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 With neutrons, the potential for developing more environmentally friendly materials and processes is enormous. The future possibilities comprise:
- More durable and environmentally friendly plastics Cleaner motors
- Lighter and more safe vehicles
- Better catalysators
- Material to capture carbon dioxide
- Environmentally friendly materials for f.ex refridgerators
- The discovery of enzymes that can break down hazardous contamination
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 Neutrons are the only method by which scientists can see through a running engine. By studying how fuels and lubrication oils are distributed in the cylinders of the engine researchers can improve gas and fuel flows as well as performance. The possibility of precise measurements can lead to less fuel hungry and more efficient engines. With the neutron sources of tomorrow, the potential for improvements is even larger.
At the ESS “sister facility” ORNL in the USA, research is being conducted to extract ethanol from cellulose rich materials like grass and agricultural waste. Today ethanol for environmentally friendly vehicles is extracted mainly from cereals like corn, which cause competition for production intended as food.
The constructions of tomorrow will build upon knowledge of the properties of materials on the atomic level. ESS will lead to better, safer and more efficient cars and aircrafts. |
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Telephone batteries which last longer and can be charged many more times are one possibility. With neutrons it is possible to follow how lithium ions migrate within the battery. Lithium is very difficult to see with today’s technology. But with a powerful neutron source it is possible to follow how the material’s structure changes when lithium is moved, and better materials can be produced. |
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