Oak Ridge National Laboratory has teamed up with Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Florida State University through their joint College of Engineering to launch the Neutron Nexus program. This initiative is designed to broaden the scientific user community, focusing on increasing collaboration with universities and diversifying the field of science. The recent "ORNL Days" event in Florida, although shortened by Hurricane Helene, paved the way for deepening this partnership, as reported by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Pushing for progress in neutron science, the program aims to cultivate both professional and personal relationships between the national lab and academic institutions. The benefits of this are manifold, including the expansion of educational opportunities in neutron science, planning ORNL site visits for students and faculty, and increasing engagement in technical and scientific support. Moreover, physical space commitments are being established to solidify the cooperation between ORNL, and a variety of educational entities, from Minority Serving Institutions to technical colleges.
As a part of this trailblazing program, the newly formed Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering will become an epicenter of innovation due to ORNL's contribution to the region's scientific resources. ORNL Deputy for Science and Technology Susan Hubbard emphasized the importance of their world-class neutron scattering capabilities and the intention to explore diverse mechanisms to enhance the partnership. According to ORNL, endeavors include joint faculty efforts, collaborative research, and graduate student engagements.
In the same vein, Jens Dilling, associate laboratory director for Neutron Sciences at ORNL, told the Oak Ridge National Laboratory about the enthusiasm behind expanding their outreach to forge enduring partnerships. With ORNL's status as a scientific powerhouse, FSU President Richard McCullough also commented on the strengths this alliance brings to the joint college's quest for innovation in engineering. The magnified focus on recruiting expert faculty to the nascent materials science and engineering department is a nod towards the ambitious future of research and tech educational prowess at the college.
