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).
2026 SEES-FORCE Joint Meeting
SEES and FORCE invite you to attend our annual meeting to be held jointly at the University of Chicago on August 10-12, 2026.
Facility Status and Upcoming Proposal Deadlines
Workshops
2026 SEES Multigrain Single Crystal Workshop
We are excited to announce the first ever SEES Multigrain Single Crystal Workshop, to be held at the University of Chicago on August 8-9, 2026, in conjunction with the 2026 SEES-FORCE Joint Meeting. In this workshop, SEES beamline scientists Stella Chariton, Vitali Prakapenka, and Dongzhou Zhang will cover the principles of single- and multigrain
Events Calendar
Science Highlights
Enhanced Manganese Oxidation at the Biofilm–Fluid Interface Drives Pore-Scale Patterns in Mineral Precipitation
Enhanced Manganese Oxidation at the Biofilm–Fluid Interface Drives Pore-Scale Patterns in Mineral Precipitation. Eleanor C. Fadely, Gaitan Gehin, Sharon E. Bone, Samuel M. Webb, Verónica L. Morales, and Jasquelin Peña. Environmental Science & Technology 2026 60 (1), 654-663DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c11326 Link to article
Geophysical Impacts and Spectroscopic Identification of a Hydrous Iron Sulfate on Icy Worlds
Pardo, O. S., Palfey, W. R., Liu, Z., Goddard, W. A., III, Rossman, G. R., & Jackson, J. M. (2026). Geophysical impacts and spectroscopic identification of a hydrous iron sulfate on icy worlds. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 131, e2025JE009238. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009238 Read More
A simple wire-coil resistive heater for high temperature radial x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell
Armstrong, K., Hamilton, S. G., Keane, J., Gombart, J. S., Kunz, M., Tolbert, S. H., and Williams, Q. “A simple wire-coil resistive heater for high temperature radial x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell.” Review of Scientific Instruments 97 (2026): 013905. https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article-abstract/97/1/013905/3377348/A-simple-wire-coil-resistive-heater-for-high?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Elasticity of β-Mg2SiO4 containing 1.2 wt% H2O to 10 GPa and 600 K by ultrasonic interferometry with synchrotron X-radiation
Noda, M., Gwanmesia, G. D., Whitaker, M. L., Chen, H., Inoue, T., Sakamoto, N., and Yurimoto, H. “Elasticity of β-Mg2SiO4 containing 1.2 wt% H2O to 10 GPa and 600 K by ultrasonic interferometry with synchrotron X-radiation.” American Mineralogist 111 (2026): 128137. https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/msa/ammin/article/111/1/128/654502/Elasticity-of-Mg2SiO4-containing-1-2-wt-H2O-to-10
Events & Outreach
SEES Featured in Elements Magazine Triple Point Article
SEES Director Andrew Campbell recently authored a Triple Point article in ElementsMagazine discussing the history and continued importance of community-driven synchrotron facilities for mineral physics research and user support. Read the full article: “Community-Driven Management of Synchrotron-Based Mineral Physics Facilities”
Kindergarten Students Explore Earth Science with Dongzhou Zhang
As part of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools “Adventure Day” program, kindergarten students participated in a hands-on outreach activity led by SEES beamline scientist Dongzhou Zhang. Using microscopes, synthetic gems, posters, and a model diamond anvil cell, students learned how scientists investigate materials under the extreme pressures found deep