The understanding of functional properties of materials is essential for their continuous development and improvement. Facing energy and environmental challenges, industrial companies more than ever have strongly invested in materials development. By using synchrotron and neutron radiation, information about materials structure and properties on different length scales extending from nano- to macroscopic dimensions can be obtained non-destructively.

Some examples of common techniques for material characterization are diffraction, small-angle scattering and tomography methods. The application of these techniques paves the way for a deeper understanding of the structure of materials as well as the associated mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties.

Science Link offers companies within Material Science and Nanotechnology access to experimental techniques applicable to a range of problems including:

  • Nano-particles characterisation (self- assembly of nanoparticles, large clusters)
  • Residual stress and strain analysis
  • Chemical and phase analysis in novel materials
  • Functionality of applied materials
  • Coatings and thin films characterisation
  • Earth science and related materials
  • Crystallography
  • Tomography for 3D characterisation
  • Investigation of catalysis processes

The experimental techniques available include:

  • X-ray and neutron diffraction
  • X-ray absorption spectroscopy
  • X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Small angle X-ray and neutron scattering
  • X-ray and neutron tomography
  • X-ray and neutron reflectometry?
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