Plasmonic semiconductor nanocrystals have become an appealing avenue for researching nanoscale plasmonic effects due to their wide spectral range (visible to infrared) and great tunability compared to traditional precious metal nanocrystals. CuFeS2 is an exciting semiconductor that has a prominent plasmon absorption band in the visible range (∼498 nm).
CHESS, the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, is a high- intensity X-ray source located on the Cornell University Ithaca campus. Since its inception in 1980, CHESS has been a leader in the production and utilization of high-energy X-rays [1], and to this day CHESS pro-vides users state-of-the-art synchrotron radiation facilities for research in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, engineering, and materials science.
There is a fundamental (quantum) limit to the smallest value of angular momentum that a particle can have. This value is typically denoted as ½ - the value of the spin angular momentum of a single electron. Recently, researchers have realized that materials made up of heavy elements (like iridium) can exhibit a state where the spin and orbital angular momentum of 5d electrons couple strongly together in a total angular momentum Jeff, which nevertheless still attains the quantum limit of ½.
Rai and co-workers addressed this problem by developing a novel high-pressure SAXS cell that is suitable for routine use. By using single-crystal diamond windows in combination with high-energy X-rays, SAXS data can be obtained from biological samples at up to 4000-times atmospheric pressure (400 MPa) with temperatures ranging from 0 to 80C. This cell design prioritizes ease of sample loading, temperature control, mechanical stability and X-ray background minimization.
Recently, researchers and manufacturers have become interested in adding fiber reinforcement into polymer and ceramic materials produced by additive manufacturing (AM) to produce high-performance composite materials with exceptional strength in complex geometries. However, the amount of fiber that can be incorporated into these materials is limited by the propensity of fibers to clog the nozzle during deposition.
What did the scientists discover?
The test was dubbed a “stress test”, testing the strains on the bandwidth coming from outside of the lab, and into each station, with IT personnel monitoring each computer. As CHESS moves toward 100% remote operation for the fall run, CHESS staff is working to ensure a smooth transition, and these stress tests are proving useful.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the research – to be led by Richard Cerione, the Goldwin Smith Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Goldwin Smith Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology in the College of Veterinary Medicine – focuses on cancer-fighting enzyme blockers, which have potential as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.