Polymer phase transformation
Simultaneous SAXS/WAXS measurements of a semi-crystalline polymer during thermal processing enables determination of route for phase transformation. It is well known that polymers undergo a large series of thermal transformations, from the synthesis in the reactor up to the final product shaping, i.e. during injection molding processing or film formation.…
Overview of a surfactant structure
SAXS/WAXS measurements were performed on the Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo from Procter & Gamble and reveal its inner structure. Many personal care products are concentrated surfactant systems displaying a multi-phasic microstructure. To design new properties through innovative formulation and to control the latter during the production process, good…
Investigation of Gold Nanoparticles
Shape and size of gold nanoparticles (NPs) in suspension have been determined by SAXS measurement. NPs are used even at very low concentration in many applications such as coatings, cosmetics or drug delivery. (more…)
Silk fiber nanostructure investigation
SAXS/WAXS measurements enable the determination of the characteristic dimensions and the semi-crystalline structure of Bombyx mori cocoon silk fibers. The excellent mechanical properties of silk fibers, such as their high strength and toughness, made them of great practical interest for numerous applications. The most ubiquitous domesticated silkworm, the Bombyx mori,…
Protein structure resolution
SAXS/WAXS investigation of the protein Sub-unit F of the eukaryotic V1V0 ATPase was performed using the Xeuss 2.0 SAXS/WAXS system, leading to its structure resolution. The Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) technique is now well known for studying biological systems and more specifically proteins in solution. SAXS measurements allow the determination…
Low detection limit of crystallinity
Low polyolefin crystallinity fraction down to 0.3 % was determined during a kinetic experiment using the Xeuss 2.0 SAXS/WAXS system in combination with an integrated temperature control stage, the Linkam HFSX350. Most polymer transformations from raw material to a finished product necessitate a processing step involving a melt (or molten…
Determination of polymer crystallinity
The level of crystallinity of a polyolefin was determined during a kinetic experiment using the Xeuss 2.0 SAXS/WAXS system in combination with an integrated temperature control stage, the Linkam HFSX350. Most polymer transformations from raw material to a finished product necessitate a processing step involving a melt (or molten state).…
Cancer treatment: studying the function & regulation of PARPs proteins with SAXS
"An in-house system provides the ability to respond in real time to the results, preparing new samples on the fly in response to what you are observing. This ability is often key to finding the right conditions for a particular sample." Associate Professor John Pascal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular…
2018 – Special issue on Structural Biology
This special edition of 'Exploring the very small' is dedicated to Structural Biology. You will find in it a selection of articles showing what is done today with Small Angle X-ray Scattering in biostructural research, together with some latest news on new product developments & innovations in SAXS instrumentation for biostructural…
2017 – Winter Issue
Investigation of materials at the nanoscale is leading to fantastic findings, material enhancements & new products every day. Small Angle X-ray Scattering or SAXS is emerging as a major technique for characterizing materials. With 'Exploring the very small' we would like to share our enthusiasm for this powerful technique and hope…