This is unlike conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods, where a final solution or withdrawn aliquots are separately analysed. Thirdly, microfluidic devices are usually compatible with in situ characterization methods for real-time monitoring of processes occurring inside the microchannels. Secondly, various geometries adapted to microfluidic device designs can be utilized for enhancing the colloidal stability of nanoparticles and improving their drug loading. Firstly, the fluids flow under controlled conditions in the microchannels, providing well-defined flow profiles and shorter diffusion lengths that play important roles in enhancing the continuous production of lipid and polymer nanoparticles with relatively narrow size distributions. Microfluidic platforms have become highly attractive tools for synthesis of nanoparticles, including lipid nano-self-assemblies, owing to unique features and at least three important aspects inherent to miniaturized micro-devices. This Primer provides an overview of small-angle scattering using both X-rays and neutrons, and includes instrumentation, data collection and the type of structural information gathered in various applications. Small-angle scattering can reveal the structural organization of bulk materials and materials at surfaces and quantify their response to changes in external conditions. Recent applications of SAS in structural biology and the soft-matter and hard-matter sciences are also discussed. In this Primer, we provide an overview of SAS, summarizing the types of instrument used, approaches for data collection and calibration, available data analysis methods, structural information that can be obtained using the method, and data depositories, standards and formats. Samples for SAS studies may be prepared in situ or under near-native conditions and the measurements performed at various temperatures, pressures, flows, shears or stresses, and in a time-resolved fashion. The analysis of SAS data from coherent scattering events provides information about the length scale distributions of material components.
X-ray and neutron scattering profiles measured from bulk materials or materials deposited at surfaces arise from nanostructural inhomogeneities of electron or nuclear density.
Small-angle scattering (SAS) is a technique that is able to probe the structural organization of matter and quantify its response to changes in external conditions.