Elusive carbonic acid: it really exists!
The existence of carbonic acid has long been the subject of debate: theoretically real, but practically impossible to detect.
MLZ
Neutrons expose the insides of an antique pendant
Thanks to the non-destructive examinations using neutrons, researchers identified miniscule bone fragments inside the object, presumably religious relics.
Neutrons help track down mammalian ancestors
A team of German and Argentinian researchers has used neutrons in the FRM II research neutron source at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to identify an animal species that has been extinct for 220 million years. Findings on the new species provide surprising insights into the evolution of mammals.
Analysis of cosmic dust brings scientists one step closer to quantum and magnonic devices
New research published in Science brings us a step closer to magnonic devices and quantum computing. Neutron analysis has revealed the behaviour of magnetic waves in a class of materials, enabling scientists to picture a future where electronic currents no longer cause our devices to heat up.
Pressure and heat: Testing alloys for gas turbines
VDM Metals is a high-performance metal provider. In the HiMat project,1 together with the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), VDM tested its VDM® Alloy 780 using a specially developed testing machine at the Research Neutron Source, Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (FRM II).
Neutrons detect clogs in pipelines
Industry and private consumers alike depend on oil and gas pipes that stretch thousands of kilometers underwater. However, it is not uncommon for pipelines to become clogged. With collaborators at the Research Neutron Source FRM II and the consulting company, Science S.A.V.E.D, scientists from TechnipFMC (a company specialising in subsea pipelines) demonstrated that neutrons are an ideal probe to locate blockages in underwater pipes.
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.
Revolution in imaging with neutrons
An international research team at the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a new imaging technology. In the future, this technology could not only improve the resolution of neutron measurements by many times, but could also reduce the radiation dose for medical x-ray imaging.
Triple switch for the nanoworld
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have succeeded in demonstrating the existence of a novel nanoswitch with the aid of neutrons.
Skin-like material developed for wearables
Scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich and Donghua University in Shanghai, China, have demonstrated a skin-like synthetic material intended to advance the development of so-called “wearables”, as well as smart clothing and artificial skin for robots. Neutrons from the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz research neutron source helped them to study the new material in detail.
