cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2309300262
title: Elucidating pentavalent Uranium (U5+) in mineralised carbonate veins from a porphyry-epithermal system

description: U-Pb dating of carbonate veins reveals the timing and longevity of mineralized fluid systems in ore deposits. Mechanisms of U incorporation in vein carbonate remains poorly understood, but crucial for robust application of the chronometer, and a new approach to tracing fluid origins. Pilot U M5-edge U XANES data from a porphyry-epithermal deposit indicate that distinct pulses of fluid flow preserving complex U speciation, concentration, and spatial distribution patterns. However, in select samples, pilot XANES data is inconclusive and may suggest a mixture of U4+ and U6+ species or the presence of U5+. Here we aim to distinguish between U species using the novel U M4-edge HERFD-XANES, the only method able to elucidate the presence of U5+. This information will provide a new framework for understanding U-Pb carbonate dating and the speciation and mobility of U in hydrothermal fluids. Preservation of U5+ over geological timescales has implications for the storage of radioactive waste.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2309300360
title: Investigation of failure mechanism of SiC nanowhiskers reinforced magesium composites via In-situ mechanical test and X-Ray tomography

description: SiC has long been the most widely recognised reinforcement for magnesium matrix composites (MgMC), yet the failure mechanisms under mechanical loading for such composites are still not fully understood. No direct observations have yet been documented of the interaction between the nanoparticles with the crack initiation and propagation (in 3D/4D), simultaneously under mechanical testing. This study intends to investigate the failure behaviour of nano-SiC/MgMC through in-situ X-ray tomography during mechanical testing at ID16B, observing the effects of SiC nanowhiskers (diameter 650 nm, length 5μm) on crack initiation&growth under loading, utilizing 3D insights obtained from the measurements. XRF for 3D phase mapping will be also conducted. The results and the understanding of the failure mechanisms will also offer valuable insights into the development of nanoparticle/metal composites, both for experimental and for multiscale modelling for accelerating advanced metal composite design.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2309300438
title: Evolution of the electron density of crystalline phosphorus at high pressure from localized electron lone pairs to interlayer chemical bonds

description: The proposal is aimed at investigating the pressure induced mechanism of interlayer bond formation in phosphorus by monitoring the evolution of the lone pair electron density from the layered A7 structure to the non-layered simple cubic one, across the stability domain of the pseudo-simple cubic structure.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2329689507
title: Operando investigation of electrocatalysis in Fuel Cell and Electrocatalysis Cell

description: In this proposal, operando wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) will be employed to investigate the oxidation–reduction behavior of Pt electrocatalysts during cyclic voltammetry in fuel cell environments. Combined operando WAXS and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements will be used to monitor changes in crystallite size and particle size distribution, providing insight into grain growth and degradation mechanisms under realistic operating conditions.

In addition, complementary ex situ WAXS and SAXS experiments will be performed on fuel cell samples to correlate operando observations with post-operation structural changes. For electrocatalysis cell experiments, operando WAXS will be applied to track structural and phase evolution of the electrocatalysts during electrochemical operation.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18535433
title: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REALISM MOVEMENT IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERATURE

description: Realism as a literary movement emerged as a response to romantic idealization, emphasizing objective representation of reality, social truth, and everyday human experience. While realism in English literature developed within the context of industrialization and class stratification, Uzbek literary realism evolved under distinct socio-historical conditions, including colonial influence and cultural reform movements. This article conducts a comparative analysis of realism in English and Uzbek literature, focusing on their shared aesthetic principles and divergent ideological, thematic, and stylistic features.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2336836497
title: SAXS tomography

description: By measuring a structured sample mounted on a rotating sample holder, we will test the reconstruction of SAXS profiles
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18535432
title: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REALISM MOVEMENT IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERATURE

description: Realism as a literary movement emerged as a response to romantic idealization, emphasizing objective representation of reality, social truth, and everyday human experience. While realism in English literature developed within the context of industrialization and class stratification, Uzbek literary realism evolved under distinct socio-historical conditions, including colonial influence and cultural reform movements. This article conducts a comparative analysis of realism in English and Uzbek literature, focusing on their shared aesthetic principles and divergent ideological, thematic, and stylistic features.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2308343105
title: Unveiling the local structural change upon activation and cycling-induced ageing of carbon nitride-based Pt-Ni electrocatalyst for low tempe

description: This experiment investigates activation and ageing of electrocatalysts (ECs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEM fuel cells. It focuses on hierarchical ECs with PtNix (x=1, 0.3) active sites wrapped in carbon nitride shells (CN HECs), compared to benchmark Pt/C ECs. Activation optimizes structure, increases accessible sites, enhances electronic interactions, and strengthens support bonding, improving initial ORR performance.Accelerated ageing tests then assess long-term stability. Tracking Pt L3-edge and Ni K-edge changes via XAS reveals structural evolution during these processes using a patented electrochemical cell. Previous XAS experiment CH-6948 detected metal agglomeration, alloy formation, and composition changes impacting ORR. Preliminary results show Pt/C ECs degrade more with ageing than CN H-ECs. Overall,the study links activation to ageing resistance, guiding durable EC design for better PEMFCs and encourages green hydrogen adoption.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2308343184
title: High pressure investigation of charge density wave ordering in antiferromagnetic GdNiC2

description: The family of RNiC2 presents a diversity of electronic ground states, including charge density waves (CDW), magnetic ordering and superconductivity. The characteristics of the charge and magnetic ordering, as well as the interrelation of the two, changes significantly upon replacing the rare earth element, an observation partially attributed to chemical pressure effects. In our recent x-ray diffraction (XRD) experiment we have used hydrostatic pressure (HP) as an alternative tuning parameter of the CDW ordering and its interplay with magnetism. This experiment was focused on ferromagnetic SmNiC2 and has revealed a rich (P,T) phase diagram. Here, we propose to extend our HP XRD study to the antiferromagnetic GdNiC2. The aims of the experiment will be to investigate how does the landscape of the CDW instabilities change when a different type of magnetic ordering sets in and how generic is the (P,T) phase diagram and the newly discovered incommensurate CDW to the RNiC2 family.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2308343247
title: Multiscale tomographic characterization of 3D bioprinted glioblastoma multiforme for drug screening

description: This study aims to conduct a detailed analysis of the microenvironment of 3D bioprinted human Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) to
confirm previous data and to introduce key information to define the inductive role of aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) in GBM onset. We
intend to use X-PCI-μCT andXNH-CT to obtain statistically relevant data on the overall structure of 3D bioprinted models and to examine in
detail the local cell aggregation and organization within ECM. The results obtained by nano-holotomography (XNH-CT) allowed, for the first
time, a comprehensive examination of the entire 3D structure and organization of the developed 3D bioprinted models. No other methods are
available to evaluate the whole microenvironment of 3D Bioprinted models. Now we propose to: a) obtain statistically relevant data
(publication in preparation); b) introduce a 3D Biop sample in which “healthy” ECM mimic is employed to confirm our hypothesis on the key
role of ECM in the induction of GBM onset
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307849900
title: Influence of annealing and high energy ion irradiations on the Xe state in UO2

description: Uranium dioxide is used as standard nuclear fuel in light water reactors. During in-reactor operations, UO2 is subjected to simultaneous irradiations of various energetic particles. Fission fragments, like rare gases (Kr, Xe), transfer their energy to atomic nuclei and/or electrons of the UO2 matrix and induce a significant amount of damages, in particular gaseous bubbles, affecting the fuel in pile performances. To better understand the fuel changes, we are studying the Xe bubble growth and re-solution in UO2. Xe implantations at high-fluence were first carried out, followed by various thermal annealing to obtain different bubble populations, and finally different high-energy ion irradiations to promote re-solution. TEM was used to follow the Xe bubble evolution at nanometric scale. XAS measurements would allow us to obtain more information on the Xe state and environment with a larger representative volume after annealing and re-solution.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307849945
title: Cobalt de novo designed metallopeptides as artificial metalloenzyme in hydrogen production.

description: Spy protein is an artificial protein formed by a protein component (SpyCatcher, SC) which binds a specific peptidic sequence (SpyTag, ST). Our research group is involved into the redesign of the ST component to develop artificial catalytic metalloproteins. This project wants to determine the metal coordination sphere of cobalt ion when bound at the metal binding sites of STs and related reconstituted Spy proteins. We are looking to an ATCUN (Amino Terminal Nickel and Copper) binding site. Co(II/III) site is designed to operate catalytic reduction of H+ into H2. At the current stage, GC data demonstrates that these assemblies promote H2 evolution under photocatalytic conditions using Ru(bpy)3. Also, modifying a side chain of ATCUN motif we can impair or promote H2 production; even if it is not directly involve in the coordination. We believe that XAS characterization is essential to elucidate both coordination and oxidation states of Co in correlation with its catalytic behavior.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850042
title: Unravelling early-stage crystallization effects of zeolite formation with combined in situ SAXS, WAXS and impedance spectroscopy

description: We propose in situ synchrotron studies combining impedance spectroscopy and X-ray scattering to investigate early-stage zeolite crystallization from hydrate silicate ionic liquids. Using a custom high-temperature, pressurized cell with integrated electrodes, we aim to resolve elusive induction and nucleation stages. Preliminary results indicate unique conductivity behaviour in systems with excess potassium cations, suggesting distinct dissolution or depolymerization processes. Beamtime at BM26 will enable systematic analysis of these process by structural information from in situ SAXS and WAXS measurements.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850165
title: Carbonation of hydrated cement phases and their hydraulic reactivity: a way towards sustainability and circular economy for cement and concr

description: The carbonation of waste cement and the use of the products in cement formulations can open a way for the mitigation of cement production environmental impact (~6% of global emissions of CO2) and for a circular economy, reducing mineral resource depletion. 
Upon carbonation conditions (i.e. time, humidity, composition), CaCO3 polymorphs as calcite, vaterite, aragonite and amorphous polymeric silicoaluminates (PSA) are formed. Mixed in a cement, they can contribute to strength development and durability. The mechanism and kinetics for CaCO3 and PSA formation and their behaviour during clinker hydration need to account for the role of both crystalline and amorphous species. This is a two step proposal based on s3DXRD/PCT measurements; fist step focuses on the gas-solid carbonation in CO2 atmosphere, monitoring model phases and hydrated cements in different humidity conditions, while step 2 investigates hydraulic reactivity of the products in water/cement mixtures for 48 hours.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850203
title: Real-time gelation on intrinsic length and time scales

description: Following the structure and dynamics in-situ during phase transitions and state changes represents a main subject of soft matter physics, especially during the process of gelation. However, access to dynamics on the relevant next-neighbour length scale is limited by the spatial and temporal resolution of experimental techniques. The evolution of latest detector generations offering event-driven readout such as the TEMPUS detector enables sub-µs time resolution of X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy experiments. This matches the intrinsic time scales of the dynamics of such systems. Here, we propose to make use of such an XPCS scheme to reveal the dynamics during the onset of colloidal gelation, with special attention on the role of hydrodynamics, de Gennes narrowing and dynamical heterogene
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850243
title: Nanoscale stress evolution under tribological loads in a nanocrystalline FeCrMnNiCo high-entropy alloy

description: In transportation ~26% of the primary energy is wasted to overcome friction forces, highlighting the importance of understanding friction and wear. Despite the huge importance of the tribological contact problem, the nanoscale stress field emerging due to the tribological contact is experimentally unknown. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the unknown nanoscopic mechanical response to tribological loads in a nanocrystalline FeCrMnNiCo high entropy alloy and elucidate the lateral and depth-dependent nanoscopic residual stress gradient build-up and microstructural changes. With the enhanced knowledge about the intricacies of microstructural changes and residual stress gradients as well as their origin, a more holistic understanding of the tribological contact problem will be formed and in following surface structures can effectively be tailored to improve tribological properties in the future, thereby allowing to conserve energy and resources.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850310
title: Understanding irradiation assisted hydrogen embrittlement using in situ Bragg Ptychography

description: This study examines irradiation-assisted hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in Ni and Ni-Cr crystals using Bragg Ptychography (BP) at ESRF’s ID01 beamline. HE threatens reactor components and pipelines, but irradiation-induced defects may trap hydrogen, reducing embrittlement. The study tracks radiation- and hydrogen-induced strain in 500 nm Ni/Ni-Cr samples, with Ni ion irradiation simulating neutron damage. Electrochemical hydrogen charging is performed in a 3D-printed flow cell. Findings will help design hydrogen-resistant alloys for industrial use.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850389
title: Fate and Speciation of a Copper-Based Nanopesticide in a OneHealth Approach

description: Copper nanoparticles are widely used in agricultural nanopesticides, raising concerns about their environmental persistence, transformation, and toxicity. Their release into aquatic environments threatens non-target organisms. This project examines the biodistribution and speciation of Kocide 3000® (K3), a Cu(OH)₂-based nanopesticide, compared to its non-nano equivalent, Kocide 2000® (K2), in soil, plants (tomato), aquatic organisms (amphibian larvae), and a mammalian model (mouse) to assess human and environmental health effects. Using ID21, we will map Cu distribution and speciation to determine its uptake, persistence, or transformation. This study is crucial to evaluating the risks of these formulations and will provide key data for regulatory decision-making within a One Health framework.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850425
title: Pressure induced switching of magnetic interaction and magneto-barocaloric effect in a cobalt(II)-niobium(IV) molecular ferromagnet.

description: This proposal seeks to examine pressure-induced changes in the magnetic properties of the 3D coordination polymer {[CoII(pyrazole)4]2[NbIV(CN)8]·4H2O}n, a soft ferromagnet below Tc = 5 K. Magnetic measurements under pressure show a Tc decrease to 3.5 K at 0.3 GPa, followed by a reversal to 5.1 K at 1.2 GPa. Conversely, magnetization declines consistently across the pressure range, indicating a potential modification of magnetic ordering. Magneto-barocaloric effect measurements reveal a significant entropy change tied to pressure variations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction identifies structural modifications and a phase transition near 0.4 GPa. To investigate how external pressure alters magnetic properties and to elucidate the magneto-barocaloric effect, we propose XAS/XMCD measurements at the Nb L2,3 edges at 2.0–3.0 K under applied pressures of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.3 GPa, using a diamond anvil cell at ESRF ID12—the only beamline worldwide capable of probing these edges.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850439
title: Structural distortions as a function of temperature in the rare-earth chromites family

description: The objective of this proposal is to study the structural evolution of several rare-earth chromites RCrO3 (R = La, Pr, Nd, Er, Tm, Yb) from 4 K to 1073 K. We will study their behaviour through the magnetic transition to observe magnetoelastic effects and we will investigate the temperature evolution of several structural features, such as the superexchange angle and the octahedral distortion. The results of this experiment will add to those already obtained in the previous experiment, helping to rationalize the structural behavior of the RCrO3 family as a whole. Besides, the obtained information can be correlated with the spin state of Cr, as well as used to test theoretical models in the field of these quantum materials, which are becoming more promising every day in the field of the information technologies.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850594
title: Kinetics of nitrate reduction reaction over PtCoCu catalysts

description: The study of nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) electrocatalysts has gained significant attention due to their potential to address environmental pollution and produce value-added products such as ammonia. In this proposal, we aim to investigate the structural evolution mechanism of a highly efficient PtCoCu alloy electrocatalyst under working conditions. We will 1) investigate the evolution of Co, Cu, and Pt oxidation states through time-resolved X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements, revealing the dynamic reconfiguration of active sites during the reaction process; 2) quantify the rates of oxidation state changes for Co, Cu, and Pt under different applied potentials, correlating these dynamics with catalytic performance; 3) track the evolution of surface-bound oxygen species (OH⁻/H radicals) under alkaline reaction conditions using differential XANES, providing insights into the role of these species in the NORR.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2307850672
title: Circular Dichroic RIXS Study of Chiral Phonon Current in BIBO Crystal

description: Condensed matter physics has recently witnessed a resurgence of interest in the subject of chirality. This is dueto the possibility of chirality-induced functionalities and topological textures, e.g., in topological van der Waalsmaterials. In addition, the driving of a chiral mode offers a unique approach to manipulating phenomena whichbreak time reversal symmetry on ultrafast timescales. Recently, our group successfully observed chiral phononsin α-quartz, a prototypical chiral crystal, using circular dichroism in resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, CD-RIXS. However, manipulating chirality remains a challenge. To address this, we plan to apply a heat gradientto a chiral crystal which will change the total phonon angular momentum by re-populating the chiral acoustic modes. This creates a chiral phonon current with the chirality defined by the gradient. We plan to observethe non-equilibrium change in left-/right-handed chiral phonon populations using CD-RIXS at the O K-edge.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2313094007
title: Shape memory zirconia-based ceramic micropillars studied by in situ Laue microdiffraction

description: Ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia offers interesting possibilities as a ductile ceramic. This ductility is due to martensitic transformation-induced plasticity. However, the microscopic mechanisms at the origin of the onset of transformation and the influence of factors such as stress level and crystal orientation need to be well understood. In addition, the recoverability by heating (monoclinic to tetragonal phase transformation, m-t) can deepen the understanding of the transformation mechanism. We aim to perform a spatially resolved investigation of strain, crystal orientation and phase nature using Laue microdiffraction on single and bi-crystalline CSTZ micropillars. We plan to perform cycles of in situ compression and in situ heating to promote the direct t-m and m-t phase transformation, respectively.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2334123387
title: Measuring binding energies with RIXS

description: The binding energies of molecular complexes on catalysts govern the catalytic activity. We want to measure them with valence to core RIXS on various Mo containing samples.
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2306847074
title: Exploring the photoinduced carbon dioxide release mechanism over photoswitchable metal-organic frameworks

description: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly promising candidates for CO2 capture, owing to their superior chemical and structural tunability over conventional porous materials. MOFs may also incorporate moieties that undergo conformational changes upon UV irradiation, a property which has been exploited to prepare materials that release CO2 in a controlled manner after being irradiated with UV light, although little mechanistic is available over how the UV-triggered CO2 release process may occur. Here, we intend to perform a combined XAS/XRD characterization of the CO2 uptake and UV-triggered release over PCN-250(Fe), a robust photoswitchable MOF with good CO2 capacity, and its mixed-metal analogues containing also Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) sites. The proposed experiment will provide direct insight on the mechanism of UV-induced release of CO2, which is crucial for the development of improved photoswitchable MOF materials with high real-world application potential in the field of carbon