Small Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering Techniques and their Application in Colloid and Interface Science 

Date: Thursday, February 5th, 2026 (Straight after ACIS)

Co-chairs: Andrew Clulow and Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)

Join us for an engaging, fun-filled satellite workshop that will unlock the power of scattering techniques at the heart of modern colloid and interface science research. This one-day event deliver a clear, hands-on introduction to small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering techniques (SAXS & SANS). These fundamental techniques form the backbone of soft matter characterisation, providing invaluable insights into colloidal dispersions, surfactant self-assembly, and complex interfacial phenomena that define our field.

The workshop is designed to bridge theory and practical examples, beginning with essential theoretical concepts before moving into instrumentation overviews and detailed evaluation techniques. Participants will gain practical knowledge through real-world examples that highlight both the strengths and important limitations of each scattering method. Whether you're a postgraduate student looking to master these techniques, an early career researcher seeking to expand your analytical toolkit, or an experienced scientist wanting to refine your approach, this workshop provides the perfect opportunity to enhance your understanding of these critical characterisation methods in a supportive, interactive environment.

Workshop Programme

Time

Subject

Speaker

8:45-9:00

Welcome & Introductions

Dr Andrew Clulow, ANSTO

A/Prof Jitendra Mata, ANSTO

Prof Marta Krasowska, UniSA

9:00-9:45

Introduction to scattering

Prof Lilo Pozzo, University of Washington, USA

9:45-10:00

Neutrons & X-rays - Differences & Complementarity

Dr Andrew Clulow, ANSTO

10:00-10:30

Coffee break

10:30-11:15

Synchrotron X-ray instrumentation

Dr Andrew Clulow, ANSTO

11:15-12:15

SANS/USANS instrumentation (incl. deuteration)

A/Prof Jitendra Mata, ANSTO

12:15-13:15

Lunch

13:15-13:45

Applications & Modelling 1

Illuminating the Dynamics behind Lipid Self-assembly with SAXS

Dr Khay Fong, Monash University

13:45-14:15

Applications & Modelling 2

SAXSY lipids: Small angle scattering to characterise lipidic self-assembly in complex media

Dr Livia Salvati Manni, Monash University

14:15-14:45

Applications & Modelling 3

Modelling Anisotropy and Interparticle Interactions in Small-Angle Scattering

Dr Josh King, ANSTO

14:45-15:15

Coffee break

15:15-15:45

Reflectometry & Interfaces

Using Neutron Reflectometry for Soft Matter and Biomaterials

Dr Anton le Brun, ANSTO

15:45-16:15

Applications & Modelling 4

Reflecting on ten years of reflecting from polymer brushes

Dr Isaac Gresham, University of Sydney

16:15-16:45

Applications & Modelling 5

A Beginner-friendly Journey Through Synchrotron Techniques for Probing Fusion Peptide–Lipid Systems

Dr Izabela Milogrodzka, RMIT University

16:45-17:15

Time for general Q&A

ANSTO Staff


Copyright ACIS Ltd, 2013–2024; ABN 68 159 166 766

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software