HighNESS · Project

Next-Generation Neutron Source Design Enabling Faster Materials Testing and Analysis

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Imagine you want to see inside a solid object without cutting it open — neutrons can do that, like an X-ray but far more powerful for certain materials. The European Spallation Source in Sweden is building the world's brightest neutron beam facility. This project designed a second, complementary neutron source underneath the existing one, optimized for slower neutrons that can probe softer materials, biological samples, and fundamental physics. Think of it as adding a second, specialized lens to an already powerful microscope — one tuned for things the first lens cannot see well.

By the numbers

Instruments planned for ESS first source by 2025

Consortium partners across 7 countries

Total project deliverables produced

4-10 Å

Cold neutron wavelength range covered

10-40 Å

Very cold neutron wavelength range covered

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies that manufacture scientific instruments, specialty materials, or offer advanced materials testing services need to anticipate where the next major research infrastructure investments will create demand. The European Spallation Source is the largest neutron science project in Europe, and its planned second source — designed by this project — will require new instruments, components, and materials that do not yet exist commercially. Missing this procurement cycle means losing a multi-year supply opportunity.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a complete final engineering design for a deuterium and ultra-cold neutron moderator system to be installed below the ESS spallation target, plus a working device for prompt-gamma activation analysis. In total, 31 deliverables were produced covering simulations, material characterization, and detailed engineering specifications.

Audience

Who needs this

Neutron instrument and detector manufacturers planning next-generation product linesSpecialty materials companies producing deuterium, reflector, or moderator componentsNon-destructive testing firms looking to expand into neutron-based inspection servicesPharmaceutical and biotech companies needing ultra-cold neutron analysis for protein structuresEngineering firms specializing in research facility construction and commissioning

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Scientific Instrument Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Neutron instrument and detector manufacturers

If you are a scientific instrument manufacturer looking to supply the next generation of neutron research facilities — this project produced the final engineering design for a new high-intensity cold and ultra-cold neutron source at ESS. The design covers moderators operating across cold (4-10 Å), very cold (10-40 Å), and ultra-cold (several 100 Å) neutron wavelengths, defining the specifications your instruments would need to match. With 15 instruments already planned for the existing source, this second source opens a new market for complementary instrument suites.

Advanced Materials and Coatings

mid-size

Target: Companies developing specialty materials for extreme environments

If you are a materials company producing reflectors, moderator materials, or coatings for research infrastructure — this project performed detailed characterization of advanced moderator and reflector materials using neutron scattering techniques. The final design specifies a volumetric liquid deuterium moderator system, creating demand for precision-manufactured components. Suppliers who can meet these specifications position themselves for contracts as the design moves toward construction.

Non-Destructive Testing and Quality Control

any

Target: Industrial inspection and materials analysis service providers

If you are a testing company that offers non-destructive inspection services — the expanded neutron wavelength range this source provides (cold, very cold, and ultra-cold neutrons) enables imaging and analysis techniques impossible with current sources. Once operational, this second source at ESS would allow you to offer clients deeper material analysis, particularly for lightweight composites, magnetic materials, and biological samples where conventional methods fall short.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access this neutron source for industrial testing?

The HighNESS project delivered engineering designs, not a commercially operating facility. Access costs would be determined by ESS once the second source is constructed. Based on available project data, no pricing or access fee structure has been published yet.

Can this technology scale to industrial use?

The design is purpose-built for the European Spallation Source facility in Lund, Sweden — a one-of-a-kind research infrastructure. Industrial users would access it as a service through beam-time allocations, similar to how companies currently use synchrotron facilities. The design covers 15 planned instruments on the first source, with the second source expanding capacity further.

Who owns the intellectual property and how is it licensed?

This was a publicly funded Research and Innovation Action (RIA) coordinated by European Spallation Source ERIC. IP from RIA projects typically remains with the consortium partners who generated it. Companies interested in the moderator or reflector material designs should contact ESS ERIC directly for licensing terms.

What was actually built versus what is still on paper?

The project delivered 31 deliverables including the final design of the deuterium and ultra-cold moderator system, plus a working device for prompt-gamma activation analysis. The moderator design itself is complete engineering documentation — construction at ESS would be a separate phase.

How does this compare to existing neutron sources?

According to the project objective, this second source combined with the existing ESS top moderator would make ESS the most versatile neutron source in the world, covering thermal, cold, very cold, and ultra-cold neutrons in a single facility. No other facility currently offers this full spectral range from 4 Å to several 100 Å wavelengths.

What is the timeline for this becoming operational?

The design phase concluded in September 2023. Based on available project data, no construction timeline for the second source has been confirmed. ESS itself targets having 15 instruments operational by 2025 on the first source — the second source would follow as a future upgrade.

Consortium

Who built it

The HighNESS consortium of 8 partners across 7 countries (Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Sweden) is heavily research-oriented: 3 universities, 3 research organizations, and only 1 industry partner (12% industry ratio), with zero SMEs. This is coordinated by ESS ERIC itself — the facility operator — which means the designs have direct institutional backing for eventual implementation. The low industry participation reflects the fundamental research nature of the work, but also means commercial exploitation pathways are not yet well-defined. For a business looking to engage, the direct line to ESS ERIC as coordinator is an advantage — decisions about construction and procurement will flow through this organization.

EUROPEAN SPALLATION SOURCE ERICCoordinator · SE
INSTITUT MAX VON LAUE - PAUL LANGEVINparticipant · FR
FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBHparticipant · DE
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTparticipant · CH
UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCAparticipant · IT
STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

Contact European Spallation Source ERIC (Sweden) — the facility operator and project coordinator. They will manage any future procurement for the second source construction.

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

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

SciTransfer can brief you on the specific moderator and reflector material specifications from the 31 deliverables and help you position for future ESS procurement opportunities. Contact us for a focused one-page summary.

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