Due to their atomic-scale wavelength and enormous photon flux, synchrotron x-rays provide unique experimental probes for investigating static and dynamic nano-scale phenomena. We introduce basic features of synchrotron x-rays and their potential applications. Current advances in synchrotron x-ray scattering techniques such as time-resolved x-ray scattering, coherent x-ray scattering, anomalous x-ray scattering, and surface x-ray scattering, will be discussed. Many experimental examples illustrating the power of synchrotron x-rays will be introduced.