TY - JOUR A1 - Tengattini, A A1 - Kardjilov, N A1 - Helfen, L A1 - Douissard, P A A1 - Lenoir, N A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Hilger, A A1 - Arlt, T A1 - Paulisch, M A1 - Turek, T A1 - Manke, Ingo T1 - Compact and versatile neutron imaging detector with sub-4μm spatial resolution based on a single-crystal thin-film scintillator N2 - A large and increasing number of scientific domains pushes for high neutron imaging resolution achieved in reasonable times. Here we present the principle, design and performance of a detector based on infinity corrected optics combined with a crystalline Gd3Ga5O12 : Eu scintillator, which provides an isotropic sub-4 μm true resolution. The exposure times are only of a few minutes per image. This is made possible also by the uniquely intense cold neutron flux available at the imaging beamline NeXT-Grenoble. These comparatively rapid acquisitions are compatible with multiple high quality tomographic acquisitions, opening new venues for in-operando testing, as briefly exemplified here. KW - Neutron imaging KW - Scintillator KW - Resolution PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-549836 DO - https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.448932 VL - 30 IS - 9 SP - 14461 EP - 14477 PB - Optica CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-54983 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hoffmann, H A1 - Paulisch, M C A1 - Gebhard, M A1 - Osiewacz, J A1 - Kutter, M A1 - Hilger, A A1 - Arlt, T A1 - Kardjilov, N A1 - Ellendorff, B A1 - Beckmann, F A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Luik, M A1 - Turek, T A1 - Manke, I A1 - Roth, C T1 - Development of a Modular Operando Cell for X-ray Imaging of Strongly Absorbing Silver-Based Gas Diffusion Electrodes N2 - Metal-based gas diffusion electrodes are utilized in chlor-alkali electrolysis or electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, allowing the reaction to proceed at high current densities. In contrast to planar electrodes and predominantly 2D designs, the industrially required high current densities can be achieved by intense contact between the gas and liquid phase with the catalytically active surfaces. An essential asset for the knowledge-based design of tailored electrodes is therefore in-depth information on electrolyte distribution and intrusion into the electrode’s porous structure. Lab-based and synchrotron radiography allow for monitoring this process operando. Herein, we describe the development of a cell design that can be modularly adapted and successfully used to monitor both the oxygen reduction reaction and the electrochemical reduction of CO2 as exemplary and currently very relevant examples of gas-liquid reactions by only minor modifications to the cell set-up. With the reported cell design, we were able to observe the electrolyte distribution within the gas diffusion electrode during cell operation in realistic conditions. KW - X-Ray imaging KW - Gas diffusion electrodes KW - Operando cell PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac6220 VL - 169 IS - 4 SP - 044508 PB - IOP science AN - OPUS4-55027 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Van Tran, K. A1 - Woracek, R. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Abou-Ras, D. A1 - Puplampu, S. A1 - Förster, C. A1 - Penumadu, D. A1 - Dahlberg, C. F. O. A1 - Banhart, J. A1 - Manke, I. T1 - Torsion of a rectangular bar: Complex phase distribution in 304L steel revealed by neutron tomography N2 - Metastable austenitic stainless steel (304L) samples with a rectangular cross-section were plastically deformed in torsion during which they experienced multiaxial stresses that led to a complex martensitic phase distribution owing to the transformation induced plasticity effect. A three-dimensional characterization of the phase distributions in these cm-sized samples was carried out by wavelength-selective neutron tomography. It was found that quantitatively correct results are obtained as long as the samples do not exhibit any considerable preferential grain orientation. Optical microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and finite element modeling were used to verify and explain the results obtained by neutron tomography. Altogether, neutron tomography was shown to extend the range of microstructure characterization methods towards the meso- and macroscale. KW - Neutron tomography KW - Phase distribution KW - Rectangular cross-section KW - Torsion KW - Geometrical effect PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-561649 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.111037 SN - 0264-1275 VL - 222 SP - 111037 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-56164 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Silveira, A. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Longo, E. A1 - Greving, I. A1 - Lasch, P. A1 - Shahar, R A1 - Zaslansky, P. T1 - Water flow through bone: Neutron tomography reveals differences in water permeability between osteocytic and anosteocytic bone material N2 - Vertebrate bones are made of a nanocomposite consisting of water, mineral and organics. Water helps bone material withstand mechanical stress and participates in sensation of external loads. Water diffusion across vertebrae of medaka (bone material lacking osteocytes) and zebrafish (bone material containing osteocytes) was compared using neutron tomography. Samples were measured both wet and following immersion in deuterated-water (D2O). By quantifying H+ exchange and mutual alignment with X-ray lCT scans, the amount of water expelled from complete vertebra was determined. The findings revealed that anosteocytic bone material is almost twice as amenable to D2O diffusion and H2O exchange, and that unexpectedly, far more water is retained in osteocytic zebrafish bone. Diffusion in osteocytic bones (only 33 % – 39 % water expelled) is therefore restricted as compared to anosteocytic bone (~ 60 % of water expelled), presumably because water flow is confined to the lacunar-canalicular network (LCN) open-pore system. Histology and Raman spectroscopy showed that anosteocytic bone contains less proteoglycans than osteocytic bone. These findings identify a previously unknown functional difference between the two bone materials. Therefore, this study proposes that osteocytic bone retains water, aided by non-collagenous proteins, which contribute to its poroelastic mechano-transduction of water flow confined inside the LCN porosity. KW - Bone porosity KW - Anosteocytic bone KW - Water permeability KW - Neutron tomography KW - Proteoglycans PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-564563 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.111275 VL - 224 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-56456 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ziesche, R.F. A1 - Hack, J. A1 - Rasha, L. A1 - Maier, M. A1 - Tan, C. A1 - Heenan, T.M.M. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Kockelmann, W. A1 - Brett, D.J.L. A1 - Shearing, P.R. T1 - High-speed 4D neutron computed tomography for quantifying water dynamics in polymer electrolyte fuel cells N2 - In recent years, low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells have become an increasingly important pillar in a zero-carbon strategy for curbing climate change, with their potential to power multiscale stationary and mobile applications. The performance improvement is a particular focus of research and engineering roadmaps, with water management being one of the major areas of interest for development. Appropriate characterisation tools for mapping the evolution, motion and removal of water are of high importance to tackle shortcomings. This article demonstrates the development of a 4D high-speed neutron imaging technique, which enables a quantitative analysis of the local water evolution. 4D visualisation allows the time-resolved studies of droplet formation in the flow fields and water quantification in various cell parts. Performance parameters for water management are identified that offer a method of cell classification, which will, in turn, support computer modelling and the engineering of next-generation flow field designs. KW - Neutron imaging KW - Tomography KW - Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-545978 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29313-5 VL - 13 IS - 1 SP - 1616 PB - Nature Publishing Group UK CY - London AN - OPUS4-54597 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wu, Y. A1 - Lu, X. A1 - Cho, J.I.S. A1 - Rasha, L. A1 - Whiteley, M. A1 - Neville, T. P. A1 - Ziesche, R. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Zhang, X. A1 - Shearing, P. R. A1 - Brett, D. J. L. T1 - Multi-length scale characterization of compression on metal foam flow-field based fuel cells using X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiography N2 - The mechanical compression of metal foam flow-field based polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is critical in determining the interfacial contact resistance with gas diffusion layers (GDLs), reactant flow and water management. The distinct scale between the pore structure of metal foams and the entire flow-field warrant a multilength scale characterization that combines ex-situ tests of compressed metal foam samples and in-operando analysis of operating PEFCs using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and neutron radiography. An optimal ‘medium’ compression was found to deliver a peak power density of 853 mW/cm². The X-ray CT data indicates that the compression process significantly decreases the mean pore size and narrows the pore size distribution of metal foams. Simulation results suggest compressing metal foam increases the pressure drop and gas velocity, improving the convective liquid water removal. This is in agreement with the neutron imaging results that demonstrates an increase in the mass of accumulated liquid water with minimum compression compared to the medium and maximum compression cases. The results show that a balance between Ohmic resistance, water removal capacity and parasitic power is imperative for the optimal performance of metal foam based PEFCs. KW - Fuel cell KW - Compression effect KW - Metal foam microstructure KW - Neutron radiography KW - X-ray CT PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113785 VL - 239 SP - 10 EP - 113785 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-53842 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Lange, A. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Hentschel, M. P. A1 - Manke, I. T1 - Neutron darkfield imaging of fiber composites N2 - While X-ray based darkfield imaging with grating interferometers is already widely used, darkfield imaging with neutrons has still a relatively small user community focused mostly on magnetic materials. Here, we demonstrate the application of neutron darkfield imaging byTalbot-Lau type grating interferometry to fiber reinforced plastics. Common carbon and glass fiber composites have been investigated including characteristic damage structures. The darkfield images show a strong signal response caused by fiber delamination, suitable fiber direction, particles, pores and cracks. The basic principles of neutron darkfield imaging applied to fiber composites are highlighted. KW - Neutron radiography KW - Darkfield imaging KW - Talbot-Lau interferometer KW - Fiber composites KW - Non-destructive testing PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1515/mt-2020-0103 SN - 2195-8572 SN - 0025-5300 VL - 63 IS - 7 SP - 623 EP - 629 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-53077 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Peruzzi, N. A1 - Galli, S. A1 - Helmholz, H. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Krüger, D. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Moosmann, J. A1 - Orlov, D. A1 - Prgomet, Z. A1 - Willumeit-Römer, R. A1 - Wennerberg, A. A1 - Bech, M. T1 - Multimodal ex vivo methods reveal that Gd-rich corrosion byproducts remain at the implant site of biodegradable Mg-Gd screws N2 - Extensive research is being conducted on magnesium (Mg) alloys for bone implant manufacturing, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical properties. Gadolinium (Gd) is among the most promising alloying elements for property control in Mg alloy implants; however, its toxicity is contro- versial. Investigating Gd behavior during implant corrosion is thus of utmost importance. In this study, we analyzed the degradation byproducts at the implant site of biodegradable Mg-5Gd and Mg-10Gd implants after 12 weeks healing time, using a combination of different imaging techniques: histology, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) and neutron μCT. The main finding has been that, at the healing time in exam, the corrosion appears to have involved only the Mg component, which has been substituted by calcium and phosphorus, while the Gd remains localized at the implant site. This was observed in 2D by means of EDX maps and extended to 3D with a novel application of neutron tomography. X-ray fluorescence analysis of the main excretory organs also did not reveal any measurable accumulation of Gd, further reinforcing the conclusion that very limited or no removal at all of Gd-alloy happened during degradation. KW - Magnesium-gadolinium alloy KW - Biodegradable implant KW - Multimodal analysis KW - Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy KW - Micro-computed tomography PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-535910 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.09.047 SN - 1742-7061 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-53591 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ziesche, R. F. A1 - Robinson, J. B. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Bradbury, R. A1 - Tengattini, A. A1 - Lenoir, N. A1 - Helfen, L. A1 - Kockelmann, W. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Brett, D. J. L. A1 - Shearing, P. R. T1 - Editors’ Choice—4D Neutron and X-ray Tomography Studies of High Energy Density Primary Batteries: Part II. Multi-Modal Microscopy of LiSOCl2 Cells N2 - The ability to track electrode degradation, both spatially and temporally, is fundamental to understand performance loss during operation of lithium batteries. X-ray computed tomography can be used to follow structural and morphological changes in electrodes; however, the direct detection of electrochemical processes related to metallic lithium is difficult due to the low sensitivity to the element. In this work, 4-dimensional neutron computed tomography, which shows high contrast for lithium, is used to directly quantify the lithium diffusion process in spirally wound Li/SOCl2 primary cells. The neutron dataset enables the quantification of the lithium transport from the anode and the accumulation inside the SOCl2 cathode to be locally resolved. Complementarity between the collected neutron and X-ray computed tomographies is shown and by applying both methods in concert we have observed lithium diffusion blocking by the LiCl protection layer and identified all cell components which are difficult to distinguish using one of the methods alone. KW - Lithium-ion battery KW - Room-temperature KW - Thermal runaway KW - Gas evolution KW - Cells PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-520890 DO - https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abbfd9 VL - 167 SP - 140509 PB - IOP Science AN - OPUS4-52089 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kardjilov, N A1 - Manke, I A1 - Hilger, A A1 - Arlt, T A1 - Bradbury, R A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Woracek, R A1 - Strobel, M A1 - Treimer, W A1 - Banhart, J T1 - The Neutron Imaging Instrument CONRAD — Post‐Operational Review N2 - The neutron imaging instrument CONRAD was operated as a part of the user program of the research reactor BER‐II at Helmholtz‐Zentrum Berlin (HZB) from 2005 to 2020. The Instrument was designed to use the neutron flux from the cold source of the reactor, transported by a curved neutron guide. The pure cold neutron spectrum provided a great advantage in the use of different neutron optical components such as focusing lenses and guides, solid‐state polarizers, Monochromators and phase gratings. The flexible setup of the instrument allowed for implementation of new methods including wavelength‐selective, dark‐field, phase‐contrast and imaging with polarized neutrons. In summary, these developments helped to attract a large number of scientists and industrial customers, who were introduced to neutron imaging and subsequently contributed to the Expansion of the neutron imaging community. KW - Neutron imaging KW - Neutron scattering KW - Neutron instrument KW - Tomography PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-534190 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/ jimaging7010011 VL - 7 IS - 11 SP - 7010011 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-53419 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -