Precision tests of the standard model with neutrons

Precision studies, performed at the low energy frontier, test numerous exten-sions of the Standard Model providing insight into energy scales which are not available at present in direct measurements at high energy accelerators. As the simplest semi-leptonic system, the free neutron plays a crucial role in under-standing the physics of the weak interaction and the validity of the Standard Model. Deviations might show up as small effects in various observables which could either obey or break time reversal symmetry. The neutron electric dipole moment is one of the best existing hopes of finding physics beyond the Stan-dard Model. This, in turn, should shade light on the striking inconsistency between our ideas of the formation of the universe and the magnitude of time reversal violation predicted by the Standard Model. Neutron beta-decay provides the most precise measurements of the relative axial-vector coupling constant which is very important in astrophysics, e.g. a star's neutrino production rate. The neutron decay rate also plays a vital role in understanding the relative abundance of primordial helium in the early universe and allows for the determination of the CKM element Vud independently of the nuclear model. All the above aspects are widely addressed in a variety of ongoing and planned experiments taking advantage from increased intensity and quality of new slow neutron beams and ultra cold neutron sources as well as from novel experimen-tal techniques. A review of these activities and the results expected in near future will be given in the talk.