Characterisation of complex nanomaterials using synchrotron radiation based x-ray diffraction

Modern X-ray diffraction techniques using microbeam radiation from synchrotron sources allow the imaging of the hierarchical structure of biological materials on different length scales. Moreover, in-situ X-ray diffraction provides the possibility to follow nanostructural changes of materials as a consequence of external influences such as mechanical deformation or humidity changes. This article presents a novel scientific instrument developed by the Max Planck Society at the BESSY storage ring in Berlin, which permits such experiments to be conducted with high resolution.