With the completion of the Endurance programme, ILL is entering into an operational phase in which its post-Endurance instrument suite is leveraged to maximise impact on both scientific and societal challenges, as outlined in the recently published ILL Science Strategy. The goal of the Science Strategy is to strengthen and demonstrate ILL’s importance to European science and innovation, supporting political decisions on the future European neutron landscape. Among the actions outlined in the Strategy for enhancing our impact, ILL is implementing a substantial increase to our capabilities for neutron imaging, and a stronger emphasis on collaboration with industry.

In support of these aims, we are creating a new, fifth, instrument group for Applied Science in the Science Division. The new group will cover the instruments for neutron imaging (NeXT, MoTo, PorTo), strain-scanning (Salsa) and irradiation (Tenis), and will include the Industry Liaison Unit (ILU). The new instrument for neutron imaging using thermal neutrons (ThRILL) which is expected to come online in 2026, will also be part of the new group. These techniques have much in common in terms of the science they address, but also in their potential to attract and develop stronger collaborations with industry partners in line with ILL’s strategic focus on societal impact.