ESS and ILL have brought together 320 neutron researchers at the joint ESS/ILL User Meeting, held for the first time in Lund.
The two research facilities are jointly hosting the third ESS ILL User meeting, a major conference for European neutron researchers from academia and industry, which provides the opportunity to showcase the latest developments made possible by neutrons, provide status updates about the facilities, and look ahead to future opportunities for neutron science, through sharing and discussing the latest progress in neutron research within areas such as life sciences, the environment, smart materials, and energy solutions.
For the first time, the three-day-long conference is taking place in Lund, ESS's hometown, and we were happy to open our doors to the attendees yesterday, allowing the scientists and future users of ESS to visit the next-generation research facility and see the progress in technical installations and high-performance instrumentation for themselves. The visit consisted of tours of the Accelerator or the Target, various poster sessions set up at a number of locations around the facility, where staff happily gave details of the progress and answered any questions raised. The event was then rounded off with a mingle in ESS's impressive Atrium.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome neutron researchers from all over the world to Lund and to ESS, where they, in only a few years from now, will carry out world-leading research to address societal challenges - just as ILL does so successfully since five decades,” said Helmut Schober, ESS Director General, and former Director of ILL. “With ESS providing unique tools and unprecedented performance, a vital scientific community and enhanced collaboration between all European facilities, all conditions are united for Europe maintaining the lead in this important research field.”
A large number of science talks in a wide range of research fields are being held during the conference, highlighting for example the mRNA delivery, such as that used for the Covid-19 vaccines, the function of proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, front-edge research relating to carbon capture, superconducting materials, batteries and fuel cells, as well as insights into Martian meteorites.
“I’m excited to hear about the latest scientific results from our research community and to also share news about the new experimental capabilities that will be available at the ILL early in 2023,” Paul Langan, ILL Director, stated. “It’s also an important opportunity for everyone to see for themselves the progress being made towards bringing the ESS into operation with further new capabilities later in the decade.”
The ESS-ILL User meetings, held every two years, provide an important platform for collaboration, and exchanging ideas about science and experimental techniques that enables consolidation of Europe’s world-leading role and shaping the future for neutron science.
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