Understanding what regulates the beating of the heart, how to make buildings safer, developing environmentally friendly rubber tyres, designing better solar panels, and formulating smart drugs and super-foods that help to prevent disease are just a few of the topics being discussed by scientists visiting Sydney next week.
Hosted by ANSTO, the International Small Angle Scattering Conference will bring together the world’s top experts in understanding structure at the molecular level to discuss what makes just about everything tick.
Chairman of the Conference, ANSTO’s Dr Elliot Gilbert said small angle scattering is one of the most exciting areas in science right now.
“This conference brings together scientists who are all seeking to understand the inner structure of everything down to the molecular level by using small-angle scattering as part of their research arsenal. Through understanding the relationship between structure and function at this level, we have the potential to make enormous leaps forward in areas such as health, the environment and materials science.”
Dr Gilbert said the conference has attracted more than 400 scientists from 26 countries but Australians are becoming increasingly prominent in this field.
“The state of the art instruments operated by ANSTO’s Bragg Institute for neutron scattering attract scientists from around the world, and allow us to take part in international collaborations. Some of this research has been performed at the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne which is also recognised as a world-class facility,” he said.
The International Small Angle Scattering Conference runs from Sunday 18 to Friday 23 November at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
Published: 16/11/2012