“An Emerging National Neutron Strategy in Canada”
January 21st, 2021
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)...

Thank you!
September 17th, 2020
63 Canadian researchers responded to our survey of how they are able to meet their research needs with neutron beams. We’re tabulating the responses to see how things are in the two years since the closure of the CNBC.

New neutron source in Canada would spur innovation, medical treatments
September 15th, 2020
A new article in The Conversation discusses the what a new neutron source can do for Canada.
Drew Marquardt, CINS Board Member, and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, University of WindsorMing Pan Assistant Professor in Department of Oncology, Western Un...

“Neutrons Canada” meeting report available
May 21st, 2020
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
February 7th, 2020
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...

70 Years of Neutron Beams for Materials Research: The CNBC Releases Its Final Activity Report
March 12th, 2019
With the release of its final activity report, the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC) celebrates Canada’s leadership in the use of neutron beams for materials research for over 70 years.
“Our
leadership began with the startup of the NRX reactor at Chalk R...

Report Examines Impact of Canadian Research Using Neutron Beams on Canada’s Innovation Economy
February 28th, 2019
The Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC), a national research
facility in Chalk River, Ontario, that is now in a decommissioning phase, “had
a positive impact on Canadian innovation, research, and industry, as well as on
the development of highly qualified pers...

Parliamentary Committee Recommends Implementation of the Canadian Neutron Initiative
December 12th, 2018
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...

Waterloo Engineering Professor Welcomed at Neutron Source in France for Light-Weight Materials Research
November 14th, 2018
As researchers seek access to neutron beams elsewhere following closure of the Canada’s primary neutron source, other neutron sources are open to partnership with Canada.
(more…)

Highlights from the CINS meeting in Windsor
October 23rd, 2018
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...

New report finds high scientific impact from Canadian research using neutron beams
October 23rd, 2018
“Having access to national shared resources for materials research, including neutron beams, enhances scientific impact.”
(more…)

Update on the Canadian Neutron Initiative and the “Neutrons@Mac” meeting
June 11th, 2018
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
June 5th, 2018
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...

The Final Neutrons
May 30th, 2018
The final neutrons from Canada’s primary source supported clean energy, food security, human health, and fundamental science.
(more…)

Dr. Eric Svensson (1940-2018) – Obituary
May 29th, 2018
It is with sadness that the following announcement is made on behalf of the family of Dr. Eric Svensson, who was an NRC Researcher Emeritus with the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre in Chalk River. (more…)

Video: Nemak Canada and U. Windsor researchers speak to CBC News about need for neutrons
April 6th, 2018
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
April 6th, 2018
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
April 6th, 2018
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
April 6th, 2018
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
April 5th, 2018
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
April 3rd, 2018
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 ...

Beam Hall Complete at McMaster Nuclear Reactor
February 16th, 2018
McMaster celebrated the completion of the beam hall for the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrument on Feb 9, 2018.
(more…)

University Affairs covers the CNI
January 23rd, 2018
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...

Spotlight on the McMaster Nuclear Reactor
January 3rd, 2018
In this video tour of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR), Fiona McNeill leads you through the reactor and discusses neutron imaging. The small-angle neutron beamline under construction is described at about 4:30. (more…)