Metallurgy and engineering

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.