The mission of SEES (Synchrotron Earth and Environmental Science) is to advance research and education in synchrotron-based Earth and environmental science to better understand our planet from the atmosphere to the core, to address societally relevant problems, and to train the next generation of scientists. SEES is responsible for the management, operation, and development of multiple user facilities hosted at four DOE-operated US synchrotrons: Advanced Photon Source (APS), Advanced Light Source (ALS), National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL).
2025 SEES-ISRD Joint Meeting
SEES and ISRD invite you to attend our annual meeting to be held jointly at the University of Chicago on August 11-13, 2025. Keynote speakers will discuss topics in rock and mineral deformation and rheological properties in Earth, and there will be a poster session with a broad scientific focus. All SEES and ISRD researchers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Click here to learn more.
Recent Publications
Magnetic compressibility of layered ferromagnet under pressure
Matt Boswell, Cheng Peng, Wenli Bi, Antonio F. Moreira dos Santos, Weiwei Xie; Magnetic compressibility of layered ferromagnet under pressure. J. Appl. Phys. 21 March 2025; 137 (11): 115906. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0253878
Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Bismutotantalite (BiTaO4): Insights from Single-Crystal Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopy
Luying Wang, Dongzhou Zhang, Maining Ma, Yi Zhou, Jingui Xu, Dawei Fan, and Wenge Zhou, Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Bismutotantalite (BiTaO4): Insights from Single-Crystal Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopy, Inorganic Chemistry Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c00260
Low-symmetry polymorph of GaP upends bonding paradigms of metallic high-pressure III-V compounds
Barbara Lavina, Enrique Zanardi, Andrés Mujica, Hyunchae Cynn, Yue Meng, Vitali Prakapenka, Jesse S. Smith, Low-symmetry polymorph of GaP upends bonding paradigms of metallic high-pressure III-V compounds, Materials Today Physics, 2025, 101686, ISSN 2542-5293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtphys.2025.101686.
Formation of the 15 Å phase as the most expanded hydrated mineral in cold subduction zone
Bang, Y., Kim, J., Choi, J. et al. Formation of the 15 Å phase as the most expanded hydrated mineral in cold subduction zone. Nat Commun 16, 2279 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56672-6
Oxybarometry of Reduced Silicate Glasses: Using Multivariate Methods to Constrain Cr Oxidation States with Application to Lunar Glasses
Molly C. McCanta, M. Darby Dyar, Stephen R. Sutton, Sarah E. Roberts, Cai R. Ytsma; Oxybarometry of Reduced Silicate Glasses: Using Multivariate Methods to Constrain Cr Oxidation States with Application to Lunar Glasses. American Mineralogist 2025; doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2024-9602
Continuous Evolution of Eu2+/Eu3+ Mixed Valency Driven by Pressure and Temperature
Mingyu Xu, Greeshma C. Jose, Mouyang Cheng, Cheng Peng, Jose L. Gonzalez Jimenez, Wenli Bi, Mingda Li, and Weiwei Xie, Continuous Evolution of Eu2+/Eu3+ Mixed Valency Driven by Pressure and Temperature, The Journal of Physical Chemistry A 2025 129 (9), 2371-2377. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c08660
Science Highlights
Formation of the 15 Å phase as the most expanded hydrated mineral in cold subduction zone
Bang, Y., Kim, J., Choi, J. et al. Formation of the 15 Å phase as the most expanded hydrated mineral in cold subduction zone. Nat Commun 16, 2279 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56672-6
Oxybarometry of Reduced Silicate Glasses: Using Multivariate Methods to Constrain Cr Oxidation States with Application to Lunar Glasses
Molly C. McCanta, M. Darby Dyar, Stephen R. Sutton, Sarah E. Roberts, Cai R. Ytsma; Oxybarometry of Reduced Silicate Glasses: Using Multivariate Methods to Constrain Cr Oxidation States with Application to Lunar Glasses. American Mineralogist 2025; doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2024-9602
Complex Adsorption Behavior of Neodymium and Ytterbium on Structurally-Distinct Alumina Surfaces
Fang, Yihang, Sang Soo Lee, Greg J. Ledingham, Joanne E. Stubbs, Peter J. Eng, and Jeffrey G. Catalano. “Complex Adsorption Behavior of Neodymium and Ytterbium on Structurally-Distinct Alumina Surfaces.” Environmental Science & Technology (2025).
Carbonation of MgO Single Crystals: Implications for Direct Air Capture of CO2
Peng Yang, Jacquelyn N. Bracco, Gabriela Camacho Meneses, Ke Yuan, Joanne E. Stubbs, Mavis D. Boamah, Matthew Brahlek, Michel Sassi, Peter J. Eng, Matthew G. Boebinger, Albina Borisevich, Anna K. Wanhala, Zheming Wang, Kevin M. Rosso, Andrew G. Stack, and Juliane Weber, Carbonation of MgO Single Crystals: Implications for Direct Air Capture of CO2, Environmental Science & […]
Thermoelastic Properties of Iron‐Rich Ringwoodite and the Deep Mantle Aerotherm of Mars
Wang, F., Bausch, H. J., Gardner, L. L.,Zhang, D., Armstrong, K., Bell, A. S., et al.(2025). Thermoelastic properties of iron‐rich ringwoodite and the deep mantleaerotherm of Mars. Geophysical ResearchLetters, 52, e2024GL109666. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL109666
Numerical Investigation Into Mechanical Behavior ofMetastable Olivine During Phase Transformation: Implications for Deep‐Focus Earthquakes
Sindhusuta, S., Chi, S.‐W., Foster, C., Officer, T., & Wang, Y. (2025). Numerical investigation into mechanical behavior of metastable olivine during phase transformation: Implications for deep-focus earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 130, e2024JB030557. https://doi.org/10.1029/ 2024JB030557
Latest Happenings

2025 SEES-ISRD Joint Meeting
Held jointly at the University of Chicago on August 11-13, 2025. Keynote speakers will discuss...

Upcoming workshop on soft and tender STXM and nanoprobe techniques
We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming 1-day workshop at Goldschmidt 2025. This one-day...

SCCM 2025 Abstract Submission
We are excited to see the Static, Dynamic, and Shock high-pressure communities merge their...

Abstract Submission Open for Goldschmidt 2025
We are pleased to invite you to submit an abstract to our SEES organized session (09f) at...