ORNL Neutron Nexus program debuts

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has launched the first-of-its-kind Neutron Nexus pilot program with the joint College of Engineering of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and Florida State University (FSU).

The program's goals include fostering professional and personal relationships, widening neutron science educational opportunities, arranging student and faculty visits to ORNL, facilitating remote experiments, and establishing physical space commitments between ORNL and regional colleges and universities.

Meeting: A "Power of Partnership" reception was held on September 24 at FSU's High-Performance Materials Institute to mark the new collaboration celebrate the debut of the college's new Department of Materials Science and Engineering. A number of leaders from the universities and ORNL attended the event.

"The Neutron Nexus program brings together a premier national lab and a premier engineering department to address critical topics for the nation's future, leveraging the world-class neutron scattering capabilities we have at ORNL," said Susan S. Hubbard, ORNL deputy for science and technology. "We will explore a range of mechanisms to grow our partnership, including through joint faculty, collaborative research, and graduate student engagements."

Neutron scattering: The program is set to increase collaboration and advancements in research related to neutron scattering, leading to more answers about the fundamental nature of materials at the atomic scale.

ORNL researchers who are involved with the Neutron Nexus program include Jens Dilling, associate laboratory director for the Neutron Sciences Directorate; Barry L. Winn, a neutron scattering scientist; Jon W. Taylor, director of the Neutron Scattering Division; and Michelle R. Dolgos, the user outreach lead for neutron sciences.

New department: ORNL, FAMU, and FSU believe that the unique status of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering as the only joint college of engineering in the United States will be beneficial for the Neutron Nexus program. In addition, the college's new Department of Materials Science and Engineering will contribute to the goals of the program.

FAMU president Timothy L. Beard noted, "The collaboration between the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a testament to our collective efforts to advance cutting-edge research and innovation. The launch of the new Materials Science and Engineering Department at our school will ensure that our graduates are prepared to assume leadership roles in a rapidly evolving technological landscape."

FSU president Richard McCullough said, "We're investing significantly in recruiting tenure-track and research faculty to build this materials science and engineering department. Their expertise will elevate our research, teaching, and ability to shape the future. . . . It's certainly an honor to be one of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's key university partners and to be part of Oak Ridge Associated Universities."