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
Extending tetrahedral network similarity to carbon: A type-I carbon clathrate stabilized by boron
Strobel, Timothy A., Tiange Bi, Piotr A. Guńka, Mads F. Hansen, Julia-Maria Hübner, Samuel G. Dunning, Li Zhu, Stella Chariton, Vitali B. Prakapenka, and Yue Meng. “Extending tetrahedral network similarity to carbon: A type-I carbon clathrate stabilized by boron.” Science Advances 11, no. 21 (2025).
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...
An unexpectedly shrunken bandgap in V2O5 nanoparticles
E L Anquillare et al, An unexpectedly shrunken bandgap in V2O5 nanoparticles, 2025, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 37 235302 DOI...
Photochemically Induced Co-oxidation of Aqueous Manganese and Cobalt and the Formation of Cobalt-Incorporated Manganese Oxides
Zhenwei Gao, Gwan Yeong Jung, Ping-I Chou, Olaf J. Borkiewicz, Matthew Newville, Rohan Mishra, and Young-Shin Jun, Photochemically Induced Co-oxidation of Aqueous Manganese and Cobalt and the Formation of Cobalt-Incorporated Manganese Oxides, Environmental Science & Technology Article ASAP
The origin of vertebrate teeth and evolution of sensory exoskeletons
Haridy, Yara, Sam CP Norris, Matteo Fabbri, Karma Nanglu, Neelima Sharma, James F. Miller, Mark Rivers, Patrick La Riviere, Phillip Vargas, Javier Ortega-Hernandez, Neil H. Shubin, “The origin of vertebrate teeth and evolution of sensory exoskeletons.” Nature (2025): 1-6.
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]...
Science Highlights
The fate of nitrogen in deep magma oceans
Mallick, Ekanshu, Kelsey Prissel, Kevin Righter, and Colin RM Jackson. “The fate of nitrogen in deep magma oceans.” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 394 (2025): 298-318.
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 & […]
Physical properties, internal structure, and the three-dimensional petrography of CI chondrites
Friedrich, J.M., Riveros, E.M., Macke, R.J., Jaret, S.J., Rivers, M.L. and Ebel, D.S. (2025), Physical properties, internal structure, and the three-dimensional petrography of CI chondrites. Meteorit Planet Sci. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14320
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
Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide
Dong, J., Fischer, R.A., Stixrude, L.P. et al. Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide. Nat Commun 16, 1039 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56231-z
Latest Happenings

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

GSE staff install 13 BMD mirror
GSECARS staff install the 13 BMD mirror which will allow vertical focusing of the beam for the tomography and DAC programs.

SEES Town Hall at AGU
SEES Principal Investigator Andy Campbell and members of the Executive Committee shared updates...

SEES Booth at AGU Conference
SEES will have an exhibition booth at the AGU conference in Washington, DC. If you are planning to...