cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520373
title: Chain Conformations in Monodisperse/Polydiserpse Electrospinning Solutions

description: Electrospinning is a technique which produces fibres from a polymer solution exposed to an electric field. The technique forms fibres substantially smaller in diameter than a human hair.  The action of an electric field on a sub-millimetre sized droplet results in a jet of polymer solution being ejected, and this is subjected to high electrostatic forces which elongate the jet and facilitate the removal of the solvent. This proposal aims to establish the way in which polymer chains in solution are transformed by the changes involved in this process. We shall look at the way polymer chains coil in solution by contrasting polymer solute molecules with hydrogen, and polymer solvent molecules in which the hydrogen has been replaced by deuterium. We shall compare the data for the polymer chain dimensions in solution with the dimensions of chains in fibres formed from the same polymer system.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520454
title: Magnetic excitations of the model one-dimensional metal K0.3MnO3

description: Understanding the electronic properties of low-dimensional systems remains one of the central challenges of condensed matter physics. Although great progress has been made in both experiment and theory, many formidable challenges remain. For the high-temperature cuprate superconductors, for example, one barrier to progress has been the difficulty of reconciling information provided by different experimental techniques, most notably ARPES and neutron scattering. Here we are proposing to study the magnetic excitation spectrum of the prototypical one-dimensional metal K0.3MoO3 blue bronze. Recent high-resolution ARPES measurements on K0.3MoO3 have shown clear signatures of spin-charge separation (see Fig. 1) in the presence of strong quantum fluctuations as evidenced by the anomalous broadening of the holon and spinon branches. [This is a resubmission with sample quality information.]
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1810397
title: Time-resolved SANS of RNA packaging into virus capsids: Effect of RNA on the protein self-assembly pathway

description: The genetic code of viruses is typically protected by a spherical protein container. This protein capsid is assembled from hundreds of individual proteins in a spontaneous self-assembly process. We currently lack a detailed structural model for how self-assembly proceeds from the isolated subunits into the final protein capsid and how RNA/DNA gets incorporated into the capsids. In this proposal, we will study the capsid assembly process of hepatitis B virus using time resolved small angle neutron Scattering. Assembly of capsid will be triggered by mixing of capsid building blocks and RNA and the reaction will be followed over time. Using solvent contrast matching the structural transitions in protein and RNA over time can be followed separately and this will give a unique insight into the capsid assembly pathway.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820002
title: Spin excitations in the first magnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2

description: In contrast to the extensively verified  Weyl semimetals with broken inversion symmetry, magnetic Weyl semimetals, which break time reversal symmetry, were only theoretically proposed (e.g. Y2Ir2O7, HgCr2Se4) , but none of them has been experimentally confirmed yet. Very recently, a new magnetic Weyl semimetal was proposed in the layered Kagomé-lattice Co3Sn2S2 with Weyl points  near the Fermi energy, and a ferromagnetic transition around TC= 175 K in the half-metal state.  Here we propose to do inelastic neutron scattering experiments on  this  first experimentally verified magnetic Weyl semimetal at  MERLIN. The aim of this experiment is to search anomalous spin excitations related to the topological physics and spin-orbital coupling, i.e. magnetic monopoles or magneto-phonons, or renormalized spin excitations by the Weyl points in the ferromagnetic state.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820192
title: Quantum Entanglement of Neutron Spin, Path and Energy

description: What does a quantum particle do when you are not looking at it? For a classical moving object, like a golf ball, we know its trajectory even when we are not looking at it. This is not the case with quantum particles, such as neutrons, whose behavior is described by quantum mechanics (QM) in terms only of probable outcomes of a measurement. Einstein argued that QM was unlikely to be a full theory because it did not comply with what he regarded as common sense (local realism). It leads to strange phenomena like entanglement of quantum states that are currently being researched as the basis for future quantum computing. Our experiment aims to confirm entanglement for neutrons. If successful, we expect to open up an important new method of probing entangled electron states in advanced materials that are expected to underpin new technologies in the computing and energy sectors.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1900126
title: DNA Data Storage

description: DNA data storage is considered a promising alternative storage technology for many reasons. It offers high information density, 103-104x greater than the capacity of tape, and can store the worlds data in the size of a shoebox. Unlike conventional storage methods, as long as humans are interested in DNA, readers (DNA sequencers) will never be obsolete. Additionally, DNA can be extremely durable under the right conditions. Recently, a horse genome was sequenced from a fossil greater than 700,000 years old. Our experiments here will help us understand how radiation damages synthetic DNA and inform us on how to preserve DNA files.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910156
title: INS Study of Bio-oil on a Hydrodeoxygenation Catalyst

description: The Indonesian government has passed a new policy regarding a mandatory regulation for all gas stations nationwide to replace existing diesel fuel to B-20 biofuel. Bio-oil is a promising source of this biomass energy which is readily obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass waste hence maintaining a closed carbon cycle making the environment cleaner. The high content of oxygenates in bio-oil, however, remains a problem that results in low heating values, chemical and thermal instability, and immiscibility with hydrocarbon fuels. One effective upgrading process is the hydrotreatment of bio-oil using a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst. We have synthesised a novel catalyst based on bentonite, i.e. NiMoS/PILC which show superior activity to the commercial NiMoS/Al2O3. To this end, we wish to use INS to study the details of the interaction between the catalyst and the compounds contained in bio-oil.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910273
title: Inelastic neutron spectroscopy investigations of lignin-derived hard carbon

description: Hard carbon (HC) has received considerable attention in recent years as a cheap, sustainable anode for lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries. However, the storage mechanisms are still not certain for either ion. In particular, there is debate over the role of persistent hydrogen groups at the edge of graphene-like sheets. We wish to use inelastic neutron spectroscopy to observe and quantify the amounts of sp2 and sp3 C-H bonds in lignin-derived HC as a function of temperature.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910327
title: Effect of oxidative stress on polyunsaturated lipid bilayers modulated by cholesterol and head group composition

description: The exposure of biological membranes to reactive oxygen species is key for many pathological conditions, including inflammation, infection, or sepsis. Lipid peroxidation is known to deeply affect membrane properties such as structure or stability, but the specific roles of individual cell lipid components are complex and still not well understood. Here, we aim to study the structural consequences of lipid membrane oxidation induced by photoactivated TiO2 nanoparticles, of high pharmaceutical interest, and its dependence on lipid composition by using neutron reflectometry. Polyunsaturated lipid membrane models with different cholesterol contents and head group compositions will be used to investigate the role of these key membrane components in the oxidation process, and to elucidate any potential selectivity or modulation, crucial for the cellular response towards oxidative stress.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910575
title: Inelastic neutron study to investigate the crystal electronic field of rare-earth chalcogenides NaReSe2 (Re=Yb and Er)

description: With the degenerate ground states by the competition between the interacting energies and geometrical properties of the crystal lattice at a specific given site, the geometrically frustrated magnetism has attracted a lot of attention in the past decades. One exotic state is quantum spin liquid (QSL) state in which spins cannot find a stable/exclusive ordering state and are quantum entangled over long distances, but do not show magnetic order even in the zero-temperature limit Recently we have discovered new QSL behavior in NaReCh2 (Re=rare earth, Ch2=O, S, Se) and here we propose to measure the crystal electronic field (CEF) excitations of NaErSe2 and NaYbSe2 to understand the role of single ion anisotropy and origin of the quantum spin liquid behavior using MERLIN.
DOI: 10.21227/r2hg-bn32
title: DNS Tunneling Dataset

description: The training and test dataset for DNS tunneling detection.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1510498
title: Effect of intergranular stress on creep deformation in 316H during high temperature asymmetric cyclic loading - Part 2

description: Creep lifetime of high temperature power plant materials are significantly affected due to predicted and unpredicted cyclic loading during plant operation. Our previous study has shown, during high temperature cyclic loading, internal stresses are generated in 316H austenitic steel due to inhomogeneities in deformation which opposes the applied stress, termed as back stress. Generation of back stress and its effect on creep deformation in 316H austenitic steel can be estimated by studying grain family specific intergranular strain using neutron. In the proposed experiment, the effect of cyclic load generated back stress on creep deformation will be studied by simulating real life plant operation conditions. The results will contribute both to extending analytical model of back stress into creep studies and also to improving lifetime assessment code of the power plants for EDF energy
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520026
title: Tilting transition and dimensionality crossover of anion chain order in Ba1-xSrxTaO2N

description: Transition metal oxynitride perovskites  are an emerging class of functional materials. However, their oxide/nitride ordering principles were unclear until a recent study of the representative compounds SrMO2N (M = Nb, Ta) by neutron and electron diffraction revealed a robust partial anion order where  disordered zig-zag MN chains lie within two-dimensional (2D) planes.  However BaTaO2N contains the same cis-chains propagating in three dimensions (3D). The discovery of 2D anion chains in SrTaO2N but 3D chains for BaTaO2N raises the question of how the ordering dimensionality changes in intermediate Ba1-xSrxTaO2N perovskites. We propose to collect HRPD data from 4 Ba1-xSrxTaO2N samples to explore this. We will also explore how  the tilting transition to I4/mcm (3D anion order) or Fmmm (2D) changes as it is suppressed from 450 K for x = 1 to zero temperature for small x.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520190
title: New materials for use in proton conducting ceramic solid oxide fuel cells

description: Oxides that exhibit significant proton conductivity at elevated temperatures are candidates for different electrochemical applications, such as hydrogen sensors, membranes for hydrogen production, and proton conducting ceramic solid oxide fuel cells (PCC-SOFC). The most studied ceramic proton conductors are those based on Ba(Zr/Ce)O3 with the perovskite structure. However, these materials show several drawbacks (CO2 stability/sintering issues) for practical applications. Alternative proton-conducting materials with non perovskite-based structures are therefore being sought to overcome these drawbacks. In addition, there is a need to develop materials showing mixed proton/electronic conduction for use as electrodes in PCC-SOFCs and as hydrogen separation membranes. This proposal is targeted at two new proton conducting systems/structure-types.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520200
title: Magnetic Excitations in the Shastry-Sutherland magnet; Neodymium Tetraboride

description: We are proposing to investigate the magnetic excitations of NdB4 in zero field using LET. NdB4 crystallises into tetragonal structure where the Nd ions forms layers which map to the Shastry-Sutherland lattice. The Shastry-Sutherland lattice is a frustrated lattice that has an exact solution for the ground state. The competition between the magnetic and quadrupolar interactions in NdB4 is crucial to establishing a ground state leading to interesting and unexpected properties. These include fractional magnetisation plateaux and complex phase diagrams. We have produced and characterised large single crystals of NdB4, as well as performing a neutron diffraction experiment on D10 to determine the zero field magnetic structure, which has offered some intriguing results.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520222
title: Chemical control of structures and properties of cobalt oxide chalcogenides

description: The evolution of the crystal structures and magnetic ordering of layered cobalt oxide chalcogenides will be probed as a function of composition. The systems Sr2CoO2Cu2-zSe2 and Sr2CoO2Ag2-zSe2 are obtained by the removal of some of the copper or silver from the parent materials (with z = 0) using an iodine solution. This process is topotactic and conserves the basic structure. The parent materials show long range antiferromagnetic ordering of the Co sublattice with large orbital enhancements to the moments and evidence for competing magnetic structures.  Variable temperature high resolution neutron diffraction will probe of the effect of the chemical oxidation on the long range magnetic order and the competition between magnetic ground states and this will give insight into the fundamental magnetic, electronic and transport properties of these materials.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520239
title: Composition of model binary surfactant mixtures at the solid/liquid interface

description: The adsorption at the silica water (both hydrophilic) interface of anionics can be induced by the addition of non ionics, the degree of which provides information on the surface activity of the charged molecule. However, the exact nature of anionics and their interaction at the interface have not been completely explored. We propose to study the adsorption effects of C12E8/LAS4 as a function of temperature and composition to better understand how anionics adsorb at a competitive interface.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520310
title: Part A: Binding behaviour of PAMAMs G5 and G4.5 to zwitterionic and anionic lipid monolayers

description: Polymers are commonly used in drug delivery to create dosage forms that enable delivery of the active ingredient to the site of action within the body. Towards controlled drug delivery polymers enable the development of systems that help to minimise side effects. There are a variety of ways in which polymers can interact with cell membranes, via specific receptors and also via disruption of the lipid membrane itself. We have been investigating the role of different properties of polymers on their ability to interact with lipid membranes. PAMAM is a highly branched polymer with either cationic (G5) or anionic (G4.5) end groups. In this proposal we ask for neutron reflectometry INTER beam time to investigate the interfacial structure of lipid layers in the presence of PAMAM G4.5 and G5.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520434
title: Muon spin relaxation study on new tetragonal compound Ce2PdGe3

description: Cerium-based Kondo lattice compounds have received considerable attention, owing largely to the variety of exotic ground states that they exhibit (e.g., unconventional superconductivity, heavy fermion behavior, quantum criticality, etc.). Ce2PdGe3 undergoes two antiferromagnetic phase transitions at 10.7 K and 9.6 K and a ferromagnetic ordering at 2.25 K. The ordered ground state emerges from a lattice of Ce ions that are hybridized with the conduction electrons, as revealed by the enhanced electronic coefficient of the specific heat  50 mJ/mol-Ce-K2. Electronic structure calculations suggest that there is a significant f-electron weight in the density of states near the Fermi energy and that the Fermi surface includes sheets with distinct nesting vectors. We therefore propose to carry out MUSR study on this compound using the EMU spectrometer.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1520462
title: Using negative muons as a non-destructive probe of material composition

description: Elemental analysis is a process in which a sample is analysed for its composition. Often this is accomplished by destructive and damaging techniques. Clearly, such techniques are not desirable for valuable items (either scientific or monetary). Therefore, techniques of non-destructive bulk elemental analysis are desirable, for example in engineering, Earth and archaeological sciences. Negative muons offer the possibility of a non-destructive multi-elemental analysis.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1820408
title: Comparative study of magnetic Skyrmion formation in Co-Mn-Zn alloys

description: Skyrmions are topologically protected vortex-like spin textures, and have been attracting increasing attention due to their potential technological applications for spintronics. In particular, metallic magnets with chiral and cubic/tetragonal crystal structure may have high potential to host skyrmions that can be driven by low electrical current excitation. Recently, the formation of skyrmions with unique spin helicity both at and above room temperature has been demonstrated in a family of cubic chiral magnets: beta-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn alloys, which have a different chiral space group from that of the B20 compounds usually associated with Skyrmions.  In this study, we wish to investigate how varying the stoichiometry, and therefore the strength of the exchange interaction, affects the Skyrmion phase, by looking for the signature of Skyrmion formation using transverse field muSR.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1900124
title: ChipIR Commercial Access Infineon OX07

description: High-voltage power semiconductor devices, such as IGBTs, diodes and MOSFETs are susceptible to destructive failure due to terrestrial cosmic radiation (CR), notably the nucleon part. As a consequence, device development has to ensure adequate radiation hardness for every device technology. This aim can only partly be met by device and technology simulations and, therefore, also calls for extensive device tests. In order to reduce testing times accelerated irradiation tests at facilities with a nucleon energy spectrum close to the natural terrestrial CR are essential. The thus obtained failures rates will be compared to simulation predictions and storage tests.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1900128
title: Measuring Radiation Effects on Robotic Systems

description: Performance degradation analysis of the sensors and embedded computing systems in the radiation-rich environment is a research area for nuclear robotics. In this perspective, a couple of experiments are proposed to capture the neutron-induced noise on the Raspberry Pi ARM processor-based system and associated camera. The experiments are designed to maintain a log of the data from the irradiated devices to a wide neutron fluence range. The captured data will be useful in modelling the device under test (DUT) performance degradation as the function of the neutron fluence. Such models can be useful for researchers planning similar deployments and for algorithms facilitating radiation robust operation. The degradation analysis requires periodic irradiation of the DUT from a high flux collimated neutron beam, and a 24-hour beamtime at the ChipIR facility is ideal to support the said need.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910126
title: Crystalline electric field levels in a rare-earth triangular-lattice antiferromagnet

description: The rare-earth frustrated magnets with dipole-octupole doublet trigger intense research interests due to their exotic quantum phases including spin fragmentation. The newly discovered rare-earth magnet KErSe2 is a promising realization of the dipole-octupole doublet on the triangular lattice and shows no evidence for long range magnetic order down to 0.2K. Therefore, the determination of the single ion ground state by crystal field analysis will be crucial for understanding the spin state in KErSe2. We request 2-days beamtime on MAPS for the crystal field measurement.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910237
title: Total scattering study of the garnet-phase battery electrolyte Li7La3Zr2O12

description: The cubic garnet-phase of Li7La3Zr2O12 is one of the most promising new electrolytes for use in an all-solid-state battery. We are proposing a total scattering experiment on samples concentrated in Li-7 isotope, with results to be analysed by the Reverse Monte Carlo method, to give unique information on the distribution of lithium positions and diffusion pathways. We have recent obtained a set of complementary x-ray total scattering data which will be combined with the proposed neutron scattering data in the analysis.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910247
title: Dynamic spin correlation length in the hedgehog spin vortex phase and superconducting state of CaK(Fe1-xNix)4As4

description: Magnetism is believed to play an important role in many quantum phenomena such as superconductivity and nematicity in iron-based superconductors. One of the signatures is that the dynamic spin-spin correlation length will always have response to these phase transitions. Recently, a new hedgehog spin-vortex crystal (SVC) order was discovered in CaK(Fe1-xNix)4As4. It would be interesting to study the spin-spin correlation length crossing the superconducting and magnetic transition temperatures in such a unique spin-vortex C4 phase compound without a static nematic order even nematic fluctuations. Thus, we propose to study of the dynamic spin correlation length of low energy spin excitations in CaK(Fe0.96Ni0.04)4As4 (Tc = 20.5 K, TN = 46.5 K) with centimeter-size single crystals by inelastic  neutron scattering using high flux chopper spectrometer MAPS or MERLIN.
DOI: 10.5286/isis.e.rb1910433
title: The effect of interface roughness on proximity induced magnetisation and interface spin transparency in Pt/CoFeB/Cu thin films.

description: Interface effects, including proximity induced magnetisation (PIM), play an import role in many spintronic devices employing heavy metal/ferromagnetic structures. Interface quality, including roughness and intermixing leads to modifications of interface properties such as the spin transparency. Polarised neutron reflectometry and X-ray resonant magnetic reflectometry will be used to characterise the magnetic profile of CoFeB and the PIM in Pt respectively in Pt/CoFeB interfaces with varying degrees of induced surface roughness. The new OSMOND detector on PolRef allows for increased surface roughness sensitivity making this investigation now possible. Complimentary measurements will be performed investigating changes in interface spin transparency and current induced magnetisation reversal. This work will go towards publication and contribute in part to the authors EPSRC DTP funded PhD.