Engineering Science at the I12 Beamline at Diamond Light Source

Synchrotron-based engineering science covers a large field of applications. However, they are all connected in two ways. First, the very synchrotron techniques employed to study the various applications all work in the same way in that they determine structural parameters on the atomic and microscopic scale. Secondly, the portfolio of applications discussed here describes the complete life cycle of an engineering material, starting with processing of the base material—often from the melt—then the characterization of material properties, followed by the forming and joining into components, then component characterization during service, material aging, damage and failure and, finally, recycling or decommissioning. The structural problems which occur during the different stages in the life cycle of a material are complex, due to the advanced material technology of today's devices. We have created alloys for special applications, compound materials with novel properties, sophisticated bulk and surface treatments, and new forming and joining techniques. We are also concerned with the effect of the material on the environment after it has ended its service.