General Physics Colloquium, Dr. Louisa Smieska, Cornell University

Title:  From Agriculture to the Arts:  Possibilities for X-ray Elemental Imaging at CHESS

Host:  Nigel Lockyer

Abstract:  A new micro-focusing x-ray beamline is under construction at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). This facility, XLEAP (X-rays for Life, Environmental, Agricultural, and Plant Sciences), will emphasize elemental imaging experiments in biological systems. XLEAP aims to link fundamental processes in plants with real-world food production. Pilot experiments spanning length scales and drawing on diverse x-ray techniques will be presented. In addition, the capabilities at XLEAP will be essential for a new multidisciplinary initiative committed to advancing the study of cultural heritage objects using synchrotron x-ray techniques. First examples from the pilot year of the initiative will be presented.