Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)

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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.
February 12, 2020
News Feature
Researchers show how electric fields affect a molecular twist within light-sensitive proteins
A better understanding of this phenomenon, which is crucial to many processes that occur in biological systems and materials, could enable researchers to develop light-sensitive proteins for areas such as biological imaging and optogenetics.
photoexcitation
February 6, 2020
News Brief
Internal
How iron carbenes store energy from sunlight – and why they aren’t better at it
These inexpensive photosensitizers could make solar power and chemical manufacturing more efficient. Experiments at SLAC offer insight into how they work.
Illustration of carbene reaction pathways
January 30, 2020
News Feature
Rust offers a cheap way to filter arsenic-poisoned water
In regions that lack the resources to treat the contaminated water, it can lead to disease, cancer, and even death.
Electrode tank
December 17, 2019
News Brief
Scientists discover how proteins form crystals that tile a microbe’s shell
A new understanding of the nucleation process could shed light on how the shells help microbes interact with their environments, and help people design self-assembling nanostructures for various tasks.
Illustration of tiles forming a microbial shell
December 16, 2019
News Brief
Researchers reveal how enzyme motions catalyze reactions
What they learned could lead to a better understanding of how antibiotics are broken down in the body, potentially leading to the development of more effective drugs.
December 4, 2019
News Feature
Q&A: Scientists use X-rays to crack the secrets of shale, a keystone of one of the nation’s fastest growing energy sources
A better understanding of these materials and how they store and transport oil and gas could one day enable more efficient fossil fuel production.
Aromatic carbon
December 3, 2019
News Feature
Study sheds light on the really peculiar ‘normal’ phase of high-temperature superconductors
It reveals an abrupt transition in cuprates where particles give up their individuality. The results flip a popular theory on its head.
Illustration of abrupt transition in normal state of a cuprate
November 15, 2019
News Feature
New insight into a cancer-shielding protein could guide a new generation of cancer treatments
A better understanding of ‘checkpoint proteins,’ which protect cancer cells against immune system strikes, could lead to the development of more effective drugs.
VISTA
October 18, 2019
News Feature
Stanford researchers create new catalyst that can turn carbon dioxide into fuels
A study including SLAC scientists and facilities discovers a new process that shows promise in turning the greenhouse gas back into usable fuels.
Two Stanford researchers in the lab

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