ISIS Science Stories - February 2025
ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
ISIS is a world-leading neutron & muon source, operated by STFC at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. STFC is part of UKRI.
Welcome to the science newsletter from the ISIS neutron and muon source featuring some publication highlights from the last month.
Simultaneous experiment unlocks new collaborative research potential utilising a joint AI platform
A robotic sample preparation platform, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), was used by a team from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to undertake simultaneous experiments at both ISIS and Diamond Light Source . While collaborative research between these two science facilities?is common, this particular experiment has pushed new boundaries with the experiments being performed at the same time on identical robotic set-ups which were in direct communication with each other.
Neutrons reveal the workings of a last-resort antibiotic
With the unique insight from neutron reflectometry, former ISIS-funded PhD student Nicolò Paracini and his supervisors Jeremy Lakey and Luke Clifton have discovered how the last-resort antibiotic polymyxin B breaks down bacterial membranes.
Measuring the angular momentum of a neutron using Earth's rotation
A group of researchers from Technische Universit?t Wien , Indiana University , ISIS and BonPhysics Research and Investigations BV have shown that the Sagnac effect can be used to measure the orbital angular momentum of a neutron using the Earth's rotation.
Strength vs flexibility – this steel has it all, even at low temperatures
A type of steel has been identified as having exceptional strength and ductility at temperatures as low as 77K, making it a good candidate for applications in space or superconductivity. Traditional materials often face a trade-off between strength and ductility, which limits their performance in demanding applications. This research, led by Dr Muhammad Naeem and Dr Liliana Romero Reséndiz and comprising a team from the 英国伯明翰大学 , Bournemouth University and 英国伦敦大学 - 伦敦国王学院 , in collaboration with ISIS scientists, addresses this challenge by demonstrating a material that significantly enhances both properties, particularly in extreme environments.
“Neutron diffraction is particularly well-suited for studying bulk materials because of its deep penetration depth, which allows for the examination of internal structures and phase distributions in a non-destructive manner," explains ISIS scientist and paper co-author Tung Lik Lee .
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Stabilising magnetic skyrmions
By using muon spin spectroscopy at ISIS and at the PSI Paul Scherrer Institut , alongside AC susceptibility at Diamond Light Source , the research team have shown that the skyrmions in centrosymmetric Gd2PdSi3 can be stabilised by anisotropy.
Matja? Gomil?ek , the lead author of the paper, explains “The discovery of anisotropic spin dynamics in Gd2PdSi3 should represent a significant step towards finally resolving the puzzling origin of skyrmions and related magnetic phenomena in centrosymmetric materials. For our work, the use of muon spin spectroscopy as a local-probe technique has been crucial.”?
Understanding stress to enable jet engines to fly for longer
Rolls-Royce have returned to the Engin-X instrument at ISIS to measure the residual stress in jet engine parts to understand how it impacts their lifetime. During the manufacturing process of jet engines, parts are joined using inertia friction welding. This process introduces residual stress into the component, which strongly impacts how long they can safely operate under the high temperature and high stress conditions of an engine. By understanding where on a component the measurement should be taken to define its residual stress state, they can potentially extend its lifetime, reducing maintenance periods and overall environmental impact.
“The Engin-X beamline scientists have a good relationship with industry and make it easy to do experiments. The experience of working with the beamline scientists is why we keep coming back to ISIS for various projects over the last couple of decades," says Andrew Barrow ,?Senior Specialist – Materials, Rolls-Royce.
How structure influences excitations in an unusual magnet
Using inelastic neutron scattering and theoretical modelling, a team from 南京大学 have discovered how the structure of Mn2Mo3O8 is responsible for its unique magnetic behaviour. Their research provides valuable insights into the spin dynamics of L-type ferrimagnets.
An unconventional superconductor with the potential to revolutionise quantum electronics.
A team from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal , Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur , Université de Sherbrooke , Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and ISIS used magnetisation and thermodynamic measurements alongside muon spectroscopy on MuSR to reveal an unusual combination of properties in the material HfRhGe that mean it could have exciting applications as a superconducting diode.
ISIS Science Stories is the monthly science newsletter from the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. If you're interested in seeing your work using ISIS featured as a science highlight, please get in touch with Rosie de Laune (Davies).