Structural Science (XSD-SRS)

Recent Research Highlights

Faking Photosynthesis to Make Hydrogen Fuel
Humans can learn a lot from plants. With energy from the sun, protein catalysts in plants efficiently split water to generate oxygen, storing the energy as carbohydrates. Scientists would like to…
11-ID-D
It Pays to Break the Rules When Synthesizing Intermetallic Nanoparticles
It Pays to Break the Rules When Synthesizing Intermetallic Nanoparticles: Bimetallic intermetallic nanoparticles (NPs) are receiving increased attention because of their proven ability to…
11-ID-B
Supercrystal: A Hidden Phase of Matter Created by a Burst of Light
"Frustration" plus a pulse of laser light resulted in a stable "supercrystal" created by a team of researchers from two U.S. universities and three U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories,…
7-ID-B,C,D, 11-ID-D, 33-BM-C, 33-ID-D,E
A Strange Phenomenon that Helps and Hurts Lithium-Ion Battery Performance
New research offers the first complete picture of why a promising approach of stuffing more lithium into battery cathodes leads to their failure. A better understanding of this could be the key to…
11-ID-B, 20-BM-B
Setting a New Course for Extracting Uranium from Seawater
Work by a team of researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and The University of Chicago shows that the polymeric adsorbent materials that bind uranium behave nothing like scientists had…
11-ID-B
For Lithium-Ion Cathodes, Partial Order Up
As the lithium-ion industry continues to grow, so does the use of cobalt or nickel, straining scarce metal resources. To sustain this continued growth, development of new cathodes with high energy…
11-ID-B, 20-BM-B
Custom-Built MOFs for Catalytic Enzyme Encapsulation
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are handy crystalline constructs that combine metallic ions with organic molecules to form a structure featuring molecular “cages” or channels that can trap other…
17-BM-B
Crystals Could Reveal a New Spin on Quantum Physics
Crystals Could Reveal a New Spin on Quantum Physics: Physicists would like to know whether a theorized new state of matter, called a quantum spin liquid, actually exists. One multi-institution group…
11-BM-B, 15-ID-B,C,D
Keeping Li-Ion Batteries from Fading Away
The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in our smartphones, laptops, and various other personal electronic devices make them completely portable, allowing us to unplug so long as the batteries are…
11-ID-B
Gold Nanocrystal “Double” Hints at Other Shape-Changing Particles
Chemically the same, graphite and diamonds are as physically distinct as two minerals can be, one opaque and soft, the other translucent and hard. What makes them unique is their differing…
11-ID-B

BE ADVISED:

The APS Upgrade Project will require a storage ring installation period, during which the APS will pause operations for one year.

User experiments are scheduled to end on April 17, 2023, with the installation period scheduled to begin one week later, on April 24, 2023.

Consistent with these dates, the last APS operations run is scheduled to start on Jan. 31, 2023, and end on April 17, 2023. The upgraded APS will return to operations after the 12-month installation and commissioning period, though the initial operations will be at reduced current and availability as the machine is tuned up. Regular updates will be provided on the APS-U website.

OPEN POSITION:

The X-ray Science Division Structural Science group (XSD-SRS) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) enables world-class research using high-energy x-rays by developing cutting edge instrumentation and techniques, and pursuing research in the physical, chemical, environmental, and materials sciences. We are currently seeking an Assistant Beamline Scientist to support the high-energy x-ray beamlines operated by the SRS group. The beamlines are dedicated to in situ and operando diffraction and total scattering experiments for pair distribution function (PDF) analysis in combination with multimodal approaches, such as small angle scattering, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence, Compton scattering, or Residual Gas Analysis.

The successful candidate will work with a highly motivated and diverse team to support user experiments and develop new techniques, sample environments, and/or novel data acquisition strategies for the beamlines at 11-ID.

Please find more information on #415368 here. For inquiries, please email Uta Ruett at [email protected].

Overview

High-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a bulk structure characterization technique widely used in materials research taking advantage of the high penetration power into materials, large accessible q-range, and small correction factors. In situ measurements study materials under various conditions. Operando studies are essential for insights into structural changes in functional materials during operation with the goal of improving their performance. XRD can resolve phase identities and other features, like particle size, micro-strain, structural defects, etc. The beamlines operated by the Structural Science (SRS) group offer a wide range of in situ and operando powder XRD and total scattering measurement capabilities with sub-second temporal resolution. The beamlines operate in x-ray transmission geometry with monochromatic beams and area detectors. In addition, 11-BM utilizes an array of analyzer crystals and scintillators to achieve the highest resolution. Most recent developments include an in-line Raman system at 17-BM and 11-ID-B that allows simultaneous measurement of XRD/PDF and Raman spectroscopy data under controlled temperature and gas environments. 11-ID-B enables studies of surfaces and interfaces with an optional 1D vertical focusing on the order of a few micrometers.  11-ID-B utilizes a hexapod positioning stage to allow highly accurate control of sample orientation, enabling surface and interface scattering. 11-ID-C employs a heavy-load hexapod providing similar capabilities for heavy equipment up to 250 kg. The high-resolution 11-BM beamline now has the option to switch to an area detector for rapid checks on the sample status. The group has a strong emphasis on battery research, maintaining an electrochemistry facility which is accessible 24/7 for all APS users for cell preparation. This eChem Lab offers standard lab equipment plus two Argon atmosphere glove boxes with one dedicated for Sulphur containing materials.

11-BM, 11-ID-B and 17-BM all offer Mail In services.

After the upgrade in 2024, 11-ID-D will become the flagship for structural science offering the combination of high-energy x-ray total scattering including small angle scattering with strong beam focusing capabilities in the x-ray regime between 26 keV to 120 keV.

11-BM
11-BM 11-BM is dedicated to high-resolution powder diffraction measurements. The instrument operates over the energy range from 25-35 keV, and combines a sagittally focused monochromator with multiple Si crystal analyzers to achieve exceptional resolution and sensitivity. The beamline offers a unique mail-in service for rapid access, and supports on-site user experiments for non-routine powder diffraction measurements. Technical Specifications
11-ID-B
11-ID-B

11-ID-B is dedicated to Pair-Distribution-Function (PDF) measurements with area detectors. The instrument operates at high X-ray energies (58.6 keV, 86.7 keV) and is optimized for High throughput measurements and non-ambient / in-situ measurements. Typical configurations may involve a sample changer, cryostream, compact furnace/flow cell, and single-crystal diffuse scattering (under development).

Now accepting Mail In proposals. More information can be found on the mail-in wiki.

 Technical Specifications
11-ID-C
11-ID-C 11-ID-C is used for scattering studies at extreme conditions. The high energy X-ray beam (105.7 keV) is highly penetrating and allows a wide coverage of reciprocal space over a small angular scattering range. This is particularly advantageous for experiments that require bulky sample environments (e.g. loadframes, 3D printed bulk materials, industrial batteries). Technical Specifications
11-ID-D
11-ID-D 11-ID-D will offer a wide range of experimental approaches with highest available flux. Two dimensional focusing will be available and adaptable energy resolution. A q-range from 0.01 A-1 to 40 A-1 will be covered. The photon energy will cover the energy range from 26 to 120 keV. A secondary detector for spectroscopic imaging will expand the multimodal approaches. Technical Specifications
17-BM-B
17-BM

17-BM-B is dedicated to rapid acquisition powder diffraction experiments using an area detector, where moderate resolution data can be obtained in fractions of seconds. The versatile set-up can accommodate a wide range of sample environments and is well suited to parametric/in situ/in operando measurements. Standard configurations include a sample changer, cryostream, compact furnace/flow cell, compact pressure cells (<10 GPa, under development). 

Now accepting Mail In proposals. More information can be found on the mail-in wiki.

 Technical Specifications
eChem Lab
e-Chem The eChem lab is equipped with a state-of-the-art Ar-atmosphere glovebox with fridge/freezer unit, and small and large antechambers. The glovebox is supplied with Li and Na metals, standard electrolytes, coin cell crimping tools and accessories needed to assemble battery cells.  The lab is also equipped with three mobile 8-channel MACCOR® battery cyclers capable of running independent experiments, a single-channel CH Instruments® potentiostat, a vacuum oven, balances, bench space and standard laboratory consumables. Details