Neutron imaging provides unique and powerful insight into the operation of many alternative energy devices [1], the flow in porous media, and the composition of materials due to the combination of the neutron’s high sensitivity to light elements and high penetration through most metals. NIST currently operates two imaging instruments: the world’s premier thermal neutron imaging facility for electrochemical energy storage and conversion research and a cold neutron imaging facility for neutron phase imaging and other wavelength selective contrasts. NIST seeks to further develop the technique of neutron imaging through improving image acquisition analysis; employing novel neutron optical methods; studying problems in two-phase flow, electrochemical systems, biology, and materials science. Ongoing research topics in neutron imaging methods include simultaneous x-ray and neutron tomography [2], neutron focusing mirrors based on Wolter optics, development of denoising and segmentation algorithms using machine learning [3], neutron energy-selective imaging, neutron phase grating imaging, polarized neutron imaging, and novel instrument concepts imparting structure into the beam or combining imaging with other scattering techniques such as small-angle neutron scattering.

1. CX Zhao, Z Wang, D Jacobson, Y Li, B Khaykovich, S Fayfar, L Zheng, J LaManna, X Chen, DS Hussey, F Chen, GM Veith, C Wang, "Electrolytes that reduce electro-osmotic drag improve fast charging of lithium-ion batteries". Science, v.390(6774), p.745-750 (2025).
2. P Shrestha, JM LaManna, KF Fahy, CH Lee, PJ Kim, JK Lee, E Baltic, DS Hussey, DL Jacobson, A Bazylak, "Quantifying Spatio-Operational Heterogeneity in Electrochemical Devices via Operando Correlative Neutron and X-Ray Tomography". Advanced Functional Materials, p.e15427 (2025).
3. Daugherty, M Cyrus; DiStefano, Victoria H; LaManna, Jacob M; Jacobson, David L; Kienzle, Paul A; Kim, Youngju; Hussey, Daniel S; Bajcsy, Peter. “Assessment of Dose-Reduction Strategies in Wavelength-Selective Neutron Tomography”. SN Computer Science, v. 4(5) p. 586 (2023).

neutron; imaging; neutron imaging; hydrogen; hydrogen storage; energy selective imaging; fuel cell; lithium battery; proton exchange; phase imaging; polarized neutron imaging; neutron focusing optics; porous media; geology; heat transfer; heat pipes; two-phase flow; small-angle neutron scattering; radiography; tomography; image processing; X-ray imaging; machine learning; artificial intelligence; dose reduction; computational imaging; structural biology; additive manufacturing; concrete; multiscale imaging; multimodal imaging

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral applicants