Welcome

Thanks again to everyone who came by our booths at Materials Research Society (Boston), PEFTEC 2017 (Antwerp) and the American Geophysical Union (New Orleans) this month. It was great to see everyone and to have the chance to talk about our new and exciting products. In January, we invite members of the petroleum and petrochemical communities to come see us at the Gulf Coast Conference, Jan 17 – 18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Holiday season in New England by Kenichi Yaoita of Rigaku Innovative Technologies

This month's issue contains a Rigaku Journal article describing thickness and composition analysis of thin film samples using the FP method by XRF analysis. A second featured article discusses SmartLab SE system's compliance with regulations/guidelines related to electronic records and signatures (ER/ES).

Application papers are also included for EDXRF, WDXRF, and XRD. The book review covers electrification and its impact on society. This month's video covers "Envisioning Chemistry," a project whose aim is to make simple chemistry beautiful and features microscopy, high-speed and infrared footage of chemical transformations. Check out the news and papers sections at the bottom of the page for the latest developments in materials science.

R.C. Tisdale, Ph.D. – Editor

Featured Rigaku Journal Article Thickness and composition analysis of thin film samples using FP method by XRF analysis By Hikari Takahara, Rigaku Corporation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is an elemental quantification analysis method for inorganic and metallic compounds. Sample preparation is simple and does not require solid samples to be dissolved, as is necessary for wet chemical analysis techniques. The fundamental parameter (FP) method implements quantitative analysis without type standards. The XRF technique has been widely accepted not only for bulk analysis but for thin film analysis in plating and electronic materials. With the thin film FP method, the thickness and composition of a thin film can be simultaneously determined, and the software is able to handle even complex multilayers. This article explains the basic principles of XRF thin film analysis; the depth of an XRF measurement and an overview of the thin film FP method. Full article >

Featured Rigaku Article The SmartLab SE system complies with regulations/guidelines related to electronic records and signatures (ER/ES) By Akito Sasaki, Rigaku Corporation Manufacturing process and quality control departments in pharmaceutical companies are required to comply with regulations/guidelines such as FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU-GMP Annex 11, PIC/S GMP guidelines, etc. The ER/ES mode of the SmartLab SE system with SmartLab Studio II complies with these regulations/guidelines, and it properly and reliably assists you with analytical procedures and data management. Full article >

Featured Event 29th International Conference on Defects in Semiconductors (ICDS) Reported by Katsuhiko Inaba, Rigaku X-ray Research Laboratory, Rigaku Corporation ICDS is well known as one of the most influential international conferences to focus on research into the fundamental properties and applications of defects in semiconductor materials. This year's meeting had 279 participants from 32 countries. The scope of this conference covered a wide range of defect physics and technologies, such as the physics of defects in semiconductors like Silicon IV-IV, III-V (including nitrides) or II-VI (including functional oxides) compound semiconductors, defects in organic semiconductors, defects controlling device performance, advances in defect computational methods, etc. Full report >

XRD Application Note Characterization of a Next-Generation Magnetic Recording Media (FePt) by In-Plane X-ray Diffraction Rigaku Corporation As next-generation ultrahigh-density magnetic recording media, granular thin films in which metal microparticles are dispersed have been a focus of attention. Among these films, the regular phase (tetragonal crystal) of FePt has a particularly high magnetic anisotropy as well as good corrosion and oxidation resistances, so it is expected that it will be applied to actual devices. However, the irregular phase (cubic crystal) is created at the same time, depending on the filmforming conditions. For this reason, a technique to distinguish these crystalline phases at the nanoparticle and thin film level is required. For more >

XRD Application Note Evaluation of stress distribution of a shot peened coil spring in the depth direction by electrolytic polishing Rigaku Corporation Shot peening is a surface treatment method mainly used to improve the durability and reliability of metal parts. Materials such as iron and ceramics are shot at the surface of metal parts at high speed to create compressive residual stress, which improves fatigue strength and durability against stress corrosion. Shot peening is applied, for example, to metal parts on aircraft and automobiles, pressure vessels in chemical plants, etc., which are used continuously for a long time. Residual stress measurement by X-ray diffraction is the most common method to evaluate the effect of the shot peening process. For more >

WDXRF Application Note Analysis of Ultra Low Sulfur in Automotive Fuels According to ASTM D2622-10 by Sulfur Analyzer Micro-Z ULS Rigaku Corporation Recent developments in ultra low sulfur (ULS) fuel have improved fuel efficiency and created cleaner exhaust gases. Globally, the permitted sulfur limit in fuel oils has been decreased to 10 ppm in many countries and regions. For compliance verification, XRF spectrometry is the definitive analysis tool for use at distribution terminal and refineries, as well as mobile or stationary testing laboratories. In recent years, there has been an increasing need for an instrument which does not require the use of helium gas, for instances, when acquisition or delivery of helium to the analysis site is difficult. The Micro-Z ULS (ultra low sulfur) is a newly developed Sulfur analyzer which does not require helium gas in operation. For more >

EDXRF Application Note Analysis of Finished Portland Cement Applied Rigaku Technologies EDXRF is a simple analysis technique used in cement plants around the world. The technique is ideal for QA/QC throughout the cement production process. EDXRF can be used as a screening tool and a quality control analyzer to ensure proper composition of incoming feedstocks, raw meal mixture balances, addition of gypsum and throughout the manufacturing process. The EDXRF analyzer also makes an excellent backup instrument for the WDXRF analyzer used for final QC and certification. For more >

Book Review Simply Electrifying: The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk Reviewed by Jeanette S. Ferrara, MA A world without electricity would be a dark one indeed (both literally and figuratively). That's where Craig R. Roach starts Simply Electrifying: by asking the reader to imagine their world without the innumerable technologies that make our daily lives so much easier—technologies that predominantly run on electricity. Full review >

Material Analysis in the News News for December 2017 December 1, 2017. Dr. Riko Muranaka, of Kyoto University, was awarded the 2017 John Maddox prize for her work uncovering the pseudoscience at the heart of widespread fear in Japan about the HPV vaccine. The prestigious prize is awarded each year by the journal Nature, the Kohn Foundation, and the charity Sense about Science, to a person who promotes sound evidence in the face of hostility. December 7, 2017. Scientists at Japan's Institute of Industrial Science, at the University of Tokyo, have developed a new kind of semi-transparent solar cell, based on perovskite and nano-sized cubes of silver, with a conversion efficiency of around 10%. The new cell, the research group claims, is able to increase the "plasmonic antenna effect", which enhances the cell's light absorption ability and, as a result, its conversion efficiency. December 7, 2017. The U.N.';s forecast for global warming is about 15 percent too low, which means end-of-century temperatures could be 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than currently predicted, said a study released Wednesday. The prediction makes the already daunting challenge of capping global warming at "well under" 2.0°C (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) – the cornerstone goal of the 196-nation Paris Agreement – all the more difficult. December 11, 2017. Researchers at the Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), Chiba Institute of Technology and the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technologyhave have performed numerical simulations to explore the launch mechanism of Martian meteorites. According to the knowledge of shock physics, a strong shock compression higher than 50 GPa is required to accelerate Martian materials up to the escape velocity of Mars (5 km/s). In contrast, detailed analysis of Martian meteorites shows that they suffer only 30-50 GPa during the ejection. The researchers found that a material pileup in an excavation flow causes a significant velocity boost of materials near the surface without strong compression. This newly discovered "late-stage acceleration" could play an important role not only in the launch of Martian meteorites, but also in the context of the (Litho-) Panspermia. December 12, 2017. A group of scientists at Japan's RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science is developing a new quantum-mechanical process to extract current from solar cells in a more efficient way. The researchers have used ferroelectric organic molecules to solve the problem of the lack of 'inversion' symmetry of several semiconductor materials, as these spontaneously separate their positive and negative charges; a task that oxide ferroelectrics cannot achieve, because their atoms are flipped about the center of the repeating unit. December 13, 2017. New, unexpected paradigm discovered: Disorder may actually promote an exotic quantum state, with potential for ultrafast computing. An elusive state of matter—quantum spin liquid—may actually be enhanced rather than suppressed by disorder as seen in a compound that contains praseodymium, zirconium, and oxygen. December 17, 2017. A three-man astronaut crew featuring American and Japanese rookies and an experienced Russian cosmonaut blasted off Sunday for a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. This is the first space mission for Dr. Norishige Kanai, 41, formerly a diving medical officer with the Maritime Self-Defense Force. He is the 12th Japanese astronaut and the third doctor-turned-astronaut in Japan. During his stay, about 30 experiments will be conducted in Kibo, Japan's experimental module. Kanai will be in charge of crystallizing proteins and raising a mouse. He is also slated to release an ultrasmall satellite and conduct an experiment related to the field of materials science. December 18, 2017. Japanese researchers say they have developed a new type of glass that can heal itself from cracks and breaks. Glass made from a low weight polymer called "polyether-thioureas" can heal breaks when pressed together by hand without the need for high heat to melt the material. The research by researchers led by Professor Takuzo Aida from the University of Tokyo, promises healable glass that could potentially be used in phone screens and other fragile devices, which they say are an important challenge for sustainable societies. December 18, 2017. A team of Japanese researchers has developed a new approach for detecting cancer biomarkers in urine. Using a device constructed of nanowires, the scientists were able to net over a thousand types of microRNAs, which they then transferred to a commercial microarray platform for analysis. Given the high yield of miRNA markers they were able to isolate, the researchers believe the approach could be commercialized and introduced into routine cancer testing. December 19, 2017. Members of a research team from China's Bohai University and Northeastern University in Shengyang, and Japan's National Institute for Materials Science have combined rare-earth element nitrates with ammonia sulfates and hydrates and have synthesized a new luminescent powdery substance that can convert electricity into light.

Recent Scientific Papers of Interest Papers for December 2017 Recent Scientific Papers of Interest is a monthly compilation of material analysis papers appearing in recently released journals and publications. See below

Quick analysis of organic matter in soil by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and multivariate analysis. Morona, Franslley; Dos Santos, Felipe R.; Brinatti, André M.; Melquiades, Fábio L. Applied Radiation & Isotopes. Dec2017, Vol. 130, p13-20. 8p. DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.09.008.

Determination of trace elements in calcium rich carbonate rocks by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry for environmental and geological studies. Cherkashina, T.Yu.; Shtel'makh, S.I.; Pashkova, G.V. Applied Radiation & Isotopes. Dec2017, Vol. 130, p153-161. 9p. DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.09.038.

A valence-selective X-ray fluorescence holography study of an yttrium oxide thin film. Stellhorn, J. R.; Hosokawa, S.; Happo, N.; Tajiri, H.; Matsushita, T.; Kaminaga, K.; Fukumura, T.; Hasegawa, T.; Hayashi, K. Journal of Applied Crystallography. Dec2017, Vol. 50 Issue 6, p1583-1589. 6p. DOI: 10.1107/S1600576717012821.

Determination of demineralization depth in tooth enamel exposed to abusive use of whitening gel using micro-Energy Dispersive X ray Fluorescence. Pessanha, Sofia; Coutinho, Sara; Carvalho, Maria Luisa; Silveira, João Miguel; Mata, António. Spectrochimica Acta Part B. Dec2017, Vol. 138, p8-13. 6p. DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2017.10.001.

Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Mineral Water Using a Combined Preconcentration Technique. Oskolok, Kirill V.; Monogarova, Oksana V.; Alov, Nikolai V. Analytical Letters. 2017, Vol. 50 Issue 18, p2900-2907. 8p. 1 Color Photograph, 2 Charts, 2 Graphs. DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2017.1324468.

A distance correction method for improving the accuracy of particle coal online X-ray fluorescence analysis – Part 2: Method and experimental investigation. Zhang, Yan; Jia, Wen Bao; Gardner, Robin; Shan, Qing; Zhang, Xin Lei; Hou, Guojing; Chang, Hao Ping. Radiation Physics & Chemistry. Dec2017, Vol. 141, p235-238. 4p. DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2017.07.004.

Raman, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopies and Graphene Oxide Modified Screen Printed Electrodes to Identify the Pigments and Earth Present in Ancient Leather Samples. Valentini, Federica; Bicchieri, Marina; Calcaterra, Andrea; Talamo, Maurizio. Electroanalysis. Dec2017, Vol. 29 Issue 12, p2873-2881. 9p. DOI: 10.1002/elan.201700457.

X-ray diffraction and microstructure studies of gum Arabic-cement concrete. Elinwa, Augustine U; Umar, Mohammed. Construction & Building Materials. Dec2017, Vol. 156, p632-638. 7p. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.08.162.

Arrangement of GaN nanowires on Si(001) substrates studied by X-ray diffraction: Importance of silicon nitride interlayer. Wierzbicka, A.; Tchutchulashvili, G.; Sobanska, M.; Klosek, K.; Minikayev, R.; Domagala, J.Z.; Borysiuk, J.; Zytkiewicz, Z.R. Applied Surface Science. Dec2017, Vol. 425, p1014-1019. 6p. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.07.075.

Unravelling the electrochemical properties and thermal behavior of NaNi_2/3Sb_1/3O₂ cathode for sodium-ion batteries by in situ X-ray diffraction investigation. Dai, Hong; Yang, Chenghao; Ou, Xing; Liang, Xinghui; Xue, Hao; Wang, Wenxiang; Xu, Guofu. Electrochimica Acta. Dec2017, Vol. 257, p146-154. 9p. DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.10.072.

X-ray powder diffraction data and characterization of Mirabegron. Quintana Mendoza, Jose H.; Henao, J. A.; Aparicio, Andrea P.; Romero Bohorquez, Arnold R. Powder Diffraction. Dec2017, Vol. 32 Issue 4, p290-294. 5p. DOI: 10.1017/S0885715617001129.

Strain and Compositional Analysis of (Si)Ge Fin Structures Using High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction. Schulze, Andreas; Loo, Roger; Witters, Liesbeth; Mertens, Hans; Gawlik, Andrzej; Horiguchi, Naoto; Collaert, Nadine; Wormington, Matthew; Ryan, Paul; Vandervorst, Wilfried; Caymax, Matty. Physica Status Solidi (C). Dec2017, Vol. 14 Issue 12, pn/a-n/a. 7p. DOI: 10.1002/pssc.201700156.

The {110} reflection in X-ray diffraction of MXene films: Misinterpretation and measurement via non-standard orientation. Ghidiu, Michael; Barsoum, Michel W. Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Dec2017, Vol. 100 Issue 12, p5395-5399. 5p. 2 Graphs. DOI: 10.1111/jace.15124.

Hydration of MgO/SiO₂ and Portland cement mixtures: A structural investigation of the hydrated phases by means of X-ray diffraction and solid state NMR spectroscopy. Martini, Francesca; Tonelli, Monica; Geppi, Marco; Ridi, Francesca; Borsacchi, Silvia; Calucci, Lucia. Cement & Concrete Research. Dec2017, Vol. 102, p60-67. 8p. DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.08.029.

Investigation of collective dynamics of solvent molecules in nanofluids by inelastic x-ray scattering. Yano, Kazuhisa; Yoshida, Koji; Kamazawa, Kazuya; Uchiyama, Hiroshi; Tsutsui, Satoshi; Baron, Alfred Q.R.; Fukushima, Yoshiaki; Yamaguchi, Toshio. Journal of Molecular Liquids. Dec2017, Vol. 248, p468-472. 5p. DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2017.09.079.

Study of quasi-two- and three-dimensional ordered porous structures by means of small-angle X-ray scattering in the grazing incidence geometry. Dubitskiy, I.; Grigoryeva, N.; Mistonov, A.; Valkovskiy, G.; Sapoletova, N.; Grigoriev, S. Physics of the Solid State. Dec2017, Vol. 59 Issue 12, p2464-2475. 12p. DOI: 10.1134/S1063783417120137.

The modular small-angle X-ray scattering data correction sequence. Pauw, B. R.; Smith, A. J.; Snow, T.; Terrill, N. J.; Thünemann, A. F. Journal of Applied Crystallography. Dec2017, Vol. 50 Issue 6, p1800-1811. 11p. DOI: 10.1107/S1600576717015096.

Modeling the polarized X-ray scattering from periodic nanostructures with molecular anisotropy. Liman, Christopher D.; Germer, Thomas A.; Sunday, Daniel F.; Delongchamp, Dean M.; Kline, R. Joseph. Journal of Applied Crystallography. Dec2017, Vol. 50 Issue 6, p1677-1690. 13p. DOI: 10.1107/S160057671701408X.

Self-assembly of a binary mixture of iron oxide nanoparticles in Langmuir film: X-ray scattering study. Ukleev, V.; Dudnik, M.; Dubitskiy, I.; Khassanov, A.; Snigireva, I.; Konovalov, O.; Vorobiev, A. Materials Chemistry & Physics. Dec2017, Vol. 202, p31-39. 9p. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2017.08.069.

Spur energy distributions in liquid water using a generalized oscillator strength from inelastic X-ray scattering measurements. Karamitros, Mathieu; Mozumder, Asokendu. Radiation Physics & Chemistry. Dec2017, Vol. 141, p378-384. 7p. DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2016.11.014.