Alexander and Diana are studying the thermal and structural properties of polymer-carbon composites.

As part of the Twinning programme, they participated in an experiment led by Professor Richard Thompson of Durham University. This research focused on branched soil-release polymers as components of modern laundry formulations. This allowed them to explore the potential of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) for macromolecular systems with wide practical applications. Leide Cavalcanti, the local contact for the experiment, provided them with a thorough introduction to the SANS method and the available sample environment, particularly with regard to low-temperature measurements.

During Alexander and Diana's time at ISIS, staff members Oleg Kirichek and Oleksandr Tomchuk gave them tours across the facility and introduced them to the support laboratories equipped with complementary techniques.

This invaluable experience will enable them to prepare competitive proposals for neutron beamtime in the future and apply neutron scattering in their projects.

 NEPHEWS is a European Union funded project providing access to the world-class collective of Europe's premiere advanced neutron, synchrotron and free-electron laser research infrastructures to promote curiosity-driven excellence in research.

Find out more:

B.I. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine: https://ilt.kharkiv.ua/bvi/index_e.html

The NEPHEWS project: https://beamtime.eu/

The Twinning programme: https://beamtime.eu/programmes-support/twinning/