Recent lbnl_es_als items

Serendipitous discovery of an allosteric inhibitor binding groove in the proline biosynthetic enzyme pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase 1 (PYCR1) catalyzes the NAD(P)H-dependent conversion of L-P5C to L-proline and is one of the most consistently up-regulated metabolic enzymes in cancer cells. High PYCR1 expression is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, and its knockdown inhibits tumor proliferation and metastasis, motivating inhibitor discovery. All structurally validated PYCR1 inhibitors to date bind in the active site and are anchored in the L-P5C binding pocket by an anionic functional group, typically carboxylate. Seeking inhibitors with alternative anchors, we used X-ray crystallography to screen 22 fragment-like compounds (MW = 189-343 Da) from docking that represent six different carboxylic acid isosteres. Surprisingly, only one compound bound in the active site. Four other compounds were found in three adjacent remote sites located in oligomer interfaces. The compounds bind 7 Å from NADH and 10-14 Å from L-P5C, and the intervening space is blocked...

Lead Optimization of TgCDPK1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Toxoplasmosis

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic pathogen that infects many individuals and threatens the health of those with compromised immunity. Current therapies are unable to eradicate chronic infections and pose risks of adverse reactions. Using X-ray structure-based drug design, we have developed a new series of biaryl-substituted pyrazolopyrimidine inhibitors of the essential parasite enzyme calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1). These inhibitors have excellent potency against the enzyme and in vitro antiparasitic activity. We further optimized the compounds for increased metabolic stability, lowered plasma protein binding, decreased efflux, and improved pharmacokinetics (PK). Several of the inhibitors had desirable PK with high oral bioavailability, low clearance, and extended half-life, leading to excellent compound exposure in the plasma and brain over a 24-h period. Three compounds were tested during acute infection in both immunocompetent and...

Evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking above the charge density wave order in a kagome metal

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in kagome metals remains highly debated, especially with respect to the presence of time-reversal symmetry breaking and the temperature range over which it develops. A loop-current order, characterized by complex phases in intersite hopping, has been proposed as the mechanism responsible for the breaking of time-reversal symmetry, although it has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Here we present evidence that time-reversal symmetry is broken well above the temperature at which the charge density wave order develops in the kagome metal CsV3Sb5. Using momentum-resolved and domain-selective measurements of circular dichroism in photoemission intensity, we observe dichroic signal that originates from the time-reversal symmetry broken state. This finding also points to the presence of loop-current order. The temperature dependence of the dichroic response shows a complex evolution, revealing how loop-current order is intertwined with the charge ordered...

Direct Visualization of Gate-Tunable Flat Bands in Twisted Double Bilayer Graphene

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The symmetry-broken correlated states in twisted double bilayer graphene (TDBG) can be tuned via several external knobs, including twist angle, displacement field, and carrier density. However, a direct, momentum-resolved characterization of how these parameters reshape the flat-band structure remains limited. In this Letter, we employ microfocused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the flat-band dispersion of TDBG at a twist angle of 1.6°, systematically varying the displacement field and carrier density via electrostatic gating. We directly observe multiple flat moiré minibands near charge neutrality, including a flat remote valence band residing below the low-energy flat-band manifold. Furthermore, the dominant Coulomb repulsive energy over the flat-band bandwidth suggests favorable conditions for the emergence of interaction-driven correlated phenomena in TDBG. These findings establish that the formation and evolution of flat bands in TDBG arises from...

Quantitative Infrared-to-Terahertz Nanospectroscopy of Semiconductors

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Semiconductor technology now employs few-nanometer features, necessitating tools probing electronic properties on the same length scale. While the concentration of free charge carriers is routinely measured, the scattering rate remains challenging to access at the nanoscale. Here, we present ultrabroadband (5-50 THz) synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy as a quantitative metrology tool for semiconductors. This technique can determine both the charge carrier concentration and scattering rate with percent-level accuracy, and it is inherently capable of ∼10 nm spatial resolution. We study silicon with different doping levels and confirm the method's accuracy by statistical analysis and comparison with established far-field infrared spectroscopy. Near-field measurements systematically reveal charge-carrier concentrations ∼30% lower than far-field values, consistent with increased surface sensitivity and surface depletion. Our work establishes synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy...

Achieving 20.1% Efficiency in Organic Solar Cells Through Interconnected Fibrillar Networks via Local Molecular Stacking

Tue, 1 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT The performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) is governed by how molecular packing evolves into interconnected networks that facilitate exciton dissociation and charge transport. Using an all‐small‐molecule blend DR3TSBDT:Y6 as a model system, we study how local molecular stacking evolves into performance‐relevant morphology during solvent vapor annealing (SVA) and subsequent thermal annealing (TA). SVA promotes end‐to‐end stacking of amorphous acceptors to form interconnected fibrils, while TA compacts inter‐fibril spacing without disrupting favorable local order. Such molecular‐to‐morphological refinements broaden light absorption, enhance charge transport, and markedly improve device efficiency. Extending this approach to additional blend systems (D18:Y6, D18:L8‐BO, and DR3TSBDT:L8‐BO) yields similar structural evolution and performance gains, with the D18:L8‐BO system achieving up to 20.10% PCE. Our study establishes control over local stacking in amorphous acceptors...

Unconventional polaronic ground state in superconducting LiTi2O4

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Geometrically frustrated lattices can display a range of correlated phenomena, ranging from spin frustration and charge order to dispersionless flat bands due to quantum interference. One particularly compelling family of such materials is the half-valence spinel LiB2O4 materials. On the B-site frustrated pyrochlore sublattice, the interplay of correlated metallic behavior and charge frustration leads to a superconducting state in LiTi2O4 and heavy fermion behavior in LiV2O4. To date, however, LiTi2O4 has primarily been understood as a conventional BCS superconductor despite a lattice structure that could host more exotic ground states. Here, we present a multimodal investigation of LiTi2O4, combining ARPES, RIXS, proximate magnetic probes, and ab-initio many-body theoretical calculations. Our data reveals a novel mobile polaronic ground state with spectroscopic signatures that underlie co-dominant electron-phonon coupling and electron-electron correlations also found in the lightly...

Revealing multiscale competing processes in the solid-state synthesis of single-crystalline layered oxide positive electrodes

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Solid-state synthesis involves a web of coupled chemical reactions and physical changes that unfold across multiple scales. Efforts to fine-tune its parameters have historically followed heuristic, trial-driven workflows that demand significant time and resources. In this study, we aimed to open this black box by employing multiscale in situ synchrotron imaging and diffraction. Using LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 battery positive electrode material as a model system and Ba-based sintering aids, we reveal dopant segregation, intergranular mass transport, and porosity evolution as key drivers of single-crystalline particle formation. Notably, we uncovered a dynamic competition between particle-level grain coalescence and atomic-scale cation disordering, both of which are thermally activated yet have opposing impacts on battery performance. These findings highlight the coupled, multiscale nature of structure development and offer a mechanistic basis for optimizing the solid-state synthesis...

Spontaneous crack healing in calcite reveals the influence of dynamic strain evolution and surface chemistry

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The mechanics of fracture healing in calcite remain poorly constrained yet are fundamental to managing fluid transport in geothermal reservoirs and hydrocarbon systems. Here, we apply microfocused synchrotron Laue X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy to investigate subcritical crack healing in a 1 mm-thick calcite crystal subjected to controlled loading in a double-torsion device. Over a 44-hour period following load removal, we map the evolution of residual strain fields surrounding the crack tip and observe a progressive increase in compressive strain perpendicular to the crack plane accompanied by infrared spectroscopic signatures that reveal enhanced accumulation of water at the healed interface. The correlation between strain evolution and surface chemistry suggests that spontaneous crack healing in calcite is driven by dynamic anelastic relaxation coupled with irreversible fluid-mineral interactions. These findings offer insight into time-dependent crack closure processes...

A Robotic High-Throughput Grid-Search Platform for Mapping Phase Behavior in Triblock Copolymer–Homopolymer Blends

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We present a high-throughput experimental investigation of the phase behavior in triblock copolymers (PS-b-PB-b-PS and PS-b-PI-b-PS) and polystyrene (PS) homopolymer blends as a function of homopolymer molecular weight (MW) and blend ratio. Using a robotic thin-film processing platform (NOVA) integrated with Grazing Incidence Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), we systematically mapped the order-disorder transition (ODT) boundaries and domain spacing evolution across a broad MW range (4.0-101.3 kDa) with varying homopolymer loadings (10% to 90%). The results reveal three distinct regimes: low-MW homopolymers, corresponding to the wet-brush regime produced only gradual domain swelling before disordering at high blend ratios (weight fraction); medium-MW homopolymers, corresponding to thedry-brush regime induced significant domain spacing increase up to 80% followed by earlier disordering, while high-MW homopolymers...

Hund’s flat band in a frustrated spinel oxide

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Electronic flat bands associated with quenched kinetic energy and heavy electron mass have attracted great interest for promoting strong electronic correlations and emergent phenomena such as high-temperature charge fractionalization and superconductivity. Intense experimental and theoretical research has been devoted to establishing the rich nontrivial metallic and heavy fermion phases intertwined with such localized electronic states. Here, we investigate the transition metal oxide spinel LiV₂O₄, an enigmatic heavy fermion compound lacking localized f orbital states. We use angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and dynamical mean-field theory to reveal a kind of correlation-induced flat band with suppressed interatomic electron hopping arising from intra-atomic Hund's coupling. The appearance of heavy quasiparticles is ascribed to a proximate orbital-selective Mott state characterized by fluctuating local moments as evidenced by complementary...

Comparison between invasive and non-invasive photon beam monitors in the tender x-ray regime for beamline diagnostics, optimization, and feedback

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We experimentally evaluate the performance of a novel pixelated diamond sensor for non-invasive x-ray beam monitoring in the tender x-ray regime (6–30 keV). Through simulations and experiments, we assess its precision in measuring beam parameters (flux, position and size) and compare it to a scintillator re-imaging microscope, an established, invasive photon beam diagnostic. Experimental results for the pixelated diamond sensor show a position sensitivity better than 50μm-rms (on the order of the pixel size), up to >100Hz feedback rates, and accurate beam size tracking. The pixelated diamond sensor, though less precise than a scintillator reimaging microscope, offers the advantage of being non-invasive and has been successfully integrated into automated alignment routines using EPICS/Bluesky instrument control framework.

Development of thin deformable x-ray mirrors for synchrotron applications

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The future of synchrotron light sources will bring diffraction-limited x-ray beams, providing high brightness and coherent wavefronts to an increasing number of beamline endstations around the world. In order to engineer coherent wavefronts and harness the high power densities, we need to develop x-ray deformable mirrors that can control the wavefront with high precision (< 5 nm-rms), can steer the beam at high speed (> 1kHz) and be compatible with ultra-high vacuum environments. We show that deformable mirrors made on industry-grade silicon wafers, borrowing a technological platform developed for space x-ray telescopes, could potentially be used for synchrotron applications, with residual figure error of about 10nm-rms that can be actuated to cause 100nm PV local deformation and operation at frequencies up to 10kHz. We also show that we can use machine learning techniques to improve their performance in operation, reducing the effects of drift and hysteresis, and make the...

Metrology of thin adaptive optics for x-ray beamlines

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The generational advances in synchrotron radiation sources have historically been bottlenecked by the optics used to focus and manipulate x-ray beamlines. Such optics have strict metrology requirements while needing to be versatile in their abundance of applications. To meet these requirements, thin adaptive optics (TAOs) have been developed to correct optical surface error and perform source wavefront shaping. These TAOs consist of a series of thin-film piezoelectric actuators deposited on a mirror substrate that induce spatially localized figure deformations. In this work, the fabrication and actuator performance of two TAO mirror segments are reported. These ∼ 0.5mm thick optics have addressable actuators whose responses were measured using Fizeau interferometry. The individual actuator responses of the two TAOs induced a figure change peak-to-valley (PV) of 183nm and 63nm on average. Finally, the TAOs were used to measure the deflection of an optical laser under operation...

Magnetically modified double-slit-based x-ray interferometry

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We demonstrate an experimental approach to determine magneto-optical effects that combines x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) with x-ray interferometry, based on the concepts of Young's canonical double slit. By covering one of two slits with a magnetic thin film and employing XMCD, we show that it is possible to determine both the real and the imaginary parts of the complex refractive index by measuring the fringe shifts that occur due to a change in the sample magnetization. Our hybrid spectroscopic-interferometric methodology provides a means to probe changes in the magnetic refractive index in terms of the electron spin moment.

Assessing adaptive optics for fast polarization switching of synchrotron light for x-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), an experimental technique that utilizes circularly polarized light at synchrotron light sources to probe the magnetic properties of materials, is performed by taking the difference of two x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra with x-rays of opposite circular polarizations. Each XAS spectrum measurement requires an energy scan by rotating a diffraction grating, which takes on the order of minutes to complete. Variations in the light source beam conditions or sample material environment can occur in the time between each XAS measurement and can lead to systematic shifts and fluctuations in the collected spectra and ultimately affect the XMCD measurement. We describe a concept using adaptive optics with active feedback to enable the use of fast polarization switching with lock-in amplification to reduce these effects and increase the sensitivity of XMCD measurements, and the development of such an adaptive optics system at the Advanced...

Demonstration of a dual-beam zone plate for phase-contrast coherent soft x-ray imaging

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Coherent x-ray imaging faces fundamental speed limitations due to computational reconstruction requirements of current phase retrieval methods. We demonstrate dual-beam zone plates that enable direct phase-contrast measurements by structuring coherent x-rays into two focused 110nm spots separated by 11μm, bypassing iterative algorithms entirely. Experimental validation at the COSMIC beamline confirms precise dual-beam formation with clear interference patterns analogous to Young’s double-slit experiment. Comparative measurements reveal enhanced sensitivity: phase detection achieves 45° phase shifts at sample boundaries where intensity contrast shows poor signal clarity due to noise. Spectroscopic demonstrations across the oxygen K-edge show energy-selective capabilities, with phase features providing improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional absorption measurements. The high photon efficiency of this direct measurement approach enables fast imaging capabilities,...

A review and analysis of Fourier transform spectroscopy in the soft x-ray region: advancing historical designs with modern technology

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We present a comprehensive review of Fourier transform spectroscopy in the soft x-ray region, focusing on Mach-Zehnder interferometer configurations. This study evaluates advantages over traditional grating-based methods, including higher resolution potential (>10,000) and rapid data acquisition. We examine historical implementations and their limitations, highlighting how recent advances in laser interferometry, mechanical stability, and detector technology may enable successful development. Through detailed simulations of interferometer schemes and beam splitter designs, we demonstrate how modern piezoelectric stages and feedback systems could overcome previous technical challenges. Applications for resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments at advanced light sources are discussed.

Dynamic disulfide bond networks enable self-healable and mechanically resilient intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A dynamic disulfide network introduced into donor/acceptor blends enables room-temperature self-healing and mechanical resilience in intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells, achieving performance recovery after high mechanical strain. The development of intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs) faces significant challenges in balancing mechanical durability and optoelectronic performance. Conventional π-conjugated polymer-based donor/acceptor blend films often exhibit limited stretchability and irreversible performance degradation under mechanical strain. To address these limitations, we propose a novel self-healable donor/acceptor blended film with a dual-network morphology, achieved by incorporating a dynamic disulfide bond-based crosslinked network into the bulk-heterojunction film. The resulting thin films demonstrate a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.39% in rigid OSC devices and a fracture strain of 15.6%. Remarkably, the IS-OSCs retain 80% of...

Framework for X‐ray mirror surface shape fitting

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

For accurate characterization of grazing-incidence X-ray mirrors, we present a comprehensive framework to fit measured surface shapes (either slope or height) of X-ray mirrors used in synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser facilities. We summarize the closed-form expressions of some typical surface shapes of X-ray mirrors including elliptic cylinders, hyperbolic cylinders, ellipsoids, hyperboloids, and diaboloids. This framework is composed of four layers: definition of standard shapes with closed-form expressions, generation of theoretical surface with pose parameters (six degrees of freedom defining an object's position and orientation relative to a coordinate system), parameter optimization with the ability to select which parameters are fit and which are held constant, and the development of user-friendly fitting function wrappers for particular fitting tasks. A few practical fitting examples are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fitting...

Synergistic Alignment of Low Aspect‐Ratio π‐Conjugated Molecules Enables Exceptional UV–vis–NIR Polarization Detection

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Polarization detection enhances signal contrast and is widely utilized in diverse advanced applications. An ongoing challenge is the development of high‐performance polarization‐sensitive photodetectors based on optically anisotropic organic semiconductors, particularly in the near‐infrared (NIR) region. While uniaxially aligned π‐conjugated polymers with high aspect ratios exhibit strong linear dichroism and have shown promise, their limited NIR performance and heavy reliance on polymer material now represent critical limitations. Here, a breakthrough is reported in achieving giant linear dichroism and exceptional polarization detection with low aspect‐ratios (AR) non‐fullerene small‐molecule (NFSM) acceptors, extending polarization sensitivity from the UV–vis to the NIR range. An impressive dichroic ratio of 27.1 at 605 nm and 12.0 at 780 nm is demonstrated. The maximum polarization photocurrent ratio is 11.2 at 780 nm under parallel versus perpendicular polarized light....

A study of silver acetate under extreme conditions

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

With the aim of exploring chemical systems that may undergo metallization when irradiated with hard X-rays, we selected silver acetate (AgC₂H₃O₂) for the study. X-ray-induced decomposition of silver acetate under ambient and high-pressure conditions was observed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC), leading to the formation of metallic nanograins of silver at ambient pressure and 1.65 GPa. At 4 GPa, no decomposition was observed. The Avrami kinetics equation also provides information about novel structural formation at ambient pressure and 1.65 GPa. By modeling of the XRD data, it was found that the size of the silver nanocrystallites formed at 1.65 GPa pressure steadily increased to ∼5 nm after 600 min of X-ray irradiation as determined by applying the Scherrer equation to the diffraction peak widths. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed pressure-dependent kinetics, demonstrating that coupling pressure with irradiation enables controlled...

Dual‐Gradient Construction on Li‐Rich Cathodes for High Stability Lithium Battery

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract The practical applications of high‐energy Li‐rich layered oxides (LLOs) have been hindered by the severe performance degradation including voltage decay and capacity fading. The gradient construction toward high‐activity interior and high‐stability exterior, typically realized by gradually changed transition metal (TM) gradient in LLOs, can alleviate the performance degradation to certain degrees. In this study, a gradient design of Al/Mg dopants is demonstrated for the TM‐gradient LLOs to further harmonize the high‐activity interior and high‐stability exterior, thereby forming the dual (TM and doping) gradient. As a result, superior capacity retention of 86% and a minor voltage decay of 0.54 mV cycle −1 are achieved at 1 C after 300 cycles. The improved electrochemical stability of the dual‐gradient LLO is attributed to the enhanced surface stability and suppressed bulk structure degeneration of LLOs upon electrochemical cycling. The dual‐gradient design serves...

Phase Transformation Enables Stable Cycling and Fast Charging of Cation-Disordered Rocksalt Cathodes

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Developing high-capacity, long-life cathodes is critical to overcome the energy limitations of current Li-ion batteries. Here, we report a Li-excess cation-disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathode, Li₁.₁₆₇Mn₀.₇Ti₀.₁₃₃O₁.₈F₀.₂ (M₀.₇F₀.₂), which demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance. This cathode delivers a capacity approaching 250 mAh g^-1 and maintains 200 mAh g^-1 over 200 cycles with an average discharge voltage of 3.1 V at 2 V cutoff. The formation of a spinel-like phase during cycling enables fast charging, achieving over 240 mAh g^-1 at 2C for 100 cycles. Combined X-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal reversible electrochemical redox processes and stable Mn local structures during 2 V discharge. These results highlight the potential of DRX cathodes for...

Ballistic ion transport through hierarchically-ordered-structure polymer binder

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Achieving ballistic ion transport in a mixed electronic-ionic conductive polymer, its hierarchically ordered structure (HOS) facilitates ion diffusion and results in solid-state Li + conductivity in the range of 10 −4 to 10 −3 S cm −1 from −20 to 70 °C. Since its discovery in the 1970s, solid-state ion conduction within polymers has primarily relied on polymer segmental motion to drive ion diffusion. However, ion transport based on polymer dynamics features low ionic conductivity (usually <10 −5 S cm −1 ) at room temperature and highly depends on temperature, which influences performance by controlling the ratio of amorphous to crystalline composition in polymers. A faster ion transport mechanism, independent of polymer dynamics, has long been sought but remains inaccessible. Here, we report a ballistic ion transport mechanism in a mixed electronic-ionic conductive (MEIC) polymer binder, where its hierarchically ordered structure facilitates ion diffusion and achieves solid-state...

Biopolymer-Templated Titania Film Formation for Nanostructured Coatings Revealed by Machine Learning-Supported Time-Resolved Analysis

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study presents a machine learning approach to derive the film formation of biopolymer-templated titania nanostructures during spray deposition, in combination with in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). A neural network trained on synthetic GISAXS data directly predicts domain-size distributions from experimental two-dimensional scattering patterns, capturing the full kinetics of nanostructure evolution with high temporal resolution. The predictions reveal hierarchical size distributions and periodic growth features, consistent with layer-by-layer spray deposition and validated by complementary scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Quantitative comparison with conventional parametric GISAXS fits shows good qualitative agreement, with systematic differences explained by domain-shape assumptions and resolved by applying a geometric scaling factor. Simulated SEM-like surfaces derived from neural network outputs reproduce the porous, foam-like...

Mobile genetic elements shape microbial diversity and functions in thawing permafrost soils

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ecosystems are shaped by communities of microorganisms whose niches and impacts depend on functional profiles influenced by gene gains and losses. Culture-based experiments demonstrate that mobile genetic elements (MGEs) can mediate gene flux, but quantitative understanding of these dynamics in natural systems remains limited. Here we develop and apply a systematic, meta-omic framework to investigate MGEs in a complex natural system using an 8-year soil time series collected at Stordalen Mire, in Sweden’s thawing permafrost margin. In this climate-critical peatland, we identify ~2.1 million MGE recombinases across 89 microbial phyla and assess ecological distributions, affected functions, past mobility and current activity. This revealed an active mobilome that shapes natural genetic diversity via differential impacts on major phyla and affects a wide range of functions, including metabolic genes involved in carbon flux and nutrient cycling. These findings and this analytic framework...

Size and oxidation state tracking of dynamic Rh catalysts on rutile TiO 2 by ambient-pressure XPS

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rhodium supported on titania (Rh/TiO 2 ) is an active catalyst for the reverse water gas shift reaction, yet the nature of the active sites for this reaction and others remain under debate due to the dynamic nature of the Rh coordination. Rhodium supported on titania (Rh/TiO 2 ) is an active catalyst for the reverse water gas shift reaction, yet the nature of the active sites for this reaction and others remain under debate. Single atom Rh sites have frequently been proposed as key sites, making it essential to monitor size changes of Rh species under in situ conditions to establish the structure–function relationship. However, surface-sensitive in situ measurements of nanosized particles remain experimentally challenging and have focused on metal oxide single crystal model systems. Here, we apply ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) to Rh/TiO 2 powdered catalysts under oxidizing and reducing environments. We find size-dependent binding energy shifts in...

High-throughput analysis of total electron yield and outgassing under EUV exposure for accelerated photoresist materials discovery

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As technology nodes shrink, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists are essential for high-resolution nanopatterning. Incident photons, as well as electrons generated during EUV exposure can cause both intended and unintended chemical reactions. Understanding these processes is critical for improving resist performance. This study investigates how resist components, particularly photoacid generators (PAGs) and photo decomposable quenchers (PDQ), influence photon- and electron-induced chemistry. It also aims to develop a high-throughput characterization method for efficient screening of novel materials. A high-throughput system combining total electron yield (TEY) and residual gas analysis (RGA) was developed. TEY measures electron generation and capture, while RGA monitors chemical transformations via outgassing. The method is applied to model resists. TEY and outgassing analysis revealed that PAGs and PDQs strongly influence electron behavior and outgassing characteristics. The...

Mineralized tissue of shark vertebral centra studied with microCT under in situ load

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Shark vertebral bodies (centra) possess remarkable resistance to millions of cycles of large in vivo strains exceeding 4 to 8%. These strains are enormous for a mineralized tissue, and it appears that the centra evolved to achieve this performance through a hierarchy of structures spanning dimensions from centimeters to nanometers. At the 1μm scale, blocks cut from centra and imaged with synchrotron microCT demonstrate that the centra tissue consists of closely spaced, mineralized trabeculae. An outstanding question is: How do these trabeculae deform to accommodate these large strains. This paper presents recently obtained synchrotron microCT results on in situ loading of blocks of shark centra and examines the deformation modes of the interconnected array of trabeculae.

How Proton Incorporation Reshapes Lattice Dynamics In BaSnO3‐Type Proton Conductors

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Proton conduction in acceptor-doped perovskites is fundamentally a vibronic process: mobile and do not move independently, but dynamically co-vibrate with the surrounding oxygen-metal framework. Direct experimental evidence for this behavior is presented using in situ nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) on hydrated, deuterated, and dry . Hydration induces systematic redistributions in the Sn-projected phonon density of states (PDOS), including an upshift of the first spectral moment by about 0.4 meV, indicating a stiffening of the extended Sn-O network. H/D isotopic substitution leaves the Sn-projected PDOS largely unchanged, with only subtle isotope-dependent spectral reweighting, demonstrating that protonic degrees of freedom are not localized oscillators but are embedded in collective lattice modes. These results are rationalized using a classical coupled proton-phonon oscillator model that links the observed PDOS variations to changes in effective...

Design of monolithic piezoelectric bimorph mirrors made from lithium niobate

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Recent advances in deformable mirrors based on monolithic piezoelectric substrates, such as lithium niobate, have the potential to improve the image quality of X-ray optical systems on synchrotron and free-electron laser beamlines and microscopes. However, the quantitative relationship between design parameters and the deformed shape has not been readily available in the literature. We present an analytical model, validated through finite element analysis, enabling calculation of tangential and sagittal curvatures based on mirror dimensions, crystallographic orientation, and applied voltage. We demonstrate that through the selection of material orientation, it is possible to achieve different deformed shapes (sphere, cylinder, or hyperbolic paraboloid). This methodology can be generalized to other piezoelectric materials and substrate-integrated actuator systems.

Superionic Surface Li-Ion Transport in Carbonaceous Materials

Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Unlike Li-ion transport in the bulk of carbonaceous materials, little is known about Li-ion diffusion on their surface. In this study, we have discovered an ultrafast Li-ion transport phenomenon on the surface of carbonaceous materials with limited reversible Li insertion capacity and high surface area. An ionic conductivity of 18.1 mS cm^-1 at room temperature is observed in lithiated Ketjen black (KB), far exceeding those of most solid-state ion conductors. Theoretical calculations reveal low diffusion barriers for the surface Li species. As a result, lithiated KB functions effectively as an interlayer between Li and solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to mitigate dendrite growth. Further, lithiated KB acts as a high-performance mixed ionic-electronic conductor and replaces solid electrolytes to enhance graphite anode performance, demonstrating full utilization with ∼85% capacity retention over 300 cycles. The discovery of this surface-mediated ultrafast Li-ion transport...

Enabling simultaneous time-resolved spectroscopy and X-ray footprinting mass spectrometry to study conformational dynamics in protein

Fri, 3 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Enabling simultaneous time-resolved spectroscopy and X-ray footprinting mass spectrometry to study conformational dynamics in protein

Microcarbonation of Naphthalene: An Experimental and Computational Study of Photoionization in Naphthalene-Carbon Dioxide Clusters

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The photoionization of naphthalene (N)-carbon dioxide (CO₂) clusters was studied using tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation from a synchrotron in the photon range of 8.0 to 13.7 eV, in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Clusters of monomer, dimer, and trimer naphthalene with CO₂ (N(CO₂)_0-6, N2(CO₂)_0-3, N3) were observed. The lowest-energy conformers were obtained via a conformer search, followed by geometry optimizations at the ωB97X-V2/aug-cc-pVTZ (monomer) and ωB97X-V2/aug-cc-pVDZ (dimer) levels of theory. Carbon dioxide was found to preferentially cluster on top of the naphthalene molecule (in an out-of-plane configuration). From the mass spectra, photoionization intensity curves (PICs) were constructed, and appearance energies (AEs) were determined. No substantial trend in AE was observed with increasing size of the naphthalene-carbon dioxide clusters; rather, AE oscillations around...

Tuning the low-energy band structure in twisted bilayer WSe2

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tuning the electronic structures of two-dimensional (2D) material-based heterostructures is of crucial importance for their use in functional next-generation electronics. Here, through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with nanoscale spatial resolution (nano-ARPES), we systematically track the evolution of the near-Fermi-level electronic structure of bilayer WSe2 over a large range of twist angle. While the momentum positioning of the valence-band maxima (VBM) is independent of twist angle, we find that the energetic separation between the hole bands at the K point of the Brillouin zone and the higher binding-energy hole band at Γ can be varied in excess of 100 meV. We explore the mechanisms underpinning this evolution and discuss the implications for tuning both the size of the band gaps, and the efficiency of the spin-dependent electron-phonon coupling channels in homobilayer transition-metal dichalcogenide devices.

Toward Unified Autonomous Scattering Experiments: A Cross-Facility Case Study at ALS and PETRA III

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Autonomous experiments rely on the integration of control, data acquisition, analysis, and decision-making frameworks. While such systems have been demonstrated at individual facilities, adapting them to additional instruments remains challenging due to differences in local infrastructure. We present a modular workflow that connects existing open-source tools for data access (Tiled), workflow orchestration (Prefect), analysis and visualization (pyFAI, Plotly Dash), and Gaussian-process-based adaptive sampling (gpCAM) into a unified framework for autonomous scattering experiments. The same configuration operates across two synchrotron beamlines (ALS 7.3.3 and PETRA III P03) with only minimal facility-specific adjustments, as shown in proof-of-concept demonstrations. This validates that a consistent design emphasizing modularity and shared interfaces can ease deployment across diverse experimental environments. The resulting framework provides a flexible foundation for...

Random heteropolymers as enzyme mimics

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Despite successes in replicating the primary–secondary–tertiary structure hierarchy of protein, it remains elusive to synthetically materialize protein functions that are deeply rooted in their chemical, structural and dynamic heterogeneities1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11–12. We propose that for polymers with backbone chemistries different from that of proteins, programming spatial and temporal projections of sidechains at the segmental level can be effective in replicating protein behaviours13,14; and leveraging the rotational freedom of polymer can mitigate deficiencies in monomeric sequence specificity and achieve behaviour uniformity at the ensemble level2,3,15, 16, 17, 18, 19–20. Here, guided by the active site analysis of about 1,300 metalloproteins, we design random heteropolymers (RHPs) as enzyme mimics based on one-pot synthesis. We introduce key monomers as the equivalents of the functional residues of protein and statistically modulate the chemical characteristics...

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) of plutonium oxide

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy was used to examine plutonium oxide particles formed by the corrosion of δ-phase plutonium alloy under high-humidity conditions. O K-edge spectra collected from eight distinct particles displayed significant spectral differences, revealing heterogeneity in oxidation states within a single sample batch. This variation suggests complex chemical environments and formation histories, which are important considerations for nuclear forensic investigations. These findings highlight both the potential of synchrotron-based x-ray microscopy for nondestructive, high-resolution analysis of nuclear materials and the need for expanded reference datasets to improve the interpretation and forensic utility of such measurements.

Symmetry Enforced Fermi Surface Degeneracies Observed in Time-Reversal Symmetry-Breaking Superconductor LaNiGa$_2$

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

LaNiGa$_2$ is superconductor that breaks time-reversal symmetry in the superconducting state without any known nearby magnetism. Recently, single crystals of LaNiGa$_2$ have been synthesized, revealing a nonsymmorphic Cmcm space group. Here, we report measurements of the electronic structure of LaNiGa$_2$ throughout the three-dimensional Brillouin zone (BZ) using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Our findings show broad consistency with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and provide evidence for degeneracies in the electronic structure that are predicted from the space group. The calculations also predict four Fermi surfaces which cross the purported nodal plane and should therefore form two degenerate pairs. We report evidence for those predicted symmetry enforced degeneracies as well as accidental near degeneracies throughout the BZ. These degeneracies and near-degeneracies may play a role in the pairing mechanism of LaNiGa$_2$. Our results provide...

Measurements of Electronic Band Structure in CeCoGe3 by Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of the electronic structure of CeCoGe3 throughout the entire Brillouin zone in the non-magnetic regime using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The electronic structure agrees in large part with first principles calculations, including predicted topological nodal lines. Two new features in the band structure are also observed, namely a surface state and folded bands, the latter of which is argued to originate from a unit cell reconstruction.

Crystallization-assisted water adsorption in amorphous molecular adsorbents

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Efficient and stable water adsorbents are essential for removing moisture from natural gas and olefins during their production. Industrial desiccants such as alumina and zeolites require high regeneration temperatures, while metal-organic frameworks often suffer from limited long-term stability and reusability. Here, we introduce a new type of molecular desiccants (M-PyC) that, in principle, can be reused indefinitely. These simple molecular coordination complexes undergo fully reversible phase transitions between crystalline and amorphous states through the decoordination (bond breaking) and recoordination (bond reforming) of water molecules. They exhibit high water uptake (30 wt%) and superb selectivity, excluding hydrocarbons entirely. Their effectiveness for dehydration, combined with low regeneration temperature, fast desorption kinetics, low-cost and green synthesis, easy scalability to kilogram quantities, and essentially unlimited recyclability, makes them truly competitive...

Pattern-enhanced Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering for Operando monitoring of electrochemical solid-liquid interfaces

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Unveiling interfaces at sub-nanometer scales is essential for advancing the understanding of complex chemical transformations. However, characterizing solid-liquid interfaces with high dimensional sensitivity and temporal resolution remains challenging, due to their dynamic nature and inaccessibility by conventional probes. Here we present an approach, Pattern-enhanced Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering, to overcome the challenges. Rooted in a “sample-as-optics” philosophy, this technique utilizes precisely engineered line-grating nanopatterns to modulate near-field X-ray illumination, coherently enhancing scattering signals from the line-gratings. We implement the method using Ni line-grating nanopatterns in electrochemical water oxidation. The periodic nanostructures serve as diffractive optical elements to reveal the Ni oxidation gradients and structural dynamics at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Finite-element simulations corroborate the observed trends by modeling variations...

Evidence for strong electronic correlations in the bulk state of grey arsenic

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We investigate the electron band structure of grey arsenic, whose (111) face hosts the topological Shockley state. Interestingly, the bulk band close to the touching point with the surface state exhibits the characteristics of inelastic scattering. Moreover, the band structure analysis reveals linearity in the imaginary part of electron self-energy. These features are analogous to those observed in high-temperature superconductors and marginal Fermi liquid systems, respectively, where strong electronic correlations exist. Our results suggest that correlated many-body states can be connected by non-interacting topological states, providing a viable playground to explore the coupling between topological and correlated states via grey arsenic surface.

Discovery of van Hove singularities: electronic fingerprints of 3Q magnetic order in a van der Waals quantum magnet

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Magnetically intercalated transition metal dichalcogenides are emerging as a rich platform for exploring exotic quantum states in van der Waals magnets. Among them, CoxTaS2 has attracted intense interest following the recent discovery of a distinctive 3Q magnetic ground state and a pronounced topological Hall effect below a critical doping of x ≈ 1/3, both intimately tied to cobalt concentration. To date, direct signatures of this enigmatic 3Q magnetic order in the electronic structure remain elusive. Here we report a comprehensive doping dependent angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy study that unveils these long-sought fingerprints. Our data reveal an unexpected inverse-Mexican-hat dispersion along the K-M-K′$${\mathrm{K}}^{\prime}$$ direction, accompanied by two van Hove singularities. These features are consistent with theoretical predictions for a 3Q magnetic order near three-quarters band filling on a cobalt triangular lattice. These results provide evidence...

Active site design enables industrial scale H2O2 electrosynthesis with metal-free catalysts

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction enables decentralized H2O2 production. While metal-free carbon catalysts are sustainable and low-cost, their performance is hindered by poorly defined active sites and uncontrolled defect states. Here, we resolve these challenges through active site design and catalyst screening using fluorine (F) and nitrogen (N) codoped carbons as model materials. Statistical analysis combined with density functional theoretical calculations reveals that F-induced structural modification and defect passivation optimize OOH* binding, with F-doping and adjacent F atoms predominantly lowering abs ΔG(OOH*). Experimental results confirm that semi-ionic C–F bonds passivate defects in nitrogen-doped carbon, enhancing catalytic activity and durability. The resulting (N, F)-codoped carbon achieves nearly 100% H2O2 selectivity at 0.5–0.65 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode and maintains >...

Electronic Band Structures of a Germanium Halide Perovskite Semiconductor

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

CsGeX3, a class of halide perovskites, is an emergent semiconductor with ferroelectricity and potential optoelectronic properties that can be harnessed for device applications. However, measurements of the electronic structure for this class of material are still lacking. In this work, we report, for the first time, the experimental band structures of CsGeI3, a ferroelectric halide perovskite semiconductor, through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The crystals were cleaved along both the (110) and (111) surfaces, facilitating the observation of clear valence band dispersions in several high-symmetry momentum directions. The observed valence band is characterized by a small hole effective mass of ∼0.1m 0 at the valence band maximum, without notable spectral signatures associated with the Rashba effect. Our experimental measurements are supported by electronic structure calculations in the DFT + G0W0 framework, enabling assessment of the band orbital characteristics,...

X-ray footprinting/mass spectrometry provides a new, detailed view of intrinsically disordered protein structural ensembles

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

X-ray footprinting/mass spectrometry provides a new, detailed view of intrinsically disordered protein structural ensembles

Electron-doping-induced destabilization of the dimerized insulating state in monolayer IrTe 2

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The ability to tune the electronic phases of two-dimensional (2D) materials through external perturbations provides a powerful route to engineer functional nanoscale systems. In particular, the ground state of monolayer (ML) 1T-IrTe₂ is highly sensitive to the interplay between local chemical bonding and global electronic topology, leading to a unique 2 × 1 dimerized insulating phase. Here, we present an angle-resolved photoemission study on the evolution of the electronic structure in ML IrTe₂ induced by in situ Rb adsorption. We find that Rb adsorption suppresses the 2 × 1 dimerized phase in ML IrTe₂, inducing a clear insulator-to-metal transition. This transition is characterized by a reconstruction of the band topology toward a bilayer-like metallic configuration. Combined with first-principles calculations, our results demonstrate that the collapse of the insulating state originates from Ir valence change and suppression of Fermi...

Evidence for Thermodynamically Stable “On-Top” Sulfur Divacancy in Monolayer WS2

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chalcogen vacancies in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as WS2, play a crucial role in various applications ranging from optoelectronics and catalysis to quantum information science (QIS), making their identification and control essential. This study focuses on the WS2 single vacancy and vacancy pairs. Using first-principles computations, we investigate their thermodynamic stabilities and electronic structures. We identify an ”on-top” divacancy configuration where two vacancies sit on top of each other to be the only energetically stable complex with a binding energy of 160 meV. We compute a small difference in electronic structure with a shift of the unoccupied state by 140 meV for the divacancy complex and make note of a similar shift observed experimentally.

An Atom-Precise Approach to Damp First-Order Phase Transitions and Its Implications for Neuromorphic Signal Processing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Neuromorphic computing inspired by mammalian intelligence aims to emulate the nonlinear dynamics of biological neurons and synapses to achieve fast, low-energy, and highly efficient information processing. Brain-inspired computing relies on the design and discovery of materials exhibiting nonlinear current-voltage profiles, frequently underpinned by electronic state transitions, to achieve spiking neurons and dynamically tunable synapses. A signature challenge in the design of artificial neurons is controlling the steepness of first-order transitions in active elements, as abrupt transitions are at risk of driving unstable voltage and temperature oscillations, which result in catastrophic device failure. A critical knowledge gap is the lack of structure-function correlations mapping the composition and atomistic structure of crystalline solids to nonlinear dynamical response characteristics. Here, we address the key question of how modification of atomistic structure correlates...

Measurement report: Role of organic coating and chemical composition on ice nucleation potential of atmospheric particles in European Arctic

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding the ice nucleation (IN) potential of Arctic aerosols is critical for predicting their influence on cloud formation and water cycles in this vulnerable region. This study investigates the role of particle composition, organic coatings, and aerosol sources in modulating ice nucleating particle (INPs) abundance across five aerosol samples collected at the Gruvebadet Observatory Station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The IN potential of Arctic aerosol particles was studied by investigating chemical, morphological, and INP abundance measurements. Single-particle analyses revealed distinct differences in mixing state, organic volume fraction (OVF), and organic coating morphology across samples. OVF distributions were linked to particle origin, with marine-influenced Na-rich particles often exhibiting thin organic coatings, while long-range transported particles showed thicker organic coatings. Biogenic contributions, though variable, were linked to heat-sensitive INPs, suggesting...

Chemistry of Sugar Formation in the Gas Phase: Following the Activated Aldehyde

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sugars are produced by living organisms, and are required building blocks for life as we know it, which raises the foundational question of how sugars formed in a prebiotic environment. The abiotic formose reaction produces sugars from formaldehyde, but our understanding of its initiation step remains murky, with chemists invoking the concept of an "activated aldehyde" to seed this reaction. Singlet hydroxycarbenes, high-energy isomers of aldehydes, were recently reported to facilitate sugar formation under cold, nonaqueous conditions relevant to interstellar environments. We generate singlet methylhydroxycarbene (¹CH₃-C̈-OH) from the photodissociation of pyruvic acid and experimentally measure its gas-phase reaction with d₄-acetaldehyde using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. The C₄H₄D₄O₂ isomer d₄-acetoin is the sole product, which we kinetically link to the reactant...

The Chemistry of Carbenes: New Insights from the Gas Phase

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This review describes insights obtained from recent studies of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions of small carbenes in the gas phase and cryogenic environments. Following a description of what determines the singlet-triplet splitting in carbenes, we discuss the challenges involved in producing carbenes in concentrations sufficient for studying their reactions. We document the methods developed for their preparation and the array of spectroscopic techniques available for their characterization. The review emphasizes recent progress in studies of hydroxycarbenes and small alkyl carbenes that easily isomerize to more stable isomers. The studies of unimolecular reactions of hydroxycarbenes show how quantum mechanical tunneling determines their lifetimes. A new carbonyl-ene mechanism has been demonstrated in the biomolecular reactions of hydroxymethylene and methylhydroxycarbenes. We evaluate the impact of these new results on chemical processes relevant to atmospheric, planetary,...

Celebrating 25 Years of Scientific Discoveries in Physical Chemistry Supported by the ACS Petroleum Research Fund

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Celebrating 25 Years of Scientific Discoveries in Physical Chemistry Supported by the ACS Petroleum Research Fund

Transient Pulse-Response Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Complex, Deactivating Heterogeneous Catalytic Systems: Application to Ethane Dehydroaromatization

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study of complex, multistep bond-forming and -breaking reactions in heterogeneous catalytic systems often encounters challenges associated with the involvement of large numbers of intermediates among branching pathways. Kinetic information obtained from traditional steady-state measurements can be complemented with that from time-resolved methods to uncover details of the underlying chemistry. Herein, we describe an approach for tracking the complete time-resolved chemical composition (ca. 4–200 u) of a reactor effluent in response to a reactant pulse. We use a six-port rotary valve with a metered sampling loop to pulse reactants at ambient pressure into a flow reactor packed with a catalyst bed within the isothermal region of a heated furnace. The temporal evolution of effluent species is tracked using time-resolved molecular-beam time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We highlight the possibilities that this method has to offer by studying the complex bifunctional mechanism of...

High-Resolution Time-Resolved PEPICO with Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Recently we presented a new time-resolved, double-imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (i²PEPICO) spectrometer for the study of chemical reactions using fixed frequency, single-photon vacuum ultraviolet ionization. Here we describe new capabilities and insights from this instrument when coupled with tunable ionizing radiation. We interrogate the gas expansion dynamics of a side-sampled chemical reactor tube, revealing clear evidence for viscous flow in the expansion before ionization. Cation imaging can be used to restrict detected signal to only the direct molecular beam, removing contributions from background and reflected gases. We characterize the peak shape and mass resolution of the instrument, provide new insight and clarification regarding collection efficiencies, and consider the noise sources and resulting signal-to-noise in PEPICO experiments. We quantify the temporal instrument response function and show that velocity map imaging of cations...

Fluoroform (CHF3) Production from CF3CHO Photolysis and Implications for the Decomposition of Hydrofluoroolefins and Hydrochlorofluoroolefins in the Atmosphere

Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs) are the leading synthetic replacements for compounds successively banned by the Montreal Protocol and amendments. HFOs and HCFOs readily decompose in the atmosphere to form fluorinated carbonyls, including CF₃CHO in yields of up to 100%, which are then photolyzed. A long-standing issue, critical for the transition to safe industrial gases, is whether atmospheric decomposition of CF₃CHO yields any quantity of CHF₃ (HFC-23), which is one of the most environmentally hazardous greenhouse gases. This comprehensive experimental investigation employs purpose-built photoionization mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared, and microwave spectroscopy techniques and confirms production of CHF₃ following excitation at a tropospherically relevant wavelength (λ = 308 nm) and under atmospheric pressure conditions. Pressure-dependent CHF₃ quantum (Φ) and molar (Y)...

An interactive machine learning platform for analyzing multi-particle coincidence data from cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy

Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We present SCULPT (Supervised Clustering and Uncovering Latent Patterns with Training), a comprehensive software platform for analyzing tabulated high-dimensional multi-particle coincidence data from Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) experiments. The software addresses critical challenges in modern momentum spectroscopy by integrating advanced machine learning techniques with physics-informed analysis in an interactive web-based environment. SCULPT implements uniform manifold approximation and projection for non-linear dimensionality reduction to reveal correlations in high-dimensional data. We also discuss potential extensions to deep autoencoders for feature learning and genetic programming for automated discovery of physically meaningful observables. A novel adaptive confidence scoring system provides quantitative reliability assessments by evaluating user-selected clustering quality metrics with predefined weights that reflect each metric's robustness....

Plasmonic polaron in self-intercalated 1T-TiS2

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Electron-boson coupling is central to a comprehensive understanding of the diverse physical phenomena emerging from many-body interactions. Yet less attention has been paid to how plasmons, collective bosonic modes of electron density oscillation, interact with conduction electrons and how external parameters can tune this interaction. Here, we present a clear display of composite quasiparticles stemming from electron-plasmon coupling, known as the plasmonic polaron, in self-intercalated 1T-TiS2, by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HR-EELS) and first-principles calculations. The single particle spectral function exhibits a distinctive plasmon-loss satellite with the same characteristic energy scale determined by HR-EELS measurements. The bosonic energy scale of plasmonic polaron is tunable by controlling charge carrier density and temperature, distinguishing itself from conventional polarons arising from...

Modulating coordinate site occupancy in high-entropy spinel electrocatalysts

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

High entropy spinel oxides provide a versatile platform for electrocatalysis because multiple metal cations can be incorporated into a single crystalline lattice, enabling tunable electronic structures. However, controlling how these cations distribute between tetrahedral and octahedral coordination sites remains a major challenge, limiting rational catalyst design. Here, we modulate cation coordination site occupancy between tetrahedral and octahedral sites in a Co–Fe–Cr–Mn–Ni framework by introducing a sixth cation (Zn, Ga, Mg, or Al) with distinct site preference energies. Using density functional theory, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic circular dichroism, we demonstrate that Zn preferentially occupies tetrahedral sites, driving increased octahedral occupancy of cobalt. This redistribution increases the population of octahedrally coordinated cobalt in mixed oxidation states, enhances electrical conductivity, and improves oxygen evolution reaction activity....

Zircon Constraints on the Eruptive Sequence and Magma Evolution of Rhyolites at South Sister Volcano, Oregon

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract We present 230 Th‐ 238 U crystallization ages and trace element compositions for zircons spanning the late Pleistocene to Holocene rhyolite eruptive record at South Sister volcano in the central Oregon Cascade Range. Most zircon ages are between 100 and 20 ka, with very few in secular equilibrium (>350 ka). The weighted mean of zircon ages for the two oldest South Sister rhyolites, 31.5 ± 2.1 and 39.1 ± 2.4 ka, are significantly younger than the associated 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages, 47.4 ± 9.7 and 51.4 ± 9.7 ka. We propose that these 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dates, performed on plagioclase separates, are compromised by a subtle amount of excess Ar and therefore the younger weighted mean zircon ages yield more reliable eruption ages. These results imply that the interval of rhyolite eruption at South Sister during the late Pleistocene was both shorter and more productive than previously thought and that eruption at South Sister...

Design and commissioning of a new synchrotron beamline dedicated to X‐ray footprinting mass spectrometry

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The structural biology method of X-ray footprinting mass spectrometry (XFMS) is available at two national synchrotron beamlines in the USA: one at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) on the West Coast and the other at the National Synchrotron Light Source II on the East Coast. XFMS is a solution-state technique that utilizes oxidative modifications of proteins at micromolar concentrations in aqueous buffer to extract structural information. X-rays are employed to generate hydroxyl radicals in situ, which covalently modify specific protein side chains. These modifications are subsequently quantified using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Ratiometric changes in modification levels between two protein states (e.g. with and without ligand) generate a relative solvent accessibility map of the protein pairs, which serves to reveal structural features. Up until recently, the XFMS capability was available as part of a shared program at the ALS without a dedicated beamline. In...

The Magmatic‐Hydrothermal System of the Three Sisters Volcanic Cluster, Oregon, Imaged From Field Gravity Measurements

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract From 2019 to 2024, gravity surveys were conducted at the Three Sisters volcanic cluster (TSVC), measuring 246 gravity sites using a spring relative gravimeter. We calculated the residual Bouguer anomaly and identified three main zones with negative anomalies, ranging from −4 to −8 mGal, located southwest and west of South Sister, within an area that has been uplifting for the past two decades. After inversion, we obtain a 3D density model of the subsurface and identify low‐density bodies extending from the surface down to 3 km. We estimate a total of 15 k of crustal bodies with density close to 2 g/ that could store up to 5 k of water, forming an extensive hydrothermal system beneath the TSVC. We explore the possible combinations of melt compositions and temperatures that could create a bulk density close to our reference crustal density (2.5 g/) using MELTS thermodynamic simulations. Our results indicate that a magmatic mush with as little...

Trivalent titanium in high-titanium lunar ilmenite

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lunar mare basalts are often rich in titanium, hosted predominantly within the mineral ilmenite (Fe2+Ti4+O3). Here, we examine ilmenite in a ~ 3.8 billion-year-old mare basalt (Apollo rock 75035) using high-resolution electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. A key finding is that 75035 ilmenite is itself enriched in Ti, beyond the end member of the conventional solid solution series. Using energy loss near-edge spectroscopy, we determine that the excess Ti is trivalent, with Ti3+ accounting for 13% of the total Ti content. This discovery confirms the presence of trivalent Ti in lunar ilmenite, long hypothesized based on the Moon’s reducing environment. Accounting for the change in implied stoichiometry, a review of literature data suggests that Ti3+ may be present in ilmenite across a wide range of lunar samples. We extrapolate known relationships from the literature to connect Ti3+ to redox conditions, estimating the oxygen fugacity during crystallization...

Single domain spectroscopic signatures of a magnetic kagome metal

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Magnetic kagome metals host complex electronic states and real-space magnetic textures, but their small and temperature-dependent magnetic domains make experimental access difficult. Here we show that micro-focused circular-dichroic photoemission spectroscopy enables spectroscopic access to individual magnetic domains in the kagome metal DyMn6Sn6 at low temperature. By tuning to element-specific electronic states, we image domain contrast associated with Dy 4f levels and detect corresponding signatures from Mn core states. The energy dependence of the dichroic response is consistent with modeling and indicates ferrimagnetic alignment between Dy and Mn local moments. Measurements of Mn 3d-derived valence bands, supported by first-principles calculations, reveal features related to orbital magnetization. These results establish element- and orbital-resolved spectroscopy of single magnetic domains and enable studies of magnetic textures and electronic structure in complex magnetic...

Symmetry-Protected Moiré Band Engineering and Enhanced Electron–Phonon Coupling in Xe/Bi2Se3 Superlattices: Path to Topological Superconductivity

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Observation of superconductivity, magnetism, and correlated insulating phases driven by the moiré potential in twisted graphene bilayer has opened the exciting new field of "twistronics". Even richer physics is expected if moiré superlattice could be generated on topological insulators; however, until now, experimental studies have been scarce. Here, we demonstrate topological moirés generated by adsorbing a monolayer of noble gas on a topological insulator. By angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we show that the moiré potential replicates the topological surface state and affects it in a way fundamentally different from the trivial states. Replicated Dirac cones generally avoid crossings, except at the time-reversal invariant momenta that remain gapless. This creates van Hove singularities at the moiré Brillouin zone corners, providing the mechanism of enhancing correlations. Indeed, we observe a strong enhancement of the electron-phonon coupling strength that, if properly...

Improvements in optical metrology for high-performance variable-line-spacing x-ray gratings

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We discuss a project to develop a precision metrology system for variable-line-spacing x-ray gratings using interferometric microscopes. We are developing test standards and calibration techniques to measure and correct for geometrical distortion and blur, and data processing techniques to combine multiple measurements and measure line spacing with high accuracy.

Comparison of theory with the experimental characterization of the spatial frequency response of interferometers using a binary pseudo-random array sample

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Experimental evaluations of the surface height response of an interference microscope using a binary pseudo-random array test sample are compared with a theory based on a Fourier optics model. Measurements of key instrument characteristics, including the illumination, imaging, and obscuring apertures of three different Mirau objectives, support the theoretical calculations. Agreement between experimental and theoretical modeling confirms the predictability of the spatial frequency response for the purpose of specification and optimization of instrument configuration for specific metrology tasks. The results also provide confidence in methods of compensating for the decrease in instrument response with spatial frequency.

The Transition From Melt Accumulation to Eruption Initiation Recorded by Orthopyroxene Fe‐Mg Diffusion Timescales in Late Holocene Rhyolites, South Sister Volcano, Oregon Cascade Range

Tue, 5 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract South Sister volcano, Oregon Cascade Range, USA, has repeatedly erupted rhyolite since ca. 40 ka. The youngest such eruptions are the ca. 2 ka Rock Mesa and Devils Chain rhyolites, erupted several hundred years apart from two multi‐vent complexes separated by 3–6 km. Fe‐Mg interdiffusion models of orthopyroxene rims from both rhyolites produce timescales up to several‐thousand years, but dominantly decades‐to‐centuries. Notably, the timescales of step‐normal zoned orthopyroxene rims (i.e., normally zoned with a steep chemical gradient) from the Rock Mesa rhyolite are longer than those of reversely zoned crystals, whereas the Devils Chain produced mostly decadal timescales for both zoning types. Despite the proximity and broadly similar products of these episodes, their respective timescales indicate distinct sequences of events leading up to each eruption. The Rock Mesa timescales record centuries of magma chamber growth followed by decades of predominantly...

Navigating the research landscape for hyper-NA EUV lithography and future patterning technologies

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hyper-Numerical Aperture (Hyper-NA) Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is gathering growing support as the technology of choice to sustain the dimensional scaling trajectory of Moore's Law. This transition, which targets resolution down to 5 nm, necessitates several research advances across several key lithography areas, such as patterning materials, imaging with polarization control, and the optimization of the mask structure. In this paper, we briefly review the historical role of the government-industrial partnerships enabling Center for X-Ray Optics (CXRO) pathfinding research for prior EUV lithography generations. We also highlight the role of the Department of Energy's Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) on High-Precision Patterning Science (CHiPPS) as a critical initiative to fundamentally address the pervasive stochastic challenges in materials science that limit the RLS (Resolution, Sensitivity, Line Edge Roughness) tradeoff, charting a path toward the Angstrom...

Spin Texture Control and Magnetic Gap Engineering in a Ferromagnetic Insulator–Topological Insulator Sandwiched Heterostructure

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum materials that combine magnetism with topological order are emerging as key platforms for next-generation spintronics and low-energy electronics. They enable the realization of emergent quantum phenomena, such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion insulator states. The ferromagnetic insulator (FMI)/topological insulator (TI)/FMI sandwich structure of a single-septuple layer (1SL) MnBi₂Te₄/four-quintuple layer (4QL) Bi₂Te₃/1SL MnBi₂Te₄ holds great potential to achieve such desirable quantum phenomena at an elevated temperature, owing to its large Dirac point band gap and high Curie temperature. Here, spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (spin-ARPES) is employed to directly verify that the band gap arises from broken time-reversal symmetry via proximity-driven magnetization. This study demonstrates direct control of the spin state via external magnetic fields and unambiguously confirms...

Optimizing microfluidic flow cell geometry for in situ resonant soft X-ray characterization of molecular nanostructures

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Liquid-phase resonant soft X-ray scattering (LP-RSoXS) is an emerging label-free technique to probe chemically resolved nanostructures of molecular or hybrid materials in liquid environments. Still, quantitative analysis is hindered by the pressure-induced deformation of thin silicon nitride (SiN) membranes used as windows in microfluidic flow cells, which attenuates the signal in nonlinear ways, making experimental optimization difficult. Here, we directly characterize this deformation under experimental conditions for a variety of cell configurations. We use this to develop a predictive model that combines transmission effects of SiN bowing, incident X-ray beam profiles, and material-dependent resonant scattering cross sections to simulate the effective scattering intensity at the detector across the carbon K-edge. Maps of the total signal across the flow cell window reveal that increasing the window width and polymer concentration shifts the anisotropic intensity distributions...

Organic colloid composition in variable-redox porewaters within a mountainous floodplain

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Redox gradients, often driven by changes in sediment moisture levels in porous, heterogeneous groundwater systems, create dynamic conditions that may promote the production and transport of colloids within natural waters. While much research has focused on the inorganic composition of colloids, the organic composition remains less well understood. Organic matter (OM) in colloids may associate with minerals, complex metal ions, and serve as an electron donor for microbial respiration; therefore, its composition is of high interest. We examined the composition of porewater OM along a redox gradient in a riparian soil located along the Slate River in Crested Butte, Colorado, USA as a function of depth (90, 130, 200, and 350 cm below ground surface). All depths were oxic to suboxic, except 200 cm, where the products of iron and sulfate reduction were observed concomitant with an increase in dissolved and/or colloidal OM, pH, alkalinity, and conductivity. We investigated the composition...

Negative Schottky Barriers and Spin-Polarized Fermi Crossings at WSe2/NbSe2 Interfaces

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Discovering and engineering spin-polarized surface states in the electronic structures of condensed matter systems is a crucial first step in the development of spintronic devices, wherein spin-polarized bands crossing the Fermi level can facilitate information transfer. Here, through nanofocused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (nano-ARPES) and density functional theory-based calculations, we show that the interface between monolayer WSe₂ and metallic NbSe₂ exhibits a negative Schottky barrier height of ∼ -30 meV: the K-point valleys of the semiconducting layer are shifted by ∼800 meV to produce a surface-localized Fermi surface populated only by spin-polarized charge carriers. By increasing the WSe₂ thickness, the Fermi pockets can be moved from K to Γ, demonstrating tunability of novel semimetallic phases that exist atop a substrate additionally possessing charge density wave and superconducting phases. Together, this study provides...

Harmonic suppression gratings for soft X-ray monochromators.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We describe an approach to harmonic suppression in soft X-ray monochromators by engineering the reflection grating's diffraction pattern to approximate a sinusoidal amplitude. At synchrotron and free-electron laser sources, X-ray beamlines powered by insertion devices produce a spectrum containing harmonic photon energies that can couple unwanted light into experiments. Beamlines in the soft X-ray energy range (100 eV to 2 keV) commonly employ energy-filtering elements to suppress these harmonics. Available approaches tend to be inefficient, significantly reducing the transmitted power. We show that with pseudo-grayscale binary halftone patterns, gratings can approximate a sinusoidal amplitude and suppress higher diffraction orders. Prototype demonstrations of lithographically fabricated gratings were conducted on a soft X-ray beamline with photon energies of 110 eV and 330 eV. Relative to a square-wave amplitude grating, the third-harmonic intensity was reduced by a factor of...

The Evolution of Magnetism in a Thin Film Pyrochlore Ferromagnetic Insulator

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT The pyrochlore vanadates are compelling candidates for next‐generation dissipationless devices. and are ferromagnetic insulators ( T 70 K) that are believed to exhibit the magnon Hall effect and are expected to host topological magnons. Their completely dissipationless magnon edge states could be harnessed to realize low‐power information transport in spintronic or magnonic devices. As a crucial step in the realization of devices, we synthesize the first thin films of pyrochlore on isostructural substrates and explore the evolution of their magnetic properties down to the ultrathin limit. All films are insulating ferromagnets with transition temperatures of up to the bulk value ( T 68 K) that decrease with thickness according to finite‐size effects. Our films also exhibit a change in anisotropy from in‐plane to out‐of‐plane easy axis coincident with the development of partial strain relaxation and nonzero magnetic hysteresis in an applied field. This evolution demonstrates...

Oligoether-Functionalized PEDOT: Combining an EDOT Backbone with Polar Side Chains for Solution Processability and High Electrical Conductivity

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Conjugated polymers functionalized with oligoether (OE)-based side chains are a key class of materials for various organic electronic applications, including transparent electrodes, thermoelectrics, electrochromic displays, and electrochemical transistors. Herein, we report a highly soluble OE-functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) homopolymer, prepared by direct (hetero)arylation polymerization, which allows solution processing to yield films with comparable redox properties to oxidatively polymerized PEDOT. This polymer, PEDOT(OE3), when optimally oxidatively doped, reaches among the highest electrical conductivities of any OE-functionalized polymer and is comparable to more synthetically complex OE-functionalized polymers. X-ray scattering and spectroscopy were utilized to rationalize the transport properties resulting from varying the doping level. Comparison of PEDOT(OE3) to a series of OE-functionalized dioxythiophenes with varying amounts of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene...

Dichotomy of flat bands in the van der Waals ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum materials with bands of narrow bandwidth near the Fermi level represent a promising platform for exploring a diverse range of fascinating physical phenomena, as the high density of states within the small energy window often enables the emergence of many-body physics. On one hand, flat bands can arise from strong Coulomb interactions that localize atomic orbitals. On the other hand, quantum destructive interference can quench the electronic kinetic energy. Although both have a narrow bandwidth, the two types of flat bands should exhibit very distinct spectral properties arising from their distinctive origins. So far, the two types of flat bands have only been realized in very different material settings and chemical environments, preventing a direct comparison. Here we report the observation of the two types of flat bands within the same material system—an above-room-temperature van der Waals ferromagnet, Fe5−xGeTe2, distinguishable by a switchable iron site order. The...

Theoretical framework for soft X‐ray Fourier transform spectroscopy using the Wigner function

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This work presents a theoretical framework for the propagation of partially coherent Gaussian radiation in a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer designed for Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) applications. Using the Wigner function formalism, we analytically propagate the radiation through the system and benchmark our approach by comparing the resulting interference pattern and interferogram with previous works in the diffraction limit. Our analysis reveals that the transverse coherence length requirement of the incident light field for detectable modulation is less stringent than previously assumed. Additionally, we provide theoretical demonstrations of FTS performance across various wavelengths using the proposed setup. These findings underscore the potential of this interferometer to achieve high-resolution FTS in the soft X-ray regime.

Errors in reconstruction of dichroic X‐ray orientation tomography due to polarization rotation of the incident beam

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dichroic X-ray tomography is a technique in which the crystal orientation or magnetization of a sample is resolved in three dimensions. The best-known uses of this technique are for observation of magnetic moments via circular dichroism, using left- and right-handed circularly polarized X-ray beams. Another variant uses linear dichroism to resolve the crystal orientation. In both these techniques, it is assumed that the absorption of X-rays along a path inside a material can be computed as a line integral of a local absorption coefficient along the ray path. For linear dichroism, this assumption is inaccurate because the polarization of the beam changes along the propagation direction when the optic axis of the material is not aligned along the polarization. In this work, a finite-element Maxwell solver is used to simulate tomography and reconstructions. The propagation effect can lead to significant errors in the reconstructed orientations. These errors may be mitigated by taking...

Investigation of residue-specific radiation damage of peptides under different radiation doses, dose rates, and oxygen availability

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Investigation of residue-specific radiation damage of peptides under different radiation doses, dose rates, and oxygen availability

Matrix polysaccharides affect preferred orientation of cellulose crystals in primary cell walls

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The spatial organization and interactions of constituent components influence cell growth and determine physical and chemical properties of the cell wall, including its rigidity, flexibility, and degradability. Elucidating the interactions between cell wall polysaccharides is crucial for advancing our knowledge of how cell walls are assembled and for designing approaches to efficiently break down cell walls to produce renewable energy and biomaterials. Here, we investigated the effect of defects in the biosynthesis of cell wall components on the nanoscale organization of cellulose in primary cell walls through grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements of hypocotyls of wild type Arabidopsis thaliana and of cellulose, pectin, and xyloglucan (hemicellulose) deficient mutants. GIWAXS reveals changes in lattice spacings, coherence lengths, and relative crystalline content for cellulose between wild type and mutant plants. In addition, X-ray pole figures constructed...

Electrochemical dynamics of imidazolium ionic liquids at graphene electrodes for energy storage applications

Fri, 3 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) are prominent energy storage systems that constitute the foundation of more reliable and sustainable energy infrastructures. Modern EDLCs often incorporate ionic liquids (ILs) as a key component in their electrolytes, leveraging the high electrochemical stability of ILs to enhance device performance. The performance and functionality of these capacitors also hinge on the interfacial behavior of ILs at electrode surfaces, which remain insufficiently understood. Here, we performed synchrotron infrared nanospectroscopy (SINS) in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the electric double layers (EDLs) of three imidazolium-based ILs in a custom-designed graphene liquid cell. This approach revealed new insights into the dynamics of IL EDLs and the underpinning factors originating from the IL structures. Variations in anion size and structure were found to tune the ILs’ ability to form EDLs with compact and...

Visualizing electronic structure of twisted bilayer MoTe2 in devices