Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments for Form Factor and Structure Factor Determination ('P(q) and S(q) CREASE')

TL;DR

This paper introduces an open-source machine learning method called 'P(q) and S(q) CREASE' for analyzing small-angle scattering data to simultaneously determine form and structure factors in concentrated macromolecular solutions, validated on simulated and experimental data.

Contribution

It extends the CREASE framework to compute both P(q) and S(q) from scattering profiles without relying on analytical models, aiding experimental data interpretation.

Findings

Successfully validated on simulated core-shell micelles

Accurately analyzed experimental nanoparticle scattering data

Guided experimentalists in selecting scattering profiles for analysis

Abstract

In this paper we present an open-source machine learning (ML) accelerated computational method to analyze small-angle scattering profiles [I(q) vs. q] from concentrated macromolecular solutions to simultaneously obtain the form factor P(q) (e.g., dimensions of a micelle) and structure factor S(q) (e.g., spatial arrangement of the micelles) without relying on analytical models. This method builds on our recent work on Computational Reverse Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments (CREASE) that has either been applied to obtain P(q) from dilute macromolecular solutions (where S(q) ~1) or to obtain S(q) from concentrated particle solution when the P(q) is known (e.g., sphere form factor). This paper's newly developed CREASE that calculates P(q) and S(q), termed as 'P(q) and S(q) CREASE' is validated by taking as input I(q) vs. q from in silico structures of known polydisperse core(A)-shell(B) micelles in solutions at varying concentrations and micelle-micelle aggregation. We demonstrate how 'P(q) and S(q) CREASE' performs if given two or three of the relevant scattering profiles - Itotal(q), IA(q), and IB(q) - as inputs; this demonstration is meant to guide experimentalists who may choose to do small-angle X-ray scattering (for total scattering from the micelles) and/or small-angle neutron scattering with appropriate contrast matching to get scattering solely from one or the other component (A or B). After validation of 'P(q) and S(q) CREASE' on in silico structures, we present our results analyzing small-angle neutron scattering profiles from a solution of core-shell type surfactant coated nanoparticles with varying extents of aggregation.