Scientific Support
ESS provides well-equipped user support laboratories for sample preparation, handling, and characterisation as well as storage in the immediate vicinity of the instruments.
A prerequisite for a successful neutron experiment is not only obtaining the optimal sample, but also characterising and conditioning it properly before, during, and after the experiment.
Equally important is the possibility to manipulate the experimental conditions of the sample during the neutron scattering measurement. A central support function with sample environment equipment is required to reliably and safely provide the physical parameters during the neutron experiment.
Support Laboratories
ESS Support Laboratories provide users with facilities and support for carrying out their on-site sample preparation and characterisation before, during, and after their neutron experiment.
Users receive training and support for carrying out their laboratory work safely, as well as support for using laboratory equipment, handling chemicals, and waste handling.
Users are advised to contact the support laboratory team well in advance of their visit to ESS to enquire about the use of laboratory equipment or chemicals.
Current access
Support laboratories currently serve primarily ESS internal scientists, staff, and collaborators. It is possible to request use of the laboratories to support local laboratory work including collaborations, preparation for external neutron beamtime applications, or hot commissioning experiments on the ESS instruments.
Future user access
Once the neutron user programme begins, we will welcome neutron users to use the Support Laboratories during their stay at ESS. Users will need to request access when submitting their proposal, and will need to complete the necessary safety training.
Sample environment
The Sample Environment Group is responsible for supporting the sample environments used on the neutron instruments.
The Sample Environment Group develops, installs, and commissions sample environments, and will maintain and support sample environment systems used on the instruments during user programme operations.
The group provides support for a wide range of sample environment including:
- magnetic and electric fields,
- high or low temperatures,
- high pressures,
- gas handing systems,
- sample changers,
- ambient environments for a range of soft matter experiments.
Deuteration
The ESS Deuteration Group provides support for both chemical and biological deuteration. This support is most relevant to users in life science, soft matter, chemistry and materials science.
Since 2019 ESS has provided proposal access for deuteration and crystallisation support, with the samples used in neutron experiments at partner facilities.
Biodeuteration
For biodeuteration, we grow deuterated bacterial, yeast and algal cultures. From these living systems we can extract a variety of deuterated components including so far recombinant proteins, plasmid DNA, lipids and other extracts.
Chemical deuteration
Chemical deuteration based on catalytic H/D exchange, followed by organic synthesis is used to produce a range of small molecules, membrane lipids, surfactants, and also an increasing range of novel molecules e.g. drug delivery system components and ionic liquids.
ESS is a founding member of the international deuteration network DeuNET, where our current product catalogue is available.
Macromolecular crystallisation
For protein crystallography, the NMX instrument team supports the full workflow: from initial screening to optimisation and testing with X-rays.
Platforms
- Sample Environment Systems for High Pressure and Mechanical Processing (PREMP): Sample environment and support for high pressure experiments and mechanical processing experiments
- Sample Environment Systems for Fluids Including Gases, Liquids and Complex Fluids (FLUCO): Sample environment and characterisation for experiments involving fluid and gaseous materials
- Sample Environment Systems for Temperature and Fields (TEFI): Sample environment and scientific support for experiments using magnetic and electrical fields
- Deuteration and Macromolecular Crystallisation (DEMAX): Service and support for biological/chemical deuteration of samples and macromolecular crystallisation
- Sample Handling and General Use Labs (SULF): User laboratories for sample preparation, handling, conditioning and characterisation
- Sample Environment Mechatronics and Software Integration (MESI): Integration of sample environment and experimental equipment into ESS control systems
- Scientific Coordination and User Office (SCUO): User access and coordination of proposals and experiments
In addition to the collaborations within the platforms above, ESS is an institutional member of the International Society for Sample Environment.
Scientific and Technical Advisory Panels (STAPs) for Material Science and Physics Support and Chemistry and Life Science Support are listed under Committees.