Neutron scattering techniques play a unique role in the study of both the structural and dynamical properties of the wide range of substances categorised as “soft matter”. Among the advantages presented by these techniques, two are of crucial relevance in the soft matter field: the suitability of the length and time scales accessed by neutrons, and the capability to manipulate the contrast by specific deuteration of any constituent of the system. Neutron scattering is the only tool for unravelling the molecular morphology and motions in soft matter systems at the different relevant length scales. On the other hand, the understanding of structural properties and dynamics at a molecular level is the key for advancing this field.

Future trends in soft condensed matter will concentrate mainly in four different areas:

• Kinetic and non-equilibrium studies will address e.g. the kinetics of biomineralization, of self-assembly and structure formation and possibly also protein folding.


• Important breakthroughs are expected in the vast field of complex materials where the knowledge base to fine tune the structures achievable by self assembly will be created. This could lead to e.g. nanostructured magnetic devices, self-healing smart materials, photonic crystals, drug delivery systems and tailored catalysts supports. An understanding of the behaviour of complex fluids in porous media will be a prerequisite for tertiary oil recovery.


• In soft matter, dynamic phenomena to an even larger extend than in hard matter determine the mechanical and rheological properties. It will be crucial to explore the unknown territory of collective dynamics in disordered complex materials, to understand the molecular basis of rheology, to solve the mysteries of the glass transition and the glassy state, and to address the dynamics of surfaces.


• The behaviour of complex materials is often governed by key components which are only present in very small volume fractions. The component behaviour in multicomponent formulations like e.g. oil additives, detergents, food additives and cosmetics needs to be addressed and phenomena like surface phase transitions, membrane protein interactions (biosensors) and the actions of compatibilisers need to be scrutinized.

The future trends will require a wide variety of experiments, including investigations on dilute components, or on very small amounts of matter such as particular topological points or at interfaces. Sometimes these experiments involve polarisation analysis, short time measurements or in-situ studies. In all these cases, very high intensities of the neutron beam are required.

Flagship	Instrument required
	High resolution backscattering
	High resolution protein
	Variable cold chopper (high intensity)
	Variable cold chopper (high resolution)
	High resolution NSE
	High intensity reflectometer
	High intensity SANS
	Backscattering 17meV
	Molecular vibration spectrometer
	High resolution reflectometer
	High l resolution SANS