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Diverticulosis and diverticular disease are ranked among the most common gastroenterological diseases and conditions. While for many years diverticulitis was found to be mainly an event occurring in the elder population, more recent work in epidemiology demonstrates increasing frequency in younger subjects. In addition, there is a noticeable trend towards more complicated disease. This may explain the significant increase in hospitalisations observed in recent years. It is not a surprise that the number of scientific studies addressing the clinical and socioeconomic consequences in the field is increasing. As a result, diagnosis and conservative as well as surgical management have changed in recent years. Diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis are a complex entity and apparently an interdisciplinary challenge. To meet theses considerations the German Societies for Gastroenterology and Visceral Surgery decided to create joint guidelines addressing all aspects in a truely interdisciplinary fashion. The aim of the guideline is to summarise and to evaluate the current state of knowledge on diverticulosis and diverticular disease and to develop statements as well as recommendations to all physicians involved in the management of patients with diverticular disease.

Zusammenfassung Ziel Evaluation teleradiologischer Untersuchungen bezüglich der häufigsten Anforderungszeiten, der Häufigkeit angefragter Untersuchungen und klinischer Fragestellungen sowie zusätzlicher Auswertung der Pathologiefrequenz, gegliedert nach Organregionen und Fragestellungen. Material und Methoden Retrospektive Analyse der klinischen Angaben, Fragestellungen, untersuchten Organregionen und Diagnosen aller konsekutiven teleradiologischen Computertomographie(CT)-Untersuchungen eines Schwerpunktversorgers aus dem Jahr 2018, der 3 Kliniken der Basis- und Grundversorgung teleradiologisch betreut. Subgruppenanalysen häufiger klinischer Angaben und Befunde nach Organregionen und eine zusätzliche Auswertung des Untersuchungszeitpunktes (Datum und Tageszeit) wurden durchgeführt. Ergebnisse Es wurden 1207 Fälle aus der teleradiologischen Befundung eingeschlossen. Am häufigsten wurden CT-Untersuchungen des Schädels mit 77,9 % (davon 14,6 % mit Pathologie) durchgeführt, gefolgt von Abdomen mit 14 % (63,9 % pathologisch), Wirbelsäule/Extremitäten mit 8,8 % (50 % pathologisch) und des Thorax mit 7,9 % (53,7 % pathologisch). Die meisten Anforderungen wurden am Wochenende zwischen 8 und 16 Uhr, gefolgt von 16 bis 18 Uhr an Werktagen gestellt. Die geringste Untersuchungsfrequenz lag zwischen 2 und 4 Uhr morgens. Schlussfolgerung Teleradiologische CT-Untersuchungen werden vorwiegend zur Abklärung von zerebralen Pathologien durchgeführt, gefolgt von Fragestellungen bezüglich vermuteter Pathologien des Abdomens/Beckens, Skelettsystems und des Thorax. Dabei weist die zerebrale Bildgebung die niedrigste, die Bildgebung von Abdomen/Becken die höchste Pathologie-Inzidenz auf.

The molecular mechanisms responsible for outstanding lubrication of natural systems, like articular joints, have been the focus of scientific research for several decades. One essential aspect is the lubrication under pressure, where it is important to understand how the lubricating entities adapt under dynamic working conditions in order to fulfill their function. We made a structural investigation of a model system consisting of two of the molecules present at the cartilage interface, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and hyaluronan, at high hydrostatic pressure. Phospholipid layers are found at the cartilage surfaces and are able to considerably reduce friction. Their behavior under load and varied solution conditions is important as pressures of 180 bar are encountered during daily life activities. We focus on how divalent ions, like Ca2+, affect the interaction between DPPC and hyaluronan, as other investigations have indicated that calcium ions influence their interaction. It could be shown that already low amounts of Ca2+ strongly influence the interaction of hyaluronan with DPPC. Our results suggest that the calcium ions increase the amount of adsorbed hyaluronan indicating an increased electrostatic interaction. Most importantly, we observe a modification of the DPPC phase diagram as hyaluronan absorbs to the bilayer which results in an Lα-like structure at low temperatures and a decoupling of the leaflets forming an asymmetric bilayer structure.

The relation between the translational stud speed and the residual stress (RS) state of Friction Surfacing (FS) coated 2 mm thick Ti-6Al-4V sheets was studied using synchrotron diffraction. The influence of the RS state on fatigue crack propagation (FCP) was studied using C(T)-100 samples. It was shown that an active zone of tensile RS is present in the coated region, inducing compressive stresses in the remaining sheet. Higher depositing stud translational speeds show a tendency towards high RS peak values. The deposited material thickness has an influence on the RS distribution. FCP tests have shown branching cracks deflecting away from the coating, possibly due to the compressive RS around it. Cracks have propagated significantly slower than in uncoated samples. RS measurements on cracked samples have revealed tensile RS peaks at the crack tips with high values of 350 MPa in the direction parallel to the intended crack propagation, which prevent the cracks from reaching the coated region.

The laser beam welding (LBW) process has many advantages for industrial production; however, it still has to be optimized for two-phase Ti alloys. Phase transformations and residual stresses play a crucial role for welding these alloys. Specific questions about the development of phase content during fast heating with a laser and rapid cooling can only be addressed with time-resolved in-situ experiments, avoiding artefacts from quenching. Also the residual stress development during cooling depends on the occurring phase transformations. Thus, an LBW chamber employing a fibre laser was developed for use with high-energy X-rays from a synchrotron source. Bead-on-plate welding experiments with 2.5 mm thick samples were carried out at the HZG high-energy materials science beamline (HEMS) at DESY, Hamburg. The first experiments focused on the solid-solid phase transformations in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Moreover, residual stresses developing during cooling were studied.

© 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd. Neutron scattering studies have been carried out on single crystal films of [001] orientated L10 ordered MnPt grown epitaxially on MgO (001) using DC magnetron sputtering. Polarized neutron diffraction studies at room temperature show that the moments in ordered MnPt are aligned perpendicular to the [001] axis with a tilt of 45° to the [100] axis and not parallel to [100] as inferred from previous powder neutron diffraction measurements.

Due to the rapid development of advanced additive manufacturing production routes in recent years, the demand of high-quality alloy powders is significantly increased. We studied gas-atomised spherical powders of several Nb-beanng γ-TiAl based alloys, Ti-45Al-10Nb and Ti-45Al-5Nb-xC in at.% (x = 0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1), which were produced using the plasma melting induction guided gas atomization (PIGA) technique. The phase constitution of different powder fractions was determined by synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction at the HEMS beamline DESY (Germany), as well as by SEM, EDX and EBSD measurements. Due to the high cooling rates in the range of 105 K/s, the powder particles mainly consist of hexagonal close packed α-Ti(Al) and body centred cubic β-Ti(Al)-phase. As the cooling rate depends on the particle size, considerable amounts of the β-phase were only found in the small powder fractions (< 45 µm). The total β-phase amount was generally higher in the alloy with a higher Nb content, and also the effect of carbon as a α2-stabilizer was observed. Dendritic cauliflower-like structures are more pronounced in bigger powder particles due to the slower solidification and thus a higher Nb depletion in the remaining melt.

NaAlH 4 was melt infiltrated within a CO 2 activated carbon aerogel, which had been preloaded with TiCl 3 . Nanoconfinement was verified by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) and the nature of the Ti was investigated with Anomalous SAXS (ASAXS) and X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) to determine its size and chemical state. The Ti is found to be in a similar state to that found in the bulk Ti-doped NaAlH 4 system where it exists as Al 1− x Ti x nanoalloys. Crystalline phases exist within the carbon aerogel pores, which are analysed by in-situ Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXD) during hydrogen cycling. The in-situ data reveals that the hydrogen release from NaAlH 4 and its hydrogen uptake occurs through the Na 3 AlH 6 intermediate when confined at this size scale. The hydrogen capacity from the nanoconfined NaAlH 4 is found to initially be much higher in this CO 2 activated aerogel compared with previous studies into unactivated aerogels.

This work monitors the nucleation, growth and coarsening of carbides in powder metallurgically processed, high Nb containing TiAl alloys. The effects of carbon content, annealing conditions and internal defects on the precipitation and stability of carbides were systematically investigated by high energy X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In general, at 800 °C the carbide microstructure can still change significantly up to 1000 h of annealing. It is found that a higher carbon concentration promotes the carbide precipitation process and increases the thermal stability of carbides. Internal interfaces and other crystallographic defects act not only as heterogeneous nucleation sites for perovskite Ti 3 AlC carbides but also as carbon sinks. This retards the carbide nucleation in the interior of γ-TiAl grains. By homogenising the carbon distribution through solution heat treatment the nucleation of carbides in the γ-TiAl matrix is significantly accelerated as an effect of higher matrix carbon content.

Conducting polymers (CP) as an active material in electrochemical actuators are often likened to “artificial muscles”. To transfer the isotropic change of volume in the CP component into an anisotropic actuation as in a natural muscle, different design approaches, mostly bilayer or triple layer bending devices, have been studied. Herein, we report a novel actuator design with an almost linear strain response, consisting of nanostructured aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays in which each MWCNT is individually coated with a thin layer of polypyrrole.

The materials science neutron diffractometer STRESS-SPEC located at FRM II is a dedicated instrument for strain and pole figure measurements. Both methods make complementary demands on sample handling. On one hand pole figure measurements need a high degree of freedom to orient small samples and on the other hand in strain investigations it is often necessary to handle large and heavy components. Therefore a robot based sample positioning system was developed, which has the capability to provide both possibilities. Based on this new robot system further developments like a full automated sample changer system for texture measurements were accomplished. Moreover this system opens the door for combined strain and texture analysis at STRESS-SPEC.

Polarized and unpolarized neutron diffraction techniques have been applied to study the temperature-dependent magnetic and structural properties of four 200 nm-thick Fe50Pt50−x Rh x films with x = 5, x = 10, x = 17.5 and x = 25. Similar to the bulk system, an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition can be found in the films with decreasing Rh concentration. The application of structure factor calculations enables one to determine the microscopic magnetic configuration of the different films as a function of temperature and Rh concentration. The developed models indicate a magnetic transition from a dominant antiferromagnetic order in the out-of-plane direction to a dominant ferromagnetic order in the in-plane direction with decreasing Rh concentration. The different magnetic configurations can theoretically be described by a phenomenological model which includes a two-ion and a one-ion interaction Hamiltonian term with different temperature dependencies of the anisotropy constants.

Ternary Co–Al–W alloys with W contents between 8 and 11 at.% were investigated with respect to element partitioning, γ′ solvus, γ′ volume fraction, lattice mismatch and creep properties. W is enriched in the γ′ precipitates and an increasing W content stabilizes this phase. The lattice mismatch is positive up to 900 °C and rafting occurs during creep with a preferred direction in accordance with this positive lattice mismatch.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the true incidence of cervical artery dissections (CeADs) in trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of ≥16, since head-and-neck computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is not a compulsory component of whole-body trauma computed tomography (CT) protocols. Patients and methods A total of 230 consecutive trauma patients with an ISS of ≥16 admitted to our Level I trauma center during a 24-month period were prospectively included. Standardized whole-body CT in a 256-detector row scanner included a head-and-neck CTA. Incidence, mortality, patient and trauma characteristics, and concomitant injuries were recorded and analyzed retrospectively in patients with carotid artery dissection (CAD) and vertebral artery dissection (VAD). Results Of the 230 patients included, 6.5% had a CeAD, 5.2% had a CAD, and 1.7% had a VAD. One patient had both CAD and VAD. For both, CAD and VAD, mortality is 25%. One death was caused by fatal cerebral ischemia due to high-grade CAD. A total of 41.6% of the patients with traumatic CAD and 25% of the patients with VAD had neurological sequelae. Conclusion Mandatory head-and-neck CTA yields higher CeAD incidence than reported before. We highly recommend the compulsory inclusion of a head-and-neck CTA to whole-body CT routines for severely injured patients.

Owing to a theoretical hydrogen storage capacity of 10.5 wt% H2, Ca(BH4)2+MgH2, the so-called calcium reactive hydride composite (Ca-RHC), has a great potential as a hydrogen storage material. However, its dehydrogenation temperature (∼623 K) is too high for any mobile applications. By addition of 10 mol% of NbF5into Ca(BH4)2+MgH2, a decrease of the dehydrogenation onset temperature by ∼120 K is observed. In order to understand the reasons behind this desorption temperature decrement two sets of samples [Ca(BH4)2+MgH2and Ca(BH4)2+MgH2+0.1NbF5] in different hydrogenation states, were prepared. The structural investigation of the above mentioned sets of samples by means of volumetric measurements, anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is reported here. The XAS results show that after the milling procedure NbB2is formed and remains stable upon further de/rehydrogenation cycling. The results of Nb ASAXS point to nanometric spherical NbB2particles distributed in the hydride matrix, with a mean diameter of ∼10 nm. Results from Ca ASAXS indicate Ca-containing nanostructures in the Ca-RHC+0.1NbF5samples to be ∼50% finer compared to those without additive. Thus, a higher reaction surface area and shorter diffusion paths for the constituents are concluded to be important contributions to the catalytic effect of an NbF5additive on the hydrogen sorption kinetics of the Ca(BH4)2+MgH2composite system.

In recent years intermetallic γ-TiAl based alloys with additional amounts of the ternary bcc β Ti(Al,Nb) phase attracted increasing attention due to their improved workability at elevated temperatures. Depending on alloy composition and heat treatment the ductile high-temperature β phase can transform to several ordered phases at lower temperatures. However, currently available phase diagrams of these multiphase alloys are quite uncertain and the precipitation kinetics of some metastable phases is far from understood. In the present study various transformation pathways of the third phase were observed in situ by means of high-energy X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. A Ti-45Al-10Nb (at.%) specimen was subjected to a temperature ramp of repeated heating cycles (700 °C - 1100 °C) with subsequent quenching at different rates. Depending on the quenching rate reversible transformations of the B2-ordered βo phase to different ω-related phases were observed. The results indicate that the complete transformation from βo to hexagonal B82-ordered ωo consists of two steps which are both diffusion controlled but proceed with different velocities.

A conical slit cell for depth-resolved diffraction of high-energy X-rays was tested at the high-energy materials science beamline HEMS at PETRA III and used for the analysis of residual stresses in a laser beam welded steel overlap joint. With a conical slit width of 20 µm and beam cross-sections below 100 µm, depth resolutions well below 1 mm were achieved. The residual stress distributions obtained from the steel joint were in very good agreement with previous results from neutron diffraction measurements, although they were still noisier because of inferior grain statistics.

Understanding the structure–property relations of load-bearing natural materials can provide design strategies for the generation of bio-inspired materials showing enhanced mechanical properties. Dental enamel is a highly damage-tolerant biological nanocomposite having a high mineral content. Its hierarchical structure consists of hydroxyapatite nanofibers enveloped by proteins on the smallest length scale. In this work, we show the fracture behavior of nanofibers in enamel by conducting micropillar compression tests. The evaluation and the result of the mechanical properties are discussed.

Light metal tetrahydroborates are regarded as promising materials for solid state hydrogen storage. Due to both a high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of 11.5 wt % and an ideal dehydrogenation enthalpy of 32 kJ mol −1 H2, Ca(BH4)2 is considered to be one of the most interesting compounds in this class of materials. In this work, a comprehensive investigation of the effect of different selected additives (TiF4, NbF5, Ti-isopropoxide, and CaF2) on the reversible hydrogenation reaction of calcium borohydride is presented combining different investigation techniques. The chemical state of the Nb- and Ti-based additives is studied by X- ray absorption spectroscopy (e.g., XANES). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to show the local structure, size, and distribution of the additive/catalyst. 11 B{ 1 H} solid state magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) was carried out to detect possible amorphous phases. The formation of TiB2 and NbB2 nanoparticles was observed after milling or upon sorption reactions of the Nb- and Ti-based Ca(BH4)2 doped systems. The formation of transition-metal boride nanoparticles is proposed to support the heterogeneous nucleation of CaB6. The {111}CaB6/{1011}NbB2, {111}CaB6/ {1010}NbB2, as well as {111}CaB6/{1011}TiB2 plane pairs have the potential to be the matching planes because the d-value mismatch is well below the d-critical mismatch value (6%). Transition-metal boride nanoparticles act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for CaB6 ,r efine the microstructure thus improving the sorption kinetics, and, as a consequence, lead to the reversible formation of Ca(BH4)2.

Grain tracking is a term used to describe experiments that investigate polycrystalline materials in terms of the crystallites or grains from which they are composed, non-destructively and in three dimensions. The new German high brilliance synchrotron radiation source, Petra III, will become available to users in 2010 [1]. The GKSS research centre will operate two beamlines, including the high energy materials science beamline (HEMS) [2]. HEMS will feature an instrument dedicated to grain tracking, able to support a range of experiments of this kind. This paper describes the design and specification of this instrument, and gives examples of the types of experiments that will be possible., JRC.F.4-Nuclear Reactor Integrity Assessment and Knowledge Management

Many biological materials are hierarchically structured, with highly anisotropic structures and properties on several length scales. To characterize the mechanical properties of such materials, detailed testing methods are required that allow precise and site-specific measurements on several length scales. We propose a fracture toughness measurement technique based on notched focused ion beam prepared cantilevers of lower and medium micron size scales. Using this approach, site-specific fracture toughness values in dental enamel were determined. The usefulness and challenges of the method are discussed.

Sodium alanate is being experimentally tested in scaled-up quantities. For this purpose, several tanks have been designed and constructed. The tank functionality during absorption and desorption of hydrogen was demonstrated in a scale of 8 kg of alanate, with a peak technical absorption time below 10 min. The absorption and desorption data show good reproducibility. Neutron radiography was used in another tank to show the powder’s physical behavior during sorption, showing conservation of the macroscopic structure during cycling.

A novel processing route for producing composites from ceramic particles and a thermoplastic polymer with high ceramic content was developed. Via a radical emulsion polymerization reaction in an aqueous suspension, titanium dioxide is encapsulated by a thin layer of poly(methyl methacrylate). Subsequently, the coated particles are compacted by applying high pressure (∼1 GPa) at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer (∼160 °C). This technique enables producing dense, hard and stiff composites at low processing temperatures. Microstructural investigations of composites by scanning electron microscopy confirm successful coating of titanium dioxide particles by polymer. Compositions were estimated from thermogravimetric measurements. A maximum TiO2 volume content of almost 70% was achieved. For characterizing mechanical properties, Vickers microhardness as well as flexural strength and elastic modulus were determined. With respect to pure PMMA, composites exhibit a 10-fold increase in microhardness. Furthermore, a strong increase in elastic modulus with TiO2 contents, up to 40 GPa at 66 vol.% TiO2 was observed. These moduli are among the highest found in literature for ceramic polymer composites. However, bending strength of the material is still low.

Characterization with neutrons and synchrotron radiation has yielded essential contributions to the research and development of automotive and aerospace materials, processing methods, and components. This review mainly emphasises developments related to commercial passenger airplanes and light-duty cars. Improved and partly new materials for the reduction of airframe weight and joining by laser-beam welding and friction stir welding are ongoing areas of assessment. Chemical reactions, microstructure development, and residual stresses are frequently measured. Polymers and polymer matrix composites often require special experimental techniques. The thrust-to-weight ratio of aero-engines is increasing due to the improved design of components and the use of innovative materials. Investigations on superalloys, γ-TiAl, and thermal barrier coatings are described in some detail. A discussion of the use of neutron and synchrotron diffraction in automotive applications covers the analysis of surface effects with respect to lubricants and wear, as well as the investigation of microstructure development, deformation, and fatigue behavior of materials, welds and components. Special steels, Al and Mg alloys are discussed and residual stresses in automotive components such as gears or crankshafts are described. Applications of characterization methods on membranes for polymeric membrane fuel cells and on nanocrystalline metal hydrides for hydrogen storage are shown. The degradation of railway tracks after long-term use is taken as an example for the application of synchrotron methods to transport systems beyond the commercial aircraft and light duty passenger car.

The results of our investigations on residual stresses in commercially produced forged IN 718 compressor discs are reviewed. The residual stresses in the discs with a diameter of 320 mm and a thickness of up to 25 mm were studied using neutron diffraction to verify the predictions of a finite element simulation, which was used to model forging and cooling of the discs. In addition to the disc, a thin plate of the same material was also studied for testing the influence of specimen geometry on the model predictions. While the model results for the disc were not strongly influenced by the heat transfer coefficient, the stress distributions in the thin plate could only be predicted satisfactorily by using a temperature-dependent heat transfer coefficient that was derived from temperature measurements during quenching. Eventually, this led to an improvement of the FE simulation used for optimizing the production process.

High-energy X-rays and neutrons offer the large penetration depths that are often required for the determination of bulk properties in engineering material research. In addition, new sources provide very high intensities on the sample, which can be used not only for high spatial resolution using very small beams, but also for high time resolution in combination with a fast detector. This opens up possibilities for a wide range of specific engineering in situ experiments. Typical examples that are already widely used are heating or tensile testing in the beam. However, there are also more challenging experiments in the field of light metals, like e.g. friction stir welding, dilatometry, solidification, or cutting. Selected examples are presented.

Complex hydrides are very promising candidates for future light-weight solid state hydrogen storage materials. The present work illustrates detailed characterization of such novel hydride materials on different size scales by the use of synchrotron radiation and neutrons. The comprehensive analysis of such data leads to a deep understanding of the ongoing processes and mechanisms. The reaction pathways during hydrogen desorption and absorption are identified by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). Function and size of additive phases are estimated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). The structure of the metal hydride matrix is characterized using (ultra) small-angle neutron scattering (SANS/USANS). The hydrogen distribution in tanks filled with metal hydride material is studied with neutron computerized tomography (NCT). The results obtained by the different analysis methods are summarized in a final structural model. The complementary information obtained by these different methods is essential for the understanding of the various sorption processes in light metal hydrides and hydrogen storage tanks.

Following the request of tailor-made high-performance properties, it is essential for the development of modern steels to gain detailed knowledge on all aspects of their intrinsic structure and the evolution of their microstructural constituents, especially precipitates, during processing and heat treatments. In this work, a short review is given on how synchrotron radiation and neutrons have been used by our group to study the microstructure of advanced steels in the last years. Special emphasis is laid on the measurement details, the employed equipment and the developments herein. Additionally, the drawn conclusions on the microstructural development of the investigated alloys are highlighted and possible ways to combine the described scattering techniques with complementary experimental methods are pointed out.

In recent years intermetallic γ-TiAl based alloys with additional amounts of the ternary β phase have attracted attention due to their improved hot workability. Depending on alloy composition and heat treatment the ternary β phase can transform to different ternary phases at lower temperatures. A few of them are assumed to be detrimental to ductility. However, the current phase diagrams of these multiphase materials are often quite uncertain. Thus, the possible transformations of third phases in the temperature range between 700 and 1100 °C are studied by means of in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD). Depending on quenching rate reversible transformations of β 0 to different ω related phases are observed, indicating a stepwise diffusion controlled transformation mechanism of B2-ordered β 0 to B8 2 -ordered ω o . Apparently, the addition of Mo can hinder this transformation.

The materials science diffractometer STRESS-SPEC located at Forschungsneutronen¬quelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM-II) in Garching/Germany is a dedicated instrument for residual strain, texture and microstrain analysis. Comparably low gauge volumes of 1x1x1mm³ for gradient investigations in many types of materials can be investigated. A robot system consisting of a robot type Stäubli RX160, a laser tracker and a heavy vibration free basement was installed to overcome limitations in gradient investigations of residual stresses and crystallographic textures in semi-finished and finished products. The robot can carry up to 30kg with precise positioning. Al7020, an Al-alloy for airspace application, was used to perform a first global texture measurement using the robot.

GKSS is currently investing heavily into new beamlines at DESY in Hamburg, Germany. After the completed installation of the wiggler beamline HARWI II at DORIS III GKSS is now building two new undulator beamlines at the new PETRA III storage ring. The High Energy Materials Science Beamline (HEMS) will allow high resolution diffraction experiments using samples and sample environments with masses up to 1 t, 3DXRD measurements, and high-energy micro-tomography experiments. The Imaging Beamline (IBL) will provide a nano-tomography as well as a micro-tomography station for X-ray energies up to 50 keV. Examples of typical experiments in the field of residual stress analysis, micro-tomography, and high-energy small-angle X-ray scattering will be given.

Epitaxial films of Fe25Pt75 have a number of different magnetic phases as a function of temperature and chemical order. For example, chemically ordered epitaxial films have two distinct antiferromagnetic phases at temperatures below ∼160K and exhibit paramagnetism above that temperature. In sharp contrast, chemically disordered epitaxial films are ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature that is greater than 400K. It is demonstrated that by varying the substrate temperature during growth, epitaxial films with varying degrees of chemical order can be produced and it is possible to produce an alloy with the same composition throughout the film with a modified magnetic structure. The authors used polarized neutron reflectivity to gauge the magnetism of a Fe25Pt75 sample produced with a periodic variation in the growth temperature and showed that the sample exhibits a reduced Curie temperature of approximately 300K as compared to bulk Fe25Pt75.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has over the years proved to be a popular technique to investigate a variety of problems in materials science, since the length scales probed by this technique (1-100 nm) are ideal for many systems. However, there are a number of problems where the length scale of interest is larger. In order to study such systems it is possible to combine SANS with ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS). This allows the study of structures from a few nanometers up to 50 µm. Here it is shown how the combination of SANS and USANS has allowed for a wider range of problems within materials science and polymer science to be solved.

A Gd nanowire grating with a periodicity of approximately 225 nm prepared on a faceted \(\alpha\hbox{-}{\rm Al}_2{\rm O}_3\) substrate was investigated by Time-Of-Flight Grazing Incidence Small Angle Neutron Scattering. These measurements allowed to obtain information on the critical wavelength, the reflected and transmitted intensities and also allowed a reconstruction of large portions of the grating truncation rods in reciprocal space. Results were obtained for various orientations around the sample normal and compared with a theoretical model, showing good agreement.

The future High Energy Materials Science Beamline HEMS at the new German high brilliance synchrotron radiation storage ring PETRA III [1] will have a main energy of 120 keV, will be fully tunable in the range of 50 to 300 keV, and will be optimized for sub-micrometer focusing with Compound Refractive Lenses and Kirkpatrick-Baez Multilayer mirrors. Design and construction is the responsibility of the Research Center Geesthacht, GKSS, with approximately 70 % of the beamtime being dedicated to Materials Research, the rest reserved for “general physics” experiments covered by DESY, Hamburg. Fundamental research will encompass metallurgy, physics and chemistry. For first experiments in investigating grain-grain-interactions a dedicated 3D-microstructure-mapper will be designed. Applied research for manufacturing process optimization will benefit from the high flux in combination with ultra-fast detector systems allowing complex and highly dynamic in-situ studies of microstructural transformations. The beamline infrastructure will allow easy accommodation of large user provided equipment. Experiments targeting the industrial user community will be based on well established techniques with standardised evaluation, allowing "full service" measurements. Environments for strain mapping [2] on large structural components up to 1 t will be provided as well as automated investigations of large numbers of samples, e.g. for tomography and texture determination. The current design for the beamline (P07 in sector 5 of the future experimental hall) consists of a nearly five meter in-vacuum undulator source (U19-5) optimized for high energies, a general optics hutch, an in-house test facility and three independent experimental hutches working alternately, plus additional set-up and storage space for long-term experiments. HEMS should be operational in spring 2009 as one of the first beamlines running at PETRA III.

The effect of different welding sequences between a 4.5 mm thick AA 6156 T6 base plate and a 2 mm thick AA 6013 T6 clip – resembling a skin-clip joint of an airframe – using a 3.3 kW Nd:YAG laser is investigated. Under cyclic loading the breakdown of such T-joints happens at one end of the clip, which is due to local residual stress concentrations. Recent measurements indicated that tensile stresses could be lower at the run-in than at the run-out locations. For a deeper investigation of this effect sheets with different welding sequences were produced. One welding sequence was made with two starting points in the centre, and a second with starting points at the clip ends. Temperature measurements were made using thermocouples to verify the heat conditions for a finite element simulation of the welding process, which is used for predictions of the residual stress distribution. Actual values of the residual stress fields were determined by neutron diffraction. The influences of the welding sequence on the measured temperatures and the residual stresses are discussed.

The residual stress distribution in three laser welded T-joint configurations of aerospace aluminium alloys were measured using neutron diffraction and FE-simulation was conducted to compare with the experimental results. A 2 mm thick AA 6013 T6 sheet (as clip) was welded to a 4.5 mm thick and 400 mm wide AA 6156 T4 base plate (as skin of the airframe). In two samples, the thickness of the plate was reduced in some areas after welding to produce so-called “pockets” with the purpose of the weight reduction to resemble the fabrication practise in aircraft industry. The effect of pocketing process, which produced two different geometries around the clip weld on the residual stress evolution was analysed. In the plain sample (without pockets), residual stresses were predicted using the SYSWELD finite element software. The strain measurements on the base plate were performed at three locations; namely, the middle of the weld length (mid-clip), welding start (run-in) and end (run-out) locations. In all welded plates, slightly higher longitudinal tensile residual stresses were detected at the midclip locations, whereas transverse residual stresses were similar for all locations. In the run-out location, higher longitudinal tensile residual stresses were present than in the run-in location, which was the case in our previous results on other samples. The first results of the SYSWELD FE-simulation of the plain sample were compared with experimental results. The comparison has shown particularly good agreement for the transverse stresses. Although the simulation yields higher longitudinal tensile stresses than the experimental results, the stress distributions were very similar.