ISIS Materials Engineering Science Highlights

Materials Engineering Science Highlights

ISIS neutrons are used to probe the stresses and material properties deep inside engineering components and materials.

Engineers are commonly concerned with optimizing the components they design and the materials they use, for example to save weight or ensure safety. When designing a new type of component, one of the major considerations is the stress introduced during the manufacturing process. This must be understood and controlled for the component to behave as it should and not fail prematurely.

There are many methods to measure this stress, but neutrons are unique in the depth they can probe non-destructively beneath a component’s surface. They do this by acting as an “atomic strain gauge” – from the way the neutrons scatter, we can accurately measure the spacing of layers of atoms, which get closer together or further apart depending on whether the material is under compression or tension. At the same time, the scattering pattern gives additional information on the structure of the materials, which can be used to understand how they behave in an engineering context and help in developing new materials and applications. Browse our materials engineering science highlights below:

Understanding the quantum mechanics of rare earth magnets to produce more sustainable materials.
Researchers from University of São Paulo (USP) have used theoretical approaches and neutron experiments to describe permanent magnets, materials of great importance in electronics but which cause environmental impacts in their production.
Nature Knows Best- how the use of geometry in biology could be applied to materials science
Geometry in biological molecules could be exploited to aid development of bio-inspired materials.
Testing spacecraft circuit board endurance from across the Atlantic
A team from Brigham Young University (BYU), USA visited ISIS this cycle, to test complex computer processor and memory systems used in spacecraft computers, to achieve a better understanding as to how they fail and how to make them more reliable.
Looking inside a fridge that cools to ultra-low temperatures
The ISIS cryogenics team have used the IMAT instrument to see what’s really happening inside one of their dilution fridges.
Scientists hunt for new light-harvesting chemical for more effective solar panels
An international team of scientists, led by the UK, are hunting for new, organic light-harvesting chemicals to make solar panels that are both more effective at creating electricity and are environmentally friendly.
ISIS Materials Characterisation Lab used to prove a novel method of creating a semiconducting thin film
Scientists at the University of Southampton used the Materials Characterisation Lab at ISIS to confirm their development of a novel molecular reagent for a highly functional chemical compound used in thermoelectric generators and solid state data storage.
Neutrons study components used in pursuit of fusion energy
Researchers from the leading fusion projects around the world have visited IMAT to image components for use in a fusion energy device by pairing x-ray and neutron imaging.
Neutrons: an unexpected engineering tool
What do you associate the word “engineering” with? Construction? Electronics? Maths? The list could go on and on, but in all likelihood it would be some time before you’d arrive at “neutrons”.
Neutrons delve deep into novel fuel cell materials
Researchers from the UK and Saudi Arabia have used neutrons to successfully investigate novel anode materials for use in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs).
Testing samples for Rolls Royce
Nickel based superalloys are a class of material designed for high-temperature applications, such as turbine blades for jet engines. During the manufacturing process single crystal turbine blades are subject to a series of heat treatments.
Neutrons help understand cracks in nuclear reactor moderator materials
In neutron diffraction studies, researchers investigated how the graphite material used in UK Nuclear Reactors deforms non-linearly under stress, to show how the material has some tolerance to damage.
Staying safe in the skies
It may surprise you to learn just how much ISIS has contributed to airline safety over the last few years, so here are some examples of how science is helping to keep us safe.
Unravelling the Physical Possibilities of MOFs
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising new class of next-generation materials.
Neutrons and colliding particles encourage hopes for nanotech revolution
Carbon plays a crucial role as a building block for nanotechnology. Carbon nanosystems have shown a number of commercially desirable properties such as super lubricity and super diffusion, as well as great strength and hardness.
Optimising machining strategies for Boeing
Understanding the development and distribution of residual stresses caused by machining is key to improving machining processes.
Building safer ships with Lloyd’s Register
Ultrasonic peening (UP) is a technique for improving the fatigue performance of welded joints.
Assessing neutron-induced effects on NVIDIA Graphics Processing Units
Neutron radiation can damage graphics processing units (GPUs), so industry is interested in investigating what the effects could be.
Stronger, greener cement could make for maintenance-free building materials
The expanding global population requires new infrastructure to support it, and there is an increasing demand for durable, environmentally sound building materials.
TWI examines the acceptability of flaws in pipelines under high plastic strain
The outcome of a study carried out by engineering consultancy TWI and ISIS has important implications for the oil, gas and nuclear industries.
Studying recrystallization of deformed metals – a new tool for metallurgy?
Recrystallization of deformed metals occurs in a lot of industrial processes, including the hot-deformation and heat treatment of metals and alloys.
Letting the train take the strain
A consortium of train manufacturers, operators and standards bodies have used Engin-X to understand cracking in train wheels.
Solar flares, muons and micro-electronics – what’s the connection?
Here on Earth, such spectacular solar flares seem far away but in fact these extra-terrestrial events are a cause for concern in our modern digital world.
ISIS helps extend the life of oil reserves
A research team led by the University of Bristol has used STFC’s ISIS Neutron Source to come up with a new way to treat carbon dioxide (CO2), so that it can be used in efficient and environmentally friendly methods for extracting oil.
How neutrons can improve orthopaedic implants
The use of surface coatings in orthopaedic and dental implants has significantly improved the quality of human life.
Characterisation of nickel-based superalloys as used in aero-engine turbine disc
Nickel-based superalloys are a family of materials designed to exhibit both exceptional mechanical properties and superior corrosion resistance at very high temperatures.
Case study: Extending the life of hip implants
By studying stress, researchers from Heriot Watt University and ISIS could extend the life of orthopaedic implants.
Microscopic magnetic ordering at exchange-biased interfaces
There has been intense interest in the exchange-bias phenomenon in recent years due to its importance in technological applications such as read heads, sensors, and magnetic random access memory.
Controlling residual stresses in friction stir welds
Aluminium is very difficult to weld; that is why aircraft are traditionally riveted. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a new method by which panels can be joined together by passing a rotating tool down the weld-line.
Patterning of sodium ions and the control of electrons in sodium cobaltate
NaxCoO2 is a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications to cool electronic devices and convert wasted heat into electricity
Welding the unweldable
Neutron diffraction is helping aerospace engineers perfect ways of welding advanced alloys that are difficult to join.
How interfaces affect the performance of organic optoelectronic devices
New ultra-thin flexible display technologies
Understanding magnetic nanostructures
Using poloarised neutrons to study magnetic exchange bias.
Stress distributions around active NiTi inserts in smart cutting discs
Studying stone-cutting discs with ENGIN-X
Ultra-flexible material shows colossal thermal expansion
Investigating negative thermal expansion materials
Materials ageing studies for current and future nuclear reactors
Predicting the safe life of reactors and optimisation of materials for the next reactor generation.
Case study: Wing quality soars at ISIS
ISIS helps major aerospace companies assure the quality of engineering components.