At the heart of Politecnico di Milano, the Nuclear Measurements Laboratories (NMLs) are quietly revolutionising how we interact with radiation. Neutrons, photons, and charged particles—once invisible agents—are now transformed into measurable, traceable information, bridging the gap between fundamental research and real-world applications.
The NMLs’ work is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Their activities, primarily funded through national and international projects, span spectrometry, dosimetry, and the development of innovative detection systems. But what truly sets them apart is their ability to tackle complex and mixed radiation fields, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in nuclear measurements.
Take, for instance, their work with neutrons. Neutrons represent a particularly demanding frontier, especially under extreme conditions like those found in fusion facilities or high-energy radiation fields. The NMLs are addressing these challenges head-on, developing novel active neutron spectrometers through an iterative cycle of advanced simulation and rigorous experimental validation. One such example is DIAMON, a compact, direction-aware, isotropic, and active instrument engineered for rapid, real-time characterisation of complex neutron fields.
But the NMLs’ work doesn’t stop at neutron spectrometry. They also provide neutron irradiation and metrology services, including fast neutron reference fields based on neutron sources, supporting calibration in compliance with ISO 8529-1:2021. A complementary facility generating a 95% pure thermal neutron field is available for the characterisation of instruments and samples under controlled low-energy conditions.
Another research line refers to radiation delivered in ultrashort bursts, such as laser-driven proton beams. In these regimes, diagnostics must cope with transient fields and strong backgrounds. The NMLs are working on active diagnostic concepts coupling magnetic spectrometers with pixelated detectors to measure the energy spectrum of the emitted protons, supported by prototype development and calibration campaigns.
The NMLs also host RETINA, a facility designed for non-destructive materials analysis by combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy with 2D/3D X-ray imaging. Equipped with a high-power X-ray tube, automated sample positioning, and high-resolution detectors, RETINA supports qualitative and quantitative analysis of planar samples such as thin films, polymer membranes, and battery electrodes.
A key research line addresses micro- and nanodosimetry for particle-therapy beams, where biological response depends not only on delivered dose but on how energy is deposited at micrometre and nanometer scales. The NML research group develops tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) based on an avalanche-confinement concept to reproduce cellular and sub-cellular interaction sites.
In a recent application domain, the NMLs operate a system for ultrafast 3D or 4D microtomography down to 600 nm of resolution for enabling quantitative studies of microstructural degradation, dendrite nucleation and propagation, and morphology changes during cycling. AI-driven segmentation, defect detection, and denoising approaches are integrated into the workflow, helping link microstructural descriptors to functional performance metrics.
From early design stages to later operational phases, the laboratories contribute across the lifecycle of nuclear and radiological infrastructures. They support Monte Carlo studies for shielding and activation, nuclear medicine facility design, and downstream activities including radioactive waste management and both in-situ and in-lab radiometric characterisation using high-resolution gamma spectrometry (HPGe).
Looking ahead, the NMLs are poised to shape the future of the sector. By combining advanced instrumentation, modelling, and metrological rigour, they serve as both a research and development hub and a resource for external users. The direction is clear: smarter detectors, advanced experimental tools, more predictive simulations, and more automated, auditable pipelines where AI supports (but does not replace) traceability and uncertainty-aware decision-making.
This work is not just about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in nuclear measurements. It’s about bringing reliable radiation measurement from controlled laboratory settings to real-world applications, shaping the development of the sector in profound ways. As we look to the future, the NMLs’ work will undoubtedly continue to spark debate, challenge norms, and drive innovation in the field of nuclear measurements.