The mission of the X-ray Research and Applications Group is to exploit the unique properties of x-rays to characterize atomic structure and gain new insights into materials properties. The group has access to some of the most powerful x-ray instrumentation in the world and has developed new instrumentation and techniques which take advantage of revolutionary x-ray synchrotron sources. The research emphasis of the group is on understanding the role of local atomic structure on materials properties. In addition, group scientists provide new information about the structure of samples of programmatic interest to Metals and Ceramics Division / ORNL scientists and collaborators. The unique characterization tools and techniques of the X-ray Research and Applications Group have also led to close collaborations with scientists throughout the U.S. and around the world.