Neutron Sciences Directorate

Neutrons can penetrate deeply into most materials, enabling observations of the interior structure and functionality of complex manufactured items, such as batteries, engines, and aerospace parts, in real-time, without damaging them. This offers the most non-invasive means of studying the internal properties of mechanical devices, in situ, as they operate. These studies can be performed in controlled environments, including extreme temperatures and pressures (up to 120 GPa), high magnetic fields, stress or shear, gas mixtures, and pH.