Canadian Neutron Initiative (CNI)
The official source of information about the CNI has moved to neutrons.ca. CINS is an active member of the CNI working group, representing the researchers.
News about the CNI
“An Emerging National Neutron Strategy in Canada”
McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) (Photo by McMaster University)
On December 15 and 16, 2020, leading scientists from across Canada gathered virtually to shape this “national neutron strategy” at a round-table organized by the Canadian Neutron Initiative (CNI)...
“Neutrons Canada” meeting report available
On 2020 January 29, the Vice Presidents of Research or their designates from 16 Canadian universities met in Ottawa to discuss a proposed new pan-Canadian, university-led framework to manage Canada’s infrastructure, international partnerships, projects, and p...
Europe leans in to help establish Neutrons Canada
On January 29, Fifteen senior executives of Canada’s research universities met in Ottawa with Dr Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, and several of our European colleagues to discuss how to establish a new cross-Canadian university-led org...
Parliamentary Committee Recommends Implementation of the Canadian Neutron Initiative
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) recommended, in its December 10, 2018 report, that the Government of Canada “Support the pan-Canadian, university-led Canadian Neutron Initiative to ensure that Canada maintains our pla...
New user facilities at McMaster University provide access to neutron beams for materials research and education
Researchers from across Canada are now making use of the emerging neutron beam user program at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor to train students and acquire new knowledge about materials.
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Highlights from the CINS meeting in Windsor
Science talks showing the range of research applications of neutron beams, from Alzheimer’s disease to rock formation, and intense discussion of the neutron beam community’s future are among the highlights from the CINS meeting at the University of...
Update on the Canadian Neutron Initiative and the “Neutrons@Mac” meeting
The gathering of researchers at McMaster University on May 17 was highly productive, and well attended with approximately 40 people in person and online, representing 12 universities from 4 provinces.
A key outcome was the statement of continued support for th...
Canada’s Chief Science Advisor visits the world’s brightest source of neutrons
Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, visited the Institut Laue-Langevin in Genoble, France, on May 18. As proposed by the Canadian Neutron Initiative, Canada needs to forge partnerships with foreign facilities following the closure of its domestic...
Video: Nemak Canada and U. Windsor researchers speak to CBC News about need for neutrons
Rob Mackay of Nemak Canada and Drew Marquardt of the University of Windsor speak to local CBC news about the impact of the closure of the NRU reactor in Chalk River. Researchers are looking for government action on the proposed Canadian Neutron Initiative as a...
CBC Radio Windsor Morning interviews Drew Marquardt
Drew Marquardt (DM) was interviewed by Tony Doucette (TD) on CBC radio’s Windsor Morning, April 6, 2018.
Listen to Audio: http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/windsor-morning/segment/15535755
Editor’s note: CINS is not opposing the closure NRU reactor per se;...
CBC: Canada is experiencing a neutron shortage — here’s why that matters
Highlights from “Canada is experiencing a neutron shortage — here’s why that matters”, CBC News, Apr 06, 2018.
Image: University of Windsor assistant professor Drew Marquardt (Dale Molnar/CBC)
Neutrons — subatomic particles with no electric charge — all...
Neutron quest: Canadian Chemical News
Highlights from “Neutron Quest” in the March 2018 edition of Canadian Chemical News:
Canada is quietly marking a scientific and technological milestone this spring with the final shutdown of the National Research Universal (NRU), a nuclear research reactor loc...
R$: Scientists disappointed with federal budget’s silence on neutrons
Highlights from “Scientists disappointed with federal Budget’s silence on nuclear research funding request” in the March 28, 2018 edition of Research Money:
Researchers dependent upon the aging nuclear reactor operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) ar...
Video: Closure of Canada’s neutron source
On Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. the National Research Universal reactor quietly shutdown for the last time. The contributions to science and humanity made by this reactor and the team within are immeasurable. Video below published by Canadian Nuclear ...
Office of the Minister of Science meets with researchers who use neutron beams
The Office of the Minister of Science received a delegation of Canadian researchers in support of the Canadian Neutron Initiative on Thursday last week (Feb 08, 2018). Delegates emphasized how irreplaceable neutron beams are to their fields of research.
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University Affairs covers the CNI
Perhaps the most informative coverage of the Canadian Neutron Initiative to date:
Chalk River reactor closure threatens to scatter research community: With the shut-down scheduled for March, a group of researchers is lobbying the government to fund foreign fac...
Parliamentary Committee Asks the Government to implement the Canadian Neutron Initiative
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) has recommended the Government of Canada to “implement the Canadian Neutron Initiative, upgrade and fully utilize the McMaster nuclear reactor, and facilitate international nuclear research partne...
Canadian scientists visit the European Spallation Source
Canadian scientists talk opportunities for cooperation with the European Spallation Source.
“We put together a delegation of scientists that represent a wide range of priority science research areas for Canada, including energy, health, advanced manufacturing,...
Brock University physicist on hunt for neutron beams
“You can find a lot of things on Kijiji, but a neutron beam from a nuclear reactor isn’t one of them. That’s why a team of Canadian scientists, headed up by Brock University Associate Professor of Physics Thad Harroun, is travelling to Sweden next week ...
Consultations with CNI referred to in government report
Government of Canada response to the House of Commons Natural Resources Committee report on the nuclear sector. Oct 5, 2017. This report outlines a set of options it will examine that is very similar to the CNI’s proposal (more…)
CNI testifies at the House of Commons Finance Committee
These presentations were part of the Finance Committee’s 2018 pre-budget consultations: (more…)
World’s leading neutron centre seeks Canadian Partnership
With Canada’s own neutron source closing in March 2018, representatives of other neutron sources have been reaching out to the Canadian research community.
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CNI in the National Post
Why Canada must not be shut out of the neutron technology it invented
September 28, 2017
“While neutron scattering continues to grow in importance and Canada enjoys international recognition as its ancestral home, its future here in Canada is nonetheless...
Science Magazine covers Canadian Neutron Initiative
The world’s oldest major research reactor closes next year, but Canadian scientists are looking to the future through the Canadian Neutron Initiative, according to Science Magazine on Sept 21. (more…)