ISIS TS2 build
ISIS (link opens in a new window) is one of the world's leading sources of neutrons and muons. These subatomic particles can penetrate matter, pinpoint the location of atoms and determine the structure of materials. They are used for research on subjects ranging from clean energy and the environment, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, to nanotechnology and IT.
ISIS is helping to identify microscopic cracking in the wings of jet fighters, improve products that save the lives of premature babies and, through studying cloud formation, is laying the foundations for a better understanding of global warming.
Clouds and climate change
Clouds play an important role in our climate. They reflect sunlight; cool the Earth and protect the planet from global warming. They begin as aerosol particles, growing with the addition of water vapour in the atmosphere. Some droplets are surrounded by a nanosized, naturally occurring film, which increases cloud formation and reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth. The film was thought to be permanent but UK scientists have proved the theory wrong.
Bigger and better
The research was performed at ISIS Target Station 1, based at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). After operating for more than 20 years, ISIS is now doubling in size after a government funded £145 million investment.
By using ISIS we discovered that several steps of oxidising – causing a chemical reaction with oxygen – can completely remove the film and decrease cloud formation. We can use this knowledge to develop a global climate model to assess the global warming effect of this atmospheric reaction.
Dr Martin King, Royal Holloway, University of London
Phase 1 included building a second neutron source and seven new instruments. Construction began in 2003 and Target Station 2 (TS2) was completed on time and on budget in 2008.
In August 2008, on its first attempt, TS2 produced its first neutrons and is now being prepared for users. It has already attracted international investment and six of its seven new instruments are also in operation.
One of them, Nimrod, allows liquids and glassy materials to be examined in minute detail. “The instrument represents another important step in the field of matter,” said Professor Maiani, president of the Italian National Research Council.
Nimrod will give researchers a greater insight into the subtle balance between short and long-range interactions in many materials and has uses such as working out how to stop oil pipelines becoming blocked, making gels for chemical-resistant coatings and environmental chemistry issues related to waste dumps.
Big science for small businesses
Small business collaborated with big science when Prototech, an engineering firm near RAL, was awarded a contract to manufacture essential, high precision moderators for TS2.
“These components are incredibly complicated to manufacture,” said ISIS lead engineer Sean Higgins. “We are very lucky to have such skills available in the UK,” he added. “But it is up to facilities such as ISIS to identify and put them to good use. If we don’t – we may lose them”.
“Winning work from world-class facilities such as ISIS gives us the confidence to pitch for other large contracts,” said Prototech MD John Greenaway. “We can enjoy valuable long term stability at a time when the future of the UK economy is so uncertain.”
ISIS information
- ISIS’s research on clouds will improve climate models
- Local businesses, such as Prototech, benefit from contracts at ISIS
- ISIS attracts 10,000 scientists and engineers from around the world
- ISIS supports an international community of around 1600 scientists and attracts international investment
Page last updated: 18 September 2009
by Julia Maddock
