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

该项目是关于中子散射实验样本环境 (SENSE) 的研讨会。 它以行动为导向，目标是 (1) 探索影响中子散射先进样品环境开发问题的科学驱动因素 - 主要关注散裂中子源 (SNS) - 以及 (2) 制定路线图来满足这些需求。 我们鼓励刚接触中子散射的科学家参加针对化学和生物学界的 NSFCHEMBIO 研讨会的开始时的教程课程。 SENSE 研讨会以全体会议开始，讨论先进样本环境的科学案例；即控制样品温度、压力、磁场环境和化学环境的环境。 研讨会继续进行一系列关于科学研究和全球领先样本环境技术方面的并行口头演讲。 接下来是以用户为中心的互动会议。 SENSE 研讨会还包括参观 NHMFL 以及与并行的 NSFCHEMBIO 研讨会的联合会议。 由于 SENSE 研讨会旨在为国家样本环境倡议制定科学驱动的路线图，因此研讨会各部分主席和“概念团队”进行了总结，并确定了后续行动项目。 除了吸引该领域的专家之外，SENSE 研讨会还吸引了更广泛的社区，特别是研究生、博士后和初级教员，以及刚接触中子散射技术的科学家。 全体讲师中有两名是女性，组织者也正在联系几个 HBCU。低能量中子是物质特性的有用探针，对从原子尺寸到微米的空间尺度上的结构和动力学特性特别敏感。 这些是例如聚合物、金属和合金中的颗粒以及活细胞的鳞片特征。 中子还提供了类似尺度的独特磁性探针。 然而，材料的特性取决于其环境条件。 例如，环境温度、压力、磁场环境都会影响物理材料的性能。 这在物质的熔点或凝固点附近很明显。 同样，活细胞的特性也受到温度、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此类参数进行广泛控制的示例环境。 本次研讨会的目的是探讨各个科学界对先进样本环境的需求，并制定行动计划以实现这些需求。 这个项目现在显得尤为及时，因为橡树岭国家实验室的散裂中子源 (SNS) 已于 2006 年接近完工。

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.