4D Rheo-SANS Sample Environment for Soft Matter, Biology and Materials Processing

The US scientific and industrial research communities in the broad areas of soft matter (i.e., polymers, complex fluids, nano and colloidal solutions, coatings and inks) and biological materials (i.e., drug delivery, hydrogels, tissue engineering) need, but lack, the ability to effectively study these important materials under flow conditions. Shear fields are widely used as much to process and control material nano and microstructure as well as a method to characterize such structures. The 4D Rheo-SANS Sample Environment to be commercialized in this Phase II project will greatly increase the US scientific measurement capability from its current level of multiple 2D measurements to being able to measure the full 3D structure with enhanced time resolution (+1D). This new instrumentation will greatly enhance the measurement capabilities at DOE funded facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) as well as other leading US scientific research facilities, such as the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The first, true Rheo-SANS sample environment capable of performing in all three planes of flow and with a single sample loading developed in Phase I is based on a world-leading stress-controlled rheometer and has been shown to meet both rheological and neutron scattering metrology requirements. Its rheological performance has been successfully validated for a range of sample fluid behavior. Broadly stated, the objectives of Phase II are: to further refine the performance and design of the minimum viable prototypes (MVP) developed in phase I, demonstrate the sample environment on a SANS beamline, and commercialize the 4D Rheo-SANS Sample Environment for soft matter, biology and materials processing with our commercialization partner, a major rheometer manufacturer. These project activities include improvements in mechanical performance, materials selection appropriate for use in a neutron scattering beamline, temperature control, validation on a neutron scattering beamline, control and data acquisition software integration. Consultation with a leading rheology manufacturer and prior commercialization partner, as well as sample environment engineers and scientists and leading US neutron scattering facilities will enable this development. Initial customers will be US neutron scattering facilities. TA Instruments will provide world-wide marketing, sales and support to international research facilities, greatly expanding the market. Installation of this sample environment at the two leading US neutron scattering user facilities (SNS/HFIR and NCNR) will greatly expand the US scientific measurement capability as identified as a critical need by both user facilities. Future proposed developments in Phase III and beyond to adapt the instrument to rheo-SALS will open much larger scientific instrument markets.