Science Highlights

Testing the resilience of electronics for the Internet of Things

Testing the resilience of electronics for the Internet of Things

Using ChipIr, researchers have studied how ultralow power system-on-chip is affected by the neutron flux in the atmosphere. This study may be helpful in future design of such devices to be more resilient to particle hits. The type of SoC in this study is a prototype microcontroller designed for IoT battery-operated systems.
Building a catalogue of amino acid neutron scattering interactions

Building a catalogue of amino acid neutron scattering interactions

Researchers have completed an in-depth characterisation of the thermal neutron cross sections of all twenty amino acids, developing a new model that can be easily applied to other organic materials. The knowledge of the scattering cross section of amino acids is important when investigating the interaction of neutrons on biological systems during medical procedures such as Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
Investigating hydration in ancient Egyptian leathers

Investigating hydration in ancient Egyptian leathers

New research from our ISIS@MACH ITALIA collaboration has uncovered information on the hydration levels in a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. In this ​paper researchers used a variety of neutron and laboratory experiments to investigate these effects on a collection of Egyptian leathers dated to 2700 BC – 600 AD.
Recreating the deepest point on Earth

Recreating the deepest point on Earth

Scientists from Rome Tor Vergata and ISIS have used the Vesuvio spectrometer to unravel part of the mystery behind the physical and chemical conditions of the Mariana Trench - one of the most extreme environments in the world. By using deep inelastic neutron scattering (DINS) they were able to measure the kinetic energy of the hydrogen atoms in the water under these conditions.
The science behind extra virgin olive oil’s antioxidant properties

The science behind extra virgin olive oil’s antioxidant properties

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most important ingredients as well as the main source of lipids in the Mediterranean diet. It is known to contain biologically relevant phenolic components with recognised health-beneficial properties.
Deterioration of ancient Egyptian sandals

Deterioration of ancient Egyptian sandals

Ancient leather artefacts from Museo Egizio have been studied by combining optical and spectroscopic tools (SEM-EDS, XRF-RAMAN), more sensitive their surface composition, and neutron spectroscopy, able to better probe their bulk.
Neutron irradiation of COTS electronics

Neutron irradiation of COTS electronics

Electronic devices of industrial interest for nano-satellite applications, have been irradiated to assess their reliability to single event effects (SEEs) caused by neutron irradiation at ISIS and SIS@MACH ITALIA facilities.
Investigations of radiation shielding heavy concrete

Investigations of radiation shielding heavy concrete

A unique combination of scanning electron microscopy to look at the atomic level details of heavy concrete, and its neutron shielding properties. However, the concentration of barite (BaSO4) in heavy-weight concrete needs to be tuned to determine the optimal shielding properties in a mixed γ -ray and neutron radiation environment.

Science Highlights

Testing the resilience of electronics for the Internet of Things

Testing the resilience of electronics for the Internet of Things

Using ChipIr, researchers have studied how ultralow power system-on-chip is affected by the neutron flux in the atmosphere. This study may be helpful in future design of such devices to be more resilient to particle hits. The type of SoC in this study is a prototype microcontroller designed for IoT battery-operated systems.
Building a catalogue of amino acid neutron scattering interactions

Building a catalogue of amino acid neutron scattering interactions

Researchers have completed an in-depth characterisation of the thermal neutron cross sections of all twenty amino acids, developing a new model that can be easily applied to other organic materials. The knowledge of the scattering cross section of amino acids is important when investigating the interaction of neutrons on biological systems during medical procedures such as Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
Investigating hydration in ancient Egyptian leathers

Investigating hydration in ancient Egyptian leathers

New research from our ISIS@MACH ITALIA collaboration has uncovered information on the hydration levels in a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. In this ​paper researchers used a variety of neutron and laboratory experiments to investigate these effects on a collection of Egyptian leathers dated to 2700 BC – 600 AD.
Recreating the deepest point on Earth

Recreating the deepest point on Earth

Scientists from Rome Tor Vergata and ISIS have used the Vesuvio spectrometer to unravel part of the mystery behind the physical and chemical conditions of the Mariana Trench - one of the most extreme environments in the world. By using deep inelastic neutron scattering (DINS) they were able to measure the kinetic energy of the hydrogen atoms in the water under these conditions.
The science behind extra virgin olive oil’s antioxidant properties

The science behind extra virgin olive oil’s antioxidant properties

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most important ingredients as well as the main source of lipids in the Mediterranean diet. It is known to contain biologically relevant phenolic components with recognised health-beneficial properties.
Deterioration of ancient Egyptian sandals

Deterioration of ancient Egyptian sandals

Ancient leather artefacts from Museo Egizio have been studied by combining optical and spectroscopic tools (SEM-EDS, XRF-RAMAN), more sensitive their surface composition, and neutron spectroscopy, able to better probe their bulk.
Neutron irradiation of COTS electronics

Neutron irradiation of COTS electronics

Electronic devices of industrial interest for nano-satellite applications, have been irradiated to assess their reliability to single event effects (SEEs) caused by neutron irradiation at ISIS and SIS@MACH ITALIA facilities.
Investigations of radiation shielding heavy concrete

Investigations of radiation shielding heavy concrete

A unique combination of scanning electron microscopy to look at the atomic level details of heavy concrete, and its neutron shielding properties. However, the concentration of barite (BaSO4) in heavy-weight concrete needs to be tuned to determine the optimal shielding properties in a mixed γ -ray and neutron radiation environment.