National neutron beam facilities produce social and economic benefits worth at least double the investment—this was the conclusion of independent assessments first in the United Kingdom, and most recently in the United States.
Every $1 invested in U.S. neutron facilities generated $2.67 in benefits from four high-impact research areas: computer hard drives, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and aerospace safety. For example, the benefits from accelerating the development of electric vehicles alone exceed the present value of all the US’s actual and planned investments—$18B—in its three main neutron facilities over 70 years.
These results are conservative, because national neutron beam facilities generate knowledge in many other areas. They also generate other impacts from training and inspiring leaders for the 21st century and stimulating commercial activity and business innovation.
Canada, with its multipurpose neutron source model, is realizing a return on investment in its neutron facilities of at least 3 times, based on hard drives and electric vehicles alone, not including substantial impacts in areas such as nuclear power, hydro power, quantum innovation, food sustainability, aerospace, and industrial safety.