European Spallation Source ERIC

🌍 A new international science community is growing in Lund - with ESS and MAX IV side by side and just one hour from Copenhagen International Airport ✈️

Science Village is becoming a place where science, innovation and people connect across disciplines, organisations and borders.

Over the past weeks, three events captured that spirit perfectly:

🤝 The Science Village Community Launch brought together people from research, academia and industry to share a common vision for a more open, connected and collaborative future.

🔬 LINXS Science Day showcased how neutron and X-ray science are driving discoveries in fields ranging from quantum materials to life science and advanced materials.

🏃 And the Science Spring Run brought the community together in the Skåne sunshine ☀️ with colleagues walking, running and cheering each other on.

ESS is proud to help build this growing community together with partners across Science Village.

✨ This is the moment the SKADI team saw clear proof of neutron detection on the screen.

👉Learn more about SKADI https://ess.eu/article/2026/05/27/neutrons-detected-skadi-instrument-tests-its-detector-system

🏃‍♀️🎉 ESS at Lundaloppet !
While runners hit the course, our ESS tent was full of curious minds from the Lund community. From spinning models of the ESS target wheel, to challenging themselves with quizzes and games, visitors learned about neutron science and how ESS works. Hands‑on science for all ages!
🙌 And a huge well done to our Team ESS runners out on the course.

🔧 Behind the scenes at ESS!
Work is underway on FREIA's in‑bunker chopper system, rotating discs that precisely shape neutron pulses by selecting their timing and energy before they reach the sample.
🇬🇧 FREIA, ESS's Liquids Reflectometer, is being built by in‑kind partner , with the final shipments leaving and heading to ESS 🇸🇪 very soon!

Welcoming Jane Hvolbæk Nielsen as the next Director General of ESS!

We’re pleased to announce that Jane Hvolbæk Nielsen has been appointed as the next Director General of ESS, succeeding Helmut Schober and starting 1 November 2026.

With an internationally recognised research career and 15 years of experience leading large scientific organisations, Jane brings strong leadership and deep knowledge of ESS as the organisation moves toward operations and first science.

“I am honoured to be chosen to lead ESS, as it completes construction and prepares to operate as one of the world’s leading neutron sources, supporting a large community of scientists to deliver scientific and societal impact”, says Jane.

👉 Read the full article to learn more about Jane’s background and journey with ESS: https://ess.eu/article/2026/04/28/jane-hvolbaek-nielsen-appointed-new-director-general-ess

🌍 World Earth Day | 22 April 🌍
How can neutron science support the sustainable energy transition?
At ESS, research engineers Diego Herrera Ruiz and Peyman Olad work on optimising renewable energy generation, waste heat recovery, and battery storage - supporting a more resilient and sustainable research infrastructure.

👥 Call for Abstracts is OPEN!
Joint ESS–ILL User Meeting 2026
Join Europe’s neutron science community in Lund, Sweden | 18–20 November 2026 🇸🇪
The 5th ESS–ILL Joint User Meeting brings together researchers from across Europe to share science, connect with the ESS and ILL communities, and help shape the future of neutron research.
What to expect:
• Facility updates & scientific exchange
• Poster sessions
• Community‑led satellite meetings

Scientific themes include:
▪️ Quantum Materials
▪️ Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation
▪️ Additive Manufacturing
▪️ Batteries & Energy Materials
▪️ Fundamental Nuclear & Particle Physics

👉Submit your abstract and learn more https://indico.ess.eu/event/3945/overview

🌱 This spring, University biology student Gustav Lundqvist has begun a flora inventory at ESS.
🐝 Biodiversity was a key consideration in shaping the ESS landscape. The site was redesigned with varied topography, native vegetation, ponds, and green corridors. These features create diverse habitats and microclimates, providing food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for pollinators, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife.
🐦‍⬛ The ESS landscape also contributes to the green corridor linking Brunnshög with Kungsmarken Nature Reserve.
🌸 Gustav’s work will show how biodiversity in ESS green areas has developed since they were established in 2021. The inventory will help us understand which species have thrived, how they interact, and how the ESS landscape can be further improved to support biodiversity.