Group Leader:
Adél Len
Tel: +(36-1)-392 2222 / 1344
E-mail: len.adel@ek.hun-ren.hu
len.adel@bnc.hu
The main activity of the Mesoscale Structures Group is conducting nano- and microstructural material research, primarily using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Neutron Reflectometry (NR) methods. The group operates two SANS and two NR facilities, which are available to the domestic and international user community through excellence-based proposals:
- Yellow-Submarine SANS– monochromatic beam SANS instrument
- FSANS – time-of-flight SANS instrument
- GINA – neutron reflectometer
- REF – neutron reflectometer (primarily for industrial use)
The neutrons required for the operation of the instruments are provided by the Budapest Research Reactor. In addition to the large-scale facilities, the group operates an Anton Paar Autosorb 6100 FKM porosimeter and has access to a plant growth chamber with controlled light intensity and temperature for the preparation of biological sample.
Main Research Areas:
- Synthesis, structural characterization, and adaptation of silicon dioxide-based xerogels and aerogels for various practical applications (e.g., drug delivery, heavy metal adsorption, building insulation);
- In-vivo study of ultrastructural changes in photosynthetic membrane systems;
- Investigation of micellar solutions of newly designed surfactants;
- Study of aqueous solutions of molecular liquids and ionic liquids;
- Application of scattering methods for the characterization of nanostructured hybrid materials;
- Structural, magnetic and defect analysis, as well as neutron optical quality control of functional nanostructures, thin film and multilayers, supermirrors, biological membranes;
- Investigation of archaeological ceramics using small-angle neutron scattering.