The 36th User Meeting took place 13-15 January, with nearly 400 participants gathering at the Scandic Star hotel in Lund. It was an engaging event to network and listen to inspiring presentations for beamline users, researchers, collaborators, and students, as well as opportunities to speak with meeting sponsors and instrument vendors.
A new way to look at thyroid tumours
Follicular tumours in the thyroid can be difficult to diagnose as the entire follicle capsule needs to be sliced and inspected in order to detect ruptures. The current protocol involves cytology and histology, but these have limitations. Researchers from Uppsala University (UU) and Lund University (LU) are investigating the potential use of synchrotron-based virtual histology for 3D inspection of the follicle capsule at MAX IV.
Preparing for a new user landscape with LEAPS-funded workshop
Inviting new user groups and moving towards more complex and diverse samples require synchrotron facilities to challenge their ways of operation. An important step was taken when beamline scientists and users met to discuss and solve issues in a recent workshop.
Tribute to Sine Larsen
It is with sadness that we have learnt that Sine Larsen passed away on the 2nd of January 2025. Sine was a great friend, colleague and scientist who made significant contributions to Crystallography, Synchrotron Radiation and Science in general.
International collaboration advances research in two-dimensional gold nanostructures
An international team of researchers from Hokkaido University, Lund University, MAX IV Laboratory in Sweden, and Diamond Light Source in the UK has made significant progress in synthesising nanostructured two-dimensional gold films. This development could pave the way for advances in catalysis, electronics, and energy conversion.
Altermagnetism imaged for the first time at MAX IV
The domain structure of a new type of magnet, called altermagnet, has been imaged for the first time at the MAXPEEM beamline. The study opens the way for controlling the properties of these materials at the nanoscale and could contribute to faster and more energy efficient memory devices.
Looking for clues in stroke-causing plaques with X-rays and machine learning
Stroke affects around 15 million people globally every year according to the WHO. Stroke can lead to significant health consequences or even death, and further knowledge of causes for prevention is a priority. Atherosclerotic plaques that can rupture and cause stroke has been investigated by a combination of X-ray imaging and machine learning to understand more about stability and risks.
Forging designer supramolecular hydrogels
A research group from the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom reports in the journal Nature Synthesis that dynamic supramolecular hydrogels can be designed with desired structures using a new ‘forging’ technique. The out-of-equilibrium system was tested using MAX IV’s Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) beamline, CoSAXS.
Multitasking microalgae fight pollution
Microalgae for pollution removal is the topic of two recent studies by MAX IV users. The storage mechanism of phosphorous in the algae was investigated in detail contributing to method development for pollution removal from wastewater. The phosphorous-containing algae can, in turn, be used to soak up metal pollutants.
New report: MAX IV and the Industry 2023
MAX IV releases the second edition report about industrial use of MAX IV.