Energy

Neutrons are an invaluable research tool across the entire energy sector, with applications ranging from batteries and fuel cells to nuclear power, wind turbines and solar panels. Many energy materials contain light elements, such as hydrogen, lithium and oxygen, which are ideal to study with neutrons. Neutrons can also be used to study fuel cells and batteries in operando, allowing us to gain better insight into the chemical reactions that take place during use.

Ongoing PhD projects at ILL in collaboration with companies such as Toyota, Umicore, Varta and Ceres Power, within the framework of the InnovaXN programme, clearly illustrate the relevance of neutrons in the energy sector.