Polymeric surfactants are amongst the most widespread of all polymers. In n
ature, proteins and polysaccharides cause self organization as a result of
this surfactancy; in industry, polymeric surfactants play key roles in the
food, explosives and surface coatings sectors. The generation of useful nan
o- and micro-structures in films and emulsions as a result of polymer amphi
philicity and the application of mechanical stress is discussed. The use of
X-ray and neutron small angle scattering and reflectivity to measure these
structures and their dynamic properties will be described. New results on
linear and dendritic polymer surfactants are presented.