In addition, neutrons are also more sensitive than X-rays to light elements such as hydrogen and carbon, which make them uniquely useful for studying hydrocarbons and biological materials. Instead of developing new materials "by guess or good luck", neutrons may therefore be a crucial tool to design new materials with preferred properties.
The Physics Department utilizes neutron beams from the JEEP-II reactor to explore materials and their potentials in a growing number of applications, such as hydrogen uptake in metals for energy storage, superconductors, liquid crystals, polymers, complex molecular structures, and magnetic behavior. Several neutron diffractometer and spectrometer instruments are connected to the reactor for this purpose.
More information on neutron research worldwide: neutronsources.org