News

How does pressure affect the molecules that organize our DNA? Using high-pressure X-ray scattering at CHESS, researchers revealed surprising differences between conventional and centromeric nucleosomes. This research sheds light on how our genetic material withstands extreme conditions and stays resilient under stress.

Cornell physicist Brad Ramshaw has been named a 2025 Experimental Physics Investigator – a prestigious national recognition awarded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to a select group of mid-career researchers pushing the boundaries of experimental physics. The award provides $1.3 million over five years to support bold, high-impact experiments that advance our fundamental understanding of the universe.

CHESS hit a major milestone last month with the delivery and installation of a 20-ton front end vacuum chamber for the High Magnetic Field (HMF) Beamline—the largest vacuum chamber ever deployed at the facility.

Nozomi Ando, CHESS user and professor of chemistry and chemical biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell, has been named a Schmidt Polymath, part of a global cohort of eight scientists and engineers who will each receive up to $2.5 million over five years.

Discover important updates for the 2025_3 Fall Run Cycle at CHESS, including the new digital parking permit process, ongoing Rapid Access proposal submissions, and upcoming deadlines for the 2026_1 Winter Cycle. Key dates and essential resources are provided to help ensure a seamless and productive beamtime experience.

As synchrotron research pushes the boundaries of materials science, CHESS is leading efforts to ensure that discoveries are not only groundbreaking—but also reproducible and shareable. By combining advanced tools, thoughtful data practices, and close collaboration, CHESS and its users are building a new model for rigorous, impactful science.

A new $5 million initiative, funded by the Astera Institute, aims to make diffuse scattering – a signal in X-ray crystallography that reveals protein dynamics – accessible to the public and the broader scientific community. 

"Abruña's research has not only advanced the field of electrochemistry but has also elevated the capabilities of CHESS and inspired countless researchers across disciplines."