In addition to the CNMS, Oak Ridge National Laboratory operates a number of other National User Facilities for use by the broader research community. The facilities listed on this page offer a variety of synthesis, processing, and characterization capabilities that may enhance the nanoscale science and engineering research projects of CNMS users. Prospective CNMS users are encouraged to take advantage of these related user facilities during planning, proposing, and conducting research at the CNMS. Details about the capabilities of each of these user facilities can be found on their individual web-sites using the links provided.

Partner User Facilities

The CNMS has established cooperative agreements with selected user facilities at ORNL to coordinate proposal review and scheduling for users needing access to multiple facilities. The User Facilities participating in such arrangements include:

• Shared Research Equipment Collaborative Research Center
  The Shared Research Equipment (SHaRE) Collaborative Research Center and Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) provides microanalytical facilities for studies within the materials sciences. Most SHaRE projects seek correlations at the microscopic or atomic scale between structure and properties in a wide range of metallic, ceramic, and other structural materials. CNMS users can request access to SHaRE facilities in their CNMS proposal by inserting a one-page appendix. The SHaRE user program also facilitates access in this way to microanalysis capabilities that are housed in the Materials Analysis User Center at the High Temperature Materials Laboratory.
  
  
• The Center for Neutron Scattering at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
  The HFIR Center for Neutron Scattering (CNS) is the highest flux reactor-based source of neutrons for condensed matter research in the United States. Thermal and cold neutrons produced by the HFIR are used to study nanoscale and other phenomena in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and biology. The CNMS and CNS cooperate by assisting CNMS users to identify the appropriate neutron scattering resources and develop a competitive beamtime proposal for submission to the Center for Neutron Scattering.
  
  
• National Center for Computational Sciences
  The CCS is one of the Department of Energy’s high performance computing user facilities. CNMS users who require high performance computing are able to obtain access to CCS computers and receive assistance in running codes on them through submission of a CNMS user proposal.

Other ORNL User Facilities

The following User Facilities at ORNL also conduct nanoscale science and engineering research. Each of these facilities has established an independent proposal review process. Please contact these centers directly regarding their procedures to obtain access.

• The High Temperature Materials Laboratory
  The High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML) helps solve materials problems that limit the efficiency and reliability of advanced energy conversion systems. Instruments available at the six HTML user centers have extensive capabilities for characterizing the structural, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of materials at the nano- and micro-scales and over a wide range of temperatures. The HTML includes the Materials Analysis User Center, that contains high-resolution imaging instruments.
  
• Metals Processing Laboratories
  The Metals-Processing Laboratory Users Facility provides industry and academia with access to the specialized technical expertise and equipment needed to solve metals processing issues that limit the development and implementation of emerging metals processing technologies.
  
• Physical Properties Research Facility
  The Physical Properties Research Facility is dedicated to physiochemical properties measurements that can obtain unique data, modeling (macro- and micro-scale) to derive fundamental physical properties, and evaluating their impact on industrial process optimization.
  
• Spallation Neutron Source (available in FY2007)
  The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is an accelerator-based neutron source that will provide the most intense pulsed neutron beams in the world for scientific research and industrial development. Operation of the SNS will begin during FY2007. The CNMS is located adjacent to the SNS and will provide a seamless gateway to this facility for CNMS users whose research can benefit from access to such intense neutron beams.