The ILL Science Strategy is published
The now released ILL Science Strategy outlines the approach that will be taken to leverage on the extensive instrument and facility upgrades. Elaborated in collaboration with external experts, it provides a vision for scientific operation for the coming decade.
(pdf - 9.14 Mi)Just over one month ago, the ILL received the firm commitment from France, UK and Germany for operations until the end of the 6th protocol, in December 2033. With the completion of the Endurance upgrade programme in the end of 2024, the ILL is now, more than ever, ready to contribute to the European competitiveness as a cornerstone of the European neutron landscape. The now released ILL Science Strategy outlines the approach that will be taken to leverage on the extensive instrument and facility upgrades.
Elaborated in collaboration with external experts, the Strategy provides a vision for scientific operation for the coming decade. It is meant to serve as a guide for resource allocation, strengthening and demonstrating ILL’s importance to European science and innovation, and supporting political decisions on the future European neutron landscape. The aim is to enhance the science programme in order to expand our user community and address some of today’s major societal challenges, reflecting a balance between consolidation of existing strengths and the establishment of new structures and mechanisms to support emerging scientific areas of societal importance.
The scientific excellence delivered by our peer-reviewed user programme will continue to provide the foundation and will remain largely unchanged. Existing and emerging scientific areas with high visibility and societal impact will continue to be served by the user programme, while benefiting from the additional resources provided by the Science Strategy. The ILL’s PhD programme will be enhanced and partially redirected towards the scientific priorities of the Science Strategy. In Nuclear and Particle Physics, the focus will be put on on Flagship Experiments, involving long-term collaborations with external users.
Meanwhile, news structures, will be created. The Science Hubs will be centres of scientific expertise whose purpose will be to support and expand the user base, promote internal collaboration, boost links with and relevance for industry, and deliver high-profile science. The Hubs will bring together internal and external scientists under the leadership of a prominent scientist, whose task will be to define a 5-year research project and then to coordinate the work of the team to deliver its objectives. The project will be selected by a competitive proposal process and will be peer-reviewed to ensure scientific excellence. They will cover the following four areas:
- Li-ion batteries
- Advanced manufacturing
- Quantum materials
- Liquid-liquid phase separation
A new mechanism will be introduced to design and perform key Showcase Experiments with the aim of opening up a new field of activity, attracting new users and providing high-visibility societal impact. These experiments will require more resources and longer time scales than regular experiments, but have the potential for higher impact. Three initial topics have been identified:
- Superconducting wires
- Cell structure with high-resolution bio-imaging
- Water membranes for a sustainable future
The nuclear medicine programme will be expanded and consolidated, increasing the production capacity for radioisotopes for cancer treatment and continuing to invest in the development of isotopes for future diagnostics and therapies.
Transversal consolidation mechanisms will also be put in place. In particular, clear scientific needs have been identified to increase our capacity for neutron imaging experiments, as well as to strengthen computing support for experiment planning and execution and for data analysis, and to strengthen collaborations with industry. The success of the ILL also relies on the effective communication of its impact. There will therefore be increased emphasis on Communication and Outreach, which will benefit all aspects of the Science Strategy.