This talk aims to give a non-exhaustive survey of the use of neutron-based characterization techniques for applied problems in the chemical industry. For nearly 2 decades, Solvay has collaborated with the academic community of big instruments experts, both in the U.S. and in Europe. To this day, its scientists keep utilizing neutron-based techniques such as small-angle scattering, reflectivity or tomography, to provide structural insight in situations where ensemble-average and local imaging techniques nicely compliment. Over the years, collaborating with big instruments personnel, getting access to their time and expertise has helped elucidating quite a few challenging projects. Structural peculiarities in formulations of conducting polymers, water retention in soils or the complex interaction of natural polysaccharides with water, are just a few of the most recent examples of scientific questions such collaborations helped tackle. In each of these cases, neutron techniques played a specific and key role due to their unique interaction profile with both soft and hard matter. In concert with the experimental nuances behind each diverse projects and intended impact of the neutron work on product development, an overarching theme of the evolution of our understanding of the utility of neutrons in an applied environment will be presented.

Use of big instruments in industry/academia collaborations: The impact of neutrons techniques on applied problems

2019 Spring National Meeting

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