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Engineering Materials, Geosciences, Archeology & Heritage Conservation

Due to their large penetration lengths in many materials, and in particular in metals, neutrons are an invaluable tool for investigating engineering materials and components, geological structures and their dynamics, and historical objects whose detailed study reveals to us the basic data of our own cultural heritage.

Neutrons also enable the non-destructive investigation of most samples, making them the ideal probe to detect hydrogenous materials and to provide information about crystalline structures.

Current Science

Structural Integrity of Energy Conversion Materials

One of the greatest market entry barriers of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells is their durability. The goal of these experiments is to investigate the influence of external stress on reduction rate.

CREDIT: M. Makowska

One of the greatest market entry barriers of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is their durability. The goal of this project is to gain more insight into actual processes, which determine the microstructure and performance of SOFCs, in particular the phenomena generating strains and causing defects in the cells and thus influencing their lifetime. Most issues in SOFC development are a consequence of the high operation temperature (around 800 ̊C).

Currently we are analyzing the first in situ studies performed with the dedicated sample environment we developed for this purpose. Measurements have been performed at ISIS and PSI up to now and allowed us to follow the reduction and oxidation as well as deformation rates and cracking under various operation conditions.


Improving Dental Cements

Improved properties and increased longevity of dental materials can save significant costs and can minimize discomfort for patients. Despite their yet limited mechanical strength to survive in the challenging oral environment, the development of glass ionomer cements are an interesting option for dental fillings due to their good biocompatibility. The necessary prerequisite for further developments lies in a better understanding of the structure and hydration process of these cements. To investigate the hydrogen mobility within these cements and to shed more light on the highly complex pore structure and its development during setting  of these materials we use neutrons and X-rays

BEER

Engineering Diffractometer

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Science Drivers 

Related Instruments

ODIN

Multi-Purpose Imaging

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HEIMDAL

Hybrid Diffractometer

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DREAM

Bispectral Powder Diffractometer

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BEER

Engineering Diffractometer

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BIFROST

Extreme Environment Spectrometer

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