In 2021 Infrastructure Call at Lund University, we were gratefully approved funding from LU Central, the Science Faculty, and the Faculty of Engineering for purchasing a Solution X-ray Scattering Instrument for Life Science and Soft Matter, short-name the BioSAXS. Our vision is to promote the usage of X-ray and neutron scattering techniques and provide the researchers at LU with a facility where it is possible to measure and simulate macromolecules in solution and serve as an entry environment to the large scale infrastructures, in particular MAX IV and European Spallation Source Eric. This instrument is part of an infrastructure platform for scattering methods supported by the Faculty of Science: Center for Scattering Methods (link: www.physchem.lu.se/center-for-scattering-methods/ ), for which Peter Holmqvist is Facility Manager.

Accessibility

The instrument was installed August-September 2023, and we are now in a trial period, so if you have samples you want to measure, and benchmark against other SAXS-instruments, please contact us by email. Through the science faculty's investment, there is also the possibility of obtaining help with analysis of data, etc. In 2024, we will introduce a cost model, and the ability to coordinate measurements by multiple users to reduce costs.

Please contact us if you are interested in using it and for further information.

Presentation of the Instrument

The recently installed Xeuss 3.0 (Xenocs, France) is equipped with MetalJet and employs a microfocus X-ray source that uses liquid metal as a target, which allows for high brilliance, making it suitable for various types of X-ray scattering experiments (SAXS and WAXS).

The instrument is equipped with various sample environments, such as

• BioCUBE, suited for low sample volume solution scattering with machine vision assisted sample positioning.
• Low noise flow cell for liquid samples, especially useful for dilute or low scattering samples.
• Capillary Peltier stage
• Powders, solids, and gels sample holders.

Other key features are

• Real-time Analysis: Researchers can benefit from real-time data acquisition and analysis, providing instant feedback on the sample under investigation. This feature allows for rapid experimentation and adjustment of parameters as needed.
• High Sensitivity: The system is equipped with advanced detectors (Eiger 2-1M, Dectris) and optics to ensure high sensitivity and data quality, even for challenging samples with low scattering intensities.
• Modularity: The Xeuss 3.0 system is modular, allowing for easy integration of additional accessories and upgrades to adapt to evolving research needs and techniques.
• Data Visualization and Analysis: It comes with powerful software tools for data visualization and analysis, simplifying the interpretation of scattering data and the extraction of meaningful insights.
• Safety and Compliance: The system adheres to industry safety standards and provides robust data security features to protect sensitive research data.