Speaker
Description
Neutron scattering in general provides the unique feature of adjustable contrast by isotope labelling. The structure of complex multicomponent systems can be analyzed in detail with small angle neutron scattering (SANS) on molecular length scales. Spectroscopic techniques such as neutron spin echo spectroscopy (NSE) or neutron backscattering spectroscopy allow additionally to gain insight into thermally driven molecular motion and diffusion. Microscopic structure and dynamics can then be related to macroscopic properties such as interfacial rheology and ultimately product stability. One example where also NSE plays an important role in interfacial understanding is the mobility of proteins stabilizing oil droplets in emulsions [1,2].
This presentation will introduce different neutron spectroscopy techniques and will highlight the benefit of this kind of investigation for food related research.
[1] Heiden-Hecht, T., Müller, M., Prévost, S., Czakkel, O., Zolnierczuk, P., Schwärzer, K., Förster, S., Frielinghaus, H., & Holderer, O. (2026). Phospholipids Disrupt the Interfacial Network of Proteins at the Oil/Water Interface. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 703, 139095.
[2] Holderer, O., Landman, J., Kohlbrecher, J., Wu, B., Zolnierczuk, P., Müller, M., Frielinghaus, H., Förster, S., Schwärzer, K., Sagis, L., Shen, P., Yang, J., & Heiden‐Hecht, T. (2025). Dynamic Interfacial Architectures: Cruciferin‐Stabilized Oil/Water Interfaces for Sustainable Emulsions. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 12(17), e00368.