Diamond Light Source

Researchers used advanced imaging techniques at Diamond to uncover a new way to engineer high-performance, lead-free ceramics. The findings could help improve sensors and actuators for high-temperature applications. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4z5l2Sa

Last year, researchers used Diamond's electron Bio-Imaging Centre to help develop a more affordable, lower-risk vaccine based on virus-like particles. We're sharing this research on #WorldPolioDay to highlight the importance of vaccines for a polio-free future. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4yH0SNk

Supported by the first RICHeS Access Fund, researchers will use Diamond's I12 beamline to investigate the material properties of the Grade I-listed Old Wye Bridge in Chepstow. This will help efforts to conserve this important structure for future generations. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4dVd1a1

Using Diamond's DIAD beamline, researchers have discovered that a salt mineral, natron, could trap signs of life within its crystal structure. This makes it a key target for future missions to potential habitable planets like Saturn's icy moon, Enceladus ❄️🪐 Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/3VW45uT

Using the MINERVA deposition chamber at Diamond, researchers from University of Oxford watched organic solar cells form in real time and found that ellagic acid can increase the current by 12%, helping to improve overall device efficiency. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4ipt7Kz

Yesterday we held a user webinar to share the latest Diamond updates, including information on the Diamond-II upgrade and facility developments. If you were unable to join, you can watch the recording on the registration page 👉 https://bit.ly/3VH2IQF

Last month, we welcomed researchers to Diamond for our annual Serial Crystallography Workshop. This year, nine Japanese early career researchers joined through a BBSRC-funded award, strengthening UK-Japan scientific collaboration. Thank you to all who helped make the event a success.

For #WorldArthritisDay today, we're highlighting collaborative research that used high-resolution 3D imaging at Diamond to help uncover a new insight into why rheumatoid arthritis targets specific joints. Find out more about their discovery 👉 https://bit.ly/3Uo3lhw

Researchers from Diamond recently collaborated on a molecular movie to capture how an enzyme assembles the key structure found in penicillin antibiotics. By revealing how it's formed, this work could help inform the development of new antibiotics. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/478bqtI Credit: P. Rabe

Today, we were pleased to welcome the @ukri.org IS8 Programme Directors to Diamond for discussions on supporting the UK government's Industrial Strategy, enabling businesses to access publicly funded national research infrastructure for commercial R&D and innovation.

On #WorldHeartDay, we're sharing how researchers used Diamond's DIAD beamline to explore the microscopic structure of a 3D-printed NiTi stent, revealing how it reacts under pressure. Their findings could help the development of more reliable stents in the future. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4xXG8k5

Today, we held a symposium to celebrate Professor Dave Stuart's contributions to Diamond Light Source and his key role in shaping UK and European structural biology. Find out more about his remarkable career 👉 https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Events/2026/Symposium--celebrating-Prof-Dave-Stuart.html

Ever wondered what it's like to work at Diamond? In our new video, you'll hear firsthand from a scientist and an electrical engineer as they share what brought them to Diamond, what their roles involve and the culture that makes it a unique place to work. Watch here 🎥👉 https://bit.ly/4hk6YMV

How can #SynchrotronScience unlock the secrets of a prehistoric artefact? Using our I18 beamline, curators from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social found that the blue glass inlays of an Iron Age terret originated in Egypt, uncovering long-distance trade connections. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4y45uxr

Did you know that Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases? To mark #WorldAlzheimersDay today, we asked three scientists how their beamtime at Diamond advanced their research into Alzheimer's and other dementia-causing disorders. Read their answers 👇

Scientists from Diamond and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source have contributed to the development of the world's first open-access battery imaging library. This international collaboration was led by Imperial College London and Finden Ltd's Antonis Vamvakeros. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4y1N9Rz

It was a pleasure to welcome the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford, Prof Constantin Coussios OBE, to Diamond yesterday. It was wonderful to show how collaboration between universities and Diamond can help to accelerate scientific breakthroughs with real-world impact.

An international team of researchers used Diamond's I13-2 beamline to investigate how liquid metal solidifies in #microgravity. Their work revealed insights that could improve #manufacturing processes such as casting, welding and metal 3D printing. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4yLpDZn

We were delighted to welcome research professionals from Turkey to Diamond today. The visit brought together representatives from Turkey's research community and experts at Diamond, providing a valuable opportunity to explore future scientific collaborations. @instruct-eric.bsky.social

Harwell Campus' ENGINE Summit is coming up on 8 October! Speakers from Diamond include: ➡️ Prof Gianluigi Botton - CEO ➡️ Dr Adrian Mancuso - Physical Science Director ➡️ Prof Frank von Delft - Principal Scientist for the @openbind.bsky.social Consortium Register online 👉 https://bit.ly/4xKmZml

Using our I18 beamline, researchers from @sheffielduni.bsky.social identified key differences between naturally corroded archaeological glass and accelerated laboratory tests. The findings will help refine models of glass durability for a range of applications. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/3UTjTxJ

Yesterday @itvnews.bsky.social aired a programme exploring the history of Harwell Campus and what goes on behind the scenes today. We're delighted to feature as one of the key scientific facilities, showing our cutting-edge technology and the research it enables. Watch here 👉 https://bit.ly/4xoiFc8

A new study using X-ray micro-computed tomography at Diamond's I13-2 beamline found that beech latewood density is linked to summer temperatures, which could offer a new way to reconstruct past climate conditions in places where conifers are scarce. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/3SH6W9D

It was a pleasure to host a delegation from Taiwan's National Atomic Research Institute last week. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to showcase how Diamond operates and highlight the research being carried out on our I11 and I20 beamlines.

Applications to attend the Diamond-CCP4 data collection and structure solution workshop are now open! Learn all about data collection best practice from experts in the field. 📅 25 November - 1 December 2026 📍 Diamond Light Source ⏳ Apply by 11 September Apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/3U8aWAi

Diamond-II milestone reached!📣 SWIFT, one of three D-II flagship beamlines, has been handed over to beamline staff. Thank you to all involved in the planning, design and construction - we're excited to see the discoveries SWIFT will enable once operational. More D-II news 👉 https://bit.ly/3UjaXBq

Using our B07 and I09 beamlines, @uni-of-warwick.bsky.social researchers found that oxygen plays a greater role in energy storage than once thought. These findings could help develop next-generation battery cathodes for future electric vehicles and aircrafts. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4g0nCRd

It was a pleasure to welcome Prof Mark Breese, Director of SSLS, and Dr Jasbir Singh, Director of the Government Scientific Advisors Office, NRF Singapore, to Diamond earlier today. It was wonderful to show what goes on behind the scenes at Diamond and explore opportunites for future collaboration.

A team of scientists has revealed how S. pneumoniae selectively captures the host sugar sialic acid as soon as it is released from human cells, providing new insights into how the bacterium establishes itself in the respiratory tract. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4fTnrad

Applications for our #Tomography Workshop: HTTomo are now open! This two-day workshop will help users gain confidence in using the HTTomo reconstruction software, from building bespoke pipelines and submitting jobs to interpreting results. Apply online by Monday 7 September 👉 https://bit.ly/44QvbEZ

Diamond's 16,000th paper has uncovered clues to hidden oceans on icy moons in our Solar System. Using the I11 beamline, researchers found that sodium chloride hydrates act as a geological archive of freezing conditions on ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4wqUzwY

Last week, we held our I15-1 User Meeting for users across the community to showcase the exciting total scattering and pair distribution function science taking place in the field. The event was a fantastic chance for attendees to network and share their findings through talks and poster sessions.

Researchers used our I13-1 beamline to study the nanoscale structures of butterfly wings' vibrant colours. They suggest that 3D characterisations of nanoscale differences in material make-ups could help us better understand the diverse properties of biomaterials. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4fghy7Y

Congratulations to Diamond's Mark Warren part of the winning team behind the @rsc.org Dalton Horizon Prize, recognised for their transformative approach to the synthesis, stabilisation and catalytic application of highly reactive transition metal complexes 👏 Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4pyppkB

It was wonderful to welcome Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover to Diamond earlier today and showcase how AI is supporting innovation in science and the research sector.

Using an InfraRed microbeam at Diamond, researchers have captured the molecular changes between 3D water and 2D confined water. The findings provide direct evidence for long-standing theoretical predictions about 2D water and offer a benchmark for future studies. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4forrPD

It was a pleasure to host Julia Lopez MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, at Diamond earlier today.

Interested in applying cryo-ET and cryo-FIB in your research? Apply for the Wellcome-MRC in situ Cryo-ET Workshop by 19 July for in-person attendance and 25 September for online! 📅 28 September - 02 October 📍 Diamond Light Source, the Astbury Centre and online Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/4wGL38Z

Registration for Diamond's annual Serial Crystallography Workshop is now open! The workshop will cover the basics of serial crystallography and training on how to run experiments at Diamond. 📅 22-23 September 📍 Diamond 🎟️ Free ⏳ Apply by 17:00, Sunday 16 August Apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/44W0Lkw

How do you bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and industrial innovation? This recently published article explores the role of diamondlightsource.bsky.social's Industrial Liaison Office in supporting #industry across #pharmaceuticals, #materials, #energy and more. https://loom.ly/0_Oy3dw

A new UKRI-STFC AI project, led by the Ada Lovelace Centre, is set to transform lab-based experimental science. Bringing together experts from Diamond, STFC Scientific Computing and PSDI, the project aims to make experiments smarter, faster and more autonomous. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4wwQUxp

The @rosfrankinst.bsky.social, working with Diamond and @mrcharwell.bsky.social, has awarded funding to four new projects through a pump prime initiative. Supporting early-stage research, the scheme aims to foster stronger interdisciplinary science on campus. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4fsE9x9

Researchers at Diamond have developed a laser Speckle-based Curvature Optical Metrology instrument that directly measures two-dimension surface curvature of high-performance X-ray mirrors. This will help to predict and optimise beam quality much more effectively. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4aAZW3X

The ticket ballot is officially open for our next public open day on Saturday 24 October 2026! Enter online by 23:59 on 20 September for your chance to visit the UK's national synchrotron and learn all about the cutting-edge research from the experts themselves 👉 https://bit.ly/3SSR6sc

As an Armed Forces Covenant employer, today we mark #ArmedForcesDay alongside communities across the UK. We recognise the dedication and service of the entire Armed Forces community, from serving personnel and reservists to veterans, cadets and families.

Using high-resolution micro-CT scanning at Diamond and @esrf.fr, the Vesuvius Challenge has achieved a historic discovery in the Herculaneum scrolls, revealing new text, titles and authors unknown to history - bringing about a new era for the study of ancient history. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3QCbdu6

On #ReservesDay today, we wanted to take the opportunity to recognise and thank reservists across the UK. At Diamond, we’re proud to be a ERS Gold employer and remain committed to supporting veterans and reservists who balance their day-to-day roles with serving in the Reserve Forces.

To celebrate #INWED26, we're shining a light on Michela Semeraro, a Senior Mechanical Project Engineer at Diamond. In this video, Michela offers insights into her day-to-day role by sharing the projects she's working on at Diamond and how they align with her overarching career goals. Watch below 👇

Researchers at ShanghaiTech, Diamond and @ox.ac.uk have developed a new X-ray technique to capture magnetic motion in unprecedented detail, revealing how fast magnetic excitations oscillate, and how they evolve through space and time too. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4eKywdk

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Michael Fitzpatrick as the new interim Chair of the Board. Professor Fitzpatrick has served as a non-executive director of the board for the last 10 years and brings a wealth of experience to the position. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4oxisQp