In situ X-ray scattering analysis in liquid media: from synchrotrons to novel laboratory-based platforms
- Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 15:00 – 16:00
- Location: Chemistry LT A (2.15)
- Cost: None
We are pleased to host a seminar from Dr Mark Levenstein of CEA IRAMIS Institut, titled "In situ X-ray scattering analysis in liquid media: from synchrotrons to novel laboratory-based platforms".
Abstract:
The dream of many chemists and materials scientists is watching a given synthesis or crystallization process from start to finish, in real-time and with molecular-scale precision. Although this dream has yet to be fully realized, its pursuit has led to the development of powerful techniques such as liquid-cell electron microscopy and stopped-flow X-ray scattering analysis, which have provided unprecedented access to the birth and growth of materials in solution. In this seminar, I will present the story of the development of complementary continuous-flow X-ray scattering techniques, which began at Leeds. Continuous-flow devices have several advantages over the previously mentioned methods, including mitigating beam-induced artefacts and enabling “position-to-time” conversion. Focusing first on synchrotron-based measurements, I will then present trials we performed on laboratory X-ray sources to assess their feasibility for in situ experiments. These successful trials led to the creation of Flow-Xl: A New Facility for the Analysis of Crystallization in Flow Systems at Leeds, and continue to motivate my current work on the new FastNano Liquid platform at CEA Paris-Saclay. I will present commissioning experiments on both platforms and then provide future perspectives and current research directions, including studies of the carbonation of fresh cement pastes and mortars.
Bio:
Mark Levenstein completed his PhD at the University of Leeds under the supervision of Nikil Kapur and Fiona Meldrum in 2019. After a postdoctoral position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he joined CEA Paris-Saclay as a permanent scientist in 2021. Mark’s research is focused on characterizing crystal nucleation and growth processes, particularly in minerals and cements. He is also an expert in developing micro- and milli-fluidic sample environments for in situ synchrotron- and laboratory-based X-ray scattering experiments. Mark is currently responsible for the new “FastNano Liquid” platform at CEA, a facility dedicated to solution-based nanomaterials synthesis coupled with inline characterization and machine learning for accelerated materials discovery.