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Networking for low-density (nano) materials at CERN
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865/1-D17 (CERN)
Networking for low-desnity (nano) materials at CERN
Present in room: Raymond Veness, Chiara Pasquino, Gerard Tranquille, Thibaut Lefevre (SY-BI), Stefano Sgobba, Anite Perez Fontenla (EN-MME), Marcel Himmerlich (TE-VSC), Marco Calviani, Simone Gilardoni, Simon Stegemann, Valentina Berlin, Thierry Stora, Joachim Vollaire (SY-STI), Antti Onnela (EP-DT).
Present via zoom: Joao Batista Lopes, Francois Boyer (EP-DT), Gerard Aliana Cervera (SY-BI), Jonathan Gulley (HSE-OHS)
Excused: Jose Ferreira Somoza, Mauro Taborelli, Andrea Catinaccio.
Notes written by: Chiara Pasquino
Introduction by Ray: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6360622/attachments/3013763/5315971/Introduction%20-%20Networking%20for%20low%20density%20(nano)%20materials.pdf
Ray introduced the scope of the meeting to everyone which is to gather synergies between the different parties within CERN that are working on nanomaterials. SY-BI has been mandated by the SY dep head to gather this synergies and ask for a common funding request.
Stefano commented on how to prioritise these requests as the field of research might be quite broad.
Antti presented the overview of activities in EP department: https://drd8.web.cern.ch/wp/wp2
He showed a link to the work package 2 for the low-mass mechanics for the next generation vertex and tracking detectors. He explained that the aim is to study a new filler material to improve the thermomechanical properties of the resins to improve the cooling characteristics of the detector. He clarified as well there is no study ongoing on the use of reinforces carbon fibres for structural needs for the detectors.
The workpackage is managed by two colleagues, respectively from the Oxford University and Purdue University. So it is an external collaboration with UK and US dealing with this R&D research. He said that for the CMS and ATLAS tracker upgrade the cooler is CO2 for the time being, with quite a large environmental impact. Might be worth to get in touch with the work package owners to get their feedbacks on creating a collaborative network on Nanomaterials.
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Low-mass Mechanics and Thermal Management. This Work Package focuses on the advancement of low-mass mechanics and integrated thermal management for the next generation of vertex and tracking detectors for HEP experiments.
drd8.web.cern.ch
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Ray presented the overview of the activities in BI: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6360640/attachments/3014425/5315942/BI%20applications%20for%20LDM%200225.pdf. Quite a variety, ranging from the CNT for wire scanners to enlarge the scope of the instrument to a higher intensities and beam energy than today. He introduced the issues with the Iron contamination encountered so far. He showed then the research on BTV screens, having to image high intensity beams. Finally it was cited during the discussion the use of CNT as emitters for new electron gun designs. Marco asked about the possiblity that trapped air could induce the damage seen on the wires: considering the amount of impurities (up to 10% in the case of the wire) and that the tests have always been performed under vacuum, the impurities seem to be the cause of the damage. Thierry reported on the aluminium deposition happening around the Isolde targets, it being a contamination during production. Marcel asked about the maturity of the CNT. Chiara replied that we can now handle them and a sample has just been installed in the SPS on an old linear wire scanner for testing with beam. Ray mentioned that the evolution in the field is impressive and now these fibres are produced in spools. Simone mentioned the ongoing collaboration with JPARK where a CNT wire scanner is used in the Linac and he proposed to update this topic in the collaboration agreement. Both Thibaut and Thierry mentioned that the scanner was not used operationally and that CNT were discarded.
Valentina presented the overview of the activities in STI: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6360643/attachments/3014376/5316271/Nanomaterials.pdf. She showed the ISOLDE Nanolab, used for in-house UCx target production, starting from the grinding of UO2 powders, which are then carburitized at 2000C to get the final target. the quality of the particle distribution in terms of size is checked with a particle analyzer. She should as well possible alternative routes to the target production, and one could be nanofibers production via electrospinning. She showed as well the plans to extend the lab from Nano2 to Nano3 lab (this classification will be explained by Jonathan in his safety talk.
Ray asked why targets need to be made by nanoparticles or fibres. Valentina and Thierry explained that of course a denser material would have a higher yield of production of radioactive beams but the half times of these species is so little that one would tend to optimise the production by increasing the diffusivity of the particles out of the target then working on higher intensity beams. Simone underlined as well that the target has a longer lifetime, leading to less targets exchanges and less radioactive waste.
Joachim showed a couple of slides on the plans for the B26 Chemical extension that is planned for beginning of 2026, to get a Nano2 and a Nano3 lab for targets production.
Jonathan presented the Safety environment and rules at CERN https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6360659/attachments/3009622/5305957/Nanomaterials,%20safety.pdf. He presented the guideline SG-C-0-0-5 that has been created adopting the EPFL guidelines for nanomaterials handling. He explained that severl decision trees to assess the potential hazard of nanomaterial handling, depending on the chemical hazard of the material and the particle size and shape. So case by case, as function of the nanomaterial characteristics the process might be defined as Nano1, 2, 3 etc. He listed then the typical protection measures applicable for a Nano2 category lab. Marcel commented that some of the nanomaterials could be asbestos - like in terms of health hazard. Joanathan replied that depending on the chemical nature and the size, the health hazard is evaluated.
Anite presented the expert support equipment at CERN https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6360661/attachments/3014528/5316158/Microscopy%20activity_low%20density%20materials_2025.pdf showing how well equipped the materials lab in MME is for low density materials. She showed few examples: the CNT for the wire scanners, the poste mortem on the Sigraflex for internal dumps, nanopowders for ISOLDE as well as Beryllium windows. Really and impressive array of capabilities to assess microstructures, sizes, chemical analysis down to nanowire tensile testing. Agreed by everyone is a unique facility for CERN users, and crossroad of all different R&D fields across CERN.
Thierry showed the EU funding environment: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1511338/contributions/6376490/attachments/3014377/5315826/Nanomat@CERN.pdf . He presented the different existing European funding schemes used for nano-composite ISOLDE targets. He mentioned an upcoming call, expected in May 2025, called Horizon Europe, on functional materials, might be interesting to follow-up. It could be proposed, for instance, a WP dedicated to nanomaterials for particle accelerators.
Ray asked Marco if any other applications for dumps is on the horizon and he replied that for FCC a study of the feasibility for a graphene monolayer on the graphite blocks to lower the collimators impedance is ongoing. For internal dumps and collimators the highest interest sits with exploring High Entropy Materials.
Final discussion: very broad range of interests, it seems complicated to find commonalities if not at high level (needed facilities to handle nanomaterials, or instrumentation for analysis..). It is suggested, to keep the momentum going and create a community, to have a common 'workshop' where the PhD students can meet and share their studies (or even a larger meeting/forum that meets in person every year without common fundings but simply for the sake of sharing knowledge and foster collaboration). Maybe then organise a workshop (2026?). Antti will contact the external collaborators to see their interests, expanding the network outside CERN would be very beneficial to both CERN and external parties that do not have easy access to our facilities (both labs and experimental areas).
Creating a common website might help as well.
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