BrightnESS-2 · Project

Europe's Most Powerful Neutron Source Opens New Doors for Industrial R&D

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Imagine you need an incredibly powerful microscope that can see inside metals, batteries, or even proteins — not with light, but with neutrons. Europe's old neutron "microscopes" are aging out, so 15 countries are building the world's strongest one in Sweden called ESS. BrightnESS-2 was about making sure this mega-facility actually works for everyone — coordinating 16 partners across 12 countries so that scientists and companies can get access, and making sure the whole European neutron network stays healthy for the long run.

By the numbers

43%

ESS construction completion at project start

partner organizations in consortium

countries in consortium

months project duration

institutes endorsing ESS via Letters of Support

total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies developing advanced materials, batteries, pharmaceuticals, or engineered components need to see inside their products at the atomic level without destroying them. Europe's aging neutron sources are shutting down, creating a growing capacity gap for this critical industrial testing capability. Without coordinated access to next-generation neutron facilities, industrial R&D timelines stretch and competitive advantage erodes.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a common roadmap and implementation strategy for future neutron capability, a strategic roadmap for technological upgrades of ESS, and 31 total deliverables focused on coordinating 16 partners across 12 countries. The core output is an operational blueprint for making ESS and the broader European neutron network sustainable and accessible.

Audience

Who needs this

Advanced materials and metals manufacturers needing non-destructive testingBattery and energy storage companies requiring in-operando diagnosticsPharmaceutical firms studying drug delivery and molecular structuresAerospace component manufacturers validating structural integrityEngineering consultancies specializing in failure analysis

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Advanced Materials & Metals

enterprise

Target: Manufacturers developing high-performance alloys, composites, or coatings

If you are a materials manufacturer struggling to understand why your alloys crack under stress or your coatings degrade — this project built the coordination network and strategic roadmap for ESS, the world's most powerful neutron source. Neutron scattering lets you see inside solid materials at the atomic level without cutting them open. The 16-partner network across 12 countries means streamlined access to these capabilities for industrial users.

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

enterprise

Target: Drug formulation and delivery companies

If you are a pharmaceutical company trying to understand how your drug molecules behave inside delivery systems — neutron techniques can reveal molecular structures that X-rays cannot. BrightnESS-2 established coordinated access and services across European neutron facilities. The strategic roadmap for technological upgrades ensures these capabilities keep improving for industrial applications.

Energy Storage & Batteries

mid-size

Target: Battery manufacturers and R&D labs

If you are a battery developer needing to watch lithium ions move inside a working battery cell in real time — neutron imaging is one of the few techniques that can do this. This project coordinated 16 partners across 12 countries to ensure neutron facilities provide strategic and coordinated access to user communities. The common roadmap for future neutron capability charts the path to even more powerful diagnostic tools.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost my company to access ESS neutron capabilities?

The project data does not specify beam-time pricing or access fees. Typically, publicly funded neutron sources offer free beam time for open research and paid proprietary access for industrial users. Contact ESS directly through their industry liaison for current pricing.

Can these neutron techniques work at industrial scale and speed?

ESS is designed to be the world's most powerful neutron source, with capabilities that greatly exceed today's leading facilities. This means faster measurements and higher throughput. BrightnESS-2 specifically worked on ensuring facilities provide coordinated access and services to user communities, including industrial users.

What about IP — if I use ESS for R&D, who owns the results?

The project focused on coordination and sustainability, not IP frameworks specifically. However, most European neutron facilities offer proprietary beam-time where the company retains full IP rights. Based on available project data, ESS aims to boost innovation potential and foster strategic partnerships with industry.

How ready is ESS for actual industrial use?

At the time of this project, ESS construction was 43% complete. BrightnESS-2 delivered a strategic roadmap for technological upgrades and a common roadmap for future neutron capability. The facility is on track but was still under construction during this project period (2019-2022).

Does ESS work with industry or is it purely academic?

The consortium included 1 industry partner alongside 3 universities and 9 research organizations. One explicit project goal was to boost the innovation potential of the facility and foster strategic partnerships with industry. The 13 endorsing institutes signal broad community support.

What countries can access this facility?

The consortium spans 12 countries: Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, UK, and South Africa. ESS aims to position itself as a truly global research infrastructure providing access to user communities from Europe and beyond.

Consortium

Who built it

The 16-partner consortium across 12 countries is heavily research-oriented, with 9 research organizations, 3 universities, and only 1 industry partner (6% industry ratio). Zero SMEs are involved. This reflects the project's nature as a large-scale research infrastructure coordination effort led by ESS ERIC in Sweden — a public entity. For a business considering engagement, this means the technology is still firmly in the research domain, but the explicit goal of fostering industry partnerships signals openness to commercial collaboration. The geographic spread across 12 countries — including major industrial nations like Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands — ensures broad European coverage for potential industrial users.

EUROPEAN SPALLATION SOURCE ERICCoordinator · SE
INSTITUT MAX VON LAUE - PAUL LANGEVINparticipant · FR
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIENparticipant · AT
FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBHparticipant · DE
NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATIONparticipant · ZA
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
NARODOWE CENTRUM BADAN JADROWYCHparticipant · PL
UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONparticipant · UK
HUN-REN WIGNER FIZIKAI KUTATOKOZPONTparticipant · HU
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTparticipant · CH
CONSORCIO PARA LA CONSTRUCCION, EQUIPAMIENTO Y EXPLOTACION DE LA SEDE ESPANOLA DE LA FUENTE EUROPEA DE NEUTRONES POR ESPALACIONparticipant · ES
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFTparticipant · NL
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEAREparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

European Spallation Source ERIC (Lund, Sweden) — reach out via their industry partnerships office

Order a report on this consortium See EUROPEAN SPALLATION SOURCE ERIC profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how neutron science capabilities could solve your materials R&D challenges? SciTransfer can connect you with the right people at ESS and partner facilities.

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