Introducing new industrial users to large-scale x-ray and neutron facilities

Grethe V. Jensen, Søren R. Midtgaard, Søren A. R. Kynde and Lise Arleth (University of Copenhagen)

A wide range of experimental techniques for structural studies of anything from materials to biological systems down to atomic length scales are available at various international large-scale X-ray and Neutron facilities. They are in many cases mainly applied by highly specialized academic researchers, and a large, unexploited potential for expanded use exists. To promote increased industrial use, various efforts must be made to overcome the barriers, which include limited knowledge about the opportunities, and lack of specialized expertise (especially for smaller companies).

Following the heavy Danish investments in the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund (Sweden), the Capital Region of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen (through the faculty of Science and the faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) have supported the initiative NXUS (Neutron and X-ray User Support). NXUS acts as a mediator between experiment facilities and non-expert users in both industry, hospital research, and academia, providing expertise in data acquisition and analysis within the technique of small-angle scattering (SAXS and SANS). NXUS is research-based and is anchored at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen.

In a one year pilot phase, ten industrial case projects have been identified, and performed through the NXUS project after application from the companies, ranging from pharma- and biotech companies to manufacturers of paint and catalysts. The case projects serve as illustrative examples of how industry can obtain valuable structural information on their products, and have caught a lot of interest both from the participants and from other companies. They have thereby introduced new users to large-scale facilities and shown the potential for SAXS and SANS in industry.

Following the initial success, work now continues towards a consolidated industry portal, based on a sustainable model with significant financial contributions from the participating companies, with support to the research that the expertise is built upon, and in collaboration with other academic expert groups covering other X-ray and neutron-based techniques.

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