Neutron Battery Hub
Bridging Neutron Science and Battery Research: a centre of competence for next-generation batteries
Agenda
About the NBHub
The Neutron Battery Hub (NBHub) is a collaborative framework at the ILL, bringing together neutron experts and battery scientists to work towards the development of next generation of batteries.
It will address the fundamental understanding of reaction processes to accelerate discovery in materials and technologies, develop tools and techniques, and seek to attract new partners and collaborations with industry.
A combination of neutron scattering techniques and advanced characterization strategies will be used to observe batteries during operation at all scales, connecting materials properties with electrochemical performances and unraveling the relationship between structure and transport mechanisms.
The NBHub has its own funding to hire students and postdoctoral researchers. Beamtime will be granted by regular calls for porposals.
Goals
Fundamental understanding of reaction and degradation processes, to accelerate the discovery of better / new materials and technologies.
Develop tools and techniques that will benefit both neutron and battery scientists.
Strengthen and extend the partnership between the neutron and battery communities, including both academia and industry.
Research project
The scientific scope of the project is to design, implement and standardise neutron experiments on various types of battery materials for Li-ion and beyond – typically, from layered oxides used as cathodes to polymers or ceramics developed as solid-state electrolytes – in order to understand their stability, performance and evolution during battery operation. The NBHUb will develop a multi-technique programme encompassing (nano)structural studies coupled to ion dynamics, at the material, component and device levels.
Different types of battery materials
Multi-techniques & Operando measurements
- Connecting materials properties with electrochemical performances
- Observing batteries during operation at all scales using a combination of neutron scattering techniques
- Unraveling the relationship between structure and transport mechanisms
Key bulk processes happening in batteries at the various length scales, from atoms up to full battery devices (image from D.Atkins et al, Accelerating Battery Characterization Using Neutron and Synchrotron Techniques: Toward a Multi-Modal and Multi-Scale Standardized Experimental Workflow, Adv. Energy Mater.2022, 12, 2102694. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202102694 )
Four core neutron scattering techniques
The NBHub will provide:
- Cofunding for PhDs and postdocs
- An electrochemical lab for users
- Nomad integrated operando measurements
- A suites of standardized and optimized sample containers for operando measurements.
- Standardized protocols and workflows for faster data visualization, analysis & publication
- Guidelines for proposals submission & beamtime optimization
Governance
The NBHub was created in April 2026 in the context of the implementation of the new ILL Science Strategy. It builds on a previous Long Term Project focused on the development of cells for diffraction, imaging and small-angle, and it is led in synergy by two experienced PIs serving into a coordination board. They have developed deep, long-standing collaborations with ILL staff and play an active role in French and European initiatives on battery research.
Hub coordinators
Research team
- ILL staff researchers, post-Docs, PhD students
Partners
- SyMMES@Grenoble
- European Battery Hub at ESRF
Want to be a partner? Contact us!