May 28th 2025
A team of scientists in Poland has unveiled the first detailed structural and magnetic analysis of the Ribbeck meteorite, a recently recovered space rock classified as an aubrite. Using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and advanced magnetic testing, researchers revealed the meteorite's unique mineralogy and its connection to deep space conditions.
Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Rapid Feedback of Perovskite Growth Crystallinity and Composition
June 1st 2021Perovskites are known to be useful for fabrication of solar cells, and their crystalline structure plays an important role in their electronic properties. Here, we show how Raman analysis is able to confirm the presence of the required crystalline phase for solar cell production.
Combining Spectroscopy with Microscopy for Advancing the Analysis of Forensically Relevant Traces
July 1st 2020Forensic traces are physical remnants of past events that provide critical information for criminal and civil investigations and adjudications. The scientific examination of traces is an incredibly valuable tool for forensic investigations, because the skilled interpretation of traces yields factual answers to a range of pertinent questions.
Applying EDXRF to Agricultural Analysis
November 1st 2019EDXRF offers potential advantages over ICP-OES for elemental analysis in agriculture. Karen Daly and Anna Fenelon of the Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland spoke to us about their work investigating agricultural applications of this technique.
Studying Gallstones and Kidney Stones with WDXRF
November 1st 2019The accumulation of heavy and toxic elements in gallstones and kidney stones can be studied using WDXRF spectroscopy. Here, Vivek K. Singh of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in India talks about his work using this technique to understand the formation and content of these stones in the body.
Recent Developments in Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering
November 1st 2017There has been a resurgence in the application of small-angle X-ray scattering for a large range of problems in materials science. This article highlights experimental requirements and applications, with examples drawn from protein solutions, porous structures, and polymers.
Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry for Metals and Nanoparticle Analysis
June 8th 2016Total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry is an energy-dispersive x-ray technique that is used for elemental and chemical analysis, and is especially suitable for small-sample analyses. Ursula Fittschen, an assistant professor at Washington State University, is working on elemental microscopy and micro analysis. She has been using TXRF to analyze stainless steel metal release, and also airborne silver nanoparticles (NPs) from fabrics. Here, she describes the advantages and challenges of this technique.
Review of New Spectroscopic Instrumentation 2016
May 1st 2016Our annual review of products introduced at Pittcon or during the previous year, broken down by the following categories: accessories, atomic spectroscopy, components, imaging, mass spectrometry, mid-IR, NIR, NMR, Raman, software, UV-vis, and X-ray.
Growing Applications of XRF Spectroscopy: In the Field, the Factory, and the Lab
September 4th 2015As a fast, quasi-nondestructive analytical technique, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is useful for a wide range of applications. To get a sense of the current breadth of XRF’s use and its potential growth in new areas, we asked a panel of experts to comment on the most important application areas for XRF, including the challenges involved and how XRF competes with other techniques.