Researchers traced the evolution of minerals (“salts”) in an ancient brine, as recorded in samples from the asteroid Bennu, returned to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. The results support the idea that asteroids like Bennu may have delivered water and essential chemical building blocks of life to Earth in the distant past. Read more »
ALS News Vol. 466
February 26, 2025
A Clearer Look at Lithium-Ion Traffic Jams in Batteries
By directly visualizing the uneven insertion of lithium ions into electrodes with well-defined crystal orientations, researchers learned why fast charging decreases battery lifespan and performance. The work could provide insights into better battery utilization and help investigations of the surface insertion reaction during fast charging. Read more »
Reaction Mechanism of Commercial Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes
Researchers used soft x-ray resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the ALS to understand the role of aluminum doping in improving the stability of commercially used cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Read more »
Mind-Blowing Materials: Mimicking Neurons for Faster Computing
Researchers used x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the ALS to uncover the atomic-level mechanism of conductance switching for a neuromorphic material that has the potential for energy-efficient computing. Read more »
Taimoor Hassan, ALS and ALS-U Electrical Safety Officer
In the eight months that Taimoor Hassan has been with the ALS and ALS-U, he has been able to apply his background in electrical safety, engineering, and RF systems. Learn more about the giant microwave he worked on in a previous job, and how all of his experience serves the interconnected work of the ALS and ALS-U. Read more »
March 5, 2025, Deadline for General User Proposals—Updated Proposal Writing Guidelines!
The User Office is accepting new General User Proposals (GUPs) from scientists who wish to conduct research at the ALS in the 2025-2 (August–December) cycle. The deadline for submissions is March 5, 2025. Please review the updated proposal guidelines, with thanks to feedback from proposal submitters and reviewers. Additional beamtime cycles will be run before the ALS-U dark time, and we will share more information as it becomes available. Read more »
Apply by April 4 for ALS Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Applications will be accepted from mid-March–April 4 for ALS Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships that begin September 1, 2025. Fellows spend a year in residence at the ALS conducting research and instrumentation development in collaboration with their home institution. Read more »
Berkeley Lab and the ALS Retire COVID-19 Protocols
With the conclusion of Cal/OSHA COVID protocol requirements on February 3, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab has retired its COVID protocols. The ALS will continue to provide hand sanitizer and masks upon request, and encourage you to stay home when you are sick. For more details, read the Lab’s message. Read more »