A team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has developed a new technique that allows them to see how certain polymers form, atom by atom. The team, led by Professor Michael Ward, used a combination of X-ray scattering and computer simulations to study how polymers nucleate and grow.

Polymers are long, chain-like molecules that are made up of repeating units. They are used in a wide variety of applications, from plastics to fibers to food packaging. The properties of a polymer are determined by its chemical structure and the way in which it is processed.

The nucleation and growth of polymers is a complex process that is not fully understood. However, the new technique developed by Ward and his team provides a detailed view of this process, which could lead to new ways to control the properties of polymers.

The team used X-ray scattering to track the changes in the structure of a polymer as it nucleates and grows. X-ray scattering is a technique that uses X-rays to measure the distance between atoms in a material. The team also used computer simulations to model the process of polymer nucleation and growth.

By combining the X-ray scattering data with the computer simulations, the team was able to create a detailed picture of how polymers form. They found that the nucleation and growth of polymers is a multi-step process that involves the formation of small clusters of atoms, which then grow into larger clusters until they eventually reach a critical size and begin to grow into a polymer chain.

The team's findings provide new insights into the nucleation and growth of polymers. This information could be used to develop new ways to control the properties of polymers, which could lead to new applications for these materials.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.