Announcements - 11th Canadian Neutron Scattering Summer School

June 2, 2011 — Chalk River, Ontario

What brings dozens of graduate students and research scientists together from across Canada and the world for a week in the woods of the Ottawa Valley? An education on how to use the tools for world-class materials research at the NRC Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC).

NRC helps clients effectively exploit large-scale scientific infrastructure, such as the neutron beamlines at the CNBC. Because these research tools are beyond the scope of a single university or even a local cluster of universities, they are operated as national resources — accessible to researchers from universities, government labs and industry.

Ron Rogge (CNBC) demonstrates measurement of residual stress at the E3 neutron beamline.

One part of enabling the user community is to provide practical hands-on training on neutron beam techniques — experience that cannot be provided elsewhere in Canada. To achieve this goal, the CNBC has been holding biennial summer schools on neutron scattering for many years. This year, it held the school in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) and AECL Nuclear Laboratories.

"I am so glad I attended the neutron summer school this year. It's been an awesome experience," says Michael Bach, a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Carleton University. "The summer school introduced me to an experimental tool that I need for my research on residual stresses in friction stir-welded lap joints for aerospace applications."

Zin Tun (CNBC) explains the measurement of nano-structures at surfaces, using the user interface terminal of the D3 neutron beamline.

"My work involves complex models to predict the stress in these structures, and neutron beams will allow me to verify my predictions non-destructively," adds Bach. "I enjoyed meeting the lecturers and other students from different disciplines that also use neutrons in their research. The hands-on experience at the beamlines at the NRU reactor was cool, and now that I have seen the facility and know the process, I plan to come back to do some experiments."

Michael was one of many students who expressed their appreciation for the school and interest in returning to CNBC for such experiments. Although neutron scattering courses are being held at several foreign neutron sources this summer, the school was well attended. It attracted 37 enthusiastic participants from Canada, U.S., and Europe, most of whom were graduate students and postdocs from the disciplines of physics, chemistry and materials science from Canadian universities. The participants also included nine research scientists from AECL Nuclear Laboratories. The lecturers were drawn from CNBC staff and the community of users of neutron beams in Canada and the U.S.

Chris Wiebe (University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba) explains how neutron beams are excellent probes of magnetic materials.

The school followed a successful model from previous years by combining hands-on training with lectures. Each morning, the lectures provided the underlying theory needed to apply neutron beams as tools for a wide range of research on materials, such as superconducting, biological and industrial materials. In the afternoons, students chose from a set of hands-on demonstration experiments at the neutron beamlines around the NRU reactor. These experiments allowed students to interact with CNBC experts in each experimental technique, to benefit from their practical knowledge and obtain answers to their questions.

Maikel Rheinstadter (McMaster University and CNBC) discusses how the properties of neutron beams make them versatile probes for many materials.

Science Outreach at the Summer School

In addition to enabling research, each element of Canada's large-scale science infrastructure, including the CNBC, is a stimulating platform for science outreach to foster a national culture of innovation. The summer school presented an excellent opportunity for further science outreach to the local community. As part of the school, evening public lectures attracted local high school students and the general public in addition to the summer school participants, who were presented with both the wonders of science and technology as well as the social responsibilities and challenges that they represent.

In the first public lecture, Dr. Robert Walker, Senior Vice President of AECL, drew from his experience as a scientist and a government administrator to challenge attendees to consider the complex relationships between science, government, and society in a discussion of nuclear science and technology.

André-Marie Tremblay (University of Sherbrooke) brings the mysteries of superconductivity to a general audience.

On Tuesday evening, Dr. André-Marie Tremblay commemorated 2011 as the 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity with a presentation entitled, "Superconductivity, the magic of the quantum world in front of your eyes." Dr. Tremblay explained that superconducting materials, which have no electrical resistance and can be used to generate strong magnetic fields, are no longer just a scientific curiosity, but are essential components of medical imaging equipment and other everyday applications such as cellular technology. The audience enjoyed a demonstration of a superconducting model train levitating as it followed a magnetic track constructed by NRC Design and Fabrication Services. This model train not only provided an illustration of the unusual effects of superconducting materials, but also of futuristic applications that are now closer to being realized.

A superconducting model train cooled by liquid nitrogen levitates above a magnetic track. The model train was constructed with the assistance of NRC Design and Fabrication Services.

The final public lecture was delivered by Dr. Jeremy Whitlock, representing the Canadian Nuclear Society. He led the audience through the history of Chalk River Laboratories as Canada rose to the challenges presented by the new age of nuclear science and technology.

More information about the summer school including the public lectures, morning lectures and demonstration experiments are available at the summer school website.