CALL FOR ABSTRACT!! 

ACNS-Satellite University-Based Neutron Sources Workshop

Friday, July 17th, 2026, in Detroit, MI

Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for posters and presentations, accepted through May 22nd, 2026

The abstract submission, registration, and program details are available at the workshop website

We look forward to seeing you in July! Please spread the word!

5/2026: Minh spoke at the "High-Throughput Experimentation at User Facilities using Automation and AI" Workshop at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His presentation, titled "Advancing Autonomous Experimentation at GANS Neutron Reflectometer to Accelerate Model Biomembrane Studies," highlighted significant interest in the newly developed "one-stop" control software. This software is designed to accommodate both novice and experienced users, streamlining the experimentation process and enhancing data reduction. Additionally, it facilitates the integration of machine learning-assisted data analysis and promotes collaborative decision-making between AI systems and human experts, ultimately advancing research in biomembrane studies.
During this trip, Minh also learned about recent developments in automation systems at LIQREF and BioSANS instruments, while Dr. Bac Le from our research group performed deuteration labeling at the Bio-Deuteration Laboratory in the Center for Structural Molecular Biology. We hope to develop these capabilities at the GANS and MMB labs soon.

4/2026: Mizzou Research Week: A Milestone in Neutron Reflectometry at the MU Research Reactor! This year, the GANS neutron reflectometer team showcased three impactful posters that highlight the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research.

• Poster No. 1: "Autonomous Experimentation for the GANS Reflectometer: Inverse Modeling of Neutron Reflectivity Curves of Multi-Layer Cell Membranes." Led by Upasana Roy and Mithilesh Gollapelli, with support from recent graduate Roberto Herrera, this project aims to enhance autonomous data analysis for neutron reflectivity curves. Funded by a seed grant for collaboration with Prof. Tanu Malik, it promises to advance our understanding of biological membranes with unprecedented accuracy.

• Poster No. 2: "Experiment Control, Planning, and Real-Time Data Reduction Software for the GANS Neutron Reflectometer." This work reflects a year-long effort by Roberto to develop user-friendly software that integrates comprehensive experimental planning, advanced graphing, and automated sample alignment. Real-time data reduction capabilities set the stage for machine learning applications, significantly improving decision-making processes in experimentation. We're drafting a technical manuscript to showcase these innovations—stay tuned!

• Poster No. 3: "Hardware Upgrades for the GANS Neutron Reflectometer at MURR." Louis’s effort as a mechanical designer over the past year culminated in collaboration with top machine shops, leading to significant enhancements in the instrument's optics. The integration of telescoping slits enhances resolution and beam control, while a new energy analyzer minimizes unwanted noise, increasing the dynamic range for analyzing ultrathin films—important for biological applications. Our upcoming instrumentation manuscript will detail these enhancements supported by preliminary data.

Exciting developments are on the horizon, pushing the boundaries of neutron reflectometry and its applications!

12/2025: Exciting news! Our collaborative project, "Prototyping Center for Reproducible AI-driven Closed-loop Autonomous Experimentation," led by Prof. Tanu Malik, has received funding from Mizzou's College of Engineering through the INSPIRE (Innovation & Strategic Priorities Research Funding) program! 🎉 This seed grant, which is part of a full mid-scale NSF proposal pending, supports a Ph.D. student who will implement the AI architecture for an autonomous agent on the GANS neutron reflectometer. What a fantastic way to wrap up 2025! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the GANS team! 🌟

9/2025: Charles Majkrzak and Brian Maranville from the NIST Center for Neutron Research visited MURR, bringing supermirrors for both the spin polarizer and analyzer, along with a standard 1000 Å nickel film sample. They assisted us in installing and commissioning the polarization capability, which enables the characterization of magnetic structures at the instrument.

6/2025: Coby Chapman joined our team as a summer intern under MURR's inaugural Nuclear Career Academy internship program. During this internship, Coby will assist in upgrading the electrical system, which includes installing micro-stepping motors with encoders for all components and constructing new electrical housings for controllers (Galils), amplifiers, and power supplies. This initiative aims to minimize electrical and electronic noise in the detector area, enabling reflectivity measurements to achieve a higher maximum Q. 

[Update] Coby successfully transitioned to a student research assistant role at MURR and continued to work with us until June 2026.

3/2025: Roberto Herrera and Louis Smith have joined our instrument team as student research assistants. Roberto is a senior undergraduate majoring in computer science. He will develop a Python-based graphical user interface (GUI) to enhance our current "spec" control software. This new interface will be more interactive and user-friendly, facilitating automated sample alignment and data acquisition. 

Louis, a junior undergraduate majoring in mechanical engineering, will assist with all CAD designs for the new components of the GANS reflectometer. He will also collaborate with the renowned machine shops from the Physics Department and MURR to fabricate those parts.

11/2024: David Hoogerheide and Megan Mitchell from the NIST Center for Neutron Research visited MURR, bringing a standard sample of a well-defined 100 Å SiO2 film and assisting in assessing the condition of the GANS instrument.