MSD - Materials Sciences Division

Next-generation light sources call for high-repetition-rate x-ray beams, which can only be created by an electron gun delivering tight bunches of electrons with high charge and high energy. Molecular Foundry scientists demonstrate a new approach to generating those electron bunches: an array of gold-plated grooves that acts as a light trap and electron amplifier. Read more...

The American Institute of Physics announced that Robert Birgeneau (above) will receive the 2012 Karl Taylor Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics. The medal, one of the AIP’s signature awards, was established in 1957 to honor physicists who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional statesmanship in science. Read more...

Eli Yablonovitch (below) has been honored with the 2012 Harvey Prize in Science and Technology for his “pioneering discoveries in photonics, optoelectronics, and semiconductors that impacted our lives.” Presented annually by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the Harvey Prize recognizes breakthroughs in science and technology that contribute to the progress of humanity. Read more...

Talk with MSD's Edith Bourret-Courchesne about what it takes to grow and develop useful crystals, and a word you will hear repeated often is “patience.” As the leader of a unique crystal growth facility dedicated to the synthesis of crystals and new materials, patience is more than a virtue, it’s a necessity. Read more...

How to build a device using nanoparticles? NCEM's Haimei Zheng and colleagues may help solve that problem with their latest addition to the nano-toolbox: electron-beam "tweezers" that can trap nanoparticles and direct their movement. Read more...

A few reminders for MSD personnel when wanting to go on foreign travel for official business:

• A request for official foreign travel must be completed by the division staff and approved by the Division Director or designee 30 days prior to departure. The request is made by submitting a travel authorization in TREX. The Travel Office will work with divisions in those special situations where the 30 day time-frame is not met; however, it may not be possible to secure approval in very short time frames.
• Travel arrangers should ensure that all applicable foreign travel is entered on TREX and that the TREX authorization is submitted.
• Travelers are not to embark on international travel until DOE has reviewed the request and State Department has approved it. The Travel Office will notify the traveler and arranger via TREX when the trip approvals are received.
• Any foreign travel request that includes vacation time must comply with a 2:1 ratio. Travelers are permitted to take one vacation day for every two days of official business conducted.  The first and last day of travel are considered one business day each.
• The Travel Office is to be notified immediately when dates of travel or business locations change.
• A conference agenda and presentation (if applicable) must be submitted to the Travel Office for all travel requests that include conference attendance. If the presentation is not available, DOE has agreed to accept an outline, abstract, or brief summary in lieu of it, but the final presentation must be submitted to the Travel Office along with expense report.
• Expense reports must be submitted to the Travel Office within 30 days of return.