Early morning on Tuesday 19^th July, I set out to catch the train to picturesque Oxfordshire whilst also initiating one of the most science-filled weeks of my PhD career to date. Within the Geomicro Group, a favoured method for analysis is X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) which provides atomistic detail for our samples. In order to harness this powerful technique we must utilise the equipment at Diamond Light Source (DLS) in Harwell. DLS is a source of synchrotron radiation, in particular X-rays, which can be used to study atoms in samples to phenomenal level of detail; yielding information on their chemical state and their neighbouring atoms. Eager as ever, I brought along my first sample to be analysed and tried to lend a hand in running the two beamlines we had available to us.

The B18 beamline at Diamond Light Source.

Upon arriving at the Harwell science campus, I was greeted with the suitably glorious view of DLS; gleaming in the 30 °C heat of the July sunshine. Whilst most were somewhat upset about working inside during England’s only week of summer, my complexion tends to mean I prefer staying out of scorching sunshine, and so I welcomed the air-conditioned beamline offices with open arms. As this was my first time working with XAS, the technology was somewhat overwhelming, but definitely impressive. I attempted to help out and get hands on with work as much as possible over my three day stay, however I did recognise when it was time to let the more seasoned DLS veterans to take over.

Beamtime in three pictures: synchrotron cake courtesy  of Hannah (top), B18 team hard at work (Hannah, Adrian & Kurt) (middle), the Harwell science campus by twilight (bottom).

Conveniently, the Harwell science campus is also the home of Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) offices; my industrial supervisors for my PhD project. This gave me an excellent chance to catch up with RWM and let them know how I was getting on, as well as getting an insight into how RWM function.

After meetings, presentations, and a healthy dose of beamtime, it was time to head back north to meet up with fellow PhD friends, Connaugh Fallon and Kat Dungan, for an outreach trip to the first ever Bluedot festival at Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield. The setting for the festival couldn’t have been better for a science and music festival with the iconic Lovell telescope acting as a jaw dropping background to the main stage.

The Lovell telescope provided the perfect backdrop for the festival.

After spending the first evening exploring and being engulfed in the colossal amounts of awesome the festival radiated, it was time for the three of us to join a team of PhD students that represented the ‘Manchester Energy’ group. Armed with bananas, uranium glassware and a Geiger counter our task was to see if we could combat some of the negativity and misconceptions about radiation and nuclear power. The response was, somewhat unexpectedly, tremendously positive! I was blown away by how interested people were to learn and talk about all the various issues surrounding radiation and nuclear power. All ages and walks of life came to the Manchester Energy stand and chatted with us, wanting to know what we had to say and wanting to ask questions. As a first real experience of outreach, this was a fantastic way to round off a hectic week of science.

By Luke Townsend