A team of international researchers from Spain (ICMAB, EUSS, ICN2, INMA, ICMM, ALBA) and UK (University of Southampton) have discovered a method to synthesize carborane-based Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) incorporating any desired combination of multiple rare earth ions. The optical, thermal and magnetic properties of a proof-of-concept multi-metallic MOF including 8 different rare earth ions have been reported. Element-selective XAS & XMCD spectroscopy at BOREAS beamline of ALBA was used to characterize the individual magnetic properties of the 8 ions. This innovative approach allows for multifunctionality à la carte, and this newly discovered multi-metallic MOFs could have potential applications in fields such as quantum computing, luminescence, anticounterfeiting and thermometry.
The radiofrequency (RF) group of ALBA has designed and built a prototype of a 3rd harmonic cavity. It will significantly increase the beam lifetime at the Storage Ring and the beam stability, both for the current ALBA Synchrotron and the future ALBA II. The prototype passed successfully the first tests and is now installed at the BESSY II synchrotron in Berlin to be tested with beam, in the frame of a collaboration with the German laboratories HZB and DESY.
Scientists from the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC) have used the electron microscope devoted to structural biology of the new JEMCA center, located at the ALBA Synchrotron, to study at the atomic level transposases, enzymes that catalyze DNA rearrangements events. The results have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Researchers from TU Wien have studied the structural evolution of gold nanoclusters catalysts during pretreatment and reaction conditions. The results, published in the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, are the first reported from NOTOS beamline.
About 45 people from 20 companies visited the ALBA Synchrotron last Friday to participate in a workshop to learn first-hand how synchrotron techniques are used to research and develop recyclable chemicals, as well as metals, plastics, catalysts, pigments and other recyclable materials to boost industry innovation.
