Since 1996 the IBN operates a small-angle X-ray measuring station at ELETTRA in Triest. It is among the worldwide leading laboratories for X-ray optical investigations of nano-structures and celebrated its 10 years anniversary in 2006.

The IBN-outstation at the Triest synchrotron radiation facility ELETTRA is subject to a continuous upgrading. The constant challenge entering new research fields like e.g. the study of self-assembling materials on surfaces (see report on Solid Supported Membranes), knowledge transfer from the researchers to the industry as well as the education of young scientists constitute the basis for the scientific work on-site. This is confirmed not only by the high demand for beamtime (greater 200%), but also by the fact that a second X-ray small-angle station at ELETTRA is considered for the future. 

The research landscape at the IBN-SAXS-station is mainly dominated by numerous key experiments in the nano- and biostructure field (see e.g. Cooperation Projects (Elettra) and Biomaterial: Human Arteries). The intense and brilliant light source ELETTRA permits not only still pictures of molecules and their aggregates, but also allows to cinematographically document molecular processes such as phase transitions in the millisecond time-regime. Whether basic- or applied research, the list of promising technological fields which profit from the SAXS-station includes: production of nanoparticles for pharmaceutical applications, improvement of food standards, creation of custom-made materials for catalysis and the development of new safety techniques. In this respect the functioning of new solar cells and the efficiency of innovative antibiotics (see report: Lipidic delivery systems) are studied at our beamline in real time.

On the occasion of the 10-years anniversary of the Austrian small-angle X-ray (SAXS) beamline in Triest, renowned SAXS experts came from all important centers of Europe, Asia and the USA in order to participate at the symposium "SAXS on Nanosystems-Science and Technology". At the International Center of Theoretical Physics of the UNESCO in Trieste (November 23rd, 24th 2006), the progress of nanomaterial research at SAXS beamlines worldwide was discussed.

Further details concerning the research activities at the outstation are documented in the Annual Reports (eds.: S. Bernstorff, B. Sartori, H. Amenitsch, M. Rappolt).