Scattering and Instrumentation Sciences

Research is supported on the fundamental interactions of photons, neutrons, and electrons with matter to understand the atomic, electronic, and magnetic structures and excitations of materials and the relationship of these structures and excitations to materials properties and behavior. Organizationally, the DOE EPSCoR program is also managed here.

X-Ray Scattering
Neutron Scattering
Electron and Scanning Probe Microscopies

For more information about these research areas, please contact the Team Lead, Dr. Helen Kerch.

Highlights

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Proposed multijunction electroluminescent cooling system, consisting of multiple semiconductor layers with different band gaps (the energy needed to move an electron so it can conduct electricity).

Cooling with Electroluminescent Semiconductors

Theorists propose a new approach to electroluminescent cooling that works like inverted solar photovoltaic cells.

Peroxide (OO) forms on CuO by annealing in O<sub>2</sub>, leading to a larger oxygen surface population. Greater oxygen coverage prevents organic species from reacting on the oxygen-rich CuO surface (bottom right) and promotes hydrogen gas decomposition (top right).

Tuning the Catalytic Behavior of Metal Oxides

Excess oxygen on the surface of the metal oxide catalyst copper oxide promotes hydrogen oxidation but suppresses carbon monoxide oxidation.