In bright light, much faster shutter speeds are possible. Often bright-light pictures are sharper, because they capture a shorter moment in time. With such fast picture-taking abilities, scientists will make motion pictures of chemical processes in action. APS X-ray beams can be pulsed like a strobe light to capture images of the intermediate arrangements of atoms and molecules as they react with one another and change shape. These microscopic movies will allow biological and medical researchers to see the movements of every atom in an enzyme as it catalyzes a chemical reaction.
Enzymes help control most of the chemical reactions that take place in the human body.
Such studies will increase science's knowledge of basic biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, DNA replication and protein synthesis. Discoveries made at the APS are expected to enhance the quality of daily life and to improve the nation's economic and technological future. Advances are expected particularly in biotechnology, polymer and advanced materials, medical diagnostics, digital imaging techniques, semiconductor materials and microelectronic circuits. Argonne is operated by the University of Chicago as part of the U.S. Department of Energy 's national laboratory system.