Chemistry and Materials

The influence of structure is everywhere; the properties of water and ice, the hardness of metals, the strength of magnets, the biology of DNA or the effect of antibodies on viruses – all depend on structure. Crystallography is studied at the ILL in a broad sense, using both single crystal and powder diffraction. Some structural studies may require small-angle-scattering as well.
Neutron diffraction is ideal for determining the structure of materials containing light atoms such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.  We need to understand the structure of materials before we can understand their properties and how they react.

To master the methodologies leading to new improved materials we need detailed knowledge of the structure of solids at the atomic or molecular level. Owing to their unique properties, neutrons can play a crucial role in this, by resolving, for example, the arrangements of magnetic moments in complex magnetic systems, by locating light atoms in intricate structures, or by assessing the residual stress distribution in bulky mechanical parts. The development and engineering of components with improved functionality is the key to technological progress, which in turn provides sustainable economic growth. To achieve this goal, scientists and engineers are developing smarter materials and components.