Esrf

Where bees are, there will be honey (even prehistoric)
Scientists discover first ever record of insect pollination from 100 million-years ago.

Instruct hub for structural biology
Pan-European distributed research infrastructure has a base in Grenoble.

Dynamical anisotropy and heterogeneity in a bidimensional gel
The anisotropic dynamics of a 2D gel formed by a Langmuir monolayer were studied in a recent X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) experiment. Researchers determined for the first time, through higher order temporal correlation functions, how the gel loses its more liquid-like properties when solidifying in a characteristic, non-homogeneous fashion.

Phase contrast imaging of lipid membranes in solution
A lipid membrane in solution at its native thickness of less than 5 nm has been imaged for the first time using coherent X-rays. Researchers witnessed the formation of a bilayer from two lipid monolayers. Lipid bilayers are important in nature as they are the basis for cell membranes.

X-rays create a window on glass formation
First ever visualisation of how powder becomes molten glass could lead to greener manufacture at lower temperatures.

Submicrometre diffraction in dense arrays of three-dimensional germanium crystals
Germanium grown epitaxially on micrometre-sized silicon pillars forms perfect crystals free of defects. The resulting Ge/Si “virtual substrate” is lighter and tougher than a free-standing Ge substrate and clears a path towards high-resolution CMOS X-ray detectors and high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells for both space and terrestrial applications. Submicrometre diffraction experiments...

Which long-term future for the ESRF?
In a few weeks, the ESRF will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first delivery of X-rays into the Experimental Hall. After two decades of global leadership, including the current Upgrade Programme, time has come for formulating a long term mission and positioning of the ESRF in the European and international context of synchrotron science.