ISIS TOSCA Science Highlights

TOSCA Science Highlights

Our Science Highlight articles cover the diverse research that takes place at our facility. Read all our Science Highlight articles using TOSCA below:

A new generation of anticancer drugs
Researchers from University of Warwick are developing a new generation of organometallic anticancer drugs.
Could the first synthetic pigment be on a revival tour?
Researchers from the Aveiro Institute of Materials and ISIS created a new model of cuproriviate, commonly known as Egyptian Blue, through experimental and computational methods.
Inelastic Neutron Scattering contributing to the development of more sustainable catalysts
Inelastic neutron spectroscopy has been used to probe the location of defects in manganese oxide nanoparticles, with hopes the findings will contribute to the optimization of catalyst synthesis.
Investigating hydration in ancient egyptian leathers
New research from our ISIS@MACH ITALIA collaboration has uncovered information on the hydration levels in a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Surprises found in combined diffraction and spectroscopy study
A study of iron pentacarbonyl has revealed some unexpected results, thanks to the unique insight gained from using neutrons.
Light it up – Disentangling the structure of next-generation photovoltaic materials with TOSCA
A brand-new study unveils the elusive atomic structure of a highly anticipated photovoltaic material, thanks to the use of TOSCA’s capabilities.
Designing porous materials for selective and reversible gas storage
Neutron and synchrotron X-ray studies have enabled researchers to understand the behaviour of gas molecules inside porous framework materials, informing the development of new sorbents for gas storage and separation.
Using neutrons to analyse the suitability of a carbon neutral catalyst for the sustainable production of biofuel.
Scientists from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency have used neutrons to investigate if a catalyst made from a waste product in an early stage of biofuel production can be used as a catalyst in one of the later stages.
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.
Hydrogen bonding in protonic ionic liquids probed by TOSCA and state-of-the-art solid-state calculations
This study reports, for the first time, an exhaustive, computationally supported study of protonic ionic liquids using inelastic neutron spectroscopy.
TOSCA hunts the dynamics of the elusive cubic ice Ic
After initial characterisation on HRPD, researchers have used other neutron techniques to understand an unusual type of ice.
Illuminating samples inside the beamline
A new sample cell that can be used for inelastic neutron scattering whilst a sample is being illuminated has been developed and successfully used on Tosca.
What makes an explosive go bang?
Researchers have used Tosca to investigate how the structure of an energetic material dictates its sensitivity
Hydrogen Storage Research at ISIS
A video interview of three collaborators who have used ISIS for their research on hydrogen storage materials.
Lanthanides and ligands combined form a new perovskite-like series
Researchers from the University of Kent have used TOSCA to characterise a new series of perovskite-like compounds that combine inorganic and organic building blocks.
Neutrons optimise high efficiency catalyst for greener approach to biofuel synthesis
Neutron scattering for catalysis – special issue
The journal Topics in Catalysis has published a special issue focussing on the impact of neutron scattering on catalysis studies, which features a variety of research carried out at ISIS.
Using catalysts to improve yield of light olefins from sustainable biomass
Using TOSCA and MAPS researchers were able to study zeolite catalysts that alter reaction pathways to produce a higher yield of light olefins from compounds derived from a sustainable biomass source.
The science behind extra virgin olive oil’s antioxidant properties
The first-ever study to look at the antioxidant properties of extra virgin olive oil with a neutron scattering instrument has been conducted at ISIS, in collaboration with the ISIS@MACH ITALIA Research infrastructure (IMI), hub of ISIS.
Feature article: investigations into porous materials
From gas storage to catalysis, porous materials have a range of possible applications, and neutrons are used in many ways to characterise their performance.
Probing vibrational modes in an organic semiconductor using neutrons
ISIS scientists have used inelastic neutron scattering to study the low energy vibrational modes of the organic semiconductor TCNQ.
Molecular machines that pick up good vibrations
The effect of vibrations on the energy barriers of hydrogen-deuterium exchange in a molecular machine has been shown to cause a 400-fold increase in the rate of reaction.
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.
What damage does bleaching cause to your hair?
Neutron experiments have been used to study the effect of bleaching on human hair at the atomic level.
Discovery of “killer” phonon mode informs the search for new organic semiconductors
Inelastic Neutron Scattering reveals surprisingly small hydrogen-hydrogen distances
The first observations of very tightly spaced hydrogen atoms in a metal hydride open up the possibility of new hydrogen-storage materials and creating superconductors that operate near room temperature and pressure.
Xpress access to TOSCA leads to the quick characterisation of a catalyst for hydrofluorination
By using a combination of methods, including inelastic neutron scattering, the addition of hydrogen fluoride to a commercial catalyst has been investigated, and its hydrofluorination capability tested.
Investigating SnIP, the first atomic‐scale double helical semiconductor
New mechanism observed for CO2 transfer in flexible MOFs
Sulfur Dioxide: from toxic gas to industrial ingredient
An international team, led by scientists from the University of Manchester, have developed a new material that can reversibly adsorb sulfur dioxide from waste gas streams.
Looking inside a zeolite to understand its catalytic selectivity
A study combining inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) has given scientists a unique view inside the zeolite catalyst ZSM-5, enabling them to understand the selectivity of its reaction with hydrocarbon molecules.
A new perspective on how hydrogen bonds with platinum catalysts
Neutrons have enabled ISIS scientists to study the full range of bonding methods between hydrogen and platinum, including those previously unseen using traditional spectroscopy techniques.
Low frequency vibrations expose the interactions of anti-cancer drugs confined in the pores of a metal organic framework
Researchers have been able to investigate the interactions between a drug molecule and the framework that can be used to trap it.
Breaking the limit of breaking down lignin
Scientists from the University of Manchester, the East China University of Science and Technology and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source have worked together on one of the hardest tasks in biomass conversion: breaking the limit of lignin monomer production.
Neutrons probe chemical and enzymatic organic removal methods
The study of bone tissue by vibrational spectroscopy may have a high impact in several areas from bioarcheology to regenerative medicine; Adriana Mamede and a team of researchers have been analysing human bone aiming at the development of biomaterials
Neutrons used to study sustainable sugar-based plastic
Researchers have used inelastic neutron scattering to study the properties of a sugar-based plastic that could start to replace conventional plastic bottles in the near future.
The power of Metal-Organic Frameworks – collaborative research at Harwell Campus paves the way for innovation
From using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to trap nuclear waste to evidencing the first liquid MOF, pioneering research involving Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source is advancing our understanding of these remarkable materials.
Using Vibrations to Understand the Detailed Dynamics of Metal-Organic Frameworks
New research using spectroscopy and theory investigates what vibrational modes can tell us about of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Understanding the behaviour of MOFs is important for their potential use in technologies that may benefit society.
Neutron Scattering in Catalysis and Energy Materials
As we move away from our dependency on fossil fuels and work towards cleaner energy resources and chemical conversion it is key to further our understanding of catalysis.
Novel catalyst achieves record-high yields of biofuel
Scientists have designed a novel catalyst that overcomes the challenge of breaking down complex plant components to produce some of the highest yields of biofuel.
Neutrons reveal potential of MOFs as host structure for methane hydrates
Methane storage in the form of gas hydrates, the so-called solid methane storage, has gained an increased interest in the last few years for safe and easy transportation of methane in short and long-distance applications.
Inelastic neutron scattering shows new limits for hydrogen storage densities
Researchers at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories (RAL), the USA and Germany have uncovered some unexpected behavior of hydrogen gas when it is contained in optimally-sized sub-nanometer pores.
Unravelling the Physical Possibilities of MOFs
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising new class of next-generation materials.
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.
Forensic scientist studies submerged bones at ISIS
Could neutrons reveal clues for forensic investigations in aquatic environments?
Shining the beam on anti-cancer drugs
Platinum-based drugs are known for their anticancer ability. Cisplatin, the most famous and most widely prescribed drug of this kind, offers treatment for several types of cancer such as testicular, lung, bladder and ovarian cancers.
ISIS is helping to close the gap in the race to develop novel antibiotics.
Penicillin is stacked high in pharmacies and hospitals across the globe and proven in combat against bronchitis, pneumonia and pharyngitis.
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.
Polymers in prison
High-resolution inelastic neutron scattering experiments reveal that the polymer, poly(ethylene oxide), under extreme confinement adopts a conformation different to that of the bulk crystal.
Twists, bends, and stretches in Li(NH3)4, the lightest metal known
When alkali metals are dissolved in anhydrous liquid ammonia they give up their outer-shell electrons to the solvent producing solvated electrons and metal ions.
Negative thermal expansion in porous frameworks
Negative thermal expansion (NTE), or contraction upon heating, is of fundamental scientific interest and may find applications in precision engineering.
A better catalyst for the chemical industry
Neutron scattering uncovers the secrets of catalytic selectivity.
Nitric acid hydrates : constituents of ice clouds
Inelastic neutron scattering studies on solid cloud particles
The binding of H2 in zeolites
Understanding the microscopic mechanisms of hydrogen interactions with zeolite materials to develop their storage potential.