Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks New Era for Neutron Science at ISIS neutron and muon source

Scitech has officially broken ground on the new HRPD-X facility at the ISIS neutron and muon source, based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, marking a major milestone in the UK’s scientific infrastructure.

The event celebrated the start of construction for Building R132, which will house the upgraded High Resolution Neutron Powder Diffraction (HRPD-X) instrument, one of the most advanced tools for studying atomic structures and material properties.

Attendees included representatives from Scitech, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and project managers EEDN. The ceremony featured interviews and a look at the demolition of the former R69 building, which makes way for the new state-of-the-art facility.

Designed with precision and purpose, the new building will include a removable mezzanine floor, integrated radiation shielding and a 6.3-tonne overhead crane, all tailored to support the installation and operation of the HRPD-X instrument. The facility will enable faster, more detailed measurements and introduce capabilities such as applied magnetic field analysis, previously impossible with the original HRPD.

The HRPD-X upgrade is part of ISIS’s Endeavour Programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation, and will support cutting-edge research in functional materials, including batteries and electronic components.

Construction is now underway, with installation of the new instrument scheduled for late summer 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates as we build the future of neutron science.

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