Chi-Chang's Corner

Planning Workshops to Guide NSLS, NSLS-II Development

January 8, 2008

Chi-Chang Kao
NSLS Department Chair
kao@bnl.gov

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In collaboration with NSLS-II, we are hosting a series of very important workshops throughout the next two months that will set the stage for future light source science at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). These planning workshops are divided into two types: those that focus on specific scientific communities, and those that focus on particular experimental techniques. The community input collected during these sessions will be used to guide the scientific strategic plans and beamline development for both facilities. I hope to see you all there.

The Light Sources Directorate received some great news last month: Critical Decision 2 was granted to NSLS-II by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This decision approves the facility’s performance baseline budget and schedule, based on preliminary design, and is a large step forward in making the facility a reality. Congratulations to everyone involved in this significant review.

After a three-month delay, Congress has now passed the fiscal year 2008 budget. The appropriations package gives DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences $1.282 billion – $217 million less than originally requested by the President. Although we don’t have final numbers yet, we anticipate that the NSLS will receive significantly less funds than requested. We are in the process of evaluating all of our options to address this extremely difficult budget situation. Thanks to all of the NSLS staff members and users who brought our budget problems to the attention of their elected officials; your continuing support will be crucial.

Last month’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting was very successful. The SAC endorsed all of the initiatives we presented, including upgrades of beamlines X18A, X21, X17A, and the possibility of building out X5. Look for further involvement from the SAC in the upcoming planning workshops and NSLS beamline reviews.

Most of the projects undertaken during the winter shutdown are now completed, including major upgrade work associated with the new mini-gap undulator and front end for the X9 small-angle x-ray scattering beamline. Operations are expected to resume shortly, as scheduled.

I’d like to remind everyone to continue to keep safety as the number one priority in the workplace. As you’ve probably heard, the number of injuries at BNL – ranging from common life injuries to more serious incidents – continues to be a concern. We have to remain attentive to everyday tasks and recognize that injuries can result from these simple actions. That awareness is our best hope for eliminating these events.

Finally, a group of researchers from the University of Kentucky, Reaction Engineering International, and the Electric Power Research Institute used XAFS at the NSLS and at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory to study the characteristics of arsenic and selenium in fly ash produced from coal-burning plants. Specifically, the scientists determined the elements’ oxidation states and speciation, which primarily determine how easily they escape from the fly ash material while submerged in water. You can read more about their research in this issue of eNews.

Happy New Year!