High-Resolution Neutron Spectroscopy to Study Picosecond-Nanosecond Dynamics of Proteins and Hydration Water

Neutron backscatterings measures global diffusion and internal dynamics of proteins and hydration water without radiation damage. Neutron spectroscopy simultaneously accesses spatial and time correlations on a molecular level. In soft matter and biological materials, it's particularly interesting to obtain indirect information on local order on these long range disorder systems.

So neutron backscattering can be used to study dynamics in biology, chemistry, or material sense. Another strong field is energy, with studies, for instance, on batteries and fuel cells. Neutron backscattering has been used successfully to study the molecular dynamics of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.