Diamond Annual Review 2023/24

50 D I A M O N D L I G H T S O U R C E A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 2 3 / 2 4 Soft CondensedMatter Group Robert Rambo, Science Group Leader T heSoft CondensedMatter (SCM) Group is comprisedof theHighThroughput SAXS (B21), theMultimode Infrared ImagingandMicrospectroscopy (MIRIAM) (B22), SAXSandDiffraction(I22)andtheCircularDichroismMicrospectroscopy(B23)beamlines, co-locatedinzones3and4ofDiamond. This unique portfolio of instruments enables studies of amorphous to noncrystallinematerials at nano- tomeso-scale resolutions that include two-dimensional thin-films (photovoltaics, OLEDs), living mammalian cells, three-dimensional matrices (e.g. metal-organic frameworks, gels and waxes) and micro/nano-particles (e.g. micro/nanoplastics) in any condensed matter states. SCM science is “the science that underpins continued improvements to quality of life” and was critical to the rapid development of the COVID vaccines fromPfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The SCMuser community is international, nearly 70%of our peer-reviewed allocated beamtimewere awarded to users fromtheUnited Kingdom with the remaining time is shared largely betweenmember states of the EuropeanUnion, United States, China, Canada, Japan, Israel, and Australia. In the last year, the SCMGroup contributed to 151 scientific publications covering a broad range of disciplines including chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, physics and astronomy, biochemistry, genetics andmolecular biology and engineering. In addition, SCM group provides off-line CD, InfraRed and SAXS measurements via peer-review applications and rapid access. The SCM Group maintains a dedicated laboratory space for visiting users. The laboratory houses vital equipment for sample preparation and analysis such as a centrifuges, a biosafety level 2 facility, spectroscopy equipment and the ability to work with different gases plus a cell culture lab for mammalian tissues (associated to B22). We maintain the Refyn mass photometer for single particle mass characterisations to complement our size-exclusion chromatography coupled, multi-angle light scattering (MALS) system (Wyatt and Agilent) and house two incubators for supporting plant-based experiments. A new cohort of students joined our existing SCM doctoral students which now include the Universities of Surrey and Chalmers, Southampton, King’s College London, Imperial, Sheffield, Cranfield, Reading, Leeds Cambridge, University College London and Durham. SCM provided several training workshops including the popular S4SAS meeting led by I22. B22 organised an advanced hyperspectral analysis and data processing training workshop with Soleil and Lubjiana University using machine learning software (Quasar) in IR image and spectroscopy analysis and B21 hosted a series of online, small group data analysis sessions for users which is now a routine part of our user program. B21 Update B21 studies noncrystalline, randomly oriented particles using high- throughput approaches. SAXS measurements can be made on any type of sample and in any physical state. The life sciences community comprises our largest user group since such measurements provide the opportunity to study biological machines in conditions that are comparable to their liquid, hydrated environment. B21 completed its WAXS detector upgrade with installation of an in-vacuum Eiger 1M detector. The increased, observed scattering range will further support SCM experiments on B21 whilst also adding additional capabilities to the sample environment unit (SEU). Currently, B21 experiments are performed at fixed temperatures (<60 °C), the new SEU allows for routine measurements between (-4 and 120 °C) where temperature ramping can The I22 team.