News

Hydrogen fuel cells are among the most promising next-generation power sources for future automotive transportation. Developing efficient, durable, and low-cost electrocatalysts to accelerate the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is urgently needed to advance fuel cell technologies.

As scientists continue to discover new niches for extreme life, the biological relevance of hydrostatic pressure is becoming much more widely understood and appreciated. The unusual adaptations of organisms thriving under these conditions promise to be a rich source of new insights, provided structural information can be obtained at the molecular level. CHESS is at the forefront of this research - enabling scientists to study samples under high pressure, revealing how biomolecules and cellular structures behave in extreme environments.

The HEXT workshop equips students to actively participate in the CHESS user community through a blend of educational lectures, interactive demonstrations, and proposal writing training. Focused on diversity and practical skills, HEXT aims to cultivate a more inclusive and vibrant environment for synchrotron research.

The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) nearly $20 million to build a new precision X-ray beamline for research on biological and environmental systems.

Cornell researchers took a novel approach to explore the way microstructure emerges in a 3D-printed metal alloy: They bombarded it with X-rays while the material was being printed. By seeing how the process of thermomechanical deformation creates localized microscale phenomena such as bending, fragmentation and oscillation in real time, the researchers will be able to produce customized materials that incorporate such performance-enhancing characteristics.

CHESS scientists have developed an innovative methodology for studying compounds containing precious heavy metals, like platinum, with potentially significant implications for catalysis research.  This approach involves using resonant excitation to dramatically improve the resolution of x-ray emission spectra (XES).  

Florianna Blanton hosts the CHEXS/CHESS Lending Library workshop for DNA Gel Electrophoresis in the investigative biology labs at Comstock Hall.

The HEXT workshop empowers students to become productive members of the CHESS user community by combining informative lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and instruction in proposal writing. With its focus on attracting diverse participants and providing practical training, the HEXT workshop sets the stage for a more inclusive and vibrant synchrotron research landscape.