Whilst the difficulties of realising sustainable energy are decreasing, the difficulties of fossil-fuel based energy are increasing and the point will inevitably arrive when sustainable energy is not only socially and environmentally more favourable, but also makes economic sense in its own right. Sustainable-energy materials will develop over the long run, and the role of neutron-scattering techniques in the understanding of these is almost certain to develop in parallel. Generic improve­ment in neutron sources and instrumentation will enable smaller samples to be measured in shorter times, and this is part of the wider scientific agenda. However, there are also specific improvements that will benefit the study of energy materials.

In situ and operando experiments are crucial for “close to market” studies, and whilst these are not simple with neutrons, they are generally more straightforward than with other methods. Perhaps ironically, it is now possible to construct real lithium batteries that are optimised for operando neutron-diffraction measurements, where the optimisation may affect cost, but has little or no effect on the actual operation. Often the modification for operando neutron scattering amounts to deuteration of materials and neutron-scattering centres are increasingly housing specialised deuteration facilities, capable of deuterating complex molecules.

The complex systems that characterise the development of energy materials give complex neutron-scattering signals, from which it can be difficult to deconvolve unambiguous information. However, the rapid increase in computer hardware and software is enabling the experiment, data treatment, theory, and modelling to be brought together to provide consistent interpretation of the neutron-scattering data. Although at present this is the domain of specialists, considerable efforts are being made throughout the neutron-scattering community to bring this type of approach within the reach of non-specialist users. Although previously the multiprocessor computer hardware required for this type of work was only available at central­computing establishments, it is now becoming ubiquitous in universities and neutron­scattering centres where there is generally good local support.

The experimental programme at neutron-scattering centres has to strike a balance between scientific, societal, commercial, and national interests, the details of which depend on the strategy and “terms of reference” of the centre. Sustainable-energy materials are almost equally important in all aspects of this balance, which provides a unique opportunity for communication and collaboration across these aspects and between neutron-scattering centres. Although this type of initiative has yet to occur, there have been a large number of conferences and workshops at the purely scientific level that have been funded from a diverse range of sources. Larger gatherings, specifically highlighting neutron scattering, would provide an over­arching description of problems, bottle-necks, and resources, from industry, strat­egists, and through to experimentalists.

References

1. I. S. Anderson, A. J. Hurd, R. McGreevy (eds.), Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques, (Springer, Berlin)

2. L. Liang, R. Rinaldi, H. Schober. (eds.), Neutron Applications in Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences (Springer, Berlin, 2009)

3. http://www. springer. com/series/8141. Accessed 4 March 2014

4. H. Jobic, D. N. Theodorou, Microporous Mesoporous Mater 102, 21 (2007)

Part I