Registration

Welcome address and presentation of ILL

• Christine Darve (European Spallation Source ERIC)
• Peter Fouquet (Institut Laue-Langevin)
• Ken Andersen (ILL)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Introduction to X-rays and Neutrons for Materials Science and Energy

• Alekxandar Matic (Chalmers University of Technology)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

An Introduction to Neutron and X-ray Imaging

• Alessandro Tengattini

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick This doctoral lecture details the technical principles of neutron and X-ray tomography, beginning with the physical definitions of digital imaging and the mechanisms of beam collimation and neutron detection, 3D volume reconstruction from 2D projections and the application of image analysis protocols for structural quantification. Particular focus is placed on Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) as a method for measuring internal displacement and strain fields. These methodologies are demonstrated through a series of case studies involving fluid transport in porous media and the characterisation of energy materials, including battery and fuel cell architectures.

ESRF welcome (Visitor Center) and visit

• Jean Daillant (ESRF)

Poster Session & reception (mezzanine ESRF)

Neutron and X-ray Diffraction (for Energy Materials)

• Ove Korjus

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Small Angle Scattering: Leaving Atoms Behind and Going Big

• Xaver Brems (LSS)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Many processes in energy materials do not only depend on the microscopic arrangement of atoms on the atomic scale, but are controlled by the gross characteristics and morphology of matter on the nano and microscale. Small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) allows to access these features giving insights into the size, shape, and arrangement of objects of few nanometers to several hundreds of nanometers. This lecture will introduce key concepts of small-angle scattering and give some examples on how SAXS and SANS can be used to study battery materials.

Neutron spectroscopy

• Michael Koza (Institut Laue Langevin)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Operando characterizations of batteries : from particles to devices

• Sandrine Lyonnard (CEA-IRIG)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Understanding key reaction and degradation mechanisms in batteries require to combine different characterization tools and obtain structural, chemical, morphologicak insights into the materials transformations, from the scale of individual active particles to the scale of a working commercial battery device. Neutrons and X-rays are particularly suited for this purpose. We will show some recent examples of their application in the field.

Materials for nuclear reactor and fusion plants

• Pär Olsson (KTH)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick In this lecture, we will discuss what types of materials are used in nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactors, how they are affected by the specific reactor environments, and how we can study their properties, characteristics, and evolution under operation and transient conditions. We will focus on materials close to the reactor cores that experience some of the harshest engineering conditions ever encountered. Intense radiation fluxes, high temperatures and temperature gradients, corrosive environments, and variable stress states affect these materials. We will discuss nuclear fuels, structural materials, and the specificities and commonalities between fission and fusion reactors and their materials, as well as current research and development efforts in the field. The lecture will provide students with a broad overview of the topic and will also include deep dives into certain specific materials, modelling and experimental subtopics. In particular, the use of diffraction techniques will be highlighted.

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy : A powerful Spectroscopy for the operando Characterization of Energy-Related Materials

• Valérie Briois (SOLEIL)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Today X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a versatile and well-established technique for providing electronic and structural information on all kind of materials, whatever the state of the sample, solid, liquid, disordered materials and for atomic concentrations ranging from a few ppm to the pure element [1,2]. The physical process underlying the XAS is the ejection of an electron, called photo-electron, when X-rays are absorbed by the matter. This phenomenon arises when incident X-rays energy is scanned across the range corresponding to that required for the ionization of a core electron from an atom, called absorbing atom, in the sample. The interference between the outgoing wave associated to the photo-electron and the waves originating from the backscattering of this photo-electron by the neighbouring atoms of the absorbing atom gives rise to oscillatory structures on the X-ray absorption spectrum, arbitrarily divided into Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structures (EXAFS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structures (XANES). On one hand, EXAFS is one of the few structural techniques that provide information over the short-range order (inter-atomic distances, types and number of first and more distant neighbours) around almost any atomic species of the periodic table. On the other hand, complementary information is obtained from the analysis of the XANES spectrum, like the oxidation state and site symmetry of the selected absorbing atom.

Neutron & X-ray Reflectometry

• Maximilian Wolff

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Neutron and x-ray reflectometry are complementary methods that allow the study of thin films and interfaces. I will discuss the basic principles of reflectometry experiments and data analysis. From specular reflectivity density profiles long the normal of interfaces can be extracted, while off-specular and grazing incidence scattering provides information about in-plane correlations. Examples in hydrogen storage, magnetism and polymer science will be presented.

Hydrogen storage: Finite size and proximity effects

• Maximilian Wolff

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Hydrogen will play a major role as energy carrier in the transition towards a sustainable and carbon dioxide emission free society. I will discuss the opportunities and challenges to store hydrogen. Emphasis will be on proximity and finite size effects, which allow to tune the absorption properties, specifically, the charging kinetics, gravimetric and volumetric capacity as well as efficiency of discharging.

ILL visit Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Energy research in industry

• Markus STROBL (PSI)
• Jonas Okkels BIRK (Danish Technological Institute)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick For the green transition to succeed, it is crucial that the research in green technologies such as power-to-X (PtX) technologies leads to concrete industrial scale products. That can be proudly deployed across society. For this to happen industry needs access not only to university research but also advanced research capabilities such as the possibilities provided by neutron- and synchrotron characterization. In this talk we will discuss how neutron- and synchrotron sources can support industrial PtX research, the ACTNXT project which will develop new instrumentation for such research, and provide concrete examples of how the PtX industry has benefitted from such research capabilities.

DFT Modelling

• Elisa Rebolini

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Artificial Intelligence in Data Analysis

• Vincent Favre Nicolin (ESRF)

Neutron spectroscopy studies of perovskites for energy applications

• maths karlsson (Chalmers University of Technology)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Preparation of Beamtime Proposals

• Peter Fouquet (Institut Laue-Langevin)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Preparation of Beamtime Proposals Peter Fouquet and the Lecturers

Adoption of Non-Sealed Radioactive Source Technologies and the Management of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS)

• Christine Darve (European Spallation Source ERIC)
• Franck Cocina

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick Sealed Radioactive Sources (SRS) have long served as the standard means of delivering ionizing radiation across applications in medicine, research, public health, and industry. In recent years, however, advances in non-SRS based technologies have expanded the availability of viable alternatives capable of achieving equivalent, and in some cases superior, performance. While radioactive sources may remain the preferred option for certain cases, access to these alternative technologies potentially reduce the safety, security, regulatory, and end-of-life management obligations traditionally associated with sealed radioactive sources. Although the adoption of alternative technologies can reduce long-term reliance on radioactive materials, the transition from the traditional SRS-based technologies may also generate disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS). These DSRS, depending on the isotope and activity, can remain dangerous for years to centuries and therefore require safe, secure, sustainable management that ultimately ends in disposal. Drawing on experiences from multiple States that have undertaken such transitions, this presentation highlights both positive outcomes and implementation challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated planning and technical support mechanisms. The discussion will balance the assessment of technological, regulatory, and strategic considerations relevant to decision makers evaluating future equipment procurement and focus on DSRS management strategies. It also outlines current international eƯorts and assistance programs aimed at supporting States in assessing, adopting, and managing alternative technologies responsibly.

Neutron Imaging for energy Applications

• Markus STROBL (PSI)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick In this lecture the potential of neutron imaging for energy applications will be outlined, including advanced neutron imaging techniques and their capabilities in the given context. Examples of a broad range of studies including but not limited to the fields of nuclear energy, batteries, and fuel cells will be provided.

Student Clips Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Societal impact of energy research

• Heloise Goutte (CEA)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick

Round table: Energy research with an impact

• Victor Ducret (Institut français de Suède)
• Jonas Okkels BIRK (Danish Technological Institute)
• Markus STROBL (PSI)
• Yan Pautrat (Ambassade de France en Suède)
• Christine Darve (European Spallation Source ERIC)
• Edward Mitchell (European Synchrotron)
• Heloise Goutte (CEA)

Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick This round table will explore how cutting-edge research in energy, and neutron and photon sciences can translate into tangible societal benefits. Bringing together experts from research infrastructures, industry, and science diplomacy, the discussion will highlight pathways from fundamental science to real-world applications, including sustainable energy solutions, innovation, and policy impact. The session will also emphasize the role of international collaboration, education, and training, drawing on successful models such as large-scale facilities and advanced schools, to prepare the next generation of scientists. Particular attention will be given to how early-career researchers can engage with global networks and contribute to impactful, interdisciplinary research.

Closing remarks & Clip Awards Room: ILL4/rdc-1 - Amphi Chadwick