiation research and helping advance state-of-the-art techniques and applications. The next application cycle closes December 9, 2022. Read more »
ALS Staff Honored with 2022 Berkeley Lab Director’s Awards
Several ALS staff were recognized by Berkeley Lab Director Mike Witherell at the annual Director’s Awards ceremony on November 10. They include Steve Kevan, Jonathan Slack (as part of the Infant Warmer Team), and the ALS Structural Biology Beamline Team. Read more »