What is it?
A
multi-year plan to meet strong U.S. demand for cold neutron measurement
capability by creating new beamlines and instruments at the NIST Center
for Neutron Research.
Neutron beams
have become an indispensable 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. Unlike X-rays, for example, 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
NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is the nation's leading neutron
facility, serving more scientists and engineers (over 2,000 annually)
than all other U.S. neutron research facilities combined. The NCNR is
especially valued for its "cold" (low-energy) neutron source that
greatly increases the utility of the neutron beam, particularly in
biotech and materials research. The addition of a new cold
neutron guide hall and a suite of advanced technology instruments over
a five year period is the substance of this expansion effort.
Benefits
- a new generation of world-class instruments directly supporting the needs of science and industry,
- an increase in the overall measurement capacity of the NCNR by more than 25 percent,
- Leverage the leading NCNR user program and serve an additional 500 researchers each year
- increased operational effectiveness.
For FY2008 the initiative includes:
- Development of a second high-performance liquid hydrogen cold source.
- Design of new Neutron guide system.
- Development of new state-of-the-art cold neutron instruments.
- Beginning new construction.
Return to NCNR main page.
Last modified 08-April-2008
