Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has embarked on a groundbreaking journey in scientific collaboration through its Neutron Nexus program. Partnering with the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, this initiative is the first of its kind nationwide, aiming to diversify and expand the scientific community's access to cutting-edge neutron science.
The pilot program was launched despite encountering a minor setback when a planned two-day "ORNL Days" event in Florida was reduced to a single day due to Hurricane Helene. Nevertheless, the interactions and networking that took place provided momentum to further the collaboration between ORNL and the hosting institutions. According to a statement obtained by ORNL, the Neutron Nexus program strives to cultivate both professional and personal connections, expanding educational opportunities, and facilitate knowledge-sharing through in-person engagements and remote experiments.
"The Neutron Nexus program brings together a premier national lab and a premier engineering department to address critical topics for the nation’s future, leveraging the world-class neutron scattering capabilities we have at ORNL," stated Susan Hubbard, ORNL Deputy for Science and Technology, in a discussion with ORNL. The collaboration between the lab and educational institutions is expected to foster joint research initiatives, shared faculty positions, and productive interactions with graduate students.
The innovative program not only opens doors to new scientific discoveries but also benefits the newly established Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the joint FAMU-FSU college. Jens Dilling, associate laboratory director for Neutron Sciences at ORNL, told ORNL, "It’s exciting to widen our reach to strengthen already existing relationships, as we have had with FSU and FAMU, and to create new partnerships we hope will continue for many years." The initiative is positioned to inspire and equip a new generation of students and faculty with the capabilities to push the boundaries of science and technology.
The significance of neutron scattering is considerable, as its unique properties offer exceptional insights into the atomic scale of materials. Neutron research fosters innovation across various fields, leading to advancements in areas such as computing power, drug effectiveness, battery longevity, and infrastructure resilience. The ORNL user facilities serve as a center for scientific discovery, attracting thousands of scientists from around the globe each year who seek the opportunity to conduct research using the advanced instruments available at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).
Fostering a unique educational environment, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering stands as the shared engineering hub between the two universities, promoting research and innovation. FAMU President Timothy L. Beard and FSU President Richard McCullough expressed their institutions' pride in the partnership with ORNL, highlighting the significance of the collaboration for educational and technological advancement. As they navigate this collective journey, the commitment to fostering a new era of engineering and scientific excellence underlines the essence of the Neutron Nexus program.
