Lithium-oxygen batteries could one day supersede the widely used lithium-ion batteries because, in theory, their energy density is 10 times higher. However, the technology of lithium-oxygen batteries is not yet ripe for commercial exploitation. Neutrons shed light on possible electrolytes and cathode materials.

In a breakthrough for materials science, Dr. Nicolás Di Luozzo from University of Buenos Aires and his international collaborators have developed a method to detect boron in steel using neutron radiography at the ANTARES instrument, located at the MLZ. The findings have significant implications for industries that rely on steel components, such as oil and gas pipelines, automotive, and chemical processing.

Solid-state batteries are considered a key technology for the future: they can store more energy and do not rely on flammable materials like current lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at TUM and TUMint.Energy Research have now taken a significant step towards improving solid-state batteries. They developed a new material made of lithium, antimony and scandium that conducts lithium ions more than 30% faster than any previously known material. Dr. Anatoliy Senyshyn, head of the structural research group at the MLZ and instrument scientist at SPODI, also helped with this work.