Journal of Synchrotron Radiation

Volume 12, Part 6 (November 2005)

nanobioscience

J. Synchrotron Rad. (2005). 12, 745-750 [ doi:10.1107/S0909049505013580 ]

Microfluidics of soft matter investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering

A. Otten, S. Köster, B. Struth, A. Snigirev and T. Pfohl

Abstract: The combination of X-ray microdiffraction and microfluidics is used to investigate the dynamic behaviour of soft materials. A microfocused X-ray beam enables the observation of the influence of droplet formation on the nanostructure of a smectic liquid crystal in water. Using a hydrodynamic focusing device, the evolution of the intercalation of DNA into multilamellar membranes can be studied. Owing to the elongational flow at the centre of this device, alignment of the material is induced which allows for an improved structural characterization. Furthermore, the influence of strain applied to these materials can be tested.

Keywords: dynamics of soft matter; alignment; droplet formation; hydrodynamic focusing; DNA cationic membrane complexes.