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High-pressure small-angle X-ray scattering cell for biological solutions and soft materials
Pressure is a fundamental thermodynamic parameter controlling the behavior of biological macromolecules. In many cases pressure alters molecular shape and therefore also the biological function. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a widely used method to determine the shape and size of macromolecules, but typical sample cells for SAXS experiments are unsuitable for use at high pressures.
Mechanics of nozzle clogging during direct ink writing of fiber-reinforced composites
In situ X-ray radiography at CHESS, in conjunction with ex situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT), was employed to study the origins of fiber-induced clogging during 3D printing of fiber-filled polymer inks. This work reveals several promising strategies to mitigate nozzle clogging, which will allow researchers to reliably print materials with higher fiber contents and mechanical properties that rival conventionally processed composites.
Recap: Building a Science Gateway for Structural Materials Analysis at CHESS I
On December 9th and 10th, CHESS hosted the first in a series of workshops for launching a Science Gateway on the Galaxy software platform (https://usegalaxy.org/) at CHESS. The workshop was open to members of the structural materials science synchrotron community for whom the X-ray Imaging of Microstructures Gateway, XIMG (pronounced “X-image”), will be developed.
SUNY Delhi Mechatronics Shows Importance of Diverse Skill Set
The mechatronics program at SUNY Delhi is a first-of-its kind in New York State, and the internship at CHESS has quickly become a highly sought-after opportunity for the incoming senior class. The R&D experience that CHESS offers is extremely rare, and can help propel students to an advantage when they are applying for jobs after graduation.
Developing the Next Generation of CHESS Compact Undulators
A key enabling technology for the recent CHESS-U upgrade was the CHESS Compact Undulator (CCU). Progress is now being made towards a new generation of even higher performance compact insertion devices, with variable gaps and thermal compensation capabilities.
X-rays quantify stress gradients at twin boundaries, which can drive fatigue failure in nickel-based superalloys.
Predicting crack initiation in engineering alloys is a significant challenge. The comprehensive work of Gustafson and collaborators reported here employs four different high-energy x-ray techniques at two different synchrotrons, combined with advanced crystal plasticity models, to quantify the stress gradients that can lead to fatigue failure in a single sample of Ni-based superalloy.
Revealing Filler Morphology in 3D-Printed Thermoset Nanocomposites by Scanning Microbeam X-ray Scattering
3D printing leads to many defects and interfaces within printed parts. Failure during performance in the road-to-road and layer-by-layer processed parts appears at these interfaces and defects. Understanding the root cause of these limitations is key.
Congratulations to Jacob Ruff, New Director of CHEXS
Jacob Ruff has been named the new director of the Center for High-Energy X-ray Sciences at CHESS (CHEXS @ CHESS). In his role, Jacob will lead research at the five beamlines of CHEXS while supporting education and training, particularly of researchers in biological sciences, engineering, and materials research.