Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently hosted their National Neutron Scattering School, an event that brought together 50 of the brightest postgraduate minds in the field of materials science from a fiercely competitive applicant pool. Jon Taylor, ORNL’s Neutron Scattering Division Director, emphasized the lab's dedication to educating emerging scientists about the capabilities of neutron scattering, which is critical for tackling issues related to energy and national security. "Neutrons enable critical insights into materials essential for addressing areas like the nation's energy needs and national security," Taylor told the ORNL News.
The curriculum delivered a mix of lectures, seminars by industry and academic figures, as well as tangible threading of tutorials underpinning the use of scattering methods across various scientific disciplines. Rana Ashkar, an NNS lecturer, remarked on the enthusiasm and inquisitiveness of the students, as they actively sought to integrate neutron techniques into their research. "The students were very excited to learn, and they came to the lectures with well-defined questions about their own research," Ashkar said in an interview with the ORNL News.
Attendees were not just confined to theoretical learning but also gained practical experience, conducting experiments at notable facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Bruce Gaulin, another NNS lecturer highlighted the importance of merging lectures with hands-on learning. Materials science doctoral candidate at the California Institute of Technology, Elena Priesen Reis, an attendee, expressed how interactions with beamline scientists were invaluable. Reis, detailing her aspirations and the implications for her career path in academia or national lab research positions, shared her insights with the ORNL News.
While some students, like Deva Prasaad Neelakandan from Auburn University, were already scheduled for beamtime at the VENUS and VULCAN instruments, the program also opened doors for novices. Laila Reimanis, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, expressed her appreciation for the comprehensive overview the school provided on neutron techniques. Furthermore, the sessions facilitated networking opportunities and the potential for future research collaborations. "One of my favorite parts has been meeting new people and connecting with those who are already in the field," graduate student Yarielis Lopez at the University of Washington in St. Louis, said during her chat with the ORNL.
As the gathering witnessed contributions from distinguished lecturers from ORNL and other top-notch facilities like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Los Alamos National Laboratory collaboration and knowledge-sharing was paramount. The event's overarching goal remains to augment the knowledge and skills of students and researchers who will continue to drive the field of materials science and engineering forward, with neutron scattering playing a pivotal role in their journey.
To delve deeper into the National Neutron Scattering School and its offerings, interested parties can visit the NNS website for more details. The school represents a cornerstone in the Department of Energy Office of Science's user facilities, aiming to advance our understanding of the physical sciences and tackle substantial challenges in today's world.
