Chemistry & Catalysis

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June 22, 2020
News Feature
SLAC and Stanford scientists home in on pairs of atoms that boost a catalyst’s activity
They discovered the messy environment of a chemical reaction can actually change the shape of a catalytic nanoparticle in a way that makes it more active.
Illustration of catalyst nanoparticle and car with exhaust emissions
June 22, 2020
News Feature
External
New battery electrolyte may boost the performance of electric vehicles
A new lithium-based electrolyte invented by Stanford University scientists could pave the way for the next generation of battery-powered electric vehicles.
Photo of vials containing new electrolyte for lithium metal batteries
June 17, 2020
News Brief
Researchers map out intricate processes that activate key brain molecule
For the first time, scientists have revealed the steps needed to turn on a receptor that helps regulate neuron firing. The findings might help researchers understand and someday treat addiction, psychosis and other neuropsychological diseases.
yellow and blue protein structures.
June 16, 2020
News Feature
A new way to study how elements mix deep inside giant planets
It could offer insights into the evolution of planetary systems and guide scientists hoping to harness nuclear fusion as a new source of energy.
Scattered photons
May 21, 2020
News Feature
Researchers capture the coordinated dance between electrons and nuclei in a light-excited molecule
Revealing both sides of the story in a single experiment has been a grand scientific challenge.
nuclear and electronic
May 20, 2020
News Feature
Untangling a key step in photosynthetic oxygen production
Understanding nature’s process could inform the next generation of artificial photosynthetic systems that produce clean and renewable energy from sunlight and water.
Photosystem II
April 15, 2020
News Feature
Testing how accurately X-ray lasers can measure the inner workings of biological molecules
Researchers investigate how much damage spreads through molecules struck by a pulse from LCLS.
Two color mode
April 9, 2020
News Feature
In a first, researchers use ultrafast ‘electron camera’ to learn about molecules in liquid samples
This new technology could enable future insights into chemical and biological processes that occur in solution, such as vision, catalysis and photosynthesis.
UED liquid
March 24, 2020
News Feature
Solving the mysteries of a Trojan-horse mosquito toxin
An LCLS imaging technique reveals how a mosquito-borne bacterium deploys a toxin to kill mosquito larvae. Scientists hope to harness it to fight disease.
A photograph of mosquito larvae.
February 21, 2020
News Brief
Researchers identify new culprit for Minamata mercury poisoning tragedy
The 1950s and ‘60s poisoning event was long attributed to methylmercury, but studies at SLAC suggest a different compound was to blame. The findings could reshape toxicologists’ understanding of disease related to mercury poisoning.
Illustration of toxic waste being dumped from a pipe, a molecule, and a map showing the location of Minamata, Japan.

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