Prof. Adrian Brügger Wins DOE Approval for $32.66M CUPI²D Imaging Beamline

Prof. Adrian Brügger led a multidisciplinary team consisting of scientists, engineers, and medical professionals to devise and propose a novel multi-role neutron imaging beamline at the Second Target Station (STS), to be built at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source (ORNL SNS) in the near future. The team has won the bid for CUPI²D to be built in the first wave of eight instruments at the STS, a $1.67B capital project funded by the DOE Basic Energy Sciences program.

CUPI²D, Complex, Unique and Powerful Imaging Instrument for Dynamics, a time-of-flight neutron imaging instrument, will be designed for imaging dynamic processes in natural and engineered materials. The beamline will combine a number of traditional and novel imaging techniques to create a best-in-class instrument capable of measuring strains and elemental fractions at timescales on the order of seconds with large penetration depths – 15 mm in iron and 150 mm in aluminum. Furthermore, the parallel integration of neutron grating interferometry (nGI) will allow the beamline to perform small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements to detect artifacts and structures on length scales ranging from 10 nm to 25 μm. For example, void nucleation and coalescence, an indication of ductile fracture, can be detected in the earliest stages. Additionally, Bragg edge imaging (BEI) capabilities will allow scientists to quantify lattice strains as well as phase and elemental composition of samples in 2D using one neutron shot and 3D in tensorial tomography mode.

CUPI²D will have a transformational impact on scientific studies such as energy storage and conversion (e.g., batteries, fuel cells), materials engineering (e.g., additive manufacturing, advanced superalloys), nuclear materials (e.g., novel fuel cladding and moderators), cementitious materials, biology and ecosystems, and medical/dental applications. CUPI²D will significantly expand DOE neutron imaging capabilities currently available through the user program, namely the MARS neutron radiography and computed tomography beamline at the HFIR and the VENUS beamline due to by commissioned at the SNS FTS in 2023.