SENSE Workshop: Sample Environments for Neutron Scattering Experiments in Tallahassee, FL, September 24-26, 2003

这个项目是一个关于中子散射实验(SENSE)样品环境的研讨会。它是以行动为导向的，目标是(1)探索影响与发展先进的中子散射样品环境有关的问题的科学驱动因素--主要侧重于散裂中子源(SNS)--和(2)制定满足这些需求的路线图。鼓励对中子散射的使用不熟悉的科学家参加NSFCHEMBIO针对化学和生物界的配套讲习班开始时的辅导课程。Sense研讨会以全体会议开始，讨论高级样品环境的科学案例；即提供对样品温度、压力、磁场环境和化学环境的控制的环境。讲习班继续进行一系列关于科学研究和世界领先样本环境的技术方面的平行口头陈述。紧随其后的是以用户为中心的互动会议。SENSE研讨会还包括参观NHMFL和与平行的NSFCHEMBIO研讨会联合举行的会议。由于SENSE讲习班的目的是为国家样本环境倡议制定一份以科学为导向的路线图，因此最后由讲习班科长和“概念小组”进行总结，并确定后续行动项目。除了让该领域的专家参与之外，SENSE研讨会还涉及更广泛的社区，特别是包括研究生、博士后和初级教职员工，以及对中子散射技术陌生的科学家。全体讲师中有两名是女性，组织者还联系了几个HBCU。低能量的中子是物质性质的有用探测器，对从原子维度到微米的空间尺度上的结构和动力学性质特别敏感。例如，这些鳞片是聚合物、金属和合金中的颗粒以及活细胞的特征。中子还在类似的尺度上提供独特的磁性探测器。然而，材料的性质取决于它们所处环境的条件。例如，环境温度、压力和磁场环境都会影响物理材料的性质。在物质的熔点或冰点附近，这一点很明显。同样，活细胞的特性也会受到温度、压力和它们所处的化学环境的影响。然而，到目前为止，通常还不可能提供允许对这些参数进行广泛控制的样本环境。该讲习班的目的是探讨各科学界对先进样本环境的需求，并制定一项行动计划，使之得以实现。这个项目现在特别及时，因为散裂中子源(SNS)将于2006年在橡树岭国家实验室完成。

This project is a workshop on Sample Environments for Neutron Scattering Experiments (SENSE). It is action-oriented, with the goals of (1) exploring the science drivers that impact issues concerning the development of advanced sample environments for neutron scattering - primarily focused on the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) - and (2) developing a roadmap to address these needs. Scientists who are new to the use of neutron scattering are encouraged to attend a tutorial session at the beginning of a companion NSFCHEMBIO workshop targeted at the chemistry and biology communities. The SENSE workshop proper begins with a plenary session to consider the science case for advanced sample environments; that is, environments that provide control of the sample temperature, pressure, magnetic-field environment, and chemical environment. The workshop continues with a series of parallel oral presentations on scientific research and on the technical aspects of leading sample environments worldwide. This is followed by user-focused interactive sessions. The SENSE workshop also includes a tour of the NHMFL and joint sessions with the parallel NSFCHEMBIO workshop. Because the SENSE workshop is intended to launch the development of a science-driven roadmap for national sample-environment initiatives, it concludes with summaries by the workshop section chairs and "concept teams" and the identification of follow-up action items. In addition to engaging experts in the field, the SENSE workshop is involving the broader community, specifically including graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty members, as well as scientists who are new to the technique of neutron scattering. Two of the plenary lecturers are women, and the organizers are also reaching out to several HBCUs.Neutrons with low energies are useful probes of the properties of matter, being especially responsive to structural and dynamical properties on spatial scales ranging from atomic dimensions to micro-meters. These are scales characteristic of, for example, polymers, grains in metals and alloys, and living cells. Neutrons also provide unique probes of magnetic properties on similar scales. The properties of materials depend upon conditions in their environment, however. For example, the ambient temperature, pressure, and magnetic-field environment all affect the properties of physical materials. This is obvious near the melting or freezing point of a substance. Similarly, the properties of living cells are affected by temperature, pressure, and the chemical environments in which they find themselves. Up to this point, however, it has not generally been possible to provide sample environments that allow wide-ranging control of such parameters. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the needs of the various scientific communities for advanced sample environments and to develop a plan of action to enable them to be realized. This project is especially timely now, as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) approaches completion at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2006.