Message from the Chair

The SNS and HFIR user group (SHUG) was formed to provide a channel for communication between the neutron scattering community at ORNL and the management of the SNS, HFIR and the Joint Institute for Neutron Sciences (JINS).  In addition, SHUG serves as an advocacy group for the SNS and HFIR.  During my tenure on the SHUG executive committee I have observed the conscientious efforts of the committee members to improve the user experience at these facilities, and to help ORNL become the leading neutron scattering and neutron science laboratory in the world.

Neutron science has had a significant impact on physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering and biology.  Rapid progress in a number of science and technology areas, such as colossal magnetoresistance, protein dynamics, critical phenomena, the operation of fuel cells, and the structures and dynamics of polymers, has been achieved through neutron scattering studies.  This already impressive breadth of neutron science will continue to expand with the order-of-magnitude increase of neutron flux, compared to other sources, expected at the SNS.  For that reason, the role of SHUG to effectively represent such a scientifically diverse research community, inside and outside ORNL, will become even more important in the future.

Now, at the start of 2009, both HFIR and SNS are world-leading neutron sources.  The high-flux cold source at HFIR is operating with two 30 meter small-angle instruments.  The SNS is the world’s most intense neutron source and currently has six instruments on-line, including a backscattering spectrometer, a diffractometer, two reflectometers, and two chopper spectrometers.  In 2009 eight more instruments are scheduled to be commissioned.  Eventually there will be 24 or more instruments at the SNS, many of which will provide unprecedented performance or capabilities.  The presence of the Center for Nanophase Materials Science, which provides access to facilities for both synthesizing and characterizing materials on the nanoscale, also enhances the neutron scattering opportunities at ORNL.  However, these are just some of the ingredients necessary for world-leading neutron science at ORNL.

As planned instruments are commissioned at SNS and HFIR there will be a need for additional staff to develop comprehensive software packages for their operation and for data analysis.  In addition, providing the personnel to operate these sophisticated instruments is essential.  Other improvements, such as construction of on-site housing for users at ORNL and providing travel grants to new users, could also have a very positive impact on the growth and efficacy of the facilities.  During the current difficult economic conditions it is far more important than in the past that we advocate for the SNS and HFIR to help them to obtain sufficient funding for these activities.  We can also help ORNL to make the best use of the available funds.  SHUG, an important partner in this respect, provides advice and prompt feedback concerning SNS and HFIR operations, as well as recommendations for improvements to instrumentation and services.  For example, users now take advantage of the ORNL website and exit surveys to submit comments about their experiences at the SNS or HFIR, and suggest ways to improve those facilities. 

In concert with the facilities and instrumentation provided by ORNL, it is expected that users will perform leading-edge science and openly communicate their results in publications and seminars.  It is only through wide dissemination of the scientific achievements enabled by the SNS and HFIR that sufficient future funding will be assured.  Significant growth of the ORNL neutron science user community is also necessary, and this growth will rely heavily upon the current users to inform scientists who have not traditionally used neutron scattering about the exciting new opportunities at ORNL.  SHUG can and will play an important role in each of these activities through periodic user meetings, participation in the organization of external scientific conferences, and educational out-reach programs.

As the new chairman of the SHUG executive committee, I thank Igor Zaliznyak (Brookhaven National Laboratory) for his excellent leadership as chair in 2007-2008, and I am grateful for his continuing participation in 2009 as past-chair.  The departing members of the executive committee also deserve our appreciation for their contributions: David Londono (DuPont), Despina Louca (U. of Virginia), Janna Maranas (Penn State), Leonard Spicer (Duke University), Ersan Ustundag (Iowa State University) and Andrei Savici (Johns Hopkins University - Postdoc member).  I also welcome the five new members of the executive committee elected in December: Matthew Stone (ORNL), Pat Woodward (Ohio State University), Seung-Hun Lee (U. of Virginia), U. Perez-Salas (ANL), C. Lind (The University of Toledo) and Stephen Wilson (University of California-Berkeley - Postdoc member).  I look forward to working with SHUG, and the members of the executive committee, as we participate in the growth of the neutron science user community at ORNL.

Finally, as a new administration assumes leadership in Washington we can also look forward to a renewed national commitment to science and technology that bodes well for the future of neutron scattering science at ORNL.  On that positive note, I wish you all a scientifically productive 2009!

Mike Crawford
DuPont Co.
Wilmington, DE 19880-0400
michael.k.crawford@usa.dupont.com