Neutron reflectivity-rheology sample environment for investigating materials at air-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces and methods of use thereof

An interfacial rheometer device comprising:

• a) a sample environment chamber comprising an interior, a baseplate, and at least two radiation beam windows on opposing side walls for receiving a beam of radiation;
• b) an interfacial deformation assembly comprising:
• i) a radial sample trough comprising a reservoir for receiving an air-liquid or liquid-liquid interfacial sample;
• ii) an elastic deformation barrier comprising an elastomer;
• and
• iii) at least four deformation arms, each comprising a cylindrical finger,
• wherein the elastic deformation barrier is disposed around the cylindrical fingers of each of the four deformation arms in a quadrangular arrangement, and wherein the interfacial deformation assembly is disposed within the interior of the sample environment chamber;
• c) a motor-controlled actuator assembly comprising:
• i) four actuator arms, each of which comprises a ball screw and is attached to a deformation arm and configured for moving the actuator arm in a linear direction;
• and
• ii) at least two motors, wherein each motor is in communication with at least one actuator arm and configured for rotating the ball screw of the actuator arm;
• wherein the motor-controlled actuator assembly is controlled by a central processing unit;
• wherein, when in operation, the elastic deformation barrier is disposed within the reservoir of the radial sample trough and configured for applying dilatational stress, compression stress, shear stress, or any combination thereof to the interfacial sample in response to the motor-controlled actuator assembly.