The PSI Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging conducts cutting-edge research at the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ.
Lab News & Scientific Highlights
Hydration- and Temperature-Dependent Rotational Dynamics and Water Diffusion in Nanocellulose
Nanocellulose is a promising alternative to fossil-derived materials, but its development is hindered by a limited understanding of cellulose–water interactions. Herein, quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is used to investigate how hydration and temperature affect the localized rotations in cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and the diffusion of mobile water. QENS reveals ...
Bright Monocompound Metal Halide Scintillator for Fast Neutron Radiography
Fast neutron imaging is a promising technique for visualizing objects containing dense, mixed light-and-heavy-elements materials, such as combustion engines, nuclear fuel assemblies, and fossils, where X-rays and thermal neutrons are ineffectiv. However, the limited efficiency of current detection technologies hinders their widespread adoption. Recoil proton detection ...
Neutron imaging in 2D and 3D as a powerful tool to investigate electrolyte degradation and plating mechanisms in sodium-ion batteries
To develop durable and high-performance sodium-ion batteries, it is crucial to understand the degradation processes taking place during electrochemical cycling. This study presents the first demonstration of visualizing the effects of electrolyte degradation in sodium-ion batteries, via 2D and 3D neutron imaging thereby visualizing the degradation of the cells. The experiment ...
Recent publications
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Hadden E, Klepp J, Fally M, Jenke T, Kohlbrecher J, Shimada T, et al.
Holographic hyperbranched polymer nanocomposite grating with exceptionally large neutron scattering length density modulation amplitudes
Scientific Reports. 2025; 15: 31512 (7 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16998-z
DORA PSI -
Genix AC, Sharma S, Akkaya C, Alauzun JG, Kohlbrecher J, Bizien T, et al.
Heterogeneous decoration of ionic mesopores by ionic and poly(ionic) liquids
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. 2025; 17(33): 47532-47542. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c11985
DORA PSI -
Turnali A, Hariharan A, Polatidis E, Peter NJ, Gehlmann J, Sofras C, et al.
Harnessing additive manufacturing-induced microstructure and solute heterogeneities for the design of precipitation-strengthened alloys
Acta Materialia. 2025; 298: 121423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121423
DORA PSI