Scattering techniques for structural analysis of biomaterials

Biomaterials often exhibit structures at multiple length scales that influence the chemical, physical, mechanical and biological properties of a material. This chapter discusses techniques used to determine these structures: light scattering for the determination of particle sizes ~. 0.1. m; wide-angle X-ray scattering for analyzing the molecular structure, crystallinity and morphology in the solid state (~. 1. nm); small-angle X-ray scattering for obtaining structural information at mesoscale (10. nm) to determine lamellar structure and phase behavior in the solid state, and size and aggregation behavior of particles in solution; and small-angle neutron scattering using molecules labeled with deuterium for the analysis of single chain dimensions, polymer mixtures and solvent diffusion in the solid state.