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Rethinking liquid hydrogen storage with metal-organic frameworks

Researchers from UNIST, Ewha Womans University, TUM, and ILL report a significant increase in liquid hydrogen storage time using metal-organic frameworks. The study found that IRMOF-20 can retain about 97% of liquid hydrogen's theoretical volumetric capacity for over 221 days, more than three times as long as neat liquid hydrogen.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2026

40-year-old theory of how plastics ‘mix’ confirmed for the first time by SNU professors So Youn Kim and Kyoung Taek Kim’s joint research team

A 40-year-old theory on plastics mixing has been experimentally confirmed for the first time by Seoul National University professors. Changing the polymer architecture from linear to ring-shaped increases the interfacial mixing width by 2.6-fold without altering the chemical composition, improving the adhesion and stability of polymer ...

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

A deep dive into drug delivery

Scientists at Institut Laue-Langevin create novel combination of neutron and light scattering to elucidate molecular structure of therapeutic nanoparticles. The technique enables precise determination of particle dimensions, internal structure homogeneity, and potential drug location.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2026

Beyond 0 and 1: a material that can store four magnetic states

Researchers have discovered a ferrotoroidic material that can store information in four distinct magnetic states, allowing for increased storage capacity. The material's non-volatile behavior and ability to control magnetic states using electric and magnetic fields make it an attractive model system for exploring quaternary memory.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2026

Room to move: how proteins behave in crowded environments

Neutron scattering reveals a new type of protein motion that depends on the surrounding environment within assemblies. The observed behaviour, known as non-Fickian diffusion, shows that molecular motion can no longer be described by a single uniform rule across the whole system.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2026

China successfully develops its first double-spoke superconducting cavity cryomodule

Researchers in China designed and developed a high-performance double-spoke superconducting cavity with improved electromagnetic and mechanical optimizations. The cryomodule employs carbon fiber tie rods to reduce heat leakage and enhance manufacturability. An optimized cryogenic cooling protocol was also developed to maximize Q-value ...

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2025

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

The Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's unique plastic scintillator module design boasts exceptional performance in muon identification efficiency, surpassing 99.67% even at high thresholds. This scalable solution establishes a transferable technique for next-generation neutrino detectors requiring muon identification efficiency >99.5% ...

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

Exotic observations with neutrons at the ILL

The study reveals three distinct phases: liquid, solid, and plastic ice, with the latter exhibiting picosecond rotational motion. The implementation of state-of-the-art spectrometers and sample environments enabled the first experimental observation of plastic ice VII at high temperatures and pressures.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Pea-based cappuccino: The greener future of food

Researchers at Institut Laue-Langevin and Aarhus University developed a new method to characterise foam structure, enabling the creation of plant-derived foaming ingredients in food. The technique uses small-angle neutron scattering, imaging, and electrical conductivity measurements to provide insights into pea albumin-based foams.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

The right kind of fusion neutrons

A new Zap research paper validates the company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion approach by measuring nearly isotropic neutron energies, indicating stable thermal plasma. This achievement provides a benchmark milestone for scaling fusion to higher energy yields and confidence in reaching higher performance on the FuZE-Q device.

SourceZap Energy·JournalNuclear Fusion·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Shrouded in axions

Researchers from the Universiteit van Amsterdam and other institutions show that axion clouds around neutron stars could provide a new way to observe these elusive particles. The formation and properties of these clouds are studied, offering new opportunities for axion research and potentially solving the dark matter puzzle.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2024

Being able to see inside a flow battery

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology, in collaboration with MIT and PSI, developed a new method to visualize the inner workings of redox flow batteries using neutron imaging. The technique provides extraordinary moving images that help understand the battery's performance and durability.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2024

Unlocking the secrets of supercritical fluids

A team of international researchers has measured the molecular diffusion coefficient of a supercritical fluid, revealing a gradual transition from gas-like to liquid-like behavior across the Widom line. This study contributes to our understanding of supercritical fluid dynamics and holds implications for planetary science.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

Neutrons open window to explore space glass

Scientists discovered that many types of glass have similar atomic structures and can be successfully made in space. Researchers used a levitator and NOMAD neutron diffractometer at the Spallation Neutron Source to create and study glass samples, comparing their properties with those made on Earth.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·Journalnpj Microgravity·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

Looking inside battery cells

A team of researchers used state-of-the-art imaging techniques to study lithium-ion battery cells. They identified macroscopic deformations in the copper current collector due to local accumulations of silicon during electrode manufacturing. The defects compromise cell structure and functioning when agglomerates exceed 50 microns in size.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2024

Supercool delivery: final section of souped-up neutron source trucks out of Jefferson Lab

The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is receiving a major upgrade thanks to US neutron science facility Jefferson Lab. The final cryomodule has been successfully delivered and will double the power capability of the linear accelerator, enabling next-generation neutron science research. This delivery marks the ...

A molecular moonlander

Researchers at Institut Laue-Langevin discovered triphenylphosphine molecules exhibit rolling and translating motions on graphite surfaces, facilitated by their geometry and three-point binding. This study provides new insights into surface dynamics and opens up avenues for materials science and nanotechnology.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2024

Measuring neutrons to reduce nuclear waste

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method to accurately measure and predict neutron-induced transmutation, which can make nuclear waste more stable. This technique could lead to improved nuclear waste treatment facilities and new theories about the creation of heavier elements in the universe.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysics Letters B·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Microplastics in soil: Tomography with neutrons and X-rays shows where particles are deposited

Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the deposition and impact of microplastics in soil, using neutron and X-ray tomography. The technique allows for the precise location of microplastic particles and analysis of changes to soil structure, shedding light on the environmental implications of microplastic pollution.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2023