Structure of macromolecular systems under shear: application of neutron scattering

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle X-ray and light scattering, are powerful techniques that can probe the structure of a fluid-like system containing macromolecular compounds. Structure in this context is the positional ordering or alignment of the fluid particles. Coupled with a shearing cell, SANS is especially useful to investigate fluids that are flowing or subjected to a shear: neutrons easily penetrate the cell, which can be robust and optically dirty. Much of the more recent work has concentrated on shear induced phenomena in macromolecular systems such as polymer blends and micellar solutions. New areas of research include reflectivity and apparatus development.