Jülich Neutron Scientists Inaugurate Unique Device in the USA
European researchers obtain access to world’s strongest neutron source
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
"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.
Most read news
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
ERASPEC by eralytics
Spectral Fuel Analysis in Seconds with ERASPEC
Fast delivery of over 40 fuel parameters at the push of a button
Microspectrometer by Hamamatsu Photonics
Ultra-compact microspectrometer for versatile applications
Precise Raman, UV/VIS and NIR measurements in portable devices
NANOPHOX CS by Sympatec
Particle size analysis in the nano range: Analyzing high concentrations with ease
Reliable results without time-consuming sample preparation
SPECORD PLUS by Analytik Jena
SPECORD PLUS Series - Maximum precision in UV/Vis
The modern classic guarantees the highest quality
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
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
PlasmaQuant 9100 by Analytik Jena
PlasmaQuant 9100 Series of ICP-OES Instruments
Reveal the Details That Matter
INVENIO by Bruker
FT-IR spectrometer of the future: INVENIO
Freely upgradeable and configurable FT-IR spectrometer
ALPHA II by Bruker
Chemical analysis made easy: compact FT-IR system
Increase the efficiency of your routine analyses with user-friendly technology
Agera by HunterLab Europe
Measure color and gloss level simultaneously - in seconds
Easy-to-use colorimeter: standard-compliant, robust and precise
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
novAA® 800 by Analytik Jena
The Analyzer 4 You - novAA 800-Series
The reliable all-rounder, making routine analysis efficient and cost-effective
2060 Raman Analyzer by Metrohm
Self-calibrating inline Raman spectrometer
Analyze solids, liquids and gases - for reproducible, accurate results in the process
LUMiFlector by LUM
Inline & Atline MRS Spectrometer for Determination of Product Properties within a Few Seconds
It determines fat, protein and dry matter content in milk and dairy products
S2 PICOFOX by Bruker
Fast and precise trace element analysis on the move
TXRF technology for minimal samples and maximum efficiency
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
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
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 by Applied Rigaku Technologies
Elemental analysis at ppb level for exact results
Quantaurus-QY by Hamamatsu Photonics
High-speed UV/NIR photoluminescence spectrometer
Precise quantum yield measurements in milliseconds without reference standards
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.