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"Inelastic neutron scattering contributes to studying vibrational degrees-of-freedom to better understand disorder and its effect on electronic charge transport efficiency and mechanisms in organic semiconductors." Credit ILL / M. Zbiri Organic semiconduc…

Accommodating water within their pores and ideally fueled by solar energy, organic porous water-splitting materials trigger the process of splitting water molecules via oxidation and reduction reactions to release hydrogen. Credit ILL / M. Zbiri Hydrogen fuel is s…

By Martin Herrema, University of Kent

ThALES. Photo: R. Cubitt, ILL Electrons and magnetismIn modern physics of the past century, understanding the electronic properties and interactions between electrons inside matter has been a major challenge. Electrons are responsible for the chemical link between …

The crystal structure of bismuth vanadate is made up of two types of sub-lattice: the Bi-O sub-lattice (depicted in yellow) and the V-O sub-lattice (depicted in brown). 23 July 2019Given the ever-increasing need for cleaner, more efficient energy sources, materia…

Silk may well be the oldest biomaterial humans have exploited. The primary protein comprising silk is fibroin, and in the last century, it has been intensely studied for a variety of advanced applications beyond luxurious fabrics. Some of the most exciting current research is exploring the potential of this protein in a range of applications using neutrons.

9th July 2018: Grenoble, France  – the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) team up with leading European space companies OHB System AG and MT Aerospace AG to tackle industry challenges. They join forces to advance the characterisation of aerospace materials and make fabrication processes more efficient by probing matter with x-rays and neutrons.Space ex…

Neutrons reveal atomic hydrogen diffusion through ‘quantum tunnelling’ on grapheneGraphene is known as the world’s thinnest material due to its 2D structure, where each sheet is only one carbon atom thick, allowing each atom to engage in a chemical reaction from two sides. Graphene flakes can have…

Boron steel has crucial applications in the automotive industry; it is attractive due to the reduced automobile weight and increased passenger safety it provides.Understanding the effect spot welding has on residual stress in boron steel is crucial for informing new welding methods that have a les…

During the past three decades, lithium ion batteries have become the leading technology for powering consumer electronics. Energy is stored in the battery when positively charged lithium ions fl ow through an electrolyte from a positive lithium-containing electrode to a more negative electrode; el…

10.12.2014The discovery of a new form of ice could lead to an improved understanding of our planet’s geology, potentially helping to unlock new solutions in the production, transportation and storage of energy. Ice XVI, the least dense of all known forms of ice, has a highly symmetric cage-like st…