ISIS Industrial Science Highlights

Industrial Science Highlights

Read how a variety of industrial partners have benefitted from research at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in our Industrial Science Highlights.

Using DNA for data storage
Microsoft researchers based in Redmond, USA, have used neutron irradiation to investigate the resiliency of DNA as a medium for digital data storage.
Monitoring methane movements to understand catalyst degradation
A group of researchers from industry, academia and large-scale facilities has investigated the effect of degradation on the movement of gas molecules through a zeolite catalyst’s pores.
Robotic arm speeds up commercial testing of electric vehicle components
As part of a long-running collaboration with the ChipIr team, electronics company Infineon has adapted a robot arm specifically to help with their neutron irradiation experiments.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy could be a powerful technique in the development of neutron dosimetry
A team of researchers from Italy have tested a miniaturised device using Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy with VESUVIO, a technique, which could be an important tool for nuclear medicine, aerospace, and security applications.
Understanding the ageing mechanism of batteries to improve cycle life at high temperature
Echion Technologies Ltd, a battery technology spinout company from the University of Cambridge, used neutron diffraction and mass spectrometry to achieve greater insight into battery cycle life and help improve performance and material endurance.
A comparison of beam testing and fault injection to predict soft errors
Data obtained at ChipIr on the soft errors rate of Arm microprocessors hardware was compared to earlier estimations by microarchitectural fault injection to examine the accuracy of this method.
Evaluating charged particle spectra could reduce errors in designing essential computing and memory devices
A team of researchers from RIKEN, KEK and the Universities of Kyushu, Osaka, and Tokyo have collaborated on evaluating the vulnerability of semiconducting devices to avoid future errors.
Cycle Highlights - Summer 2023
As always, this ISIS experimental cycle has been an incredible, varied display of scientific experiments! Let us take a look back at some of the work our users were investigating this time…
Economic Impact Award 2023
The winner of the economic award is Timothy Johnson from Johnson Matthey, for their work demonstrating the viability of a scalable route to synthesising gas storage materials.
X-ray robot tested for use on Engin-X
As part of an STFC Cross-Cluster Proof-of-Concept grant, the company Stress-Space Ltd has been testing the feasibility of using an X-ray robot on Engin-X to carry out simultaneous neutron and X-ray diffraction measurements on engineering components.
Applied Graphene Materials plc
This case study is part of a set reflecting the impact of ISIS science reported as part of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Solving the stability issue of heat-storage materials to reduce fuel poverty
Siemens Energy use Engin-X to test a new gas turbine production method
Neutron diffraction was used to study the microstructure of samples produced using laser powder bed fusion, while they were being compressed.
New repair solutions and lifetime extensions for the aerospace industry
ISIS engineers’ unique technical expertise is informing industrial ion source development
The ISIS Low Energy Beams Group have been collaborating with the company Kinectrics Ltd to help them develop a new commercial ion source.
A Sustainable Fluid for Fake Falling Snow
Fundamental insights into the interfacial structure of polymers and surfactants leads to world-leading eco-friendly artificial falling snow
Understanding silicon photovoltaics one muon at a time
Researchers at ISIS have been investigating a new technique for characterising the charge carrier lifetime of silicon substances, such as those used in solar cells.
Using neutrons to study the building blocks of aeroplane wings
Neutron diffraction has been used to understand how to prevent aircraft components being deformed during manufacturing.
Using SANS to study super duplex stainless steel
A study of phase separation in super duplex stainless steel could help to develop future alloys that are less susceptible to long-term thermal degradation.
ISIS scientist’s unique technical expertise helps start-up increase productivity
Thanks to funding from STFC’s Business and Innovations Directorate, Stephen Nneji from ISIS has been able to help Stress-Space Ltd develop software that has been critical for the company’s growth.
Using structural knowledge to design solid-state battery electrolytes
By understanding how the chemical structure of a new series of electrolyte materials impacts their ability to transport lithium ions, researchers gain an insight into how to design better battery materials in the future.
Testing a cheaper, quicker method of making spacecraft components
Researchers from ESA and their commercial partners have used ISIS to test a new manufacturing method that could be used to build propellant tanks for spacecraft.
Johnson Matthey uses Tosca to test the viability of scaling up production of a gas storage material
The feasibility of a large-scale synthesis route for the metal organic framework material ZIF-8 that is economic and environmentally favourable has been investigated using inelastic neutron scattering.
Inelastic neutron scattering reveals the extent of active dissolution from Lucideon’s iCRT platform technology.
Lucideon, a leader in material technologies accessed inelastic neutron scattering at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source to explore and develop its drug delivery solutions and formulation development tools benefitting a range of industry sectors.
Transcontinental testing of electronic chips
Using remote access during a period of travel restrictions, researchers from Brazil and Italy were able to test the resilience of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) using ChipIr.
AstraZeneca uses Sans2D to understand potential new mRNA production method
Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca recently developed an automated technique to generate lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery and used neutrons to investigate how it compared to standard production methods.
Formulating engine lubricants for modern fuels and hardware
Lubrizol has used small angle neutron scattering at ISIS to learn more about how additives neutralise a type of acid formed in engine lubricant that is more common when biofuels are used.
Infineum commissions new sample environment to study engine oil components
Speciality chemical company Infineum has used a new neutron reflectivity setup to recreate what happens to surfactants inside an engine.
Tea and liquorice: a recipe for sustainable detergents and toiletries?
A UK consortium including ISIS researchers have characterised the behaviour of naturally occurring surfactants, learning more about how their molecular structure influences their solution self-assembly properties.
Self-assembling surfactants organise into fractal formations
A research collaboration with the University of Bristol and GlaxoSmithKline has investigated surfactant self-assembly in a ‘green’ solvent, finding that counter-ion condensation causes the formation of fractal dendrites.
Studying suncream using SANS
The microstructure of suncream, and its dependence on the presence of UV filters and preservatives, has been measured using SANS for the first time.
Testing a treatment for preserving paintings
A group of scientists has developed an experimental setup on IMAT that has enabled them to test methods to prevent precious textiles from moisture damage.
Lower energy neutrons need a different recipe for effective concrete shielding
Industrial users have brought barite-enriched concrete to the VESUVIO beamline to test the effectiveness of its radiation shielding at lower neutron energies
Does it matter if shellfish food is left-handed or right-handed?
Scientists from Evonik Nutrition & Care, Evonik Operations GmbH and the University of Reading have used inelastic neutron scattering alongside other techniques to study the differences between two forms of a new feed supplement for marine organisms.
Novel IMAT experiment helps Rolls-Royce Plc with crystal conundrum
A new characterisation method has been used on the IMAT beamline to determine the 3D structure of materials used in gas turbine engines.
ISIS beamlines help Unilever develop biodegradable products
Using a range of scattering techniques at ISIS to investigate how naturally occurring surfactants interact with their synthetic analogues, Unilever scientists have gained an insight into developing more eco-friendly products.
Neutron tomography of pistons at IMAT
IMAT helps to understand where and how coking occurs on engine components
Neutrons reveal water clusters, which could explain the behaviour of amorphous pharmaceuticals
Engin-X used to investigate how hydrogen embrittlement can cause industrial steels to fail
By studying how the structure of super duplex stainless steel samples changes under stress in the presence of hydrogen, the effect of the gas on structural integrity has been examined, and a model produced to inform industrial applications.
Vanadium research on Larmor is awarded “most outstanding”
An investigation studying micro-alloyed steels on Larmor has been given the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Vanadium Award for the most outstanding paper in the metallurgy and technology of vanadium and its alloys.
Temperature and chain length determine rate of exchange of chains between diblock copolymer nanoparticles
The speciality chemicals company Lubrizol has used neutron scattering at ISIS to investigate the rate of copolymer chain exchange in nanoparticles comprising diblock copolymers of differing chain lengths at various temperatures.
Uncovering the effect of pesticides on the waxy layer of plants
A team from the University of Manchester, ISIS and Syngenta, have been using a combination of analytical techniques in order to study the efficiency of pesticides in the development of agri-sprays, which are commonly used in the agricultural industry.
Textbook skin cream structure is wrong
Neutrons at ISIS reveal that the microstructure of skin creams is more complex than previously thought.
Biodiesel under high pressure
High-pressure studies of one of the main components of biodiesel, methyl stearate, have shown the different crystal structures adopted by the compound. This has implications for the use of biofuels in modern diesel engines.
Cobham use ChipIr to bring product to market
Cobham RAD Europe Ltd have brought a new product to market thanks to STFC’s Bridging for Innovators (B4I) programme, which enabled them to access the unique capability offered by the ChipIr beamline for cosmic radiation testing.
Ionix Advanced Technologies - new materials for new applications
Ionix Advanced Technologies have developed a range of novel piezoelectrics that can be tailored for industrial use, based on experiments using ISIS and Diamond Light Source.
Neutrons – a breath of fresh air for the offshore wind turbine industry
ENGIN-X has helped tackle one of the most pressing concerns facing the offshore wind turbine industry – the assessment of the structural integrity of turbine foundations.
What makes a good fire-fighting foam?
Researchers at the University of Bristol are using neutrons to investigate fluorocarbon surfactants (soap-like molecules) used in fire-fighting foams to uncover more efficient and environmentally friendly formulations.
Improving the efficiency of engine fuel delivery – one neutron at a time
Scientists from City, University of London and Lubrizol Limited have been using neutron technology at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source to test the role that modern additives have in increasing the efficiency of fuel injectors.
The ISIS Economic Impact Award– activated carbon catalysts
The winners of the ISIS Economic Impact Award used neutrons to gain a greater understanding of activated carbons that will inform future product developments for their industrial partner Chimet S.p.A.
Examining the lifetime of Laundry Detergent Pods
An Industrial-Academic collaboration of scientists have been using neutron reflectometry at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source to investigate surface segregation in water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol films found in common household laundry detergent pods.
Testing the robustness of space electronics against more than 100,000 years’ worth of neutrons
Of the many challenges involved in space travel the threat of high energy neutrons may have never crossed your mind. But these subatomic particles can disrupt the electronics that space missions rely on, so we must thoroughly test their impact.
Inhibiting the growth of the world’s largest gas resource
Natural gas hydrates may be a vast untapped energy resource but they cause severe problems in oil and gas pipelines and are potent greenhouse gases. To improve our understanding of these problematic compounds methane hydrate was studied using neutrons.
Stuck on you – SURF reflectometer reveals adsorption qualities of a novel class of bio-therapeutics
A collaboration of scientists from the University of Manchester and MedImmune LLC have used neutron reflection at ISIS to investigate the interfacial adsorption of a monoclonal antibody at the solid/water interface.
Open University and EDF Energy collaborate to extend the life of Advanced Gas Cooler Reactors
As one of the UK’s largest energy providers, EDF Energy operate 14 Advanced Gas Cooler Reactors (AGRs) to generate low carbon electricity.
Testing samples for Rolls Royce
Nickel based superalloys are a class of material designed for high-temperature applications, such as turbine blades for jet engines. During the manufacturing process single crystal turbine blades are subject to a series of heat treatments.
Using neutron scattering to address complex additive challenges
Understanding the mechanism by which detergent particles are formed is crucial for their improved development and design.
Neutrons could reveal how pesticides protect crops
Scientists have created a model of a leaf’s waxy surface, similar to those found in wheat crops, in a project supported by the agrochemical company, Syngenta.
Optimising machining strategies for Boeing
Understanding the development and distribution of residual stresses caused by machining is key to improving machining processes.
Breaking the Barriers to a solar Future
Researchers at the University of Sheffield, University of Durham and ISIS in collaboration with Start-up Company Ossila are using neutron reflectometry to look the formation of plastic solar cell films.
Building safer ships with Lloyd’s Register
Ultrasonic peening (UP) is a technique for improving the fatigue performance of welded joints.
Testing new welding techniques for the nuclear industry with AREVA
Introduction of new designs, novel fabrication methods or modifications to existing plant in the nuclear power generation industry are subject to intense scrutiny to ensure that safety is not compromised.
A fine blue Line - Just how reliable are home pregnancy tests?
The earliest home pregnancy test can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt where women tested their urine on wheat and barley seeds.
What do you do when the oil runs out? You make it!
Neutrons have been used to understand Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, an industrial process for generating gasoline and diesel from a variety of carbon sources.
Helping make hydrogen cars a reality
Toyota, who hope to release a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015, have been working with ISIS scientists to address a key challenge: hydrogen loss during cycling.
Assessing neutron-induced effects on NVIDIA Graphics Processing Units
Neutron radiation can damage graphics processing units (GPUs), so industry is interested in investigating what the effects could be.
TWI examines the acceptability of flaws in pipelines under high plastic strain
The outcome of a study carried out by engineering consultancy TWI and ISIS has important implications for the oil, gas and nuclear industries.
Letting the train take the strain
A consortium of train manufacturers, operators and standards bodies have used Engin-X to understand cracking in train wheels.
The Linde Group launches revolutionary carbon nanotube ink with help from ISIS
The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company, has launched SEERe-Ink, a revolutionary ink based on carbon nanotubes for use in flat screen TVs, touchscreens and solar cells.
A three-pronged attack on zeolites for the petrochemical industry
In the petrochemical industry the separation of propylene from propane is both an important and challenging process. The current process, cryogenic distillation, is one of the most energy demanding in the whole refinery.
Solar flares, muons and micro-electronics – what’s the connection?
Here on Earth, such spectacular solar flares seem far away but in fact these extra-terrestrial events are a cause for concern in our modern digital world.
Giving industry a clearer understanding of catalysts
ISIS has provided a manufacturer of industrial catalysts with unprecedented atomic-scale insights into one of their key products.
ISIS helps UK magnesium producer with a cracking problem
Scientists from ISIS have worked in partnership with UK company Magnesium Elektron to solve manufacturing challenges.
Case study: Made in Oxfordshire
Partnership with world-class ISIS neutron source helps Oxfordshire business develop state-of-the-art products.
Welding the unweldable
Neutron diffraction is helping aerospace engineers perfect ways of welding advanced alloys that are difficult to join.