Case Studies
2025 XMaS Case Studies
Ba Speciation in Biomaterials
A. Finch, Univ. of St. Andrews, N. Allison, A. Borst.
Corals encode the environments in which they live in the geochemistry of their skeleton - conversely, those of fossils can be used to reconstruct marine conditions into the prehistorical past.
New modes of self-assembly in side-chain liquid crystalline polymers
Y.M. Tang, Y.N. Xue, Y.X.Li, S.G. Yang, R.Y. Jia, R.B. Zhang, L. Cseh, F. Liu, X.B. Zeng, G. Ungar, Univ. of Sheffield, UK.
(a) Chemical structure of the side-chain LC polymer. (b) Reconstructed electron density maps and the schematic molecular model of the Fddd phase viewed in different directions. (c) Reconstructed electron density maps viewed in different directions, and the schematic molecular model of the triclinic phase. (d) The 4NG phase with networks of double helical segments. (e) GISAXS pattern of the 4NG phase.
Unlocking quantum behaviour with extreme strain of nanometer thick oxide membranes
P. Ryan, J. Li, Advanced Photon Source, ANL, USA.
By combining strain and x-ray techniques, the ferroelectric phase transition in SrTiO3 membranes was explored with the temperature-strain phase diagram using diffraction (see article) and spectroscopy (shown here).
2024 XMaS Case Studies
Unlocking New Insights into Arsenic Contamination with XMaSLink opens in a new window
J. Biswakarma, M. Matthews, J.M. Byrne, University of Bristol, UK.
Dr. Jagannath Biswakarma (centre) helping children understand the groundwater quality in his hometown Assam, India.
Dinosaurs, Dentists and DragonsLink opens in a new window
A.R.H. LeBlanc, A.P. Morrell, S. Sirovica, O. Addison, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, UK.
Magnetic X-Ray Reflectivity Insights into Interlayer Coupling Phenomena in Thin Film Multilayers for Spintronics Link opens in a new window
D. Rianto, B. Nicholson, L. Bouchenoire, Y. Choi, P. Kuświk, T.P.A. Hase, D. Atkinson, Department of Physics, University of Durham, UK.
Magnetic profiles of Pt proximity-induced magnetization (PIM) as a function of film thickness. The profiles are obtained at four magnetic fields. The hysteresis loop, also measured at the Pt L3-edge, probes the Pt magnetic moment.
2023 XMaS Case Studies
Spectroscopic studies in the Geological SciencesLink opens in a new window
O. Filimonova, XMaS beamline, University of Liverpool. In collaboration with A. Kutyrev, Cardiff University, UK.
Deploying Low Temperature Single Crystal Uniaxial Strain at the XMaS Beamline at the ESRFLink opens in a new window
P. Ryan, Advanced Photon Source, USA.
XMaS Scientist Experience Case Study as reported by Technopolis for UKRILink opens in a new window
N. Brown, V. Seth, N. Mihaylova, C. Glass, A. Neto, A. Vinnik, J. D’Hont, A. Adewusi, T. J’Nae Murray, and R. Nausedaite
2022 XMaS Case Studies
The future of Sonar: a case study
M. Cain, Electrosciences Ltd, Surrey, UK, Univ. of Liverpool, UK, XMaS, ESRF, France.
Electrosciences Ltd. have developed and commercialised a new multi-purpose and multi-functional stress-strain rig.
Understanding the Flow of Spin Currents across Interfaces
C. Swindells, D. Atkinson, Durham Univ., UK.
Resonant magnetic scattering and dichroism using circular polarised light was used to explore the induced interface magnetic moment and its orientation. Conclusive evidence for a direct correlation with the magnetic damping in an adjoining ferromagnet was presented. Both the extent and size of the induced moment was determined in the experiment which was originally published here.
25 years of world-class science on XMaS
The XMaS/BM28 team, ESRF, France, Universities of Liverpool and Warwick, UK.
The completion of the XMaS renewal coincided with the 25th anniversary of the XMaS facility which was highlighted by UKRI on its website as part of the “how-we-are-doing/research outcomes-and-impact” section.
2021 XMaS Case Studies
Looking for the perfect squeak
C. Kenton, W. Briscoe, Univ. of Bristol, UK.
The study, which focuses on the physical phenomenon known as stick-slip friction, results in a squeaky noise while washing the dishes. In Japan, this noise is known as 'kyu-kyu' and appears when there is physical contact of the human fingertip sliding across a wet lubricated surface (or dish).
Tackling the UK plutonium stockpile problem
N. Hyatt, University of Sheffield, UK.
In this study, the team demonstrates how a glass ceramic material could immobilised contaminated plutonium residues, arising from early research and development activities. Using data collected at XMaS, the Sheffield team developed an atomic scale model to understand how chlorine is bonded within the glass. They were then able to determine the solubility threshold for chlorine in the silicate glass material and show that it exceeded the worst-case expectation for the treatment of plutonium residues. The important impact of the work is to show that these plutonium residues could be immobilised with the glass ceramic material without needing any prior treatment to remove the chlorine contamination.
The power of x-rays in materials science
T. Hase, D. Wermeille, Univ. of Warwick and Liverpool, UK.
We have been working with Futurum to prepare an educational resource article. The aim of Futurum is to inspire young people aged 14-19 to pursue careers in STEM. We have worked with them to present an overview of the facility and how it is used to explore materials challenges through a collection of science highlights from our users. As well as making the work of the facility accessible, it also includes school-based activities that teachers can use to plan lessons focusing on materials science and the x-ray techniques used to study them.
2020 XMaS Case Studies
ADVENT: Metrology for advanced energy-saving technology in next generation electronics applications Link opens in a new window
M. Cain, B. Beckhoff, Y. Kayser, P. Finkel, M. Staruch, Electrosciences Ltd, Surrey, UK. US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, US.
Surface condition of artefacts from King Henry VIII’s warship the Mary RoseLink opens in a new window
M. Dowsett, M. Adriaens, E.J. Schofield, A. Hildred, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. Ghent University, Ghent. The Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth, UK.
2019 XMaS Case Studies
Clean semiconductor behaviour of perovskite solar cells probed by simultaneous current-voltage and GIWAXS measurementsLink opens in a new window
S. Lilliu, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield
Simultaneous GIWAXS and current-voltage measurements of IBC solar cell during in situ annealing at 88.2°C at XMaS: a) Experimental geometry showing the grazing incident x-ray beam onto the sample and the detector for WAXS patterns recording. The electrodes connected to the current source and voltmeter are also shown; b) diffraction pattern after about 3 min of annealing showing only the precursor phase; c) diffraction pattern after about 3 h of annealing showing the perovskite and the lead iodide phases.
2016 XMaS Case Studies
Improving Intrauterine devices: X-ray diffraction in a simulated uterine environmentLink opens in a new window
M. Adriaens, M. Dowsett, D. Wildermeersch, University of Ghent, Ghent. University of Warwick, UK. Contrel Research BV.
Womb with an X-ray view - portable electrochemical/environmental cell for in-situ studies.
Substrate protection with sweet corrosion scale: Mind the gapLink opens in a new window
M. Al Kindi, G.R. Joshi, K. Cooper, J. Andrews, P. Arellanes-Lozada, R. Leiva-Garcia, D.L. Engelberg, O. Bikondoa, R. Lindsay – for more information contact R. Lindsay, Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
XMaS Scientist ExperienceLink opens in a new window
K. Lampard, Y. Gründer, A. Caldecote, T. Hase, M. Cooper C. Lucas. University of Warwick, UK. University of Liverpool, UK.
Winners talking with an XMaS beamline scientist at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.