Transformational scientific discovery and the grand challenges in energy demand novel molecules and materials. Thus, a key part of Argonne’s overarching mission is the rationale design and synthesis of new substances displaying revolutionary scientific phenomena or use-inspired functionality. A central element of our strategy for accomplishing this is a strong emphasis on developing the science of materials synthesis – predicting and controlling not only where but also ultimately how to place individual atoms and molecules within a structure to achieve breakthrough properties. In this talk, I will highlight our efforts within this framework to understand the synthesis-structure-property relationships of multicomponent epitaxial heterostructures. Using the two examples of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition  of epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ and of (In,Ga)N, this talk will illustrate how in-situ synchrotron x-ray scattering and fluorescence can be utilized to explore complex synthesis processes in real time, and probe the physics of cooperative phenomena in an extremely well-controlled environment.

This work was supported by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences, under contract DE-AC02-06CH11357..