Understanding neutrons

A new £145m neutron facility has opened which could lead to significant advances in the understanding of everything from fabric conditioners to the workings of cell membranes.

Neutrons play a key role in analysis for subjects as diverse as pharmaceuticals and IT.  The facility, based at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) world-leading ISIS neutron source, will allow researchers to use “super x-rays” to study materials at the atomic level.

Speaking about the facility, Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive of the STFC said: ‘’the start of research on ISIS Second Target Station is a major day for UK science, and demonstrates the wisdom of long-term government investment in research. The ISIS team can be justifiably proud of their achievement in delivering this major new research facility on time and on budget. ISIS Second Target Station will play a major role in delivering on STFC's vision to maximise the benefits of our research for the UK and global communities’’.

The first experiment to be carried out by the facility will mark the beginning of a £400,000 project funded by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), the STFC’s sister council.

At the cutting edge

Meet some of our Role Models who might benefit from the new research centre.

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