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Neutron research

Overview

NIST is at the forefront of basic research with neutrons, and the NIST Center for Neutron Research is a national resource for industry, universities and government agencies.

Featured Content

NCNR User Facility

nSoft

Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering (CHRNS)

The Research

Projects & Programs

Neutron Detector Replacement Program

The Department of Homeland Security/Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DHS/DNDO) is pursuing a course to transform 3He alternative technologies into integrated

Measurement Quality in Hydrogen Storage R&D

No existing hydrogen storage material satisfies the Department of Energy (DoE) goal of achieving a commercial hydrogen storage system for competitive hydrogen

Crystallographic Databases

Components and devices used in a broad spectrum of technology sectors such as health care, communications, energy and electronics are manufactured from

Additional Resources Links

Publications

Tools & Instruments

See Differently With Neutrons at NIST

How neutrons are used by researchers at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR).

View video

News

Heather Chen-Mayer loading a jade artifact into a neutron detector

How Neutrons and Gamma Rays Can Reveal Our Cultural Heritage

Most people think that understanding and preserving our cultural heritage is mainly the concern of the social sciences and humanities, such as archaeology and art history. But physical sciences, including physics and chemistry, often play a large role as well. Determining the elemental composition, or signature, of archaeological finds or objects in museum collections can provide insight into

A red cylinder made of lipids has five protruding multicolored proteins.

NIST Clarifies Structure of Prospective Vaccine for Respiratory Virus

Neutrons pass through a wall and fly through a magnetic field, which changes the spin angle of the neutrons. A coiled solenoid measures the angle change.

NIST Scientists Reveal the Power Behind the Curtain — With Neutrons

Colorful computer data patterns form a backdrop to a horizontal string of transparent spheres.