As a mechanic, it’s my responsibility to lathe, drill, and mill parts for GSECARS experiments.  We're capitalizing on the quarantined time by training me as a CAD designer and CNC operator through MecSoft.

I have been analyzing x-ray scattering and reflectivity data from magnesium oxide and manganese oxide mineral surfaces, planning for future experiments with collaborators across the United States, and remotely helping with the development of ultra-violet light disinfection methods for face masks at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

I am working on software and XAFS databases.

I’ve been analyzing data collected in past beam times, writing papers, and coordinating a group effort to redesign beamline operation GUI interfaces.  The LVP group has weekly BlueJeans meetings (Friday 11-12).  Man Xu, the new post-doc, will also join the meeting starting this Friday.

I am currently working on a research paper regarding silicate melts and glass.

It’s business as usual for me.  Much of my job (pre-COVID19) was handled remotely, so my quarantine workload isn’t all that different than what I’m used to.  With the exception of my kids standing over my shoulder much of the day. 😊

I am working on a new I/O board for a Raspberry Pi.  The Raspberry Pi runs the Epics IOC software.

Currently working with Dr. Eng and other PSD staff on further development of mk2 prototype UV-C enclosure for disinfecting N95 masks for UCMC hospital.  Juggling immediate needs of that project with requests from GSECARS scientists for projects in anticipation of return to work.

I am staying at home analyzing data collected from previous beamtime; writing up manuscripts; modifying beamline control windows for better user experience; doing as much as possible through the internet to get things prepared for the upcoming beamtime.

I am working on the slides for the Frolic Goats high pressure diffraction workshop (https://frogo.home.amu.edu.pl/). I was invited to give a (tele-)oral presentation there next Monday about the research capability at BMC.

Jingui Xu is working on the synchrotron X-ray data collected in March 2020.

I'm missing the rest of the gsecars staff and working with all our users at the beamline. But while making sure they all stay safe by self distancing, I'm finding time to work with a number of our users remotely on publications of their work done at 13IDE. In particular our NSF and NASA funded studies on valence state oxybarometers. I'm also hoping to have ready for publication our first with on using HERFD spectroscopy to look at copper direction in magmas. Matt, Steve and I have really pushed on developing this new capability at the microprobe and I'm excited to share our first experimental progress with the community.

I am working on beamline upgrade and software optimization related to the diamond anvil cell program, data analysis and reviewing papers/proposals.

During present lockdown, in addition to two submitted white papers (remote collaboration with Physics Department at UNLV, or the University of Nevada Las Vegas), on one of which we have already received an invitation to participate in the forum via Zoom in May, and completed revision of a manuscript on experiments conducted at GSECARS (also remote collaboration with HIGP, or Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology), Dr. Ryu and I continue to collaborate on processing Brillouin, Raman and X-Ray diffraction data alongside with preparing a manuscript (Dr. Zhenxian Liu from NSLS-II at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Mr. Brian Yulga from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are external collaborators) on mode assignments in one of the profoundly insensitive energetic materials.

I have been busy catching up on user statistics, updating the publication database, following up on purchase orders, deliveries and invoices.  We have new hires soon to come onboard (hopefully) and I have tried to help facilitate communication between staff while we are working from home.  Answering user and staff questions about the 2020-2 and beyond schedules has resulted in overuse of the phase "I have no idea"!