In last month’s quiz, we asked some tough XRF questions—here are the answers:
What’s one major advantage of WDXRF over ICP-MS for REE analysis?
WDXRF allows direct analysis of solid samples without the need for complex acid digestion or extraction steps required by ICP-MS. It also provides high throughput and good precision for major, minor, and trace elements.
What particle size is recommended when preparing pressed powder samples for accurate XRF analysis?
A particle size of less than 45 microns is recommended to ensure homogeneity and reduce matrix effects in pressed powder samples.
What does the scattering ratio correction improve in trace element analysis?
The scattering ratio correction improves the accuracy and precision of trace element measurements by compensating for matrix effects, particularly in heterogeneous geological materials.
In what situations might a loose powder cell be used instead of pressed powder?
A loose powder cell may be used when only a small amount of sample is available, or when a quick, semi-quantitative screening is needed without the time or equipment for pressing.
Yale University, in collaboration with Rigaku, is pleased to announce the Rigaku Symposium at Yale, taking place from Wednesday, May 28, to Thursday, May 29.
The symposium will feature seminars from researchers at Yale, the University at Buffalo, Bristol Myers Squibb, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Rigaku, highlighting the latest advancements in electron and X-ray diffraction and scattering.
An afternoon of hands-on training, including demonstrations of instrument capabilities and software applications, will also be offered.
SmartLab Studio II (SLS II) is the automation engine that powers the SmartLab multipurpose X-ray diffractometer. It transforms how you interact with XRD by guiding users in selecting the optimum configuration, aligning optics, and recommending best measurement conditions.
With SLS II, you don’t need to memorize complicated settings or worry about system alignment. The software’s built-in Guidance wizard asks what you want to measure and configures everything for you. It checks the current setup using intelligent sensors, suggests any necessary changes, automatically aligns the optics and sample, and starts collecting high-quality data—all with minimal input.
SLS II brings together automatic alignment, guided setup, and advanced data visualization into a single platform. It’s the key to making XRD faster, easier, and more accessible for every user in your lab.
Watch real-time scans from one experiment while simultaneously analyzing other data on the same desktop. Just one click switches from measurement to SLS II analysis modules with a simple flow-bar interface that will guide users through the analysis and reporting process. A wide variety of applications are available, including phase identification, reflectivity, residual stress, reciprocal space mapping, crystallite size analysis, lattice constants refinement, Rietveld analysis, ab initio structure determination, in-situ or operando, and cluster data analyses. Its comprehensive data visualization tools make both the data analysis and reporting less complicated.
Seamless operations from measurement to reporting by single software platform
Covers basic XRPD applications, e.g. qualitative, quantitative, crystallite size, Rietveld analysis, as well as advanced analysis, e.g. X-ray reflectivity, HRXRD, pole figure and PDF
Clustering analysis and Data Visualization supports various data treatments
Supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity
Network dongle provides software licenses maximum 10 PCs
Guidance function recommends system configuration and measurement conditions for best results
Component sensors for checking and ensuring the correct system configuration
Fully automated optics alignment
Advanced data visualization to display and navigate X-ray data with additional dimensions, such as XY mapping positions, temperature, humidity, charge/discharge state
Join us for the next MiniFlex Office Hour on May 9, 2025, at 1:30 PM CDT, a LinkedIn Live session where we’ll answer your real-time questions about the MiniFlex X-ray diffractometer. Hosted by Akhilesh Tripathi, X-ray Diffraction Application Manager, and Aya Takase, Head of Global Marketing Communications at Rigaku, this interactive session is your chance to connect, ask questions, and explore all things MiniFlex. Whether you're new to XRD or a longtime user, we welcome your insights.
This is just the beginning of a recurring series, so stay tuned for more opportunities to join the conversation. Drop your questions in the chat, and let’s talk XRD!
Dr. Rohan Khera, a data scientist and cardiologist, is using artificial intelligence technology created in his lab at Yale to find abnormalities in cardiovascular imaging scans that are invisible to the naked eye. We’ll learn about a variety of ways AI is being tailored to bring costly and invasive medical procedures to the general public, and what its limitations may be.
March 31, 2025: A collaboration between Northwestern University and Cemex has led to a greener cement production method using seawater electrolysis. This process generates calcium carbonate, the primary raw material for cement, while also producing hydrogen and oxygen gases, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of cement manufacturing.
April 4, 2025: Researchers have developed a reliable method to integrate two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials with dielectrics. This advancement could lead to the development of smaller, high-performance electronic components, enhancing the capabilities of various electronic devices.
April 10, 2025: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a significant change in drug development practices by initiating a phase-out of traditional animal testing. Instead, the agency plans to incorporate New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), which include artificial intelligence-based models and laboratory-engineered human organ-like structures. This move aims to enhance drug safety, reduce research and development costs, and ultimately lower drug prices. A pilot program will allow selected developers to test antibody-based drugs using NAMs, with insights informing future regulatory changes.
Standardless FP Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Cathode Material LiFePO₄ by ZSX PrimusIV
In recent years, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has increased significantly with the widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and energy storage systems (ESSs) aiming for carbon neutrality. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄), which is used as a low-cost and safe cathode material in LIBs, contains Fe as a major component. Because the composition of the electrode active material and trace impurities affect battery performance, the concentration of main components Li, Fe, P and trace impurities such as Cu, Na, Ca and Zn should be controlled. As a non-destructive elemental quantification method, X-ray fluorescence allows sample analysis for powders and electrode plates without complicated sample preparation such as acid digestion. In standardless FP analysis (SQX analysis)[1,2], qualitative scan analysis is run at first and then composition is calculated by the fundamental parameter (FP) method using X-ray intensities of detected elements and FP sensitivity libraries. Compositional calculation can be performed without preparing any standard samples and calibration curves. In this application note, SQX analysis was performed for cathode material LiFePO₄ to determine the concentration of Fe, P and trace components using the wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer ZSX Primus IV. In addition, applicability of the ZSX Primus IV was evaluated with reference to the Nonferrous Metals Industry Standard of the People’s Republic of China, YS/T 1028.5-2015[3], a standard for the chemical analysis of trace components in LiFePO₄ by using ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
Milled grains include wheat, corn, and rice, as well as rye, barley, oats, millet, and quinoa. Milled grains are used to make a variety of food from bread and pasta to cookies, cakes, and breakfast cereals. These milled grains are enriched with several vitamins and minerals to restore various vitamins and minerals lost during grain processing or to add extra vital minerals like iron and zinc. Raw materials and compounds are mixed in different proportions and formulations within a pre-mix to give the various nutrient qualities needed by many food producers. Accurate analysis is required for various nutrients, particularly iron and zinc, to meet FDA label claim regulations and other FDA sections within the US CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).
To meet this analytical need during production quality control, Applied Rigaku Technologies offers the Rigaku NEX DE EDXRF spectrometer for the fast and simple analysis of enrichment pre-mix powders. Rigaku EDXRF analyzers can also be used to analyze mineral nutrient elemental levels in finished food grain products that utilize pre-mixes as a basis for nutrient enhancement.
Analysis examples of micro area XY mapping using CBO-μ
XY mapping measurements to obtain physical values for your analysis purpose is one of the best ways to analyze the state distribution of a substance, the strength distribution of a material or a device, etc. The Data Visualization plugin in SmartLab Studio II provides various powerful features such as plotting physical parameters versus time or temperature, displaying XY mapping results, etc. This article describes the rich functions of the XY mapping display based on a number of analysis examples.
Small Crystals, Big Insights: How Electron Diffraction is Transforming Materials, Life Science, and Chemistry Research
Simple Electron Diffraction Workflow from Sample Prep to Structural Solutions
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 9:00 AM CDT
Ever wondered how much time and expertise is required to perform ED analysis, from sample preparation to structural solution?
In this session, we will walk through the complete electron diffraction process, including sample preparation, data collection, and structural analysis. We will explore how integrated hardware and software in a dedicated diffractometer streamline workflows, enhancing the efficiency of single-crystal structural solutions and making bulk powder analysis by ED a practical approach. Join us to learn more.
Are you looking for a faster, safer way to optimize your pharmaceutical process development with reliable elemental analysis?
In this session, we will explore how energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) can be a valuable asset in your pharmaceutical formulation development workflow. Our expert will walk you through the principles of EDXRF and demonstrate how it enables fast, accurate elemental analysis across raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. You’ll learn how EDXRF can help monitor catalyst residues like palladium, detect trace levels of toxic heavy metals, optimize product yield, and support regulatory compliance with 21 CFR Part 11. We will also showcase how advanced EDXRF analyzers deliver the sensitivity and precision needed to enhance safety and efficiency in pharmaceutical process chemistry. Join us to learn more.
The Opioid Matrix is a podcast for anyone looking for the latest information in the illegal drug supply chain—beginning to end. Each episode will feature a discussion with industry experts about the current opioid crisis, including drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, drug identification, drug addiction, as well as the role of government, law enforcement, new health and social programs, and more.
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