New center to focus on neutron science

The University has won a competitive award to develop the next generation of neutron scattering instrumentation, which has become an indispensable tool to probe the structure of materials.

The award of more than $7 million over a five-year period from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) came as part of an open competition sponsored by the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) in Gaithersburg, Md. University scientists will conduct the research through the creation of the UD Center for Neutron Science.

Neutron scattering is a nanoscale measurement technique that is complementary to X-ray and light scattering as a means to study the structure of materials at the molecular, nano- and meso-scales.

Neutron beams have become a key research tool in materials science, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering and physics because of their ability to image materials and structures non-destructively at atomic and molecular scales. Neutrons can “see” the structure and motions of very large biological molecules, such as proteins, to better understand their function and can lead to the development of new drug therapies and improved vaccines.

The UD center will explore and develop new areas of neutron scattering science, with emphasis on strengths in complex fluids, macromolecular science and condensed matter physics.

“The University of Delaware has been a strong supporter and user of neutron scattering instrumentation and research,” according to Norman Wagner, Alvin B. and Julia O. Stiles Professor of Chemical Engineering and chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering. “There is a synergy between UD and NIST. This award will take that synergy to the next level as UD helps to create the future of neutron scattering as a measurement tool.”

Wagner calls this “an exciting time” for neutron research. “There is huge demand for neutron scattering facility usage, one which far outstrips our national capacity,” he says, adding that the federal government is making important investments in the nation’s infrastructure for neutron science. “It is great that Delaware will be a key part of that.”

The University, he says, is a leader in the field of neutron scattering, particularly in small-angle scattering research, and the partnership will enhance the nation’s small-angle neutron scattering capabilities.

Small-angle neutron scattering is a powerful probe of molecular and nanoscale structure, supramolecular order and dynamics, and it can be used to monitor chemical and field-induced transformations. Because the technique requires a high-flux neutron source, Wagner says, measurements are carried out at large national facilities. There are only five such facilities in the U.S., including the NCNR.

Wagner says the award will further advance UD’s world-recognized expertise in small-angle neutron scattering. This research is carried out mainly in the departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering and in their longstanding scientific collaborations with NIST.

The goals of the cooperative agreement include the application of small-angle neutron scattering instrumentation, the exploration of new scientific applications of neutron scattering measurements, the development of new instrumentation and the development of new educational and training materials for use at UD, NIST and more broadly in support of the national neutron user community.

Staff from the UD center will work on-site at the NCNR, helping design and build “the next generation of neutron scattering instrumentation that will be used worldwide,” Wagner says. The center also will help the University train the next generation of neutron scientists and engineers for careers in support of the national nanotechnology initiative.

Also, UD will hire doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers to work on the University campus on scientific projects using neutron scattering, thereby helping drive the design of future instrumentation.

Part of the project provides for the transfer of educational and scientific developments from UD for application in industry.

Wagner says the research using neutron scattering will have direct engineering and societal impact in a broad range of applications, from health care to water purification. The research will assist in the development of new membranes for applications in fuel cells, batteries and water purification membranes; engineered nanomaterials for wound healing and tissue repair; and new catalysts for improved energy production. Also, it will improve the processing and efficacy of pharmaceuticals.

For more information, see the web site [www.cns.che.udel.edu].

—Neil Thomas, AS ’76