Synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) and micro-X-ray absorption spectroscopy (micro-XAS) were used in the present study to obtain spatially resolved micro-scale information on elemental composition, trace element distribution, chemical speciation and oxidation state and/or mineral phase distribution within historical iron artefacts dating from the Iron Age to early Medieval Ti...

The legacy of planetary X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) began in 1960 when W. Parish proposed an XRD instrument for deployment on the moon. The instrument was built and flight qualified, but the Lunar XRD program was cancelled shortly before the first human landing in 1969. XRF chemical data have been collected in situ by surface landers on Mars (Viking 1 & 2, Pathfinder) a...

Introduction: Extraterrestrial sample return missions have been undertaken (Stardust and Genesis) and are being planned for Mars (Mars Sample Return, 2025). One of the major objectives of the latter is the search for traces of life. It will be important to start searching for traces of life during the preliminary examination stages while returned samples are still stored in their original conta...

Along with the increasing importance of material and surface analysis by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) in the soft X-ray range, the need for standard-free quantitication modes has grown. Here, improving the knowledge of accurate values of the fluorescence yields for photon energies below 2 keV becomes a major task. For this purpose, an irradiation chamber was built by the Physikali...

The accuracy, repeatability and detection limits of the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer used in this study were tested to verify its suitability for rapid screening of cadmium in samples. Concentrations of cadmium in rice grain samples were tested by the XRF spectrometer. The results showed that the apparatus had good precision around the national limit value (0.2 mg/kg)...

Patients with Graves' disease can be medically prepared before surgery in different ways, which may have various effects on iodine stores. Thyroid specimens were collected at surgery from two patients pretreated with propylthiouracil (PTU) and stable iodine, respectively. A quantitative analysis of iodine content was performed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in frozen tissue and a qualitative an...

The application of ultrafiltration for milk concentration allows obtaining a raw material for yoghurt elaboration, with total solids increased. The products have special characteristics due to different ratios proteins/lactose can be obtained, as well as they have nutritional properties with beneficial effects in human health. In this study the content of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, ...

Neural networks are shown to be useful as emplncal mathematical models m the calculation of quantltatlve analytical results, gvmg sufflclent accuracy to compete successfully with various common cahbratlon procedures. The performance of these neural-network models for cahbratlon data from x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was evaluated for two trammg methods, 1 e , backward error propagation...

A study was undertaken to determine if laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can be a practical and competitive alternative to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) methods for lead-in-paint inspection. Experiments in the laboratory confirmed that LIBS is suitable for detecting lead in paint at the hazard levels defined by federal agencies. Although we compared speed, function and cost, fundamental di...