News

Neutron experiments reveal how a ferrotoroidic material can store information in four distinct magnetic states, paving the way for future memory technologies with increased storage capacity.

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

Bacteria can be surprisingly resistant - neutron-based techniques show why.

By linking theoretical predictions with neutron experiments, researchers have found evidence for quantum spin ice in the material Ce2Sn2O7. Their findings could inspire the technology of tomorrow, such as quantum computers. The results have been published in the journal ‘Nature Physics’.

The lipid membranes surrounding human cells are known to be asymmetric in terms of their molecular composition. The localisation of cholesterol within these membranes has, however, been difficult to pinpoint until recently. Using neutron scattering and selective deuteration, researchers were able to tackle this challenge and to provide deep insights into the complexity of biological membranes. This knowledge can help design articificial membranes for drug delivery and facilitate the handling of demanding proteins.

An article recently published in Cell Reports reveals how researchers have for the first time directly visualized the position of protons within key functional elements of an enzyme that plays an important role in the metabolism of many microorganisms. Neutron diffraction measurements at ILL of protein crystals grown under microgravity conditions at the International Space Station (ISS) were key ingredients in this work.

Figure 1: (click to enlarge) Clockwise from left: SuperSUN phase I installed at its beam end-position, with radiological shielding removed; cut view of the cryogenic system including the octupole magnet planned for phase II; circular cold-neutron replica guide with m=3 supermirror coating; taper…

Though continuous down-scaling in microelectronics has enabled the industry to achieve phenomenal success, the trend is now approaching fundamental limits. Promising alternative technologies for next generation devices exploit not only the charge of the electron – as used in conventional microelectronics – but also the electron spin (spintronics) or spin waves (magnonics) in order to transmit, st…

Visualisation of the Ising-like spin liquid on the triangular spin lattice realised in NdTa7O19. The spins (arrows) show antiferromagnetic correlations between nearest neighbours (glowing bonds) but remain fluctuating down to the lowest experimental temperature A r…

Neutrons throw light on an important manufacturing process in the textile industry.

By Upward, the official magazine of the ISS National Lab

Semipermeable polymeric membranes that selectively allow the passage of negative ions (anions) play a key role in several important technologies including fuel cells. Neutron studies untangle the complex dynamics in an anion exchange membrane when employed in a fuel cell setting. Fuel cells genera…