Business as usual

In this issue we have, once again, accounts on several meetings covering various aspects of neutron science. In Bariloche, Argentina, the workshop on “Magnetic, Multiferroic and Superconducting Materials” was organized jointly by Argentinian Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and the Swiss Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). This event attracted speakers from all around the globe. It is satisfying to see the effort of the Argentinean community has taken up in preparation of their forthcoming source that was presented in the Argentina–Brazil 25.4 issue of Neutron News [1].

Several conferences and workshops have also been held on the European side of the Atlantic. In this issue we took the opportunity to highlight one of them, the ADD2016 (Analysis of Diffraction Data in real space). Some of the eminent participants agreed to contribute with scientific reviews on developments in the field to accompany the meeting report.

Regrettably we again have a number of obituaries, the pioneering generation of neutron scientist is facing unavoidable losses. It is remarkable to see how consistently the exchanges with Brookhaven were effective in the building up of the expertise for the generation of scientists that promoted the use of neutrons in Europe.

A very special tribute to one of the leading figures in the French neutron science was organized at the ILL. Bernard Jacrot, who was the first French director of the High Flux Reactor in Grenoble, has left an enduring impression on the scientific life of the Institut Laue-Langevin. His life, career and achievements were recollected in a well-attended ‘homage’ both by close relatives and by numerous collaborators.

As it has been discussed earlier Neutron scattering in Europe is facing new challenges [2]. The framework programs of the European Union have helped to maintain the community and provided resources for technical development and transnational access. The Neutron and Muon Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (NMI3) is now on the final and will be followed by the SINE2020 project – Science and Innovation with Neutrons in Europe in 2020, as explained in the News report in this issue.

To finish I'd like to remind all readers of Neutron News of the possibility of announcing their forthcoming workshops and conferences in the event calendar, please act well in advance to take into account the trimestral appearance of the journal, then your announce has a good chance to be seen before closing of the registration. And of course pertinent meeting reports are welcome to follow.