APS-U

Construction is complete and commissioning has begun on the New Multi-Bend Achromat at the Advanced Photon Source.

NE-CAT and the APS-U

Submitted by kperry on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 22:44

To help you continue collecting data during the APS-U down time (est. April 2023-April 2024), we are putting together a data collection program. We plan to combine proposals into Block Allocation Group (BAG) proposals at the US sources: NSLSII, MacCHESS, ALS, and SSRL. (If sufficient time is not obtainable in the US, foreign synchrotrons will be explored.) This is an alternative to submitting your own individual or BAG proposals.

Some benefits of the NE-CAT BAG Program:

Hurray for Beam!

The Advanced Photon Source has begun commissioning the new storage ring and as of Thursday, April 12, there is beam in the first few meters of the storage ring. To see the most recent updates by the Advanced Photon Source, check out the Upgrade website.

Tags: 
Updates

Steps for Returning to Operations

As of the end of March 2024, the APS is undergoing Accelerator Readiness Review prior to turning on the new storage ring.  This is the second review of the upgrade.  The DOE Office of Project Assessment has already reviewed the upgrade in mid-March.  In parallel to the APS preparing to commission the new storage ring, NE-CAT has been preparing for a return to operations.
 
Tags: 
Updates

Sector 24 Update

Kay Perry standing in front of the Sector 24 module

Last Fall, the APS offered staff and resident users the ability to tour the synchrotron storage ring while it was being assembled.  In October, the magnets for Sector 24 were in place and proof is in the picture of Kay Perry standing in front of them during the tour.  Behind her, the yellow curtain marks Sector 23 components which were undergoing bake out to remove everything which could interfere with vaccuum.  Prior to Laboratory closure for the holidays, the front ends were slotted into the place and the last (of the 200) modules were been installed.

Tags: 
Updates

What's missing?

Submitted by kperry on Wed, 06/07/2023 - 11:46

The APS-U involves replacement of the existing ring with new superconducting magnets that will create a multi-bend achromat.  During the month of May, workers at the APS are removing both the old ring and the components which will need to be upgraded for the new lattice.  Today, as part of the deconstruction process, the front end table for 24-ID was removed.  

Installation of the new ring is scheduled to begin in June.

Poxvirus Research at NE-CAT

Submitted by kperry on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 00:00

In 2019 and 2020, the Kranzusch Lab of Harvard Medical School’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute observed the behavior of poxviruses in studies of a molecule (cGAMP) commonly produced by mammalian cells when they evade viral infection. The researchers had isolated a gene from a poxvirus that seemed designed to degrade that protective molecule and thus help the virus avoid signaling an immune response.

Locking Pins Are Essential

Submitted by kperry on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 10:06

WARNING

LOCKING ROD MUST BE IN PLACE FOR SHIPPING

...are the words at the top of every shipping cane.  How many of us have read the words or even noticed that they exist?  What happens if you don't put the locking pin in the hole before shipping your pucks?  

New Scheduling Email

Submitted by kperry on Mon, 05/23/2022 - 11:41

Starting this run, we are sending scheduling emails from a central address: necat@anl.gov  Please feel free to send emails to that address if you need to request time as well.   We are letting everyone know of this change, because it seems to be going to SPAM for some people, or getting overlooked since it’s not expected.  

If you have any needs for this run, please feel free to reach out to necat@anl.gov

Office Hours

Questions?

....Answers Provided.

 

Zoom-based office hours to answer questions regarding using NE-CAT, data processing, structure solution or anything else x-ray crystallography-related available weekly.

Thursday, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Central Time

Request the Zoom link via email.