Agreement signed: Three neutron instruments will be transferred to the Polish research reactor MARIA in 2019

Agreement signed: HZB and NCBJ agreed to transfer and rebuild three of HZB’s neutron scattering instrumentsin 2019.

Agreement signed: HZB and NCBJ agreed to transfer and rebuild three of HZB’s neutron scattering instrumentsin 2019.

In February 2017 Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Poland agreed to transfer and rebuild three of HZB’s neutron scattering instruments at the Polish research reactor MARIA in 2019. With support from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the facility near Warsaw is currently being upgraded with latest generation technology, offering attractive research opportunities for neutron scientists from Germany and Europe.

After authorization by the Supervisory Board of HZB, the management of HZB agreed to the transfer of the neutron instruments E4 (2-axis diffractometer), E5 (4-circle diffractometer) and E6 (focusing powder diffractometer) to the Polish research reactor MARIA. At present the instruments are still located in the experimental hall of the research reactor BER II. They are currently operated for research co-operations (with external partners) but are not in user service. Also the neutron instrument E1 is currently being transferred to the Polish reactor MARIA.

“By this agreement we ensure, with the approval of the HZB Supervisory Board, that the neutron instruments of BER II will remain available to the user communities in Germany and Europe,” Prof. Dr. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, scientific director of HZB. The research reactor MARIA is currently undertaking extensive upgrades to a state-of-the-art facility, making it a highly attractive neutron source in Europe. The European and in particular the German user community will benefit from the re-location of the four neutron instruments from BER II. Once fully operational, the instruments will offer new research opportunities at the research reactor MARIA to all neutron users. A user service for scientists currently being set up.

The National Centre for Nuclear Research is the one of the largest research centers in Poland, with approximately 1,000 employees. It is home to the sole research nuclear reactor in the country. The research focus of NCBJ is on basic and applied research in widely understood nuclear physics, plasma physics, solid-state research and technological advancement. NCBJ also produces linear accelerators and radio isotopes for industry and medicine. More about NCBJ

More about the instruments at BERII

(sz/rs)

  • Copy link

You might also be interested in

  • Sasol and HZB deepen collaboration with strategic focus on digitalisation
    News
    08.10.2025
    Sasol and HZB deepen collaboration with strategic focus on digitalisation
    Sasol Research & Technology and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) are expanding their partnership into the realm of digitalisation, building on their joint efforts in the CARE-O-SENE project and an Industrial Fellowship launched earlier this year. This new initiative marks a significant step forward in leveraging digital technologies to accelerate catalyst innovation and deepen scientific collaboration.
  • Technology Transfer Prize Ceremony 2025
    News
    07.10.2025
    Technology Transfer Prize Ceremony 2025
    This year’s Technology Transfer Prize Ceremony will take place on October 13 at 2 pm in the Lecture Hall, BESSY II Building, Adlershof.
  • Novel technique shines light on next-gen nanomaterials: how MXenes truly work
    Science Highlight
    01.10.2025
    Novel technique shines light on next-gen nanomaterials: how MXenes truly work
    Researchers have for the first time measured the true properties of individual MXene flakes — an exciting new nanomaterial with potential for better batteries, flexible electronics, and clean energy devices. By using a novel light-based technique called spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry, they discovered how MXenes behave at the single-flake level, revealing changes in conductivity and optical response that were previously hidden when studying only stacked layers. This breakthrough provides the fundamental knowledge and tools needed to design smarter, more efficient technologies powered by MXenes.