ChemMatCARS: A National Chemistry and Materials Synchrotron Research Facility at the Advanced Photon Source

University Of Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

The Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities Program in the Chemistry Division, the Division of Materials Research and the Office of Basic Energy Sciences at the Department of Energy provide continuing support to P. James Viccaro and Stuart Rice of the University of Chicago, Benjamin Chu of SUNY-Stony Brook, Philip Coppens of SUNY-Buffalo and Mark Schlossman of the University of Illinois in Chicago for their research efforts utilizing the ChemMatCARS beamline at the Argonne National Lab Advanced Photon Source. The PIs will complete development and initiate the operations phase at the three stations: chemical crystallography in station 15-1D-B; surface scattering in station 15-1D-C; and small angle- wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXD) in 15-1D-D. Examples of some of the surface studies include studies of amphiphiles and biological macromolecules at the water-vapor interface; liquid metal interfaces; superflid helium surfaces; polymer surfaces-static structure; dynamics at interfaces; and liquid-liquid interfaces. Chemical crystallography studies include the mapping of charge densities with synchrotron radiation; resonance diffraction studies; and the study of transient species. The SAXS/WAXD studies will focus on fiber and filament processing; polymer and fiber stretching; and protein folding and kinetics of complexation. This award will provide maintenance, operation, selected upgrades and continued development of this unique resource as a national user facility for the chemical and materials science community. Presently, the user community includes more than forty principal investigators. By the end of the third year of operations, at least forty-five percent of the total beamtime will be available to the community at large. In addition, this facility provides partial funding of postdoctoral positions and travel support for first time users and graduate students who require an extended stay at the facility.