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Energy-resolved neutron experiments provide insights into novel energy technologies

The replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy is a key requirement to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Energy storage systems are a crucial technology for this global energy transition due to the intermittent nature of renewables. A recent publication – describing a biomimetic energy storage system inspired by the structure of naturally-occurring methane hydrate – highlights the unique contribution of neutrons to help tackle this societal challenge and advance towards a sustainable future.

Over 100 scientists and industry experts gathered in Grenoble last week for the International Operando Battery Days (OBATT'24). The event focused on exploring  new ways to analyse battery materials using cutting-edge tools and methods, both in-lab and at Large Scale Facilities such as the ILL and ESRF. These tools will help us understand how battery materials behave during real-world use, ultimat…

It is common knowledge that batteries degrade with usage. Exactly how this happens and how could it be mitigated is cutting-edge research. Details of an important step forward have just been published in the journal Energy and Environmental Science.

The global need to transition to a sustainable and clean energy future has brought hydrogen to the forefront as a promising clean energy carrier. Efficient and safe storage is a key challenge and hydrogen storage in activated carbons is a promising option. Investigating the fundamental interactions between hydrogen and nanoporous carbon at the atomic level can provide vital information for enhancing the storage efficiency of these materials. Neutron scattering is sensitive to hydrogen, thus opening the possibility for many different insights. This paper reports on a SANS (Small-Angle Neutron Scattering) study using ILL’s highly versatile neutron diffractometer D16 to investigate hydrogen and deuterium adsorption in nanoporous activated carbon cloth as a function of (micro)pore size. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the processes involved and will influence the design of materials for efficient hydrogen storage devices working at realistic cryogenic conditions and low pressures.

Approximately 70% of all energy produced by humanity currently ends up as waste heat. As the world witnesses the accelerating and intensifying impact of climate change, the huge potential of this unused energy has come into sharp focus. Thermoelectric technologies enable a direct conversion of heat into electricity, their wider deployment, however, requires the development of more efficient mater…

Neutron spectroscopy provides a range of tools to study the structural dynamics of semiconducting organic materials for novel solar cells with improved power conversion efficiency.

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…

Schematic, cross-sectional view of a PEM fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel is channelled to the anode, while oxygen from air is channelled to the cathode. At the anode, hydrogen is split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-). The PEM allows the protons to cross to the cathode, while the electrons travel vi…

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…

August 2020Supercapacitors are up-and-coming, energy storage devices, often used to store energy from renewable energy sources like wind turbines where power is intermittent. They combine the best of batteries and traditional capacitors – like batteries, they are able to store lots of energy but a…