Nissan announces World’s first Precision high-speed neutron imaging system

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Nissan and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) have jointly developed a neutron imaging system that has provided the world’s first precise visualization of oil flow in an engine operating at high speed. Combining neutron radiography to visualize through lightweight metals with high-speed imaging technology to capture dynamic events, the imaging system gives researchers an unprecedented chance to study the behavior of lubricating oil as it circulates through an automobile engine or drive train.


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Using its expertise in innovative atomic research, JAEA together with Nissan will conduct visualization test studies on engines to determine the causes of friction loss from the recorded behavior of internal lubricating oil flow. The goal of the study is to redesign engines for optimal oil circulation with reduced friction in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in vehicles.