eBERlight is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research (BER) resource operating at the Advanced Photon Source. The program provides access and user support for several x-ray-based tools for research in biological, geological, geochemical, and environmental sciences, such as:
- Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)
- X-ray Microscopy (X-fluorescence microscopy, XFM, and ptychography)
- X-ray Full-Field Imaging (Computed Tomography, CT)
- X-ray scattering (Small/Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering, SAXS/WAXS)
- X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)
Leveraging additional resources available at Argonne National Laboratory for sample preparation and data analysis, eBERlight creates a comprehensive ecosystem to meet the needs of complex environmental and biological research projects, and to take full advantage of the upgraded light source.
For a look at some of the problems eBERlight can help solve, check out the fact sheet and video below.
The following acknowledgment statement should be included in published research at the APS with eBERlight.
Results in this report are derived from research conducted through the eBERlight program (add Beamline/Sector here), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) and supported by the Advanced Photon Source (APS), (add DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1000/182 here), a DOE, Office of Science, user facility operated by Argonne National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.
eBERlight users may also need to include an additional statement on the funding for beamlines, sectors, and resources used, examples below.
The use of the LS-CAT Sector 21 beamlines was supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor Grant 085P1000817. Access to eBERlight at Sector 84 was possible through funding provided by DOE contract DE-AC02-06CH11357.
See the Acknowledgment and Publications section for detailed instructions.
eBERlight 101: Application of X-ray Methods in Biological and Environmental Research
The eBERlight 101 Workshop concluded with researchers gaining practical skills in synchrotron-based techniques for environmental biogeochemistry. Through lectures, tours, and hands‑on beamline sessions, participants gained experience in preparation for their first experiments and joined a growing bioenvironmental research community.
Further details can be found on the workshop webpage.
Strategic Partnerships for Advancing BER Science
eBERlight is working with the Facilities Integrating Collaborations for User Science (FICUS) program to provide researchers with access to world-class resources at Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), Joint Genome Institute (JGI), the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the Bio-SANS beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) through the Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB), and the Advanced Photon Source (APS). This partnership enables researchers to pursue integrated, cross-disciplinary projects that advance our understanding of biological and environmental systems at multiple scales. FICUS proposal calls are announced annually. Visit the Proposal Calls page for more information.
The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory have established a strategic partnership with eBERlight and the Molecular Observation Network (MONet) to provide high-quality molecular and microscale soil data for BER science. This collaboration aims to advance the development of next-generation models of soil organic matter (SOM) behavior and carbon exchange by leveraging complementary Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and high-resolution Micro-CT. Additionally, these measurements will enhance core-scale XCT data.
These partnerships seek to elevate the visibility of BER science, link molecular properties to larger scales, foster high-impact publications, and support open science and user community access.
Subscribe to the eBERlight mailing list to get updates about beamline activities, deadlines, and more. Join here: [email protected]
Scientists working with eBERlight play a pivotal role in pioneering innovative scientific methodologies. Taking benefit of Argonne’s educational programs, the laboratory offers a variety of educational and outreach programs to cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers. These programs introduce students, early-career scientists, and engineers to mission-driven, high-impact research. There are a variety of research opportunities to work alongside scientific mentors at the laboratory in a paid internship appointment. Students and graduates are encouraged to apply online, or contact eBERlight for opportunities available.
Graduate students currently pursuing Ph.D. degrees in areas of physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology (non-medical), mathematics, engineering, computer or computational sciences, or specific areas of environmental sciences that are aligned with the mission of the Office of Science are eligible to apply for the supplemental research awards provided by the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. Learn how to apply at SCGSR.
Science Highlights
Y. Fang, J. Ding, W. Liu, D. Crowley, J. Antonette, H. Fang, A. Raut, D. Sprouster, X. Liu, Y-C. Lin, D. Gersappe, M. Rafailovich, “Interplay of surface energy and rheology in biopolymer soil enhancement,” Polymer Testing 153, 109018 (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2025.109018
Youngchang Kim, Seung Hwan Lee, Priyanka Gade, Maren Nattermann, Natalia Maltseva, Michael Endres, Jing Chen, Philipp Wichmann, Yang Hu, Daniel G. Marchal, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Tobias J. Erb, Ramon Gonzalez, Karolina Michalska, Andrzej Joachimiak, "Revealing reaction intermediates in one-carbon elongation by thiamine diphosphate/CoA-dependent enzyme family," Commun. Chem. 7, 160 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01242-y
The APS Publications database is the official source for listing APS-related publications. This includes journal articles, conference proceedings and papers, dissertations, books, book chapters, technical reports, abstracts, awards, invited talks, patents, magazine articles, and newsletters. Notify eBERlight or the APS of publications to include.
Gustavo Chacón-Rosales, Rafael C. Lima, Fabiano S. Rodembusch, Allan de Moraes Lisbôa, Claudio Radtke, Adriano F. Feil, Christian W. Lopes, Debora Meira, Sibele B.C. Pergher, Jairton Dupont, "Eco-designed ultra-small copper/ionic liquid interfaces on layered niobates for hydrogen production via water-splitting and methanol photoreforming," Int. J. Hydro. Energy 205, 153197 (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.153197 (20-BM)
Sudhan Nagarajan, Sooyeon Hwang, Cherno Jaye, Conan Weiland, Debora Motta Meira, Mahalingam Balasubramanian, Leela Mohana Reddy Arava, "Investigation of electrode-electrolyte interfaces to enable non-flammable Li-ion batteries operating up to 125°C with liquid electrolyte," Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 6 (5), 102597 (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102597 (20-BM)
Songyun Liu, Si Chen, Barry Lai, Olga Antipova, Yanqi Luo, Deborah J. Hall, Qiaoling Jin, Evan Maxey, Joshua J. Jacobs, Robin Pourzal, "Imaging and speciation of intracellular metallic implant debris using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence micro-spectroscopy: a study of two cases," Sci. Rep. 15, 12467 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-94231-7 (2-ID)
Magdalena Broda, Joseph E. Jakes, Luxi Li, Olga A. Antipova, Evan R. Maxey, Qiaoling Jin, "Conservation of model degraded pine wood with selected organosilicons studied by XFM and nanoindentation," Wood Sci. Technol. 58, 649-675 (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00226-024-01533-6 (2-ID, 8-BM)
Youngchang Kim, Seung Hwan Lee, Priyanka Gade, Maren Nattermann, Natalia Maltseva, Michael Endres, Jing Chen, Philipp Wichmann, Yang Hu, Daniel G. Marchal, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Tobias J. Erb, Ramon Gonzalez, Karolina Michalska, Andrzej Joachimiak, "Revealing reaction intermediates in one-carbon elongation by thiamine diphosphate/CoA-dependent enzyme family," Commun. Chem. 7, 160 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01242-y (Staff)
Emma H. Kelley, Jerzy Osipiuk, Malgorzata Korbas, Michael Endres, Alayna Bland, Victoria Ehrman, Andrzej Joachimiak, Kenneth W. Olsen, Daniel P. Becker, "N[superscript alpha]-acetyl-L-ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli and a ninhydrin-based assay to enable inhibitor identification Updated," Front. Chem. 12, 1415644 (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1415644 (Staff)