ASTROID CLOCKING: A NEW METHOD TO CONTROL MAGNETIC DYNAMICS IN NANOMAGNETS

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found a new way to make small, targeted changes in a magnetic system called artificial spin ice (ASI). ASIs are materials with a wide range of emergent properties, such as computation. Controlling when, where, and how their magnetic domains change can be crucial for technological applications like physical reservoir computing. The new method has been called “astroid clocking” and the main experiment was performed at ALBA, at the PEEM branch of the CIRCE beamline, where the microscope resolves the magnetic state of each individual nanomagnet using synchrotron light.

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GREEN CHEMISTRY: MOLECULAR ELUCIDATION OF CO2 METHANATION OVER A PEROVSKITE-DERIVED CATALYST

A research lead by the University of the Basque Country, in collaboration with the University of Alicante and the ALBA Synchrotron, has combined for the first time NAP-XPS experiments at CIRCE beamline of ALBA with in situ FTIR experiments to establish a complete reaction scheme for CO2 methanation over novel catalyst. Methanation is the conversion of CO2 to methane, which can be recycled for use as a fuel or a chemical as well as by contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

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SYNTHESIZED A NEW CATALYST WITH KEY PROPERTIES TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

A research led by the ITQ-CSIC-UPV has discovered a new catalyst enabling hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methane with advantages not seen until now. This new catalyst, whose structure and mechanism have been understood by synergistically exploiting different ALBA Synchrotron techniques, can be used for methane (natural syngas) production, that is considered as a promising energy carrier for hydrogen storage.

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RESEARCHERS ACHIEVE A DIRECT X-RAY MEASUREMENT OF SPIN HALL EFFECT IN A COPPER AND BISMUTH MATERIAL

Researchers from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) and ALBA in collaboration with colleagues from IMDEA Nanoscience, CSIC, UAM and the Swiss Synchrotron SLS-PSI, have achieved a direct measurement of the Spin hall effect using element sensitive X-ray detection. The study, performed at the PEEM experimental station of the CIRCE beamline, holds great potential for the development of better, more efficient devices in the field of information technologies.

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RESEARCHERS DISCOVER A CATALYST TO REMOVE EMISSIONS OF METHANE, A POWERFUL GREENHOUSE GAS

Researchers from the UPC, the University of Udine (Italy) and the ALBA Synchrotron have discovered a palladium and platinum catalyst, the first to eliminate methane emissions from transport and other human activities to reduce global warming. The study has been recently published in Nature Communications.

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