SAXS is an analytical characterization tool used to determine the structure of particle systems in terms of averaged sizes or shapes. The materials can be solid or liquid and they can contain solid,liquid or gaseous domains (so-called particles) of the same or another material in any combination. The method is accurate, non-destructive and usually requires only a minimum of sample preparation. Applications are very broad and include the metal, cement, oil, polymer, plastics, food and pharmaceutical industries and can be found in research as well as in quality control.

The state of the art machine just installed at SAIF IITB provides opportunities to analyze samples in various environments (ambient, low and high temperature, high pressure, and flow conditions).