Material Sciences

In the area of materials science, MURR neutrons are used to investigate the structure and dynamics of materials (neutron scattering) and to modify the properties of materials (neutron transmutation doping). In the area of “hard” materials, neutron scattering studies have been at the forefront of helping us understand the structure and dynamics of high-temperature superconductors and “colossal” magneto resistive materials used in data storage and magnetic sensors. At the same time, neutron scattering is having a unique impact in the study of bio materials. Varying solvent contrast and isotopic labeling has enabled detailed structural analysis of complex biological structures by neutron scattering techniques. The power of neutron scattering comes from the unique neutron properties such as charge neutrality (allowing relatively deep penetration of materials), a magnetic moment (allowing investigation of magnetic properties at the microscopic level), and a high probability for interacting with light elements such as hydrogen that can’t be observed with x-ray scattering techniques (allowing investigation of organic materials).

Neutron Scattering Researchers
From Left to Right:
Tom Heitmann, Owen Vajk, Pinar Akcora, Paul Miceli, Haskell Taub, Jagat Lamsal, Andy Winholtz, Jagath Gunasekera

• Hard Matter
  Learn more about our work with magnetic ions in conductors.  
  
  
• Soft Matter
  At MURR, this broad and exciting field ranges from phase transitions of alkane molecules on surfaces to structure and dynamics of biomembranes.  
  
  
• Materials Modification
  MURR has the solution to improving materials from semiconductors to superconductors. 
  
  
• Instrumentation
  The beam ports at MURR allow us to offer many instruments to our researchers that are not available at any other university.   
  
  
• Material Sciences Researchers and Partner Links