Advanced Photon Source

Advanced Photon Source The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is a national synchrotron x-ray research facility at Argonne National Laboratory.

The APS provides the brightest x-ray beams in the Western Hemisphere to more than 5,000 scientists worldwide. The APS is one of the most technologically complex machines in the world. This premier national research facility provides ultra-bright, high-energy x-ray beams to more than 5,000 (and growing) scientists from around the United States and the world.

Science Friday! Scientists have developed a new way to assemble gold nanoparticles into open, crystal-like structures th...
06/19/2026

Science Friday! Scientists have developed a new way to assemble gold nanoparticles into open, crystal-like structures that were once thought to require specially engineered “patchy” particles. Using simple electrostatic interactions and confirming the structures with X-rays at the Advanced Photon Source, the team created diamond-like nanoparticle lattices that could enable next-generation photonic, catalytic, and energy-storage technologies.

https://www.aps.anl.gov/APS-Science-Highlight/2026-06-19/assembly-of-open-superlattices-from-valence-free-nanoparticles

"In early 2026, Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) officially completed a comprehensive upgrade that stretched over ...
06/18/2026

"In early 2026, Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) officially completed a comprehensive upgrade that stretched over a decade. The APS, a DOE Office of Science user facility, is the brightest synchrotron X-ray light source in the world. Its ultrabright beams, generated by a series of particle accelerators culminating in an electron storage ring, support research across a wide range of scientific disciplines. The APS Upgrade ushered in a new era of coherent X-ray science."

Read more about the APS and the future of Argonne science in this article celebrating the lab's 80th anniversary.

https://www.anl.gov/article/after-80-years-of-research-excellence-where-does-argonne-go-next

Scientists have uncovered why changing the gas used in metal 3D printing can reduce defects in finished parts. Using hig...
06/16/2026

Scientists have uncovered why changing the gas used in metal 3D printing can reduce defects in finished parts. Using high-speed X-ray and thermal imaging at the APS, they found that gas density plays a key role, opening new possibilities for improving additive manufacturing.

https://bit.ly/4eeQwxd

Science Friday! A low-carbon alternative to traditional cement may be even more durable than expected. Using X-ray techn...
06/12/2026

Science Friday! A low-carbon alternative to traditional cement may be even more durable than expected. Using X-ray techniques at the Advanced Photon Source, researchers showed that magnesium helps protect alkali-activated slag from CO₂ damage by promoting the formation of a disordered calcium carbonate phase that shields the cement’s binding structure.

The findings could help guide the design of more resilient low-carbon cements for harsh environments, while also informing carbon sequestration strategies where stable carbonate formation is desired. Read more below:

https://www.aps.anl.gov/APS-Science-Highlight/2026-06-12/exploring-how-magnesium-shields-low-carbon-cement-from-co2-attack

A major behind-the-scenes upgrade is underway at the Advanced Photon Source. APS has installed its first high-power soli...
06/10/2026

A major behind-the-scenes upgrade is underway at the Advanced Photon Source. APS has installed its first high-power solid-state radiofrequency (RF) amplifier system, marking the first use of this technology at this scale at a North American synchrotron facility. The new modular system will replace aging klystrons, improving reliability, efficiency, and resilience while reducing the risk of beam interruptions.

RF systems are essential for maintaining the energy of electrons as they circulate around the storage ring and generate X-rays. By delivering more stable RF power, the new technology will help provide more stable electron beams and higher-quality X-ray beams for researchers. The installation is part of a multi-year modernization effort that complements the APS Upgrade and will support more reliable, high-performance operations for years to come.

https://www.aps.anl.gov/APS-News/2026-06-10/aps-begins-transition-to-solid-state-radio-frequency-amplifier-technology-to

3D-printed metals could help power the next generation of nuclear reactors. Researchers combined X-ray diffraction at th...
06/09/2026

3D-printed metals could help power the next generation of nuclear reactors. Researchers combined X-ray diffraction at the Advanced Photon Source with microscopy and modeling to track how additively manufactured 316H stainless steel evolves during years of high-temperature aging. They found that microstructural changes occur 10–100 times faster than in conventional wrought steel, yet the 3D-printed material retained superior strength even after prolonged thermal exposure.

The work establishes a new framework for predicting the long-term performance of additively manufactured alloys from shorter-term experiments, helping accelerate qualification of advanced materials for demanding nuclear energy applications. Read more:

https://www.aps.anl.gov/APS-Science-Highlight/2026-06-09/evaluating-long-term-thermal-stability-of-lpbf-stainless-steels

ICYMI: A hormone best known for regulating appetite may hold the key to treating fibrosis. Using X-ray crystallography a...
06/08/2026

ICYMI: A hormone best known for regulating appetite may hold the key to treating fibrosis. Using X-ray crystallography at the Advanced Photon Source, researchers developed an antibody that blocks leptin signaling and reduced fibrosis in the liver, kidney, lung, and blood vessels in mouse models. The work opens a promising new path toward therapies for organ scarring and failure.

https://bit.ly/4vCgsbX

"When an experiment is completed, and we understand more than we did before, and perhaps are left with new questions, we...
06/04/2026

"When an experiment is completed, and we understand more than we did before, and perhaps are left with new questions, we feel the impact of what we do, and we’re reminded that it matters.”

Meet physicist George Sterbinsky in the latest People of the APS profile:
https://bit.ly/4ogsFRi

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