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SUNSTONE General Lectures - April 2025
The SUNSTONE Project (SESAME’s Upgrading Network for Scientific user Training and Outreach into the Next Era), under the SESAME initiative, is pleased to present a series of online general lectures throughout April 2025. These lectures, that will be devided in 4 days, aim to deepen participants' understanding of synchrotron radiation, research opportunities, techniques and their practical applications in a range of scientific disciplines. The programme is structured around a general introduction to synchrotron radiation and three key thematic areas, each addressing a critical field of research:
1. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
The use of synchrotron light in cultural heritage studies offers non-invasive techniques to analyze and preserve historical artifacts and artworks. The X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) methods available on beamline ID10-BEATS enable researchers to uncover hidden structures, assess material compositions, and support conservation efforts without damaging the objects. This thematic area will cover how microtomography and 3D imaging contribute to archaeology, providing new insights into ancient technologies, manufacturing techniques, and the state of preservation of cultural heritage items.
2. Environmental Science Using Soft X-Rays
Environmental science increasingly relies on advanced spectroscopic techniques to analyze complex material interactions and chemical compositions. The ID11-HESEB beamline at SESAME facilitates the study of environmental samples through methods such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These techniques allow for precise analysis of chemical states, pollutant interactions, and material surfaces, which are critical for research in environmental remediation, pollution monitoring, and green technologies. This thematic session will delve into the mechanisms of soft X-ray interactions with materials, enabling researchers to explore catalytic processes, soil contamination, and the development of sustainable materials.
3. Science in Operando Conditions Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Research under operando conditions involves studying materials and chemical processes while they are functioning in real-time. This approach, particularly using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the BM08-XAS/XRF beamline, is invaluable for investigating functional materials in environments that mimic their operational states, such as in batteries, catalysts, and industrial processes. Operando techniques enable researchers to observe dynamic changes in atomic structures, electronic states, and chemical bonds, offering critical insights into how materials behave under working conditions. This thematic area will focus on in situ and operando XAS methodologies, showcasing how these approaches support the development of energy materials, functional coatings, and catalytic converters.
** For detailed time and lectures, please click on the timetable button