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Molecular Foundry

@molecularfoundry.lbl.gov
1K followers 1.4K following 146 posts

The official account of the Molecular Foundry, a nanoscale science user facility at Berkeley Lab. Researchers from around the world submit proposals to get free access to our experts, state of the art tools, and innovative capability development

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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 01/10/2026
Our Fall 2026 Seminar Series begins Oct 6! Join us hybrid, in person, or on Zoom, Tuesdays at 11 AM PT, for 7 great talks. Full line-up & links: bit.ly/4xTPRba
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 24/09/2026
Happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week! 👏 We're celebrating our amazing postdocs with cake and treats today! 🍰 Thank you for driving innovative nanoscience & supporting our community! 🔬#NPAW2026
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 24/09/2026
One week left! ⏰ Our Fall Proposal Call closes Sept 30. Submit a proposal to access our nanoscience facilities & work with our staff at no cost. Apply here: bit.ly/4ruUkzf
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Rounding out our afternoon session is student paper award winner Kushiro Das, presenting on atomic-scale binary oxide films for energy efficient computing. Congrats Koushik! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Now, our postdoc paper award winner, Feng Pan, now at @utahstate.bsky.social, is presenting his work on high-Q chiral metastases for controlling the spin of electrons and photons. Congrats on your award, Feng!
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
We are back from lunch and our second keynote by John Hartwig from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social is about to start! He’s speaking on upcycling waste plastic into new catalysts! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Closing out our morning session is Sung Sae Hong from @ucdavis.bsky.social, sharing his work on freestanding oxide membranes that can be used for efficient electronics and more! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Next up, Annelise Barron from @stanfordpress.bsky.social is discussing her group’s work on antibacterial peptoids - sequence defined polymers that were originally invented by a Foundry researcher. One of their molecules has received an infectious disease product designation from the FDA! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
We are back from the morning break and now Boubacar Kante from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social is talking about his work on developing scalable and classical semiconductor light sources. Lots of critical tech depends on light &light controlling materials! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Brandon shared this link to the FAIR-Chemistry UMA ‘playground’ - a playground for interactive chemistry. A very cool resource for getting a visual understanding of chemical processes! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Next up, our first keynote speaker, Brandon Wood from Meta, is talking about his team’s work building a “universal model for atoms” - a single model that works out of the box for molecules, materials, and more without specialized fine tuning #MFAUM26
Photo of keynote speaker Brandon Wood from Meta standing at the podium A photo of the keynote talk title slide “scaling quantum accuracy from DFT to MLIPs”
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Foundry Director Ashfia Huq is providing an update on recent and upcoming research initiatives and capabilities. A lot of exciting things happening or coming soon! #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Next, DOE program manager Mikhail Zhernenkov shared updates from the Office of Science, highlighting investments made for the Nanoscale Science Research Centers and to the Foundry in particular #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
Berkeley Lab Director Kathy Yellick delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of cross disciplinary collaboration, the role of user facilities like the Foundry, and new investments being made that are going to bring the best science capabilities to the scientific community @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/08/2026
We are getting ready to start here at our Annual User Meeting! We have a great program that spans the breadth of nanoscale science. Follow along with #MFAUM26.
A poster describing the keynote speakers, Brandon wood and John Hartwig, at the Molecular Foundry Annual User Meeting, along with the titles of the scientific symposia.
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 18/08/2026
Last chance to join us for the Molecular Foundry Annual User Meeting (Aug 20–21)! Virtual registration closes tomorrow! usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov/reg… cc @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
A promotional poster for the Molecular Foundry User Meeting on August 20–21, 2026. It highlights “Last Chance” to register by July 20. Keynote speakers are Brandon Wood from Meta and John Hartwig from UC Berkeley, each with a photo.
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 16/07/2026
July 20 is the deadline to register for our Annual User Meeting in Berkeley (hybrid options available)! Join us to hear keynotes from Brandon Wood (Meta) & John Hartwig (UC Berkeley). Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov cc @berkeleylab.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26 #Foundryat20
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 29/06/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) afternoon sessions: bio-inspired critical materials recovery, core-level spectroscopy (PICKLES), superconducting qubit materials & an AI agents workshop with hands-on DFT tutorial 🤖🧲 Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 28/06/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) morning sessions cover critical metals, soft matter, photonic quantum tech & an MBXAS workshop — hands-on X-ray spectroscopy simulation developed at the Foundry! 🔬⚛️ Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 18/06/2026
We're excited to have Fuzhong Zhang from Wash U in St. Louis for our next seminar! Dr. Zhang will discuss how synthetic biology can be harnessed to create high-performance protein-based materials. Tues., Jun 23 at 11:00 AM PT. zoom link: bit.ly/4ummTPt
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 12/06/2026
#FoundryFriday The World Cup kicks off this week — and nature's been making soccer balls for billions of years. Bacterial protein shells use the same geometry, and our users can now build them outside living cells in under an hour. ⚽🔬 #Foundryat20 #nanoscience #WorldCup2026 bit.ly/49YgmTI
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 12/06/2026
Join us for a seminar with William Borders of NIST! His talk "CMOS-Integrated Novel Device Technologies for Next-Gen Computing" explores hardware that could power the next generation of AI, using novel devices like stochastic magnetic tunnel junctions. Tues., Jun 16 at 11:00 AM PT. Link in bio.
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 05/06/2026
We're hosting Dr. Jie Xu @argonnenationallab/ @uchicago for a joint seminar with the Advanced Light Source on her self-driving laboratory, Polybot an AI-guided platform that autonomously designs, synthesizes, and characterizes advanced polymers.Tues., Jun 9 at 11:00 AM PT
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 01/06/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) afternoon sessions: bio-inspired critical materials recovery, core-level spectroscopy (PICKLES), superconducting qubit materials & an AI agents workshop with hands-on DFT tutorial 🤖🧲 Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 31/05/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) morning sessions cover critical metals, soft matter, photonic quantum tech & an MBXAS workshop — hands-on X-ray spectroscopy simulation developed at the Foundry! 🔬⚛️ Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 29/05/2026
Can we fabricate at the atomic scale & make it practical? Find out at our next seminar with Tito Busani from UNM, whose lab pushes the boundaries of nanolithography using GaN nanowire probes to achieve sub-7 nm resolution patterning for photonics and quantum technologies. Tues., Jun 2 at 11:00 AM PT
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 21/05/2026
Can we build the ultimate water electrolyzer? Find out at our next seminar with Shannon Boettcher from UC Berkeley, whose lab designs materials and devices for clean hydrogen production, CO₂ capture, and electrochemical energy conversion. Tues., May 26 at 11:00 AM PT #CO2capture In person or Zoom.
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/05/2026
✨ #FoundryFriday — on the eve of the International Day of Light, explore 20 years of luminescent nanoparticle science at the Molecular Foundry. From single-protein imaging to avalanching nanoparticles. 🌟 #Foundryat20 #nanoscience 🔗 bit.ly/42q5Bp0
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 14/05/2026
Can a 2D material power quantum technologies? Dr. Sanjay Behura (SDSU) joins us to explore spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride for quantum sensing & communication. Tues. May 19th 11 AM PT In person & Zoom. #nanoscience #BerkeleyLab bit.ly/4euhcut
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 13/05/2026
⏰ Abstract deadline: May 15! Molecular Foundry users — submit your abstract for a contributed talk at our Annual User Meeting. Each symposium includes at least 2 contributed talks, and unselected abstracts are invited to the poster session: bit.ly/4nqRaut #nanoscience
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 09/05/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) afternoon sessions: bio-inspired critical materials recovery, core-level spectroscopy (PICKLES), superconducting qubit materials & an AI agents workshop with hands-on DFT tutorial 🤖🧲 Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 08/05/2026
#FoundryFriday In 2012, Natron Energy founder Colin Wessells came to the Molecular Foundry with fundamental questions about his Prussian blue battery chemistry. Now his company has 250 employees and a gigawatt-scale factory. Check out the full Q&A with Colin: bit.ly/4d4xgkg #Foundryat20
A graphic asking, "What if a 300-year-old pigment could power a data center?" shows a cluster of blue pigment on the left, an arrow with a lightning bolt pointing to an illuminated data center on the right. "Molecular Foundry 20 Years of Discovery" is featured at the bottom.
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 07/05/2026
What if your microscope couldn't zoom in far enough? Dr. Steffi Woo (ORNL) uses electrons instead of light to reveal hidden nanoscale behavior in 2D semiconductors. Join us Mon., May 11 at 1 PM PT, In person or Zoom bit.ly/4uos7dW#nanoscience #2Dmaterials #electronmicroscopy #BerkeleyLab
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 07/05/2026
Our 2026 User Meeting (Aug 20–21) morning sessions cover critical metals, soft matter, photonic quantum tech & an MBXAS workshop — hands-on X-ray spectroscopy simulation developed at the Foundry! 🔬⚛️ Register: usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience #MFAUM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 01/05/2026
#FoundryFriday Meet Arian Gashi — machinist, problem-solver, and the backbone of our machine shop at the Molecular Foundry. From community college music to national lab nanoscience. 🔧 #Foundryat20 #nanoscience bit.ly/49jasvS
"Staff Spotlight for Arian Gashi, Senior Scientific Engineering Associate at Molecular Foundry. Includes a portrait of Gashi, Arian working with a scientific apparatus, and a group of colleagues in lab attire. Text highlights Arian's role in user training and technical support, particularly in nanofab, machining, and fabrication. A quote emphasizes the importance of hands‑on skills in a laboratory environment."
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 28/04/2026
Registration is open for our 2026 Annual User Meeting! 📅 August 20–21, DoubleTree Berkeley Marina, Berkeley CA. Join our nanoscience community for two days of science & collaboration. usermeeting2026.foundry.lbl.gov #nanoscience @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 27/04/2026
What controls reaction kinetics at the catalyst-electrolyte interface? Dr. Yu Huang (UCLA) joins us 4/28 to explore how surface structure, interfacial water, and cation presence shape electrocatalytic performance. Tues, April 28 | 11 AM PT | In person + Zoom. Link in bio! bit.ly/4e2s8zg
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 24/04/2026
🌎 #FoundryFriday + Earth Day! We invented PDK — a plastic that recycles down to its original molecules indefinitely, reducing dependence on petrochemicals & enabling domestic supply chains. 🔗: bit.ly/4cuc9J1 #Foundryat20 #EarthDay #nanoscience @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 22/04/2026
Happy #EarthDay! 🌍 Foundry alum Daniel Sun turned a nanoscience discovery — a MOF that captures gold from e-waste — into Sunchem, recovering 99.9%+ pure gold from circuit boards. 🔗 bit.ly/4vLByWf #Foundryat20 #EarthDay #nanoscience @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 20/04/2026
Spring Seminar Series starts Tues, April 21! 🔬 Dr. Sreekanth Pannala (SABIC) on bridging atomic-scale science and real-world materials performance with physics-informed AI & autonomous experimentation. 11 am PT, Berkeley Lab + Zoom. All welcome! #nanoscience #BerkeleyLab bit.ly/3QkH0iE
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 17/04/2026
Our Spring 2026 Seminar Series starts April 21! 🔬 Nine weeks of cutting-edge nanoscience talks — hybrid Tuesdays at 11am PT. Join us in person at Berkeley Lab or on Zoom. Full schedule: bit.ly/3QcGVHW
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 17/04/2026
#FoundryFriday 🔬 Celebrating World Quantum Day with a glow-up story: A "defect" — tiny nanobubbles in an ultrathin semiconductor — turned out to be the most tunable single-photon source ever demonstrated. Full story: bit.ly/3Q84szH #Foundryat20 #WorldQuantumDay #Nanoscience
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
Congratulations to Yashwanth Balaji for winning the Scientific Discovery category of the #NationalLabSLAM! All of us at @berkeleylab.lbl.gov are super proud of you!! #NLSLAM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
Did you know cosmic rays can disrupt quantum computers? Yash’s work here at the foundry has developed new materials for qubits that can block cosmic rays and prevent them from collapsing
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
Here we gooooo!
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
We’re here watching the #NationalLabSLAm here at @berkeleylab.lbl.gov! The next category is Scientific Discovery and Yashwanth Balaji is about to speak! We’re rooting for you Yash! #NLSLAM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
Congrats to all the energy security finalists. Next up: national security
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
We’re watching the finalists in the Energy Security category now. Very cool work!
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
We are getting set up with our watch party to support Yashwanth Balaji at the #NationalLabSLAM today! Go Yash! @berkeleylab.lbl.gov #NLSLAM26
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Molecular Foundry @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov · 15/04/2026
Behind every breakthrough is a scientist learning, experimenting, and communicating discovery. The Molecular Foundry is excited to see our researcher Yashwanth Balaji share quantum materials research with new audiences at the #NationalLabSLAM today! @berkeleylab.lbl.gov #NLSLAM26
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