SUMMARY

Energy Scenario

Hydrogen Economy

Soft matter

Other topics

Other topics		Click on the picture to enlarge it
Neutron scattering research on organic solar cell materials Current advanced semiconductor solar cells reach conversion efficiencies of 25%. . For monocrystalline solar cells energy payback ratio (ERP = the total useful energy delivered by the device during its lifetime divided by the energy invested in building and running) it is about 5 - 7.	Solar cells based on organic molecular dye sensitized TiO2 nanostructures have shown efficiencies up to 11% and have anticipated ERP between 15 and 20. Recently also fully organic ‘heterojunctions’ of discotic hole conducting and perylene electron conducting materials showed considerable efficiencies. Improving the charge transport would enhance the efficiency. In nanostructured and amorphous dye layers neutron scattering can give structural information of the molecular conformations via neutron vibrational spectroscopy aided by computer simulations. Neutron scattering also shows how molecules move relative to each other, which is important for the charge transport between the molecules.		Fokko Mulder IRI, Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 15, 2629JB Delft, The Netherlands Tel.:015 2784870 Fax.: 015 2788303 mulder@iri.tudelft.nl
Batteries The majority of lithium ion cells on sale today use the layered intercalation compound LiCoO2 as the positive electrode and liquid or gel electrolytes. However, for the larger cells with higher capacity and higher charge/discharge rates new materials are required to provide better performance, superior safety, lower cost and lower toxicity. Two issues facing the realisation of all-solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries: - the development of layered lithium manganese oxides as positive electrodes - new types of polymer electrolytes	Structural studies hold the key to the development of new positive electrodes and solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. Neutron diffraction method plays the major part in these studies enabling us to locate Li atoms in the structures. High penetration ability of neutrons opens a fascinating prospect of performing in situ structural studies of lithium ion cells.		Yuri G. Andreev, School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK ya@st-andrews.ac.uk
Catalysis by Supported Metal Nanoclusters Nanoclusters are generally unstable to reaction conditions, i.e., understanding and maintaining stability is a key to technological break-throughs.	How have neutrons aided our understanding of catalysis by metal nanoclusters? Nature of surface intermediates on high surface area catalysts at realistic conditions!! Nature of the Surface Species Formed on Au/TiO2 during the Reaction of H2 and O2 by In-Situ Inelastic Neutron Scattering Vibrational Spectroscopy. Characterization of C2(Cx Hy ) Intermediates from Adsorption and Decomposition of Methane on Supported Metal Catalysts by In-Situ Inelastic Neutron Scattering Vibrational Spectroscopy.		Wayne Goodman University of Texas Phone: (979) 845-0214 Fax: (979) 845-6822 Goodman@Mail.Chem.Tamu.Edu
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