Canada is realizing a return of over 3 times its investment in neutron beam laboratories

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 [1], and most recently in the United States [2], which has invested billions to build and operate these facilities.

The recent assessment, conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), focused on the economic impacts of knowledge arising from three national facilities that provide neutron beams for thousands of U.S. researchers. Every $1 invested in neutron facilities generated $2.67 in benefits from four high-impact research areas: computer hard drives, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and aerospace safety.

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 21^st century.

The electric vehicle case study is a great example of benefits that are beginning to be realized as EVs are being adopted and that will continue to accrue into the future. The economic benefits to Canada attributable to Canadian and U.S. research using neutrons is estimated at $1.6 billion, cumulative to 2030, based on a conservative assumption that the research up to 2017 accelerated the development of EVs by just two years.

The computer hard drive case study is a clear and powerful example of realized benefits. Canadian and U.S. research with neutron beams in the 1990s accelerated the development of hard drives. The present value of economic benefits to Canada over just 7 years (1998 to 2005) attributable to research with neutron beams is estimated at $800 million.

From just these two lines of research, Canada is receiving back over 3 times its direct investments in neutron beam laboratories, estimated at up to $750 million over 70 years. This cost estimate includes the direct cost of the neutron beam laboratory and the attributed portion of the operating cost of the neutron sources. These neutron sources, Canada’s NRU reactor and its predecessor, the NRX reactor, were multipurpose facilities primarily justified by their uses for isotope production and nuclear power development.

Canada is realizing many other benefits throughout its economy arising from research using neutron beams:

• Leaders for the 21^st Century: 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, including manufacturing, scientific and engineering services, and universities. They are more than three times as likely to upgrade their skills and leadership potential: 60% of undergrads who use neutron beams earned graduate degrees, with two-thirds earning a doctorate. By comparison, only 16% of Canadian university graduates earn graduate degrees. Alumni credit their neutron beam experience with contributing to their academic achievement and career success.
• Nuclear power generation: Canada’s nuclear power stations avoided losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in energy production and prevented gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions, following research into causes and prevention of reactor leaks. The underlying issue was resolved, which enabled a multi-billion-dollar reactor export project to proceed with confidence, supporting thousands of jobs for Canadians.
• Quantum innovation: The research community that used neutron beams to revolutionize computer hard drives is now employing them to advance quantum innovation. World-leading Canadian research in quantum materials has made contributions to Nobel Prize discoveries and is growing knowledge and talent needed for the National Quantum Strategy, which seeks to capture $40 billion in returns to Canada by 2045 from quantum innovation.
• Food sustainability: Daiya Foods, the top Canadian brand of plant-based cheese, launched new products in 2023 and 2024 that resulted from a partnership with University of Guelph researchers who use neutron beams. Prof. Marangoni uses them to gain knowledge that is necessary for designing plant-based products. Other companies in Israel and in Switzerland are licensing the technology.
• Manufacturing competitiveness and jobs: IVACO Rolling Mills (L’Orignal, Ontario) expanded its steel plant, having increased its steel billet capacity by over 50% and added about 75 jobs. Research with neutron beams helped IVACO build a stronger reputation to compete in the world market and allowed them to add value to their products, gaining an edge over competitors.
• Nuclear Safety: Canadian scientific knowledge obtained using neutron beams informs government and industrial decisions in regulating nuclear safety. Such knowledge has assured licensing processes for deep geologic repositories for used nuclear fuel, and continuing research aims to cut the cost of Canada’s repository by $2 billion.
• Industrial safety: Such knowledge also informs government and industrial decisions in regulating pipeline and rail safety. It has enabled the energy sector to improve its standards to ensure that Canada’s pipelines remain safe as they age. Similarly, such knowledge led Transport Canada to update its Track Safety Rules regarding inspections of railroad tracks to avoid train derailments.
• Aerospace: Research at neutron sources in Canada and around the world has led to improved aircraft components and their manufacturing methods using high-performance materials, which increase safety, lower emissions and waste, and extend the service life of aircraft. The present value of economic benefits to Canada from increased safety over 2008 to 2030 attributable to research with neutrons is estimated at $75 million. Benefits from lower greenhouse gas emissions and increased aircraft service life are additional.

Canada’s strategic investments in neutron beam facilities are yielding substantial economic, environmental, and technological benefits across multiple sectors, far exceeding the initial costs and driving significant national progress.