cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710495
title: Dependence of spin-diffusion transparency and spin-orbit torques on interface structure in NiFe/Pt bilayers

description: One of the main challenges in spintronics is to provide a link between magnetic elements and conventional electronic circuits. For the switching of a magnetic memory-element an electric current is necessary. Spin-transfer-torque has allowed much progress in this area but switching remains very inefficient. There is a completely new approach which is based on magnetic torques using spin-orbit torques (SOTs). One way to generate SOT is to use the spin-Hall effect in ferromagnetic(FM)/nonmagnetic(NM) structures. The spin-Hall effect will generate a spin-current that drifts across the FM/NM interface applying a torque on the FM, but the efficiency of the current depends on the transparency of the interface to the spin-current. We will use PNR to study the magnetic structure of deliberately modified interfaces and then relate this back to the SOT efficiency measured on the same samples.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720081
title: Probing the catalytic mechanism of CO2 utilisation for cyclic carbonate synthesis using grafted ionic liquids

description: The rapidly increasing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide necessitates the development of novel technologies for sustainable carbon capture and utilisation procedures. This cross-disciplinary research project is expected to deliver advancements in catalyst design towards direct capture and utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce value-added products, such as polymers. We intend to probe the mechanistic pathway of CO2 adsorption on our catalysts by mimicking our reaction conditions in situ using inelastic neutron scattering (INS). By contrasting the vibrational spectra of our samples under a dry inert atmosphere, with samples exposed to CO2 we hope to observe the formation reactive intermediates that are  crucial for the activation of CO2.  INS is uniquely suited to this problem, particularly TOSCA for the access to the mid infra-red region.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720111
title: Examining the properties of a water channel in an organic matrix - TOSCA

description: The objectives are to study the interaction of water molecules held in a channel in an organic matrix. We have structurally characterised a water tetramethylpiperididine complex in which the water molecules align as essentially micro tubes of water throughout the crystal lattice. We are interested in the detailed structure of this water matrix especially the hydrogen bonding throughout the structure. The reason for the interest is by analogy to nature where water channels are common place. The planned research is to continue to modify the piperidene to allow the formation of water channels in variety of matrixes such as silicates, carbonates, phosphates and memebranes where for example there may be an analogy with capilliaries in bone. INS spectroscopy uniquely allows access to the translational and librational modes of the water..
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720306
title: Ligand-field characterization and U-Pt bonding in uranium-based heterometallic chains

description: We propose to investigate the magnetic excitation spectra of tetravalent uranium ions in two isostructural, one-dimesional chains made up by aligned UM2 units, with M = Pt and Pd. Since these two complexes are essentially isostructural and have very similar atomic distances one would in principle expect the spectra to be very similar, but EPR studies of related Gd(III) zero-dimentional complexes seem to suggest that in fact this is not the case. We suggest that this is due to the non-innocent role of the 5d electrons of Pt with respect to the 4d electrons of Pd, thereby adding two atoms to the coordination sphere of U(IV) for the former complex. If verified by inelastic neutron scattering, this could prove the existence of a direct U-Pt bond, as of yet unknown in coordination chemistry.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720397
title: A GENERAL METHOD OF MEASURING ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY

description: Antioxidants are very important molecules because they can prevent or slow down the oxidative damage to our bodies. When our bodies use oxygen, free radicals are released which can cause undesirable conditions such as macular degeneration, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.   MuSR is a suitably simple technique for this purpose.  The preliminary work with three common antioxidants, vitamins C, E and K1 seems promising,   Measuring the muon quenching rates of these common antioxidants in solution gave an estimate of the antioxidant capacities of these three materials to be;  Vit C  :  Vit E  :  Vit K :: 13 : 5 : 13  ALC-MuSR also provides a reletaively easy way to establish the muonium addition sites these compounds, and hence information on the mechanism of the antioxidant activity.  The present application is to request beamtime to measure the ALC-MuSR of these materials.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720479
title: Magnetic interactions in ferromagnetic topological insulator multilayer structures

description: Topological insulators are one of the most important recent discoveries in condensed matter physics. The topological surface state can become gapped when ferromagnetic order is introduced, which gives rise to interesting quantum phenomena for example the quantum anomalous Hall effect.  However, heterostructures of different materials are needed that will allow for a higher degree of control and tunability of the magnetic structure at the TI interface. Here we propose an investigation of multilayers based on Cr- and Dy-doped TI, combining the high Curie temperature of the former with the high moment of the latter, and to study interplay of crystalline anisotropy, interlayer exchange coupling and Zeeman energy. This knowlege is an essential stepping stone towards application of the topological surface state in dissipationless spin-electronics or spin-orbitronics.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1810138
title: Time-resolved radiography of hydrogen samples while converting in the presence of a catalyst

description: Hydrogen is the molecule of choice for the moderation of cold neutrons at international facilities. It manifests itself in one of two different forms: a state with nuclear spins parallel to each other (orthohydrogen, oH), and one with the nuclear spins anti parallel (parahydrogen, pH). Cold neutrons experience destructive interference when scattering from pH, a phenomenon largely suppressing the neutron cross section, a fundamental feature to optimise time pulses of moderated neutrons. Neutron facilities generally use catalysts to speed up the conversion of oH into pH, as the natural conversion rate would require weeks in order to obtain high levels of pH. This experiment will shed light onto the catalytic conversion phenomena by obtaining a map of the pH concentration around the catalyst, a piece of information that will allow optimisation, for example, of neutron moderators.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1810237
title: INTER as a new Tool to Follow the Dynamic Adsorption of Antibody and Non-ionic Surfactant

description: Following our very recent  work on the dynamic co-adsorption of our control antibody COE-3 and nonionic surfactant PS80-7EO from the mixed solution, We request 3 days of Inter beam time to continue this exciting study by completing parallel runs using deuterated surfactant under solvent contrasts to match out surfactant and antibody separately. In addition, we will carry out similar Inter measurements under sequential adsorption starting from COE-3 followed by surfactant binding. Given our previous work has already revealed the same adsorbed amount and layer structure from the two modes of adsorption under equilibration, our goal here is to unravel the detailed dynamic processes to help understand how mAb deformation or unfolding during interfacial adsorption could induce surfactant binding, resulting in well-organised surfactant bilayer on top of the mAb monolayer...
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820109
title: Local structure study of Cr-Fe alloys with enhanced magnetovolume effect

description: Negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials, the volume of a material abnormally contract with the increase of temperature, is closed related to the magnetovolume effect in magnetic materials. However, due to the limited knowledge of the mechanism for magnetovolume effect, the progress of searching for new NTE materials with excellent performance is quite slow. Here, we found enhanced magnetovolume effect and abnormal thermal expansion in cubic Cr with little Fe substitutions for Cr. Due to the simple crystal structure and binary composition, Cr-Fe alloys is a favorable example to investigate the mechanism of abnormal thermal expansion and magnetovolume effect for many other metallic materials. In this study, we intend to determine local structure for Cr-Fe alloy by nPDF SANS, which could give new insight into the mechanism of magnetovolume effect in magneitc materials.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820139
title: Neutron Diffraction Studies on an Antiferromagnetic Kondo Lattice CeIrGe2

description: Ce-based intermetallic compounds display a rich variety of novel phenomena including heavy fermion and mixed valence behavior, Kondo insulator and semiconductor etc. Effective magnetic moment of recently discovered compound CeIrGe2 is estimated to be 2.56 µB indicating Ce3+ valence state of Ce ions. Temperature dependent magnetization exhibits field induced spin reorientation effect. Isothermal magnetization curve displays metamagnet like transition. Antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN = 4 K manifests itself as a distinct anomaly in C(T). Resistivity data exhibit Kondo lattice behavior with metallic ground state. It is very important to investigate spin induced reorientation effect on Kondo lattice. In this proposal we want to investigate the low temperature magnetic structure using neutron diffraction measurement using WISH diffractometer.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820140
title: Superconducting Properties and MuSR Study of MgPtSi: Orthorhombic variant of MgB2

description: After the discovery of multiband superconductivity in MgB2 (Tc = 39.7 K) a number of studies have been made to understand the origin of superconductivity in this compound as well as related compounds. Crystal structure plays an important role in the origin of multiband superconductivity. Recently reported superconductor MgPtSi with orthorhombic honeycomb structure exhibits superconducting transition at Tc = 2.5 K. MgPtSi is a type II superconductor with upper critical field 6.3 kOe and coherence length 230 Å. Upward curvature of Hc2 near TC suggests multiband/multigap superconductivity, which needs further clarification. In this proposal we want to study zero field and transverse field muon spin rotation/relaxation to investigate superconducting properties of MgPtSi using MuSR spectrometer.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820153
title: Microscopic Dynamics in Photorehological Fluids

description: Photorheological (PR) fluids are the fluids with light-tunable rheological properties and are very useful in a variety of applications. Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles and ortho-methoxycinnamic acid (OMCA) based PR fluids have attracted recent attention because they require no special synthesis. It has been shown that in the presence of trans-OMCA, CTAB micelles form long and wormlike micelles, and upon irradiation by UV light, OMCA undergoes a photoisomerization from its trans to its cis form, and the viscosity of the micellar solution is reduced by 4 orders of magnitude. This is feasible mainly due to the alteration of the molecular packing at the micellar interface. Our Aim is to investigate the effect of OMCA on the microscopic dynamics of CTAB micelles using quasielastic neutron scattering and establish a correlation with the observed viscosity.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820388
title: Characterising Bronsted acidity in industrial zeolite catalysts as a function of framework structure and composition

description: The vibrational spectrum of Brønsted acid sites in commercial zeolite catalysts as a function of framework topology and composition (Si/Al ratio) will be studied using the recently upgraded TOSCA instrument, now capable of such studies. Zeolites H-ZSM-5 (Si/Al = 25, 40, 80 and 280), HY ((30 and 80) and H-Beta (38 and 300) will be studied and the vibrational properties of the O-H Brønsted acid sites compared. The effect of topology and framework composition on the acidity (characterised by O-H vibrational properties) will be compared directly with QM/MM embedded cluster simulations to help explain such structure/composition effects, thus directly assisting in the design of improved acidic zeolite catalysts.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820397
title: Magnetic Phase Diagram of Geometrically Frustrated BaDy2O4

description: In BaDy2O4, the magnetic Dy3+ ions are arranged in a network of triangles and hexagons, and coupled with antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, which gives rise to geometric frustration. The crystal structure also predetermines quasi one-dimensional magnetic character of BaDy2O4. We propose to investigate the magnetic correlations in BaDy2O4 in zero field at low temperatures where the magnetic order is likely to be short-ranged. We also propose to perform neutron diffraction experiments in an applied field in search for a field induced transition to a magnetically long-range ordered state recently found in a sister-compound, SrDy2O4.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820415
title: The potential for leaf pruning to improve water use efficiency of maize under abiotic stress

description: Climate change will likely increase the frequency of extreme events, such as drought, and there is a need to increase the resilience of food crops, particularly in arid regions. It has been observed in China that pruning a maize crop in its early stage of growth improved its resilience to abiotic (non-living) stress, which we suspect is due to interactions between roots and soil that improve water use efficiency. Our aim is to assess, in a controlled environment, the effect of leaf pruning on the water use efficiency of maize under drought and salinity abiotic stresses by monitoring important soil and plant properties. Neutron tomography offers the exciting prospect of mapping root architecture and soil water distribution at the fine scale to study the underlying mechanisms. The data generated will validate field measurements in China and will assist the development of models.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1700071
title: Test of Neutron Effects On Commercial Off The Shelf Components for Aerospace

description: The goal of this experiment is to characterize the SEU occurrence on Commercial Off the Shelfcomponents caused by neutrons by using measurements on an obscured camera detector and onan SRAM array. This experiment is also closely related to an ESA Bexus project (https://bexus-nemesys.jimdo.com/) where the proposed setup will be sent in the stratosphere to measure therate of errors due to atmospheric neutrons and other particles: with this proposed experiment wewant to focus on neutrons and how they affect the device under a controlled test environment,while the Bexus project will study all the environmental aspects that could cause these errorevents.Because of the tight timing of the Bexus proposal that has been approved to fly in the nextlaunch  campaign,  it would be quite important to obtain the results of the proposed experimentthrough a rapid access proposal.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710165
title: Cryopreservation of liver transplant cells

description: Development of new cryopreservation strategies has major potential in medicine and agriculture, and is critical to the conservation of endangered species that currently cannot be preserved. Recently we have applied for IRIS Express 1690294 to study cryopreserved alginate-encapsulated liver cell spheroids used in artificial liver bio-transplant using high-resolution QENS spectroscopy. The results of the IRIS Express QUENS measurement have shown visible difference between the sample prepared according to cryopreservation temperature protocol and the same sample but quench cooled in liquid Nitrogen. In order to reproduce and obtain a higher quality data we propose QENS measurements of cryopreserved alginate-encapsulated liver cell spheroids sample in temperature range 80  350K. These data could allow us to understand better the processes that happen in this biological system.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710285
title: Resolving manifold setting dynamics in protiated and D2O based portland cement.

description: Previous NCS measurement on glass biocements revealed that setting is non-monotonic. Recent determinations using VESUVIO (2016-Apr) for Portland cements showed similar oscillatory setting-trends. Despite avoidance of H's high-scattering cross-section, D2O as mobile phase retards setting. This highlights the need to conduct complementary determinations on protiated cements, retaining relevance to the real-world systems and thus impact. Of key importance is to characterise the vibrational density of states (VDOS) of cooperative, whole-molecule motions (i.e.Low-E,THz). These are certain to change with the manifold structures over setting profiles  particularly at the forming interfaces, providing an avenue to track and characterise setting progression and related mechanical properties. MERLIN represents an excellent choice for characterising such cooperative dynamics in the 10-160meV range
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710313
title: Magnetic interactions of the room-temperature skyrmion material Co8Zn8Mn4

description: We propose an investigation of the spin-waves in the recently discovered room-temperature skyrmion material Co8Zn8Mn4.   The ground state of Co8Zn8Mn4 is a very long wavelength helix of wavelength 125 nm as shown by previous SANS measurements, and application of a magnetic field of between 100 and 500 G at T~ 290 K stabilises a skyrmion lattice phase.  Recent studies show that this skyrmion lattice is remarkably robust as a function of temperature, and is metastable on field-cooling down to zero temperature.  This makes Co8Zn8Mn8 a technologically interesting material, and understanding of the fundamental interactions is important.  We will perform Horace scans on MERLIN in RRM mode to cover a wide range of energy scales, and will need 4 days beamtime to complete this measurement.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710326
title: Structural correlations in ferroelectric triglycine sulfate at high temperatures

description: Triglycine sulfate is one of the few genuinely second-order ferroelectric phase transitions. As for many ferroelectric phase transitions in complex and molecular systems, there is a significant order-disorder component, which is best probed using methods that are sensitive to local atomic structure. We have previously studied this transition using total neutron scattering analysed by reverse Monte Carlo simulation. However, our results show that over the temperature range for which we have data, the correlation length is so large that the simulation cell appears ordered even in the high-temperature phase. We therefore seek to collect further data at higher temperatures, in the region where the correlation length is small enough to be effectively modelled using the available Q range. Combined with our existing results, we expect these data to lead to a rapid publication.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710368
title: Nanoparticle-surfactant layers at the water-oil interface

description: The spontaneous selfassembly of nanoparticles (NP) at liquid-liquid interfaces is a phenomenon present in nature and relevant for many applications, such as, emulsion technology, nanostructured materials, nanoencapsulation, separative processes, food technologies, etc. The driving force for NP self-assembly at a liquid interface is their amphiphilic character, but NPs often lack this feature. In order to exploit such phenomena in applications, the adsorption of suitable surfactants at the NP surface is particularly attractive. We propose to use neutron reflectivity to study the structure of these mixed NP-surfactant at the oil/water IF to achieve a detailed control of their properties and functionality in applications. One can expect significant differences in the re-arrangement of the surfactant within the layer,which in turn influences the macroscopic equilibrium and kinetic features.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710385
title: Detecting static magnetic order in mutiferroric Lu1-xScxFeO3 through µSR study

description: Multiferroic systems have been a long-lasting and productive research field of condensed matter physics in both fundamental and applied perspectives. Useful multiferroic systems require significant magnetoelectric coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic moments which however is often found to be quite weak or is significant only at cryogenic temperatures. Here we propose to investigate the nature of magnetic state of a new multiferroric material Lu0.5Sc0.5FeO3 using muon spin rotation and relaxation (μSR) measurement.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710480
title: An Investigation on the Effects of B-site disorder on the well-isolated non-Kramers quantum spin ice Pr2Sn2O7

description: Although stuffing in the quantum spin ice (QSI) Yb2Ti2O7 has been shown to play a vital role inthe selection of a ground state, the only study to address such disorder was performed onTb2Sn2-xTixO7 (TSTO) with a non-thermally isolated doublet of Tb3+. Dalhberg et al. using AC Xrevealed that the spin ice transition disappeared. Gaulin et al. through inelastic neutron scattering(INS), AC X and muSR demonstrated that members of TSTO constitute a spin liquid. Althoughmany key questions have been answered, the question remains as to the effect of B-site disorderon a thermally isolated non-Kramers doublet QSI. We propose to use MARI to study the effects ofdoping on the crystal field levels of Pr2Sn2-xTixO7, which provides an optimum system for study ofdisorder on a thermally isolated QSI.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1710489
title: Neutron spectroscopy of a novel family of Ln2 dimers

description: Molecular nanomagnets containing 4f ions are attracting an increasing interest because of their large magnetic anisotropy and slow relaxation of magnetization originating from their unquenched orbital angular momentum. Clusters made of such ions are promising candidates for ehancing their slow relaxation of the magnetization at relatively high temperatures. Recently, an interesting family of asymmetric Ln2 dimers has been reported with sizable exchange interaction between the magnetic ions and large single ion anisotropies.  Here we propose to exploit the MARI and IRIS spectrometers to investigate the spin dynamics of two compounds of the series, Yb2 and Er2 dimers, to better understand the role of the exchange interaction and crystal field in the relaxation mechanism.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1720056
title: Microscopic structure as an evidence for a new thermodynamic boundary in supercritical CO2: A comparison between experiments and theory

description: Supercritical (sc) fluids have unique properties that have led to a rich variety of applications including production of essential oils and pharmaceutical products, green chemistry, formation of nano- and micro-particles, and waste treatment. The proposed work will examine the microscopic structure and molecular motion in supercritical (sc) CO2. The results from this work will provide the first experimental evidence for a structural crossover in a new dynamic line in the supercritical region of the phase diagram, the Frenkel line [1-2]. This work will be enhanced by the use of classical molecular dynamics to provide information on the rotational motion of scCO2.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1800080
title: NTC 2018 Proposal Example 10

description: Please Ignore. This is just for setting up ERA's ready for the Neutron Training Course