Advanced Light Source (ALS)

Researchers engineered protein-like polymers that replicate complex enzyme functions. This work, which was verified using X-ray characterization techniques at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), offers a cost-effective, scalable approach that paves the way for functional materials in biomedicine, energy, and manufacturing. 📸 Schematic comparing the global folding patterns, chemical structures, and active sites of a) natural protein behavior demonstrating a rigid secondary structure of regular, local folding patterns in the chain of amino acids, stabilized by intramolecular bonding; and b) the protein-like polymers created in this study, which do not form secondary structures but instead adopt varying conformations based on the hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties of segments in the chain. Red, grey, blue and yellow correspond to very hydrophobic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic (water-loving) and very hydrophilic amino acid residues, respectively. The chemical structures of key functional residues are shown in the inset boxes. (Credit: Ting Xu/UC Berkeley/LBNL)

X-ray microscopy tools at the ALS and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource mapped the chemical changes inside wildfire ash particles, revealing that pyrogenic iron and manganese gradually disappeared as the soil recovered. These findings shed light on how wildfires drive transient mineral formation that impacts micronutrient cycling and soil resilience, with implications for landscape recovery strategies. 📷 Wildfires are becoming more common in the western United States. Experiments at the ALS are showing how they influence nutrient cycling and soil recovery. Shortly after the fire, an ash layer containing various forms of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) covered the surface soil. Two years later, these Fe and Mn forms are absent. Understanding chemistry changes like these is vital for informing land management practices for ecosystem recovery. (Credit: Kyounglim Kang and Jasquelin Pena/UC Davis Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering).

Researchers used synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy (SINS) at the ALS to detect the molecular behaviors of ionic liquids—which serve as high performance electrolytes in energy storage devices—under varying charge bias conditions. Their insights define a direction for targeted design of ionic liquid-based electrolytes with optimized properties for energy storage applications. 📷 Overview of the experimental setup for studying the behavior of ionic liquids at electrode surfaces in energy storage devices. Cross-sectional, nanoscale view of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip probing the system for SINS measurement, revealing changes in the structure and behavior of individual ions. (Credit: Zixuan Li/Berkeley Lab)

Machine learning tools and experiments at the ALS enabled the identification of defect-rich regions in single-crystalline Co3Sn2S2 that link to how surface electrons move. Atom-level understanding of how the surface electronic properties of a magnetic semimetal can be tuned could guide its use in advanced technologies like spintronics and catalysis.

Researchers used scanning transmission x-ray microscopy at the ALS to analyze Arctic aerosols, which strongly influence cloud formation and overall climate. Understanding what these particles are and how they change as they travel could help improve climate models and yield more accurate predictions of the changing Arctic environment’s global impact. 📷 Artist’s impression of sea salt and blowing snow aerosolizing in the Arctic atmosphere. (Credit: Swarup China/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory).

Want to join us at @berkeleylab to conduct research, engage with synchrotron science, and collaborate with our staff? Apply for an ALS doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship! All the information is on our website (https://als.lbl.gov/about/career-opportunities/ or check our link in bio), and the application is open until April 30.

Researchers identified a compound that disrupts a hard-to-target tumor growth pathway in breast, lung, and other cancers and used the ALS to characterize the chemical interactions critical to its potency. This work contributed to the development of a similar compound currently undergoing clinical trials in cancer patients, and informs hypotheses for designing better drug candidates. 📷 The crystallized complex (shown in microscope field of view) of the PI3Kα protein bound to Vividion's newly identified inhibitor. (Credit: Steffen Bernard/Vividion Therapeutics, Inc.)

Using high-resolution x-ray techniques, researchers from UCSF School of Dentistry, the ALS at Berkeley Lab, and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource uncovered structural evidence that zinc subtly alters bone mineral in vulnerable joint regions, revealing early changes that may explain how arthritis begins and progresses. 📷 Cross-section scanning electron microscope image showing the transitional region between cartilage and bone, known as subchondral bone.

Altermagnets are an emerging class of magnetic materials that offer the potential for energy-efficient, high-density memory chips. Researchers at Penn State, UC Santa Barbara, and the ALS demonstrated that characteristic altermagnetic band splitting in chromium antimonide is evident in thin films relevant for real-world device application. 📷 Previously, altermagnetism had only been confirmed in bulk crystals and “thick” bulk-like films. In this work, researchers demonstrate that altermagnetism persists in CrSb thin films down to 10 nm, the thickness range relevant for spintronics. Future work will explore CrSb films down to the 2D limit, where quantum confinement opens pathways to new device functionalities beyond conventional spintronics. (Credit: Sandra Santhosh/Pennsylvania State University)

PhD student Sophie Hanson used the @advancedlightsource to get detailed 3D images of the hydraulic structures in jumping spider legs. This incredible biomechanical system gives the tiny creatures huge power (proportionately🕷️)! What will you discover at a DOE Office of Science user facility? (Learn more via link in bio)

It was fun learning about the biomechanics of spiders to use in animating them for this latest Basics2Breakthroughs video featuring @sophie.hanson - PhD student Sophie Hanson used the @advancedlightsource to get detailed 3D images of the hydraulic structures in jumping spider legs. This incredible biomechanical system gives the tiny creatures huge power. @berkeleylab

Help shape the 2026 Bay Area Light Sources Meeting! Last chance to submit your ideas for speaker and workshops ideas before the March 13 deadline (tomorrow!) The 2026 Bay Area Joint Users’ Meeting will be cohosted by SSRL and LCLS and take place at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory September 21 – 25.