The first experimental run at CHESS since the upgrade has gone by so very quickly! The accelerator performance was excellent and all CHESS beamlines very successfully supported their user programs.
The diverse range of science questions that can be addressed with X-ray tools and techniques available at CHESS is illustrated by the two science highlights featured in this eNewletter.
Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μXRF) was employed to map the
elemental distribution in caprine horns
. Since these horns grow in ring like patterns very much like trees, spatial analysis of horns for contaminants such as lead is a powerful way to quantify exposures even long after they occurred.
In another application of spatially resolving materials characteristics with X rays at CHESS, the
impact of cyclic strains
(alternating between compressive and tensile hundreds of times) on lightweight yet strong materials such as Magnesium was investigated. This type of experiments can be performed at CHESS’
Forming and Shaping Technology (FAST) beamline
, which is part of the NSF-funded Center for High Energy X-ray Sciences (
CHEXS
). We also highlight the development of a
triaxial pressure cell at FAST
which allows users to explore the micromechanical deformation behavior of diverse materials in pressure environments simulating up to ~25km below the surface.
New York State Senator Anna Kaplan saw these and other CHESS capabilities when she toured our facility during her recent visit to Cornell. Also, Ewa Deelman and Arniban Mandal coming to CHESS to explore collaborations on cyber infrastructure saw first-hand the new CHESS beamlines -
Learn more
.
We are pleased to announce that Megan Adams and Samantha Zaharis are now leading the
CHESS Users Office
. In case of any question before, during or after your stay at CHESS please don't hesitate to contact Megan and Sam! The new CHESS Users Office email is
[email protected]
In a few days, we will shut down the facility for the holiday break and resume user operation on January 29, 2020.
From all of us here at CHESS: Happy Holidays and a Happy and Healthy 2020!
Elke Arenholz, Associate Director
