SAS Data analysis and modelling:

SAS patterns can be very rich but inferring structural information via physical model fitting is not an easy task! I offer my expertise to help you with the reduction and treatment of your SAS data. Such analysis can be performed at many levels. An initial level consists of “follow the trends” type of approach using standard plot methods (Guinier, Porod analysis). This approach is rapid and can provide already information about the size and shape of your particles. The next level uses nonlinear least squares fits to realistic models, using analysis packages developed by scientists of large-scale facilities (SASview, SASfit, Irena, SAXSutilities….).  Results will be provided in a convenient form, such as reports, ready to be used for publication.

Reference: E Read, B Lonetti, S Gineste, A T Sutton, E Di Cola, P Castignolles, M Gaborieau, A-F Mingotaud, M Destarac, J-D Marty  Mechanistic insights into the formation of polyion complex aggregates from cationic thermoresponsive diblock copolymers Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Volume 590, 268-276 (2021)

Assistance for design experiments at the large-scale facilities:  

The access to the large facilities will enable you to perform high quality, world leading research. The beamtime is allocated via an open competition based on merit and peer review. This may cause some problems to new users not experts of large-scale techniques. In this framework, I offer my experience to help you in designing your experiment, selecting the most appropriate instrument to perform your research, giving advices on the technical feasibility and guidance for writing your proposal in an efficient way.

Training courses:

The objective of the training sessions is to teach you about the key elements of small angle x-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering technologies, their synergy and their combination with in-situ characterisation methods (rheology, calorimetry, DLS, stopped flow) to characterise soft matter and complex biological systems. SAXS and SANS are complementary techniques that, when combined, allow a fine structural description of the particles under investigation. Overall properties, such as for instance particle mean diameter or surface charge, can be obtained using bench instruments like Dynamic Light Scattering and Zeta potential. However, techniques with higher space and time resolution are needed for an in-depth structural characterization.

Reference: E. Di Cola, I. Grillo, S. Ristori; “Small Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering: Powerful Tools for Studying the Structure of Drug-Loaded Liposomes”, Pharmaceutics 8(2), 10 (2016).