Library · Materials, chemistry & fabrication
What Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) got wrong, from 9 theses
Summary written by a model from the records below: Dynamic light scattering evaluations failed when particle size extremes, rapid reaction kinetics, or settling prevented reliable signal acquisition. Measurements were also compromised by multiple scattering in turbid gels, probe immobilization in stiff networks, and sample alterations induced by solvent conditions or surfactants. These records come from graduate theses, 2021 to 2025, each labeled with its degree where the repository states it, and each links to its thesis. They were extracted by language models reading the full text, so treat each as a lead to read, not a verdict.
Plus 8 problems the authors left open, listed at the end.
Failure modes, by theses reporting them
Select a mode to jump to its records.
Particle size extremes and polydispersity exceed detection limits or invalidate monodisperse models
Dynamic light scattering could not detect sub-nanometer quantum dots below instrument detection limits and failed on micrometer-scale conjugated polymer dispersions exceeding the measurement range. Furthermore, rapid reaction timescales outpaced data collection, and standard monodisperse models underestimated mass concentrations for polydisperse nanoparticle mixtures.
Lost to a baseline
Monodisperse DLS-absorbance model underestimated relative mass concentration of polydisperse nanoparticle mixtures compared to the proposed polydisperse model.
Integrated Diamond-Based Devices For Quantum Sensing And Communication · Penn · PhD
Tried and failed
dynamic light scattering particle sizing applied to conjugated polymer dispersions. Outcome: no signal. Reason: large micrometre-scale particle sizes and high polydispersity exceeded the measurement range
Multiple scattering and network stiffness hinder measurements in gel and hydrogel systems
Multiple scattering in turbid and opaque gels prevented the single-scattering detection required for correlation analysis. Additionally, dynamic light scattering microrheology failed in high-stiffness hydrogels because probe particle motion was completely damped by the stiff network.
Considered and rejected
Considered and rejected: Single-particle dynamic light scattering (DLS) single-scattering regime was rejected in favor of DDM because multiple scattering in turbid, non-dilute gels prohibited DLS without extreme dilution.
Microscopic characterization of macroscopic colloidal gel rheology · MIT · PhD
Tried and failed
dynamic light scattering microrheology applied to opaque hydrogels. Outcome: no signal. Reason: Multiple scattering in turbid/opaque media prevents single-scattering detection required for correlation analysis
Multispectral rheology · Iowa State · PhD
Tried and failed
Dynamic light scattering microrheology applied to high-stiffness hydrogels. Outcome: no signal. Reason: probe particle motion was completely damped by the stiff gel network
Multispectral rheology · Iowa State · PhD
Surfactants and solution conditions interfere with scattering or compromise particle stability
Formulation viscosity and surfactant scattering interfered with particle sizing, while in another case surfactant addition induced particle dissociation. Similarly, shifting to acidic pH provoked extensive hydrophobic polymer aggregation that prevented light scattering measurements entirely.
Tried and failed
dynamic light scattering for pH-responsive size measurement applied to hydrophobic pH-sensitive copolymer nanoparticles. Outcome: unstable. Reason: High hydrophobic monomer content caused extensive particle aggregation at acidic pH, preventing light scattering measurement.
Use of multifunctional systems for the controlled release of therapeutic agents · UT Austin · PhD
Considered and rejected
Considered and rejected: Rejected DLS for particle size determination due to high formulation viscosity and PMAL surfactant scattering interference, replacing with NTA.
Formulation, bioprocessing, and manufacturing of viral vectors in unique dosage forms · UT Austin · PhD
Considered and rejected
Considered and rejected: Rejected dynamic light scattering (DLS) in water/Triton X for spray dried RDX sizing due to surfactant-induced particle dissociation, switching to optical microscopy.
Material Chemistry Control for the Additive Manufacture of Composite Propellants · Cranfield · PhD
Rapid particle sedimentation degrades baseline quality and measurement reliability
Rapidly settling protein dispersions degraded scattering data quality and caused poor baseline indices. Fast particle sedimentation combined with high turbidity in concentrated dispersions led directly to measurement failure.
Tried and failed
dynamic light scattering for particle sizing applied to concentrated protein colloidal dispersions. Outcome: no signal. Reason: rapid particle sedimentation and high turbidity caused poor baseline quality and measurement failure
EFFECTS OF HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING AND HEAT TREATMENT ON PULSE PROTEIN STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND DIGESTIBILITY · Cornell · PhD
Tried and failed
dynamic light scattering for particle size measurement applied to rapidly settling protein dispersions. Outcome: no signal. Reason: rapid particle sedimentation caused poor baseline index and degraded scattering data quality
Effect of Calcium Addition and Acidification on Properties of Lentil Protein Gels Induced Through High Pressure Processing and Heat Treatment · Cornell · Master's
Left open by the authors
Problems the authors named and did not get to.
Left open
Test MS2 coat-protein nucleation and assembly kinetics around negatively charged gold nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Blocker: Requires a wet biology/nanomaterials lab, purified MS2 coat proteins, functionalized gold nanoparticles, and characterization equipment like TEM and DLS.
What goes right and wrong during virus self-assembly? · Harvard · PhD
Left open
Conduct dynamic light scattering count rate studies to evaluate bulk versus surface degradation mechanisms of the synthesized nanoparticles. Blocker: Requires physical nanoparticles, a wet lab, and a dynamic light scattering instrument
Use of multifunctional systems for the controlled release of therapeutic agents · UT Austin · PhD
Left open
Evaluate aggregation kinetics of nanomaterials with mixed mineral systems like kaolinite-goethite or natural organic matter-coated clay particles. Blocker: Requires a wet-lab setup, chemical reagents, and dynamic light scattering equipment
Nanomaterials in complex environments : interactions affected by matrix composition, pH, natural organic matter, and bio- or geo-colloids · UT Austin · PhD
Left open
Co-assemble 50 nm gold nanoparticles with nanodiamonds into lithographic PMMA templates using capillary-driven template-assisted self-assembly. Blocker: Requires a physical nanotechnology wet lab with e-beam lithography, nanodiamonds, gold nanoparticles, and TASA apparatus.
Assembly, Modification and Characterization of Nanodiamond Quantum Emitters · Penn · PhD
Left open
Encapsulate 60nm gold nanoparticle mats in PDMS without excess thiol preventing curing. Blocker: Requires wet lab fabrication and chemical synthesis apparatus for nanoparticle assembly and PDMS curing
The Self-Assembly, Optical Response and Stretch Tunability of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Monolayers · Cambridge · PhD
Left open
Synthesize gold nanoshell coatings incorporating cationic comonomers to evaluate biosensing or drug delivery of low pI biomacromolecules. Blocker: Requires a wet chemistry and biomaterials laboratory for nanoparticle synthesis and functionalization.
Impact of synthesis technique and compositon of polymer coatings for semiselective gold nanoshell-based biosensors · UT Austin · PhD
Left open
Control aggregate size or spatially guide aggregate deposition during C60-AuNP co-deposition to preserve the patterning phase for image analysis. Blocker: Requires a physical experimental laboratory and deposition apparatus for C60 and gold nanoparticles
Statistical Approaches to the Study of Self-Organised Nanostructures · Nottingham · PhD
Left open
Design synthetic self-assembling oligomeric nanoparticles using kinetic pathway selection and geometric frustration principles. Blocker: Requires experimental synthesis and solid-state NMR validation to verify nanoparticle assembly and morphology
Beta-Sheet Peptide Assembly Beyond Sequence Patterning: Incorporation of Functional Domains, Computational Energy Minimization, and Assembly Pathway Selection · Georgia Tech · PhD
Who has worked on this
Authors of the public theses cited on this page, most-cited first.
- Richa Ghosh · Iowa State · PhD · 2025
Multispectral rheology - Alendy Cesar · Cornell · Master's · 2024
Effect of Calcium Addition and Acidification on Properties of Lentil Protein Gels Induced Through High Pressure Processing and Heat Treatment - Alicia Sze Robang · Georgia Tech · PhD · 2024
Beta-Sheet Peptide Assembly Beyond Sequence Patterning: Incorporation of Functional Domains, Computational Energy Minimization, and Assembly Pathway Selection - J.E.A. Hodgkinson · Nottingham · PhD · 2024
Statistical Approaches to the Study of Self-Organised Nanostructures - LaNell Alexandria Williams · Harvard · PhD · 2023
What goes right and wrong during virus self-assembly? - Henry Jacob Shulevitz · Penn · PhD · 2023
Assembly, Modification and Characterization of Nanodiamond Quantum Emitters - Jae Hyung Cho · MIT · PhD · 2022
Microscopic characterization of macroscopic colloidal gel rheology - Samuel Arthur John Hillman · Imperial · PhD · 2022
Sulfones and side chains: structure-function-performance relationships in linear conjugated polymer photocatalysts for the evolution of hydrogen from water - Tzu-Yung Huang · Penn · PhD · 2022
Integrated Diamond-Based Devices For Quantum Sensing And Communication - J P A Brash · Cranfield · PhD · 2022
Material Chemistry Control for the Additive Manufacture of Composite Propellants - Alexandra E. Hall · Cornell · PhD · 2021
EFFECTS OF HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING AND HEAT TREATMENT ON PULSE PROTEIN STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND DIGESTIBILITY - Matthew Millyard · Cambridge · PhD · 2021
The Self-Assembly, Optical Response and Stretch Tunability of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Monolayers
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