Forschungszentrum Jülich: High-Brilliance Neutron Source HBS-I on the BMFTR shortlist for large scale research infrastructures

Jülich, 08.07.2025 - The High Brilliance neutron Source (HBS-I) at Forschungszentrum Jülich has been officially selected for the shortlist of the new federal funding program for large research infrastructures. This brings the innovative, compact, accelerator-driven neutron source one step closer to realization.

The High Brilliance neutron Source – Phase I (HBS-I) is a new research infrastructure project aimed at developing an innovative compact accelerator-driven neutron source. The project utilizes pulsed high-current proton beams to produce neutrons through a low-energy nuclear reaction in a target material, requiring less radiation shielding and moderator cooling compared to traditional neutron sources. The facility is designed to produce small diameter neutron beams, allowing experiments with smaller sample volumes. This capability supports research in materials and life sciences, including energy conversion and storage materials, nanomaterials, quantum materials, protein assembly, and biomaterials. Additionally, HBS-I aims to secure the supply of essential medical radioisotopes. The project is a collaboration between two Helmholtz Centers, Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. The construction phase is planned for 2026-2030. HBS-I’s flexible, on-demand access to experiments is expected to accelerate innovation in chemical, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries. It is designed as a user facility, open to a multidisciplinary community from universities, research institutes, and industry. The project is viewed as essential for Germany’s technological sovereignty, with the Jülich Centre of Neutron Science (JCNS) at FZJ being the worldwide technology leader in this HiCANS key technology for future neutron provision. "HiCANS" is short for "High Current Accelerator-driven Neutron Sources". HBS-I is expected to have a substantial economic impact in the region and beyond.

The inclusion on the shortlist paves the way for the realization of HBS-I and opens up new excellent research opportunities for science and industry.

Further information about HBS-I, its technology, its research fields and societal impact can be found at www.hbs.fz-juelich.de.

Contact for inquiries:

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Stephan Förster (s.foerster@fz-juelich.de), Paul Zakalek (p.zakalek@fz-juelich.de)