Cross-Facility Collaboration on Soft and Tender X-ray Microscopy
Beamline scientists from SEES, the Advanced Light Source (ALS), and the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) connected during SEES general user beamtime at COSMIC. They discussed coordination opportunities for the upcoming ALS-U dark time and future capabilities of the Soft X-ray Nanoprobe at NSLS-II. Left to right: Dr. Kyounglim Kang (SEES–ALS Affiliate Beamline Scientist), […]
SEES Featured in Elements Magazine Triple Point Article
SEES Director Andrew Campbell recently authored a Triple Point article in Elements Magazine 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 inside the Earth.
Congratulations to Vitali Prakapenka on 2026 Shenoy Award!
We’re excited to share that Vitali Prakapenka has received the 2026 Gopal K. Shenoy Excellence in Beamline Science Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by beamline scientists at the Advanced Photon Source in both research and support of the user community. Read more in the highlight from Argonne National Laboratory.
IR Microprobe Project at NSLS-II
The IR microprobe is about to take light! If you are interested in discussing opportunities for “technical and science commissioning” measurements for Earth and Environmental samples then please reach out to Tiffany Victor ([email protected]) or Ryan Tappero ([email protected]) in the NSLS-II Bioimaging Facility (https://www.bnl.gov/nsls2/techniques/bioimaging.php) or our NSF-SEES partners in residence — Zhenxian Liu ([email protected]) or Roberto Colina […]
New Precision Pedestal Enhances 6BM High-Pressure Capabilities
A new, high precision pedestal for the 250-ton hydraulic press has been installed at SEES Beamline 6BM at the Advanced Photon Source. The press is equipped with a D-DIA module and a rotational Drickamer apparatus which covers a pressure range from the crust to the lower mantle. This SEES beamline is uniquely designed to investigate […]
APS 2026-2 Proposal Call
A Reminder to All Interested SEES Users that the Deadline for new APS Proposals and Experiment Time Requests for the 2026-2 Run Cycle is March 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM (Chicago time). All SEES beamlines at the APS (Sector 13, 3-ID, 6-BM-B) will be accepting general user proposals. Users submitting new proposals are strongly encouraged to reach out to beamline staff […]
Conversations at GSA Connects 2025
The SEES team had a great time talking to geoscientists at the Geological Society of America meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Program PI Andrew Campbell and Associate Director Emily Padston met with attendees from across the geoscience community, introducing the SEES program and highlighting how synchrotron user facilities can support their research. During our “Talk […]
Connecting at the 8th SES Symposium
SEES staff and executive committee members were delighted to take part in the 2025 Synchrotron Environmental Science (SES) Symposium at Stony Brook University, which brought together the synchrotron and environmental science communities to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. The meeting highlighted new research on land, water, and energy interactions in the critical zone and featured […]
Science for Everyone: SEES joins the South Side Science Festival
SEES joined the largest-ever South Side Science Festival on October 4, welcoming over 4,300 visitors to the University of Chicago campus for a day of hands-on science. Free and open to the public, the festival featured more than 100 interactive exhibits designed for all ages and experience levels. At the SEES tables with the Geophysical Sciences Department, […]