Center for Neutron Research (NCNR)

The Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is a specialized facility that uses neutron beams to study the structure and properties of materials at a microscopic level. Neutrons are particles in an atom’s nucleus that can reveal detailed information about materials without damaging them. Researchers use NCNR to investigate everything from superconductors to biological materials, advancing science and technology. Located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NCNR provides scientists from around the world access to its neutron instruments, enabling discoveries across physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science.