Small angle neutron scattering: A unique structural probe for soft condensed matter

Danilo Pozzo
Chemical Engineering, UW

The discipline of Chemical Engineering is re-inventing itself to tackle major challenges that our society will face in the near future (Energy, Environment and Health). Our paradigm of research is also switching from a focus on processes involving “strong” chemical bonds to those dealing with “weak” physical interactions in soft condensed matter. The need to analyze complex processes involving multi-component soft materials has prompted the use of advanced experimental techniques. In this talk, the use of Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) in the analysis of such materials is highlighted with recent examples from our group. The talk will highlight the advantages that SANS provides due to the high material penetration capacity of the neutron as well as its sensitivity to the isotopic composition of the samples. There will also be a discussion of newly developed techniques to probe transport processes using in-situ rheology and electrophoresis coupled with SANS structure analysis.