ANSTO acquires neutron beam instrument

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the German research facility Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The new agreement will see Australian researchers’ capabilities expanded, with one of the conditions involving the transfer of a German neutron beam instrument to ANSTO.

Like ANSTO, HZB operates a research reactor and a synchrotron, which are both used to provide insights into the structure of materials and processes within complex systems. Some 3000 scientists use the HZB facilities each year, and the organisation specialises in research for energy materials, energy research and development of accelerators.

The agreement includes an exchange of information and personnel, training and the reciprocal access to scientific instruments at both facilities, among other forms of cooperation. Simone Richter, who signed the agreement on behalf of ANSTO, said this exchange of resources will help “advance professional experiences and to carry out cooperative research projects”.

Part of the arrangement includes the transfer of the BioRef reflectometer from the Berlin Research Reactor BER II to ANSTO. The neutron beam instrument can be used to investigate soft matter and studies at the solid-liquid interface, including constituted layers and layer thickness on a surface or interface in biological systems.

The transfer is currently taking place and it is anticipated that user operations at ANSTO might commence in 2018. Once operating and commissioned, the new instrument will be named Spatz, the German word for sparrow.

“We have a great deal in common beyond our instruments and this combined capacity is expected to be a powerful alignment at a time when it has never been more important to answer important scientific questions, particularly relating to energy,” said Richter.

Image (left to right): ANSTO CEO Adi Paterson, ANSTO Group Executive Nuclear Science and Technology and Landmark Infrastructure Simone Richter, HZB Scientific Director Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla and HZB Executive Director of Finance and Administration Thomas Frederking.