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).
Facility Status and Upcoming Proposal Deadlines
Events Calendar
Recent Publications
Zeff, G., Kalkan, B., Armstrong, K. et al. High pressure raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of K2Ca(CO3)2 bütschliite: multiple pressure-induced phase transitions in a double carbonate. Phys Chem Minerals 51, 2 (2024).
Mark, A. C., Ahart, M., Kumar, R., Park, C., Meng, Y., Popov, D., Deng, L., Chu, C.-W., Campuzano, J. C., & Hemley, R. J. (2023). Structure and equation of state of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n − 1 Cu n O 2 n + 4 + δ from x-ray
Science Highlights
Equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation between olivine, pyroxene, spinel and MORB glass: Implications for mantle partial melting to generate MORBs
Nie, Nicole X., Anat Shahar, Peng Ni, Richard W. Carlson, Steven B. Shirey, Corliss K. Sio, Justin Y. Hu et al. “Equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation between olivine, pyroxene, spinel and MORB glass: Implications for mantle partial melting to generate MORBs.” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (2025).
Resiliency, morphology, and entropic transformations in high-entropy oxide nanoribbons
Hessam Shahbazi et al., Resiliency, morphology, and entropic transformations in high-entropy oxide nanoribbons. Science 388, 950-956 (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adr5604
Direct observations of transient weakening during phase transformations in quartz and olivine
Cross, A.J., Goddard, R.M., Kumamoto, K.M. et al. Direct observations of transient weakening during phase transformations in quartz and olivine. Nat. Geosci. 18, 548–554 (2025).
The origin of vertebrate teeth and evolution of sensory exoskeletons
Haridy, Y., Norris, S.C.P., Fabbri, M. et al. The origin of vertebrate teeth and evolution of sensory exoskeletons. Nature 642, 119–124 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08944-w Link to Article | Link to UChicago News</please let >
Deformation of Hydrous Phases Egg [AlSiO3(OH)], δ [AlO(OH)] and Stishovite [Si1-nH4nO2] Relevant to Anisotropy of the Earth’s Mantle
Kattemalavadi, A., Devoe, M., & Wenk, H.-R. (2025). Deformation of hydrous phases Egg [AlSiO3(OH)], δ [AlO(OH)] and stishovite [Si1-nH4nO2] relevant to anisotropy of the Earth’s mantle. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 130, e2025JB031362. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JB031362
Volatiles and Redox Along the East African Rift
Brounce, M., Scoggins, S., Fischer, T. P., Ford, H., & Byrnes, J. (2024). Volatiles and redox along the East African Rift. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 25, e2024GC011657.
Workshops
Upcoming New Soft X-ray Nanoscale Imaging and Spectromicroscopy Capabilities at NSLS-II
The Soft X-ray Nanoprobe (SXN) beamline, a new beamline under construction at NSLS-II, will offer researchers state-of-the-art soft X-ray nano-imaging and spectroscopy capabilities with world-leading coherent high photon flux in the energy range from 250 eV – 2500 eV. This two half-day workshop aims to bring experienced X-ray microscopy users,
Latest Happenings
Data Formats for XAS Data: progress toward better, larger, XAS Database
Matthew Newville gave a keynote talk at the ESRF User Meeting, Grenoble, France, Feb 8, 2024 and also gave a hybrid presentation at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for the DAPHNE4NDFI Project, Karlsruhe, Germany Feb 14, 2024
Using Synchrotron X-rays for Geology and More
Matthew Newville gave a talk at Lawrence University Physics seminar, Appleton, WI Feb 1, 2024