News

Linking simple physical rules, machine learning and neutron spectroscopy to discover crystals with record-low thermal conductivity

Are you interested in conducting your own postdoctoral research project, as a Marie Curie fellow, at the ILL - the world's leading facility in neutron science & technology?

A recent study shows that small molecular modifications can make barocaloric materials respond more reliably under pressure, supporting the development of solid-state cooling technologies without climate-damaging refrigerant gases.

The results of a new study show how materials scientists may be able to fine-tune ionic transport properties to meet specific technological needs in catalysis and solid-state energy devices.

A team of researchers recently used the thermal-neutron two-axis diffractometer D23 at the ILL to investigate Na2 BaCo(PO4 )2 (NBCP), a material that surprisingly behaves as a ‘spin supersolid’ -a state combining properties of both a solid and a liquid. Neutrons, acting like tiny magnets themselves, were the ideal probes to reveal the hidden magnetic order and dynamics within this material. This discovery, which is also relevant for energy-efficient cooling, provides the first real-life evidence of a supersolid state in a quantum magnet.

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals an unexpected transition between two different insulator states. Neutron diffractometry experiments at the ILL, conducted on the D2B high-resolution, two-axis diffractometer, open up the path towards advanced technologies by providing vital insights into the complex electronic behavior of such materials.

A recent study, published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, and conducted at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), utilised polarised neutron scattering on the D33 instrument to explore skyrmions. This research provided crucial microscopic insights into these magnetic structures. The D33 instrument's unique ability to combine high magnetic fields and  polarised neutrons was essential for understanding skyrmion phase transitions. The findings  can enhance the development of skyrmion-based spintronic devices, which promise lower energy consumption and higher data storage efficiency. The study's methodologies can be applied to other magnetic materials, aiding in the discovery of new phenomena and the development of advanced magnetic materials.

Researchers used neutrons to study how peptides assemble into tiny spirals - and then used them as templates to create golden replicas.

A novel porous material capable of separating deuterium from hydrogen at a temperature of 120 K (-153°C) has been introduced. This opens a pathway for sustainable industrial-scale isotope separation using existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.

On February 26, 2025, as part of the fourth edition of the grEnoble eNerGy conversIoN & storagE (ENGINE2025) school, the ILL had the pleasure of hosting 75 participants interested in key enabling technologies such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and solid-state batteries.

Recent awards and publications are testament to the sustained efforts and long-standing contributions of the ILL diffraction group to crystallography, and reinforce our ongoing commitment to advancing scientific understanding in the discipline.

Using neutron spectroscopy data taken at ILL, researchers achieved a novel understanding of molecular movement at the nanoscale, providing new insights that may impact the design of future materials and technologies. The study has just been published in the Nature Portfolio open access journal Communications Chemistry – and is featured (as a banner) on the journal homepage.