In developing the nanotechnology and biotechnology, many novel breakthroughs are based on developing new structures in the nano to submicron size range. The understanding of the relationship between the structure and its function is critical to these developments. Tools like synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering spectrometers, high-resolution TEM, SEM, AFM, etc., are essentials to these studies. Many studies will involve in-situ time-resolved studies and in a non-vacuum environment that could not be easily studied by electron microscopy or AFM and could only be studied by scattering methods.

In Taiwan, synchrotron X-rays are available for scattering studies. For soft-materials and biomaterials studies, besides X-rays, neutrons are very essential and irreplaceable probes. Neutrons are more sensitive to light elements that constitute the biomaterials and softmaterials (polymers and macromolecules). Neutron scattering can also benefit from using the deuterated materials to provide extra contrast by label parts of the complex structure.

In the following, we listed the research topics of the participants from Taiwan. These research topics includes nanomaterials, biomaterials (membrane, protein, peptides), and macromolecules (polymers). These researches can all benefit from using the neutron scattering techniques. Most of these principle investigators have the experiences of using neutron scattering previously. Due to the encouraging recent and future developments in neutron scattering, it is important to develop more close research collaboration in applying the neutron scattering to these research fields.

Japan is the most advanced country in neutron scattering in Asia region and is now developing the next generation spallation neutron source and neutron scattering instruments. The successful experience in applying the neutron scattering by Japan research scientists to study these interdisciplinary fields can be helpful to our scientists in planning our own neutron scattering researches in future.