Advanced Light Source

Workshops and tutorials are under way at the 2025 #ALSUserMtg! Experts are sharing their experience, attendees are getting some hands-on practice, and everyone is getting a chance to chat. It's always great to see the ideas brewing.

Welcome to Day 1 of the 2025 #ALSUserMtg! Our plenary session today includes science and facility updates and award-winning science. Plus, the always energetic poster slam and poster session! Be sure to tag us in your photos. als.lbl.gov/user-meeting/ @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @lightsources.bsky.social

Researchers uncovered the precise mechanism of hydrogen spillover onto a catalytic surface by watching it happen under various conditions. The work lays the foundation for more efficient catalysts and next-generation hydrogen energy technologies. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/catching-hyd...

ALS-United: we speak with Don MacGill (ALS Mechanical Technician Supervisor), Matt Warren (ALS Mechanical Technician Supervisor), and Kyle McCombs (ALS Mechanical Technology Group Lead). @berkeleylab.lbl.gov‬ als.lbl.gov/als-united-d...

We partnered with @BerkeleyLab colleagues from @lbnl_next and @molecularfndry to take James Logan High School students around the superconducting magnet assembly, @advlightsource, and Molecular Foundry facilities. @ENERGY @DOEScience Read more here

Learn how scientists within our #BioMBIB Division are leveraging the capabilities of @berkeleylab.lbl.gov's @als.lbl.gov to unravel the 3D structure of proteins, aiding cancer therapy development and the nation’s efforts to tackle emerging health threats. 👉 go.lbl.gov/ALSimpact

From better batteries to #quantum tech, our @als.lbl.gov is lighting the way to discovery. Dive into 6 breakthrough innovations powered by 30+ years of ALS science. 🧪 ⬇️ @biosci.lbl.gov @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov

Researchers shed new light on interfacial ferromagnetism in superlattices of alternating magnetic layers. The work expands the scope of traditional interface studies and lays the groundwork for future innovations in magnetic storage and spintronics. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/a-deeper-loo...

In conductors where both electrons and ions carry charge, scientists created an "ion superhighway." Potential applications include battery charging, biosensing, soft robotics, and neuromorphic computing. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/building-a-g...

Cool work involving our SIBYLS beamline!

By locking down parts of a modular drug-building protein, researchers learned new details about how carrier proteins transfer the product protein between modules. The work could enable scientists to design and create new and improved medicines. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/deep-dive-in...

Researchers developed a cheaper, more energy-efficient way to extract lithium from its source mineral, spodumene. The work supports the sustainable scaling of lithium production to meet growing market needs for hybrid and electric-vehicle batteries. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/energy-savin...

Big milestone at the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology @ ALS—10,000 protein structures solved and deposited by our users in the PDB! 🧬 Thanks to the #MBIB @biosci.lbl.gov team & 4.2.2 scientists who support our amazing users. From drug discovery to protein design, here’s to the next 10,000! ✨

ALS-United: we speak with Steve Rossi (ALS Deputy for Business Operations), Daniela Leitner (Engineering Division Director, ALS-U System Lead for Removal & Installation), and Andrew Netto (ALS-U Deputy for Operations). @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/als-united-s...

Some species of California lilac have developed an adaptation for arid climates: the stomatal crypt. Researchers characterized these crypts using microtomography, revealing how the crypts help plants survive drought. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/the-secret-t...

Researchers found a way to reconstruct quantum geometric tensors (QGTs)—mathematical entities that encode how an electron’s wave function is shaped by its quantum environment. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @mitofficial.bsky.social als.lbl.gov/mapping-the-...

Since joining the ALS & ALS-U, #ALSRingleader Taimoor Hassan has applied his background in electrical safety, engineering, & RF systems. Learn more about the giant microwave he worked on previously, and how his experience serves the interconnected work of the ALS & ALS-U. als.lbl.gov/taimoor-hass...

The NPR Morning Edition recently interviewed Valentina Loconte about how #BioMBIB researchers used the @als-lbnl.bsky.social to help solve a research mystery - how a single-celled algae can fix nitrogen. Learn more with this 4-minute listen: www.npr.org/2025/03/13/n... @berkeleylab.lbl.gov

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. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/reaction-mec...

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. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/a-clearer-lo...

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. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/mind-blowing...

Researchers used angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) @berkeleylab.lbl.gov to demonstrate the existence of dark-state electrons in solids, providing insights into complex phenomena in physics, such as high-temperature superconductivity and optoelectronics. als.lbl.gov/hide-and-see...

Researchers @berkeleylab.lbl.gov encapsulated actinium within a macromolecular complex for analysis using protein crystallography and discovered that actinium has a unique solid-state bonding configuration. The work could help improve a promising cancer treatment. als.lbl.gov/a-macromolec...

The ALS was a major selling point when Whitney Loo chose where to pursue her PhD. Now that she runs her own research group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is maintaining her ties and giving back by serving on the ALS Users' Executive Committee. als.lbl.gov/whitney-loo-...

Researchers uncovered the role of Mn in catalysts for fuel production. Opens the door to catalysts that could decrease production of harmful methane byproducts. @molecularfoundry.bsky.social @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @brookhavenlab.bsky.social @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social als.lbl.gov/understandin...

📡 Scientist spotlight: Sophie Morley champions team science at @berkeleylab.lbl.gov! As beamline scientist at 7.0.1.1 she's not just conducting impactful studies, she's bridging quantum researchers & engineers through active listening. Full interview in Physics World: ttps://tinyurl.com/bdhznv5p

Researchers discovered two antibodies that can prevent the protein interactions responsible for severe malaria and elucidated their binding mechanism. These antibodies offer novel insights for vaccine design or targeted treatment. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov als.lbl.gov/identificati...

We're proud to have studied asteroids straight from space at ALS Beamline 5.3.2.2 and helped unlock the secrets of Asteroid Bennu! 🛰️ Full story: newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/01/29/b... @berkeleylab.lbl.gov

New asteroid analysis? That’s brine by us! Researchers found a tell-tale set of salts formed by evaporation that illuminate Bennu’s watery past. Details ⬇️ newscenter.lbl.gov/2025/01/29/b... @molecularfoundry.bsky.social @als-lbnl.bsky.social #Space 🧪

While we're new to BlueSky social, ALS scientist @antonymous.bsky.social & researchers from APS and NSLS-II have been using the Bluesky framework for clearer scientific horizons. Read how they're making science's forecast brighter in our latest article. als.lbl.gov/autonomous-b...