Synopsis, goals and objectives

Soft matter is studied in many scientific disciplines, from biology and medicine to industrial applications, materials science and chemistry.  Neutron scattering should be an ideal technique to study dynamics of soft matter.  The ability to measure both spatial and temporal correlations makes it complementary to other methods, including rheology, magnetic resonance, and x-ray ray diffraction.  For this reason, neutron studies of this type have been attempted over the past four decades.  Recent innovations including more powerful pulses neutrons sources, upgraded neutron instrumentation, and major advances in computing have opened up new possibilities for greatly improved measurements and enhanced understanding.  This is propitious time to reassess the state of the art and prospects for future neutron scattering studies of the dynamics of soft matter. 

	Benoit Coasne, Univ. Montpellier, France

There are relatively few neutron scattering facilities around the world, some of which are more advanced than others.  A recent addition to this list is the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) which initiated its general user research program in 2007. Soon after SNS, other facilities in China and Japan are expected to be completed and available for users.

Networking is a foundation of the scientific process, encouraging effective and efficient exchange of information through personal interaction. Economic growth is encouraged by scientific and technical development, and enabled by communication among network participants. While ideas have no borders, the scientific testing of theories is dependent on access to equipment and facilities. Networking increases the intellectual resources of all of the participants and levels, to some extent, the advantage of access to physical resources. To assist in this networking, the organizers are planning a poster where any attendee can present a poster related to the Workshop.

Each talk will include an overview of the status of current applications and techniques, the potential of using advanced neutron techniques to provide new capabilities, and the developments required to enable these goals to be met.  The Workshop will utilize open discussion to summarize the science presentations. This will maximize the integration of science and techniques to develop the directions of research and future investments in a wide variety of environments. The active feedback will enable a summary of future actions to be discussed on the last day. Included in the Workshop summary will be a description of the capabilities of the present and planned reactor and accelerator-based sources along with development of new techniques. It will also serve as an important document when communicating with funding agencies and the public. Based on presentations and discussions during this Workshop, an outline and writing assignments will be developed for a book in the Springer Series on Neutron Scattering Techniques and Applications; it is expected that this book will serve as a guideline for future international collaborations.

Goals and Expected Outcomes

1. Identify the current needs and potential contributions of studies of dynamics in soft matter with neutrons.  Articulate the different meanings of "dynamics" and describe how what we learn about dynamics from neutron scattering complements what we learn about dynamics from other techniques.
2. Recognize new techniques that may be made possible by advanced next generation sources and instruments that go beyond established techniques.
3. Provide the basis for a book identifying both potentially valuable techniques and directions for additional research and investment to realize this potential worldwide.