Media | Rolls-Royce using JEEP beamline

Diamond and Rolls-Royce shine light on world’s biggest synchrotron stage

On Thursday 2nd December 2010, leading scientists and policy makers gathered at Diamond Light Source for the official opening of a unique new research station that can create molecular-scale 3D images of large objects such as aerospace and engineering components, and explore their structures in atomic-scale detail.

Diamond’s I12 Joint Engineering, Environmental and Processing Beamline Experimental Hutch 2 (known as JEEP EH2) produces one of the largest high-energy monochromatic X-ray beam of any synchrotron in the world, and also has an exceptionally large sample mounting stage, housed in a specially constructed end-station. While most synchrotron beamlines focus brilliant light or X-rays on microscopic samples such as protein crystals, JEEP can be used to examine massive samples over a metre long and up to 2,000 kg (2 tonnes) in weight and position them with micro-metre accuracy.

Engineers from Rolls-Royce are the first researchers to use the new JEEP facility.  They are testing innovative coatings for fan blades of the Trent 1000 engine (pictured right).  The new engine powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, due to enter service in 2011. 

Lord Broers, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, past President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and now Chairman of Diamond Light Source, said: “Diamond provides world-leading experimental facilities for UK science and industry. By enabling large-scale components to be studied in such incredible detail, JEEP marks a real advance in our technological capabilities.”
 

“The information we can now obtain from JEEP will help us develop new processes, improve material properties and reduce cost. This detailed, in-situ examination of advanced engineering materials will enhance the durability of aerospace components.”

Professor David Rugg, Material Specialist from Rolls-Royce

A team from Imperial College London headed by Professor Peter Lee are also using JEEP to examine the internal microstructure on a range of materials including metal alloys, frozen soils and bone tissue with levels of precision that have never previously been possible.  Other users include the University of Manchester and high-tech manufacturer Johnson Matthey, who use Diamond to develop products such as bio-engineered pharmaceuticals, energy-efficient catalysts and nano-electronic components.
 

Left to right: Prof. David Rugg (Rolls-Royce), Lord Broers (Diamond), Dr Michael Drakopoulos (Diamond), Prof. Michael Sterling (STFC), Graham Evans MP and Prof. Gerd Materlik (Diamond)
 
Professor Michael Sterling, Chair of the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, adds, “This new facility adds to the growing number of world class research techniques that are available on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.  UK scientists are increasingly able to advance their research at our national facilities and this reflects the importance that Government places on providing the right tools for scientific and technological breakthroughs to happen here in Britain.”
 
Diamond Light Source has developed rapidly since it opened in 2007, with 18 beamlines now operational and four more under construction. Over 2,000 researchers currently use Diamond, and their work along with that of Diamond science and technical staff has generated over 1,000 journal and conference papers. In October’s spending review, Chancellor George Osborne announced that Diamond will receive capital funding for its Phase III development, enabling the construction of 10 new beamlines by 2018.

“As new facilities become available at Diamond, we are able to attract researchers from an ever increasing number of scientific disciplines. The opening of JEEP and the other new beamlines we are building will further enhance Diamond’s capability to support UK science and industry and contribute to economic growth.”

Professor Gerd Materlik, CEO Diamond Light Source

Click here to find out more about Diamond's JEEP beamline

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