Research Stories

Quebec residents enjoy more reliable and economical electricity thanks to research using neutrons. Now, Hydro-Quebec is leading an initiative by the International Electrotechnical Commission to develop a new international standard that will ensure the long-term reliability and prevent losses from hydroelectric turbine failures.

Canadian manufacturing exports to neutron sources are more than double Canada's investment in these facilities. Partnering with foreign neutron sources will open further opportunities for Canadian businesses.

Assessments of national facilities dedicated to neutron beams in the U.S. and U.K. found that they produce social and economic benefits worth at least double the investment. Canada, with its multipurpose neutron source model, is realizing a return on investment in its neutron facilities of at least 3 times.

Over 80% of students who use neutron beams as part of their university training go on to careers in the sectors where high-tech skills and innovation are most needed. These students are more than three times as likely to upgrade their potential for leading in R&D-intensive sectors, addressing global challenges and driving Canada’s success in the 21st century.

The research community that leveraged neutron beams to revolutionize computer hard drives is now paving the way for future quantum innovations.

Canadian and U.S. research using neutron beams has led to multiple advances in battery electric vehicles, resulting in an estimated economic benefit to Canada of $1.6 billion.

Canada’s nuclear power stations avoided losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in energy production and prevented gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions. Thousands of jobs were supported. Continuing research aims for billion-dollar impacts.

Canadian and U.S. research using neutron beams accelerated the development of hard drives, resulting in an estimated economic benefit to Canada of $800 million.

Producing more food with fewer resources—including less water, less land, and fewer synthetic chemicals—and securing food supplies in a changing environmental and political climate are global concerns.

Social acceptance of nuclear power is linked to the safe, permanent disposal of its used fuel and nuclear waste. Researchers at Western University use neutron beams to generate key knowledge about the long-term reliability of used-fuel storage containers—knowledge that has proven essential for the licensing of geologic repositories.

Canada’s fleet of nuclear power plants have realized impacts worth hundreds of millions from research supported by a decade of stress measurements using neutron beams to ensure their safe, reliable and economic operations.

With sponsorship from Tesla Motors, one ‘Gold medal’ Canadian scientist is using neutron beams in the quest to reduce the cost of energy storage technologies, which is vital for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.