Blaine Mooers wins 2022 Lytle Award for decades of synchrotron leadership and RNA research
His work has led to new treatments for advanced lung cancer and a better understanding of dangerous parasites.
‘Real-world impact’: Stanford Board of Trustees learns how SLAC can change the future
Trustees toured the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory as part of their first meeting of the 2022–23 academic year.
Molecular cage protects precious metals in catalytic converters
Encapsulating precious-metal catalysts in a web-like alumina framework could reduce the amount needed in catalytic converters – and our dependency on these scarce metals.
Saket Bagde wins 2022 Spicer Young Investigator Award for deciphering how nature produces some antibiotics
Bagde is being recognized for his successful efforts to describe the structures and mechanisms of several biologically important enzymes.
Mysterious soil virus gene seen for first time
The protein could play a key role in soil carbon cycling and soil decomposition.
Chengcheng Fan wins 2022 Klein Award for coronavirus vaccine and protein transporter research
Fan’s X-ray crystallography work at SLAC’s synchrotron moves us closer to a more protective coronavirus vaccine and a better understanding of how vital materials flow in and out of cells.
SARS-CoV-2 protein caught severing critical immunity pathway
Powerful X-rays from SLAC’s synchrotron reveal that our immune system’s primary wiring seems to be no match for a brutal SARS-CoV-2 protein.
Exploring quantum electron highways with laser light
Spiraling laser light reveals how topological insulators lose their ability to conduct electric current on their surfaces.
SLAC expands and centralizes computing infrastructure to prepare for data challenges of the future
An extension of the Stanford Research Computing Facility will host several data centers to handle the unprecedented data streams that will be produced by a new generation of scientific projects.
A new leap in understanding nickel oxide superconductors
Researchers discover they contain a phase of quantum matter, known as charge density waves, that’s common in other unconventional superconductors. In other ways, though, they’re surprisingly unique.
X-rays help researchers piece together treasured cellular gateway for first time
After almost two decades of synchrotron experiments, Caltech scientists have captured a clear picture of a cell’s nuclear pores, which are the doors and windows through which critical material in your body flows in and out of the cell’s nucleus. These findings could lead to new treatments of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and heart conditions.
Q&A with Stephen Streiffer, the new Stanford VP for SLAC
After decades of experience in the DOE lab system and as director of a leading synchrotron light source, he’s back to where he earned his PhD – with a much bigger mission.
Researchers aim X-rays at century-old plant secretions for insight into Aboriginal Australian cultural heritage
By revealing the chemistry of plant secretions, or exudates, these studies build a basis for better understanding and conserving art and tools made with plant materials.
Superconductivity and charge density waves caught intertwining at the nanoscale
Scientists discover superconductivity and charge density waves are intrinsically interconnected at the nanoscopic level, a new understanding that could help lead to the next generation of electronics and computers.
How a soil microbe could rev up artificial photosynthesis
Researchers discover that a spot of molecular glue and a timely twist help a bacterial enzyme convert carbon dioxide into carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes do during photosynthesis. The results stand to accelerate progress toward converting carbon dioxide into a variety of products.
What drives rechargeable battery decay? Depends on how many times you've charged it
How quickly a battery electrode decays depends on properties of individual particles in the battery – at first. Later on, the network of particles matters more.
San Jose State students study nanodiamonds at SLAC’s synchrotron
A physical chemist and a diverse group of his students are working on applications for the microscopic diamonds.
Q&A: From particle beams to cancer treatment – fundamental research that affects everyday life
SLAC’s Matt Garrett and Susan Simpkins talk about tech transfer that brings innovations from the national lab to the people, including advances for medical devices and self-driving vehicles.