Jülich Neutron Scientists Inaugurate Unique Device in the USA

European researchers obtain access to world’s strongest neutron source

09-Nov-2009 - USA

A unique large-scale research device from Jülich went into operation in the USA. At the strongest neutron source in the world, the spallation source SNS in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Forschungszentrum Jülich inaugurated a so-called neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometer. The NSE spectrometer enables detailed observations to be made of the motion of proteins and polymers. It will thus help to develop improved plastics or to understand metabolic processes in cells.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

With the Jülich neutron spin echo spectrometer it is possible to measure minimal velocity changes of neutrons hitting the sample.

"Neutron scattering gives us unique insights into matter and is absolutely indispensable as a scientific method both for basic and also application-oriented research in materials science, medicine and biology," said Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt, member of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich. "With our branch office at the SNS we are making the world’s strongest pulsed spallation source accessible to German and European scientists."

Neutrons are the electrically neutral building blocks of atomic nuclei. They are generated in research reactors or spallation sources and in special devices, so-called "diffractometers" and "spectrometers", neutrons are guided onto the samples to be investigated. These neutron beams "bounce off" the atoms and molecules of the samples and in doing so they may change their direction and speed. The nature of this "scattering" provides information about the arrangement and motion of the atoms in the sample, which cannot be visualized by complementary methods such as X-rays or electron microscopes. Jülich scientists use neutrons to investigate, for example, magnetic materials for information technology or so-called soft matter, which includes industrially important plastics as well as proteins of interest to medicine.

"This is the first time that an instrument of this type has been constructed at a neutron source such as SNS. The Jülich neutron spin echo spectrometer has the highest resolution in the world. We have developed innovative technologies especially for this purpose, such as superconducting coils with extremely homogeneous magnetic fields," said Prof. Dieter Richter from Forschungszentrum Jülich. Forschungszentrum Jülich is focusing its expertise in neutron research at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) and maintains branch offices at Germany's strongest neutron source, FRM II, at Garching near Munich, as well as at the very high flux reactor in Grenoble, France, and now at the world’s strongest neutron source, SNS at Oak Ridge, USA. Richter continued: "With the NSE spectrometer at SNS we will be able to observe the slow movements inside proteins that determine their function. Furthermore, we will be able to investigate the molecular redistributions in polymers which define their mechanical properties and their processibility."

Funding for the device costing roughly € 15 million – designed and constructed by Jülich scientists – was provided by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Other news from the department science

These products might interest you

ERASPEC

ERASPEC by eralytics

Spectral Fuel Analysis in Seconds with ERASPEC

Fast delivery of over 40 fuel parameters at the push of a button

Agera

Agera by HunterLab Europe

Measure color and gloss level simultaneously - in seconds

Easy-to-use colorimeter: standard-compliant, robust and precise

colorimeters
Microspectrometer

Microspectrometer by Hamamatsu Photonics

Ultra-compact microspectrometer for versatile applications

Precise Raman, UV/VIS and NIR measurements in portable devices

microspectrometers
PlasmaQuant 9100

PlasmaQuant 9100 by Analytik Jena

PlasmaQuant 9100 Series of ICP-OES Instruments

Reveal the Details That Matter

ICP-OES spectrometer
SPECORD PLUS

SPECORD PLUS by Analytik Jena

SPECORD PLUS Series - Maximum precision in UV/Vis

The modern classic guarantees the highest quality

contrAA 800

contrAA 800 by Analytik Jena

contrAA 800 Series – Atomic Absorption. Redefined

The best of classical atomic absorption and ICP-OES spectrometry are combined in the contrAA 800

ICP-OES spectrometer
INVENIO

INVENIO by Bruker

FT-IR spectrometer of the future: INVENIO

Freely upgradeable and configurable FT-IR spectrometer

FTIR spectrometers
ALPHA II

ALPHA II by Bruker

Chemical analysis made easy: compact FT-IR system

Increase the efficiency of your routine analyses with user-friendly technology

FTIR spectrometers
NANOPHOX CS

NANOPHOX CS by Sympatec

Particle size analysis in the nano range: Analyzing high concentrations with ease

Reliable results without time-consuming sample preparation

particle analyzers
ZEEnit

ZEEnit by Analytik Jena

Zeeman Technology for Maximum Sensitivity – Matching any Analytical Problem

Transverse-heated graphite furnace for optimum atomization conditions and high sample throughput

AAS spectrometers
S2 PICOFOX

S2 PICOFOX by Bruker

Fast and precise trace element analysis on the move

TXRF technology for minimal samples and maximum efficiency

total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometers
S4 T-STAR

S4 T-STAR by Bruker

TXRF spectrometer: Sub-ppb detection limits & 24/7 analytics

Minimal operating costs because no gases, media or lab equipment are required

total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometers
2060 Raman Analyzer

2060 Raman Analyzer by Metrohm

Self-calibrating inline Raman spectrometer

Analyze solids, liquids and gases - for reproducible, accurate results in the process

novAA®  800

novAA® 800 by Analytik Jena

The Analyzer 4 You - novAA 800-Series

The reliable all-rounder, making routine analysis efficient and cost-effective

PlasmaQuant MS Elite

PlasmaQuant MS Elite by Analytik Jena

LC-ICP-MS Is the Key to the World of Elemental Species

Highest Sensitivity and Lowest Detection Limits with PlasmaQuant MS Series and PQ LC

Micro-Z ULS

Micro-Z ULS by Rigaku

Accurately measure sulphur content in fuels: WDXRF analyser

Reliable routine analyses with 0.3 ppm detection limit and compact design

WDXRF spectrometers
ZSX Primus IV/IVi

ZSX Primus IV/IVi by Rigaku

High-precision WDXRF analysis for industrial applications

Maximum sensitivity and throughput for light elements and complex samples

NEX CG II

NEX CG II by Applied Rigaku Technologies

Elemental analysis at ppb level for exact results

X-ray fluorescence spectrometers
BIOS ANALYTIQUE - Soluciones de Renting y Leasing para laboratorios

BIOS ANALYTIQUE - Soluciones de Renting y Leasing para laboratorios by Bios Analytique

Specialists in the rental and leasing of scientific equipment for laboratories throughout Europe

Whether you have an unexpected requirement or limited budget, we have the perfect solution for you

lab equipment
SPECTRO ARCOS

SPECTRO ARCOS by SPECTRO Analytical Instruments

The inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) for highest demands

The top-of-line SPECTRO ARCOS ICP-OES analyzer evolves elemental analysis to the next level

ICP-OES spectrometer
Loading...

Most read news

More news from our other portals

So close that even
molecules turn red...