Consumer Products Research using the Diamond Synchrotron

Characterisation of Formulations

• Structural characterisation of dispersions, emulsions and partially ordered materials under controlled conditions;
• Phase behaviour of self-assembled systems including surfactants, lipids and polymers;
• Particle size and shape analysis (including proteins in solution);
• Understanding structural changes associated with the use of additives e.g. rheological modifiers.

Behaviour at Interfaces

• Surface structure and ordering in systems ranging from paints and coatings to detergents and cosmetics;
• Understanding interfacial interactions in surfactants, polymers, and proteins at a molecular level;
• Investigation of the thermodynamic, structural and dynamic properties of adsorbed molecular films;
• Preferential adsorption studies.

Novel and Complex Materials

• Structural identification and characterisation of crystalline solids under controlled environmental conditions;
• Element selective investigation of a wide range of materials; crystalline and amorphous and at very low concentrations;
• Element mapping to determine chemical composition of samples with very high resolution e.g. biological fibres or wheat grains. 

Packaging

• Structure, thickness and roughness of thin films and coatings;
• Imaging microscale features in bulk samples e.g. cracks and pores;
• Develop novel polymer composite materials;
• Investigate corrosion, oxidation and flow under in situ processing conditions.