We introduce the Positron Research Infrastructure (pELBE) at the ELBE linear accelerator, hosted at HZDR, as part of the ReMade@ARI (REcyclable MAterials DEvelopment at Analytical Research Infrastructures) project under the Horizon Europe program. [1]

Positrons, as the anti-particles of electrons, provide a highly sensitive, non-destructive probe for detecting defects at low concentrations in a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, polymers, and porous materials.

pELBE offers a wide range of advanced positron annihilation spectroscopy techniques for the precise characterization of point and extended defects, their agglomerations, and nano-, micro- and mesoporous systems, both with interconnected and isolated pore structures. 

These method is used to understand key properties of advanced materials at the atomic level, such as identifying defect sturctures in carbon-capture materials like MOFS to enhance their efficiency, optimizing free volume in bio-based polymer membranes, and determining pore size distribution in nanofiltration membranes designed for sustainable resource recovery and circular economy applications.

The established role of positron annihilation spectroscopy in materials research makes it a powerful tool for material innovations.