Sample cell capable of 100% relative humidity suitable for x-ray diffraction of aligned lipid multibilayers

We describe a sample cell capable of attaining 100% relative humidity that is suitable for the study of aligned lipid multibilayers using x-ray diffraction. The basic principles of this cell are applicable to sample environments used in a variety of physical techniques (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance, light scattering, infrared spectroscopies, etc.) thus enabling these techniques, for the first time, to study aligned samples having the same physical characteristics (i.e., repeat spacing, transition temperature, etc.) as their liposomal counterparts immersed in water. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)04304-5].