From the Director
Dear Colleague,

Here at CHESS, the current experimental run period ends on November 23rd. At that time, our winter down and scheduled maintenance will go until January 26th, when user operations resume. The response by our user community for the upcoming run was again excellent and users with active proposals have until Nov. 19th to submit a BTR. 

Another important date to remember is January 12th, when proposals are due for the April-May run of 2022.

This month’s newsletter highlights research taking place at the PIPOXS beamline at CHEXS. PIPOXS is optimized to study the geometric and electronic structures of operando catalysts using x-ray spectroscopic methods. Studies of transition metal catalysts are a core capability of the beamline, and researchers paired this with the computational resources to perform thousands of DFT calculations to help predict the structures of Pt-containing species. This is a critical first step to leveraging computational chemistry to help understand reactivity of Pt-based catalysts.

We also highlight our collaboration with Boeing and AFRL at the Functional Materials Beamline (FMB) at MSN-C. The team successfully commissioned a custom assembly for understanding how high temperature thermoplastic materials order during 3D printing. Ordering processes, like crystallization, are a critical determinant of material properties, including strength.

Please also check out our exciting job opportunities and consider working with our team. Positions include the X-Ray Lead Scientist at CHESS, which will partner with the CHESS senior leadership team to provide scientific and technical leadership for the x-ray beamline systems at CHESS.

Stay healthy and safe,
Joel Brock, Director, CHESS (email Joel)
Assessment of DFT methods for geometry optimization of platinum-containing complexes
In a new publication, the team of Louise Debefve and Chris Pollock (both at the PIPOXS beamline at CHEXS) have evaluated 80 different DFT methods to reproduce the experimental geometries of Pt complexes, using a diverse training set of 14 platinum-containing species with varying sizes, oxidation states, and number and type of ligands.
In situ SAXS/WAXS mapping of thermoplastic crystallization during 3D printing
AFRL and Boeing collaborate with CHESS to enable in-situ observation of high temperature 3D printing of thermoplastics and composites. 
Join the CHESS team!
As our research at CHESS continues to expand so too does our need for dynamic, innovative leaders.

We are currently seeking candidates for the following CHESS leadership positions: Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, X-ray Lead Scientist, and User Office Manager as well as several research, scientist, and technician positions.

With exciting new opportunities on the horizon and ongoing collaborations with New York State and federal partners like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Air Force Research Lab, CHESS is a cutting-edge and exciting place to work.

The CHESS team is innovative, dynamic and welcoming, and as employees of Cornell University, enjoys excellent employee support and benefits.

If you or someone you know is a good fit, we strongly encourage you to apply! Please feel free to share widely.
#LightSourceSelfies
CHESS is part of Lightsources.org, an international collaboration of 30 member facilities (23 synchrotrons and 7 free electron lasers). Over the coming weeks, Lightsources is hosting a video campaign called #LightSourceSelfies featuring scientists and engineers from member lightsourses, including CHESS, sharing their experiences. Follow along at the Lightsources.org site and social media pages!
Issue No. 89 • 2021.11.15
CHESS
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