Benefits of Neutron Science:

How Does Neutron Scattering Affect Our Lives?

(a) Neutrons have been used to learn how bones mineralize during development and how they decay during osteoporosis, and they make it possible for us to devise and to test remedies for demineralizing diseases. (b) Of the people who enter hospitals, one in three (or about 100 million each year) benefit from isotopes produced by neutrons. (c) Neutrons help us develop improved polymers for the plastics used in many products, such as compact discs.

Although not obvious to most people, the fruits of neutron-scattering research are improvements in the range and quality of products used in our everyday lives. A few examples are

• cars and airplanes
• electronics such as computers and cell phones
• medicines and other health care-related products
• paints, shampoos, and other fluids

Neutrons are also an essential tool for researchers studying ways of improving materials used in high-temperature superconductors, powerful lightweight magnets, aluminum bridge decks, and stronger, lighter plastic products. For more details on how neutron scattering research relates to you, click on the links below.

  Transportation

  Electronics

  Manufacturing

  Environment

  Medicine

  Engineering

  Plastics