Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is over, let’s look at the materials analysis involved in the sport. Just about anything you can imagine related to this championship competition involves an impressive amount of science. This includes the ball the players kick and the shoes they wear when kicking it, the grass upon which it rolls, and even the trophy awarded to the winners—Spain, in this instance. The ball was once an inflated animal bladder enclosed in stitched leather, which, as you might imagine, led to a great deal of variability in shape, weight and behavior. Modern match balls are carefully engineered multilayer structures incorporating polyurethane coverings, reinforcing fabrics, polymer foams and rubber bladders. Some are thermally bonded so their surfaces are smoother and more consistent. Designers test the panel geometry, seam depth, and surface texture in wind tunnels to see how air flows around the ball. Small design changes can alter drag, lift, and the stability of a shot in flight. Football shoes contain carbon-fiber-reinforced plates to make them lighter and stiffer. They must be resistant to heat, sweat, and repeated mechanical strain. The playing fields in the stadiums in Canada, the United States, and Mexico all had different climates, roof configurations, and pre-existing surfaces. Researchers spent years developing and testing grass systems that would provide reasonably consistent traction, firmness, bounce, and ball roll. The stadiums themselves are marvels of engineering, having to contend with weather, vibration, and enormous moving crowds. The trophy is made from 18-karat gold, an alloy of 75% gold and 25% of other materials, mostly silver and copper. Pure gold would be too soft for handling, transportation, and engraving. The alloy is harder while still looking like gold. However, it’s not solid, because it would weigh too much—approximately 70-80 kg—for players to hold over their heads in victory. Hollow, it’s a mere 6.2 kg. The green bands around the base are made of malachite—Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂ —which is relatively soft and can be easily cut and polished. Football may be called the beautiful game, but beneath the color and noise, it is also a remarkably well-engineered one.
Looking to start your day with some fresh air and good company?
The Rigaku Fun Run offers a fun and relaxed way to connect with fellow IUCr attendees outside the conference setting. Whether you prefer to run, jog, or walk, everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy an active, community-focused experience alongside colleagues from across the crystallography community. Participants will also receive a commemorative Fun Run T-shirt, a collectible item that has become a favorite tradition within the crystallographic community. Visit the event page for participation details and everything you need to know before the event.
How can mining operations improve profitability through more accurate and reliable elemental analysis?
This session explains how advanced XRF techniques deliver fast, precise, and consistent elemental analysis across mining workflows. Learn how WDXRF supports grade control and multi-element analysis, explore calibration methods for complex mineral samples, and discover best practices for pressed powder preparation. Through real-world examples involving copper and nickel concentrates, the session will also showcase how Quant Scatter FP improves calibration performance and enhances analytical accuracy across a wide range of concentrations.
Tube-above sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for industrial applications
Elemental analysis of solid samples
The ZSX Primus III NEXT delivers high-performance WDXRF analysis without the complexity and cost of features many industrial process control labs do not need. Purpose-built for automated process control, it focuses on reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation, helping users achieve consistent analytical performance while minimizing maintenance requirements.
Its robust tube-above design protects critical X-ray components from sample contamination, reducing downtime and ensuring dependable results. Combined with intuitive Guidance software that streamlines calibration, optimization, and maintenance, plus Pro Connect service for setup, SOP updates, and troubleshooting support, the ZSX Primus III NEXT provides a dependable solution for stress-free process control.
This new scanning wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer features Rigaku’s unique X-ray tube-above configuration and is built upon the successful ZSX Primus series platform.
Discover how X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) identifies the elements inside a material without damaging the sample. This video covers the basics of XRF, key analysis methods, different XRF technologies, and the advantages that make it a fast, accurate, and widely used tool across many industries.
March 10, 2026: Researchers have broken the temperature record for superconductivity at ambient pressure, a breakthrough that could eventually lead to more efficient ways to generate, transmit and store energy. The team achieved a transition temperature of 151 Kelvin under ambient pressure, the highest ever recorded for all the reported superconductors at ambient pressure since the discovery of superconductivity in 1911.
June 5, 2026:Researchers reported a catalytic process for converting plastic waste into jet-fuel-range hydrocarbons. The approach combines hydropyrolysis and hydrogenation using atomically dispersed ruthenium sites on cobalt-aluminum oxide. It is relevant to petroleum chemistry, polymer recycling, and the broader push to turn mixed plastic waste into higher-value fuels or feedstocks.
Cement is one of the most important materials for construction. Many kinds of hydraulic cements with various physical properties, including Portland cement, are produced by changing the composition of clinker minerals; therefore, it is important to control the chemical composition of cement products and interim products.
Silver naturally occurs in various ore and minerals, often as sulfides or chlorides or in combination with arsenic or antimony. A main source of silver is found in copper ore, as well as in copper-nickel, gold, lead, and lead-zinc ores. Silver and other precision metals are also reclaimed from tailing piles or other recycled ore materials that would previously be discarded. Therefore, the silver must often be measured at relatively low levels, as low silver levels can be considered profitable to extract.
Stress evaluation of crystalline polymers using X-ray diffractometry
By Akimitsu Nezu and Takuya Kikuchi
As the demand for environmental sustainability and energy conservation continues to grow, lightweight structural design has become increasingly important in transportation systems such as automobiles. Engineering plastics are being adopted as alternatives to steel because of their advantageous mechanical properties. However, residual stress introduced during molding can adversely affect structural stability, making quantitative evaluation essential. This study investigates the applicability of X-ray diffraction for evaluating residual stresses in polyacetal.
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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