Date	Subject	Additional information
15/12/04	ESS-Initiative's Chairman writes to ESFRI's December 17 meeting (15/12/04) Next to the UK review of the UK users' need for a next generation neutron spallation source and the official Swedish and Hungarian governments' investigations of the benefits and support for hosting such a facility in their respective countries, there is a rapidly increasing interest in large facilities at the European level. ESFRI, the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, will produce roadmaps of priority facilities for the next 10-20 years, and the EU is preparing an FP7 with possibly a much larger share for research infrastructures. The decision by ESFRI to briefly revisit the current landscape with respect to neutrons on the 17th December 2004 is therefore a good occasion to draw ESFRI's attention to the view of the new organisation ESS-Initiative. Read the letter written by ESS-I's chairman, Peter Tindemans	ESFRI - The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures ESFRI pages Executive summary of ESFRI report on the European Neutron Muon Portal (PDF, 188KB).
8/11/04	2004 Call for Letters of Intent for Neutron Instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source of the J-PARC project - Deadline 30 November (8/11/04) JAERI-KEK Joint Project announces the 2004 Call for Letters of Intent (LOI's) for Neutron Instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source. From April 1, 2001, a new accelerator project has been started to build a MW class spallation neutron source in Tokai, Japan, based on a 3 GeV proton synchrotron. The first beams are expected in early 2008, and there will be 23 neutron beamlines available in the neutron experimental hall. J-PARC warmly invite you to consider submitting a letter of intent to propose instruments for the facility.	Information is available at: J-PARC Webpage If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to: Dr. Y. Morii or Professor M. Furusaka
08/11/04	Exploring matter with Neutrons, a multimedia encyclopedia on neutrons, is now available Exploring matter with Neutrons, 2nd tome of the NANOPOLIS encyclopedia series is now available. More than1000 interactive pages and virtual animations. Multiple-entry points – multiple knowledge’s level Comprehensive video and 3D computer generated images. Contributions of the most prestigious neutron institutes (Nanopolis international consortium) : Institut Laue-Langevin, France; Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, USA; ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, United Kingdom; GKSS Forschungszentrum, Germany; Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany; Hahn Meitner Institut, Germany; Laboratoire Leon Brillouin (CEA-CNRS), France. For students, teachers, research institutes, industry and the general public.	More information: Nanopolis Website
29/10/04	NMI3 Second Round for Proposals evaluated - 27.000 € for training activities (29/10/04) The 11 proposals submitted to the Second Round for Proposals have been evaluated at the Second NMI3 meeting on 7 October in Villigen. The committee proposes the assignation of a total of 11.000 € to support 3 Neutrons Workshops and 16.000 € for 3 of the 6 proposals for Neutron Schools. Schools • 9th Laboratory Course Neutron Scattering, Jülich, Germany • Polarised Neutrons for Material and Life Sciences, Anglet, France • Central European Training School on Neutron Scattering, Budapest Neutron Center, Hungary
10 October 2004	LABORATOIRE LÉON BRILLOUIN: A CLEAR FUTURE. NORMAL OPERATION CONDITIONS FOR THE ORPHEE-LLB REACTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN EARLY 2006 (04/10/04) A meeting of an extraordinary steering committee of the Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (LLB) has been held on Monday 4 October 2004. This committee has asked the LLB and ORPHEE reactor management to make the necessary arrangements to resume normal operation conditions for the ORPHEE-LLB reactor – a minimum of two cycles of 90 days per year – as soon as possible in early 2006. This decision conforms to recent instructions of the Minister of Research addressed to the Administrateur général of CEA and Directeur général of CNRS. This action put an end to the uncertainty over the fate of ORPHEE-LLB beyond 2005. The future of LLB is now clear. LLB will thus be able to reinforce the European scientific community, in the long term, jointly with the other European neutron sources. 4 October 2004 Pierre MONCEAU Director of the LLB	LLB and ORPHEE management in front of the ORPHEE reactor on a sunny afternoon (from left to right: Pierre Monceau, Director of LLB, Jérome Estrade , head of ORPHEE operations division, Alain Menelle, LLB director adviser, Catherine Peleszezak, deputy head of ORPHEE operations division, Michel Alba, deputy director of LLB). More about LLB on these pages: LLB Link to the Official LLB pages
08/10/04	A new team for ENSA ENSA has a new chairman: Hannu Mutka (French delegate mandated by the SFN) has been appointed as chairman of the European Neutron Scattering Association. Peter Allenspach (Swiss delegate - SNG) has been named Vice chairman and Kell Mortensen (Danish delegate - DANSSK) secretary. The new team is ready to work on benefit of the European neutron users.	From left to right: P Allenspach, H Mutka, K Mortensen. More information on the ENSA Pages: Summary of the ENSA meeting Who is Hannu Mutka? Who is Peter Allenspach? Who is Kell Mortensen?
08/10/04	ISMS-Europe: the representative organization for European muon users The International Society of µSR Spectroscopy (ISMS)-Europe is now the representative organization for European muon users. Representatives from nine European countries met recently to approve the statues of the new body, with Robert Cywinski (University of Leeds, UK) as the ISMS-E chair. ISMS-E is part of the larger, worldwide International Society for µSR Spectroscopy. From left to right Thomas Prokscha (PSI, Switzerland), Philip King (ISIS, UK), Pierre Dalmas de Reotier (CEA-Grenoble, France), Paul Gubbens (Delft, The Netherlands), Jochan Litterst (Braunschweig, Germany), Bob Cywinski (Leeds, UK), Alex Lappas (Heraklion, Greece), Sue Kilcoyne (Leeds, UK), Roberto De Renzi (Parma, Italy), Jose Garcia-Munoz (Barcelona, Spain), Dierk Herlach (PSI, Switzerland), Joao Gil (Coimbra, Portugal).	ISMS Inaugural meeting, Villigen Switzerland More information about the ISMS on the ISMS-E pages on the European Neutron - Muon Portal. Official Web page of the International Society of µSR Spectroscopy: ISMS
10/09/04	PSI focus of attention of the neutron and muon family next October: About 50 representatives of the European neutron and muon communities will meet in October at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), the largest national research institute in Switzerland (10/09/04) The European Neutron Scattering Association, ENSA, the International Society for µSR Spectroscopy ISMS – Europe, and the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative for Neutron Scattering and Muon Spectroscopy NMI3 will hold their general assemblies at PSI in Villigen on 7 and 8 October 2004. Registration to the meetings is open now for the members of these institutions. Beside those meetings, on 6 October 2004, PSI will organize a symposium to mark the retirement of Professor Albert Furrer. To see a summary of A. Furrer’s activities and the symposium programme consult the section Albert Furrer Symposium. Registration is open now.	ENSA- an affiliation of the national neutron scattering societies which directly represents neutron beam users. ISMS-Europa: a society to promote the worldwide advancement of muon spin rotation, relaxation and resonance (µSR). NMI3 - a 4,5 year project funded by the European Commission with the aim of improving the effective use of European facilities for neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy PSI - a multi-disciplinary research centre for natural sciences and technology, Villigen, Switzerland.
30/09/04	SECOND NMI3 CALL FOR PROPOSALS EXTENDED! - Extended Deadline: Although excellent proposals have been submitted, there are not so many. On the other hand, it may be that someone should still be considering to submit a proposal. Therefore the deadline for proposals to NMI3 Second Round has been extended until 30 September 2004. Do you contemplate organizing a school, a workshop, a technical meeting or any activity that relates to spreading or widening the use of neutron scattering or muon spectroscopy ? NMI3 supports these actions under the "Networking activities" and the second round for proposals is still open!	Please visit the NMI3 website for full details.
29/08/04	Swedish enthusiasm peps up plans for neutron source - Nature NATURE|VOL 430 | 29 JULY 2004 NEWS. Quirin Schiermeier,Munich An ambitious plan for a powerful neutron facility in Europe has been reawakened by a show of interest from Sweden. There are as yet no promises that the facility will be built — let alone a decision on where — but Sweden’s move has fuelled hope in the 5,000-strong European neutron community that the project will finally go ahead.	Read the news on the Nature Wepage. Nature
26/08/04	On 25 August, the neutron source FRM-II in Garching, Germany has reached its nominal power of 20 MW (26/08/04) After the nuclear startup on March, 2nd 2004 the power to prove the save and reliable operation of the reactor and all its components has been increased stepwise. During these steps we already started to use the first neutrons for aligning and testing the beams and instruments. Flux measurements with detectors as well as gold foil activation analysis showed good agreements with calculated values. In the forthcoming weeks, the instrument teams will continue to take into operation their instruments. After the end of the first fuel cycle in October 2004, it is expected to start the routine operation end of the year with the second fuel cycle.	More details on first experiments and results will be published on http://www.frm2.tum.de
19/07/04	Press release from ESS-Scandinavia: The Swedish Government has appointed Allan Larsson, former minister of finance, as special negotiator to assess the possibilities to locate the European Spallation Source in Sweden (19/07/04) The Swedish government has appointed Allan Larsson, former minister of finance and director general at the EU-Commission, as special negotiator for Sweden to assess the possibilities to locate a European research centre, the European Spallation Source (ESS), in Sweden. In the terms of reference for the assessment, the government notes that Sweden is considered to be one of the leading countries in Europe regarding research and innovation, and declares its intentions to continue an ambitious research policy and to seize opportunities for collaborations regarding large research projects in Europe, such as ESS. At the ESS, the world’s most powerful neutron source will be used for research in strategic areas such as biology, nano- and energy-technology and materials and engineering science. The 1000 M€ centre will be an important hub in the European infrastructure for research, being used every year by thousands of researchers in academia and industry. It is expected to have a strategic importance for science and economic growth in a knowledge based economy. The ESS-Scandinavia consortium has proposed Lund, in Öresund region, as the location for ESS. Similar consortia propose locations in Germany, UK and Hungary. Decisions on issues such as realisation, location and funding of the centre are strongly coupled. These issues will be the subject of negotiations on government level between the country offering to host the centre and countries interested in participating and having access to it. In this perspective, the initiative of the Swedish government strengthens the position of Sweden as a potential host country for the centre. ESS-Scandinavia considers the initiative by the government a very important step and will support Allan Larsson in his work. The terms of reference for the special negotiator includes clarifying the interest from the sci-entific community and industry, analysing the long term effects on economic growth, investi-gating the interest of possible regional, Nordic and European contributors and clarifying the position of the EU-Commission and the interest of other countries to participate. The results of the assessment are to be presented July 1, 2005. The government will then decide whether Sweden will offer to host ESS. The proposal of ESS-Scandinavia to locate ESS in Lund has been received very positively by scientists and politicians in Scandinavia and Europe. Industry in Sweden considers a location in Lund to be very beneficial for their ability to compete and for further investments in the region.	Read the Press Release: (PDF 52KB) ESSS - July 2004
15/07/04	More EU support for European neutron scattering. (15/07/04) Funding of 11 Meuro has been recommended for a consortium of 11 European laboratories, led by Universita Roma Tre in Italy, to support the construction of instruments for ISIS Target Station 2. This will be one of the largest projects in the 'Construction of New Infrastructures' activity of EU Framework Programme 6. Previous Framework Programmes have not included any funding for facility construction, but only for research and technical development and access.
13/07/04	Research Centre Jülich sets up branch lab at new Munich research reactor - Jülich neutron expertise for FRM-II 30 June 2004 - Research Centre Jülich is establishing a branch lab to exploit the facilities of the Munich FRM-II research reactor at its Garching site. This is provided for in a key point agreement signed by the Research Centre and Munich University of Technology, the FRM-II operator. Seven measuring instruments for neutron research with a total value of € 45 million will be transferred to Garching and operated there by Research Centre Jülich. Through this close cooperation, scientists from Jülich and Munich intend to turn the FRM-II into an internationally leading centre for neutron research. The agreement on "Key Points for the Establishment of a Branch Laboratory of Research Centre Jülich for the Purpose of Utilizing the High-Flux Neutron Source FRM-II" was signed at the Bavarian Ministry of State for Science, Research and Art. The agreement was signed by Prof. Joachim Treusch, Chairman of Research Centre Jülich, Dorothee Dzwonnek, Vice-Chairwoman, and Wilhelm Eisenbeiß, Permanent Representative of the Registrar of Munich University of Technology. "Research Centre Jülich is at the cutting edge of neutron research worldwide and the new Munich reactor is the most powerful German neutron source. This is the ideal combination for establishing an internationally leading centre for neutron research in Germany," said Prof. Treusch as the agreement was signed. Dorothee Dzwonnek added that "The joint efforts by Research Centre Jülich and Munich University of Technology are a good example of how excellent science emerges from cooperation between university and non-university research." On its own campus, the Research Centre will found the "Jülich Centre for Neutron Science" (JCNS) and establish a branch lab of this centre at the Munich research reactor. The Jülich branch lab will be accommodated in new premises on the site of the Munich research reactor at Garching. About 30 staff (scientists, engineers, technicians, administrators) will work on the spot at the Jülich branch lab. The Jülich scientists will operate seven of their own instruments in the new research station at FRM-II. One third of the measuring time will be available to the Jülich scientists for their own neutron research. Two thirds of the measuring time will be allocated to general users; 50% of this time will be assessed by a committee of experts from FRM-II and 50% by an expert committee from Jülich. The transfer of instruments will begin at the end of 2005.	Source: Press release of the FZJ - Jülich. See also the press release of the Bavarian Ministry of State for Science, Research and Art. More information and a picture of the signature of the contract can be found on the site of the Committee Research with Neutrons (KFN).
05/07/04	What do neutrons have to do with energy research? Almost 100 neutron and energy experts from Europe and the United States gathered in Washington, June 4-5, 2004 to discuss about "Neutrons and Energy for the Future". A joint USA-Europe workshop was held to raise awareness about what neutrons can offer to the development of cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy technologies (hydrogen, fuel cells, renewable energy, storage methods, and improvement of conventional energies). Scenarios, trends, and the most relevant breakthroughs on energy were introduced. The research experiences presented clearly demonstrated the potential of neutrons as a tool to achieve the needed understanding of materials to overcome the identified technological challenges. The material of the workshop will be used as a starting point and main source of information for the elaboration of a Foresight Study. NMI3 coordinates and finances this study. Currently, a "Foresight Study Group" is analyzing the actual status of the research on energy key technologies and will foresee how neutrons can help to overcome some of the most critical barriers. The first draft of the report will be presented in October at the second NMI3 meeting.	See in the CONTENT SUMMARY an overview of what was told during the workshop "Neutrons and Energy for the Future".
25/06/04	SECOND ROUND OF THE NMI3 CALL FOR PROPOSALS LAUNCHED If you contemplate organizing a school, a workshop, a technical meeting or any activity that relates to spreading or widening the use of neutron scattering or muon spectroscopy? NMI3 supports these actions under the "Networking Activities" and the second round for proposals is OPEN NOW!!! You can apply for funds to support: • Students and post-docs attending the schools on neutron scattering and/or muon spectroscopy or workshop to improve neutron and muon techniques and methods • Individual mobility to aid transfer to technologies and other activities • Observers to attend a Joint Research Activity meeting Moreover, your ideas for Foresight Studies, to be carried out within the NMI3 network, are welcome.	The deadline for applications is September 1st, 2004. CALL FOR PROPOSALS 02/04 See details on the NMI3 pages. 6 schools, 4 workshops and 2 foresight studies are the activities selected on the first round for proposals to be funded by NMI3. See the list on the NMI3-Education and Training section. NMI3, the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative for Neutron Scattering and Muon Spectroscopy is supported by the European Commission - 6th Framework Programme. Structuring the European Research Area – Research Infrastructures. Official page: NMI3
27.05.04	ESS Update report now available! (27.05.04) The ESS project proposal was presented at a meeting in the former house of parliament in Bonn, 16-17 May 2002 and published in The ESS project volumes I to IV (2002). In January 2003 it became clear, however, that a decision to build the ESS would not likely be forthcoming by the end of 2003 or early 2004, but rather be delayed by several years - a view that was confirmed in the months to follow. The ESS council therefore decided to wind down all technical and project planning activities and limit the ESS efforts to documenting the current technical and planning status. The present document (The ESS project – Volume 3 update report – Status 2003) - is a summary of the substantial amount of work, technical definition and progress achieved during the period from May 2002 to early 2003. It should be read as an update to the May 2002 ESS project Volume III report, and together with all four volumes from May 2002 it presents a full description of the ESS project. The Update report also describes briefly how the decision to stop technical and planning efforts by the beginning of this year will influence the timescale for a re-launch of a MW spallation source project in Europe.	Visit the ESS Website for further information about the European Spallation Source.
27/05/04	Experts from five European countries discussed about neutron imaging and its industrial uses. Talks of the meeting available now in the documentation section (27/05/04) A meeting on Neutron Imaging and its industrial uses was held in Abingdon, UK. The ISIS facility of the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory (UK) hosted experts from five European countries on March 29th and 30th for a topical discussion about the future of neutron imaging methods as well as their implementation on new beam lines. The availability of new detector technologies and advanced software for image processing, has revolutionised neutron radiography and tomography at the steady state neutron sources. Pulsed neutron beams offer exiting new complementary capabilities which has so far not been exploited. In the light of the ongoing construction of a second target station at ISIS, the first day was mainly devoted to discussing how to make optimal use of a pulsed spallation neutron source for neutron imaging techniques, specifically methods that would profit from using the time structure of the pulsed neutron beam. Taking advantage of the Bragg-edges present in the transmitted beam would enable energy selective neutron imaging in the cold range of the spectrum. This has the advantage of providing a strong enhancement of the contrast between crystalline phases, even those with otherwise similar cross-sections. Other examples included the possibility of performing time-dependent studies in a stroboscopic mode, and utilising the Bragg-edges to provide other information such as internal strain and even texture. Promising developments in detector technology mean that the required spatial and time resolution will soon be simultaneously achievable. Since, at the moment there is little practical experience of this pioneering technology, tests with a preliminary detector setup are planned for late 2004 on one of the optimum beam lines of ISIS Target Station 1. Based on the information obtained, an extrapolation to the performance of a dedicated installation on either TS1 or 2 will be determined. During the second day, the presentations and discussions focussed on the situation in the neutron imaging community in the rest of Europe, and in particular the improvement of networking between the existing facilities. Exciting developments include the recently operational facilities at FRM-2 and ILL, as well as a proposed second, highly flexible beamline for the ILL and the cold neutron radiography beamline under construction at PSI. Although 14 facilities in 8 countries are available for neutron imaging purposes in Europe, their performances are quite different and the teams are in general rather small. Therefore, a formal network was proposed to assist in sharing information in particular on experimental methods as well as beam time access and clients. As this network develops, it is anticipated that it will lead to the exchange of students and postdocs, as well as towards a standardisation of the applied methods which should encourage industrial uptake of the technique. A further important step forward will be the creation of a joint Internet platform to be implemented in the near future. The meeting was well prepared and organised by the hosting facility and took place in an exciting and enjoyable atmosphere. Many thanks to M.R. Daymond and his co-workers for organising the event! Talks of the meeting available now in the Documentation section
22/05/04	New boost for Yorkshire bid to host the £1 billion European Spallation Source - White Rose University Consortium Press Release 22 June 2004 Press release of the White Rose University Consortium: "The Yorkshire bid to host the £1 billion European Spallation Source (ESS), the most powerful neutron scattering facility in the world, was today given fresh impetus by the official report of the scrutiny session which examines the workings of the CCLRC – the research council charged with advising the Government on large scale research facilities in the UK. The report, published today by the House of Commons Select Committee, stated: “The UK has a strong track record and much experience in providing neutron sources. It should look to build on this. The UK scientific community and the Government should be fully behind any competitive and viable bid to bring a European Spallation Source to the UK.”	Read the Press Release on the White Rose University Consortium Official Website Information about the European Spallation Source Project on the ESS Webpages Five contenders expressed at the ESS- Bonn conference (May 2002) their interest to host the ESS: Hosting ESS The Yorkshire site proposal YESS
01/05/04	Interesting article published in PhysicsWeb - June 2004 - New clues in search for theory of superconductivity Published in PhysicsWeb - Institute of Physics - UK, 3 June 2004 - Author: Belle Dumé. A novel magnetic excitation discovered in two different cuprate superconductors could lead physicists towards a theory of high-temperature superconductivity. Two separate teams of physicists have used the new MAPS spectrometer at the ISIS neutron source in the UK to observe the excitation. Theorists have been trying to explain high-temperature superconductivity, without success, since it was discovered in 1986. Read the full article: PhysicsWeb
April 2004	SNS: almost a reality! (April 2004) The world’s most advanced Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)— a $1'4 billion project — is nearly complete. The project is on time and on budget for its 2006 completion. SNS will provide the most intense pulsed neutron beams in the world and will become one of the world’s leading research facility for study of the structure and dynamics of materials using neutrons. The facility is being built at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, by the U.S. Department of Energy. Groundbreaking began in December 1999, and today the project is 80% complete. More than $1 billion has been spent so far. The project budget was $143 million for the current fiscal year, and $113.6 million is expected for 2005. The 30Ha landscape on Chestnut Ridge has changed dramatically, with the forest being replaced by buildings and installations. Construction has included moving almost 765.000 cubic metres of earth and pouring of 61.164 cubic metres of concrete. About 500 people work at the site on a daily basis. The Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (a $65 million project) is being built adjacent to SNS. The addition of other science facilities is also being discussed. The initial 1.4-MW facility will have one target station with 24 instruments and will attract top scientists from around the world. A power upgrade can be achieved at a very low cost and the facility is prepared for the addition of a second target station. Both projects are on the DOE 20 year list of high priority project proposals. The SNS Project Office will open its doors to the public on 2nd April, offering an opportunity to visit with SNS staff and learn about this unique facility.	More info: SNS websiteThe actual statusThe final layout
March/04	FIRST NEUTRONS at FRM-II in Garching. (March 2004) The research neutron source FRM-II of the Technische Universität München in Garching started on 2nd of march to produce the first neutrons. "With this event the commissioning of the latest neutron source world-wide has reached it's decisive phase", Prof. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, president of the TU München, said. "We are proud of our team, which paved the way for the master piece of the FRM-II in the recent years".	More information: FRM-II pages Press Release FRM-II 02 March 2004 Summarized description of the neutron facility in section "Using neutrons" FRM-II
15/03/04	NMI3 FIRST ROUND FOR PROPOSALS EVALUATED. The first round of proposals has been evaluated at the first NMI3 meeting celebrated last week in Perugia. The committee proposes 7 Schools, 3 Workshops and 3 Foresight studies for funding. The results concerning the funding and its conditions will be communicated to the activity coordinators before the end of March.
January 2004	FIRST ROUND OF THE NMI3 CALL FOR PROPOSALS CLOSED! (30 Jan 2004) More than 20 proposals submitted. The proposals will be evaluated by a Committe composed of personnel from the NMI3 board in the first NMI3 meeting. The NMI3 meeting will be held on March 4th, 2004 in Perugia. Notifications to submitters will be made no later than 30 March.