The neutrons can penetrate the shards and their tracks can be traced through the material on structural and atomic levels. More precisely the source was Triana, near Seville. The Spanish landed in the 16th century carrying their own potters aboard ship. This fact was uncovered from the neutron analysis. Archeology is not the only field to prosper from cold neutrons.
Polymer scientists can use it to engineer new materials with specific properties.
If two types of polymers, one with a flexible behavior and one that's more stiff, are chemically joined in the right proportions, you'll get something that perfomrs better under adverse conditions. Scientist at IBM are looking for a polymer foam that provides better insulation between the components of their circuit boards. The University of Santa Barbara is using the cold neutrons at NIST to test specimens from reactors and model alloys that have been irradiated. The work has the porpose of gathering a database which can be used to predict vessel performance over a lifetime. The work started 10-12 years ago and is funded for another two or three years by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.