Located in southern Sweden, the European Spallation Source (ESS) is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research facility currently under construction. This world-class laboratory will welcome scientists from across the globe. ESS functions like a massive microscope, allowing researchers to explore the inner structure of materials by revealing the positions and behaviors of atoms.
At the heart of the facility, a powerful ion source accelerates protons to 96% of the speed of light, directing them through a 600-meter-long main channel. These high-speed protons collide with a solid tungsten target, releasing free neutrons for scientific investigation.
The ESS design expertly balances aesthetic appeal with the stringent technical demands of advanced atomic science. At its core lies the Science Village, a vibrant hub where scientific innovation meets the public. By incorporating an open campus into its layout, ESS invites the community to engage with groundbreaking research.
Spanning 74.2 hectares, the facility is developed and operated by a European multinational scientific partnership. It houses two principal research centers, a visitor center, and a multifunctional residential and commercial district. ESS exemplifies an elegant and sustainable approach to providing world-class research infrastructure—pioneering the future of architecture and science.
Unlike other neutron research facilities in Europe that rely on nuclear reactors, ESS employs an innovative approach using particle accelerators and nuclear fragmentation technology. This method is more efficient and allows ESS to generate neutron beams that are 100 times brighter than those at existing facilities.
By examining these free neutrons, ESS scientists gain profound insights into molecular structures that determine material properties. This knowledge aids in developing new materials, such as more efficient batteries and stronger engineering components. It also benefits life science research by contributing to vaccine development and the creation of more effective medications. Neutron-based analysis at ESS provides an unprecedented understanding of matter and materials.
Project Drawings
△ Structural schematic diagram
Project Information
Architects: Buro Happold, Cobe, Henning Larsen, SLA
Area: 100,000 square meters
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Rasmus Hjortshøj
Architectural Design: Henning Larsen, Cobe
Steel Manufacturer for Target Building Roof: UPB
Steel Manufacturer for Laboratory Hall and Target Building: Severfield Europe B.V
General Contractor: Skanska
Structural Engineer: Buro Happold
Landscape Architect: SLA Architects
Location: Lund, Sweden
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