EU Funding of One Million Euros for Neutron Scattering
24 August 2015
Forschungszentrum Jülich is to receive funds of over one million Euros for the development of new methods and technologies for research with neutrons. The planned scientific work is part of the infrastructure project “Science and Innovation with Neutrons in Europe” (SINE2020), which will begin in October for a duration of four years. Research facilities from 13 countries will take part in the project. SINE2020 is supported by the EU framework programme HORIZON 2020 for research and innovation.
SINE2020 should ensure that the novel research opportunities and the innovation potential at the European Spallation Sourse ESS, currently under construction, will be put to optimal use from the very beginning. The ESS plans to commence operations in Lund, Sweden, in 2019. This European cooperation project will constitute the most powerful neutron source in the world and offer unique research opportunities for the estimated 10,000 neutron users in Europe – the largest neutron user community in the world. In particular, proteins and polymers can be researched with much greater success than has been possible at present-day sources.
Forschungszentrum Jülich is taking part in four separate work packages: firstly in the development of new synthesis methods for deuterated monomers and polymers, which enable important raw materials for plastics manufacture as well as for photovoltaic and LED technology to be studied. Secondly, it will be involved in the development of new processes with which proteins can be crystalized. Using these crystals, the structure of proteins can be determined, which is important in medical research, for example. A further package is aimed at the development of a novel type of detector with improved count rates, able to process the higher signal intensity used at the ESS. The fourth work package involves the development of user-friendly software to efficiently process the much larger volumes of data which can be collected during research at the ESS.
Neutron scattering is a versatile scientific research tool with a range of unique applications. It reveals where atoms are and how they move. Unlike other methods, it can detect light elements or magnetic properties and is at the same time gentle on samples. Neutron research is, however, only possible using specialized large-scale instruments.
Participating Institutes:
Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS)
Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics – Electronic Systems (ZEA-2)(in German)