Engineered disorder
A study using neutrons at the MLZ suggests that developing a solid electrolyte, while intentionally leaving the material disordered, will lead to higher battery performance.
Energy
Understanding the structure of fuel cell membranes
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFC) are an important technology in the transition to green energy. With the help of neutrons, researchers at MLZ have investigated the complex structure of a core component of the PEMFC – the proton exchange membrane – in greater detail than ever before.
When hydrogen glows red
A team of German and Dutch scientists synthesised a series of substances, which show bright luminescence under UV light. Therefore the amount of hydrogen in the structure determines the wavelength – and hence the color – of the emitted light. These compounds could be used as illuminants in LEDs or for chemical hydrogen storage.
Advanced neutron technologies galvanise research into advanced polymer electrolyte membranes
In a joint publication, scientists from University College London, CEA/University Grenoble Alpes, and LENS members ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (LLB), explain how innovations in neutron scattering are enabling researchers to create and test new Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) formulations for clean-energy applications.
Zooming in on water splitting
Perovskite oxynitride materials can act as effective photocatalysts for water splitting driven by visible light. A combined neutron and x-ray study now provides unique insight into the underlying processes at the solid–liquid interface and highlights how solar-to-hydrogen conversion can be improved.
