Welcome

Thanks again to everyone who came by our booths at the rescheduled Gulf Coast Conference (GCC in Houston) this month. It was great to see everyone and to have the chance to talk about our new and exciting products. In February, we invite our readers to visit us at The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Pittcon 2018, booths 2000 – 2002 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida).

Rigaku Corporation saw the heaviest snowfall it's had in years (pictures by Masayuki Watanabe)

This month's issue contains two Rigaku Journal articles that provide an introduction to X-ray analysis using the diffraction method and another that provides insight into liquid sample preparation for XRF analysis.

Application papers are also included for thermal analysis (TA), Raman spectroscopy, EDXRF, WDXRF, and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCX). The book review covers a variety of interesting topics while this month's video covers "The Delicious Chemistry of Sushi," an educational experience that everyone should find appetizing. 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 Introduction to X-ray analysis using the diffraction method By Hideo Toraya, Rigaku Corporation This article has been written for the people who are beginning X-ray analysis of crystalline powder samples using the diffraction method. In X-ray powder diffraction measurements, so-called an X-ray diffraction pattern is recorded, in which many peaks called diffraction lines queue on the abscissa calibrating the diffraction angle. Full article >

Featured Rigaku Journal Article Sample preparation for X-ray fluorescence analysis VII. Liquid sample By Takao Moriyama and Atsushi Morikawa, Rigaku Corporation We discussed the features of X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), which is a quick and non-destructive analysis method for liquid, solid and powder samples in the previous issues. In this paper, analysis examples of liquid samples are shown. Careful attention is required for handling of liquid sample, because there are many kinds of liquids, such as water solution, organic solvent, oil, etc., and each one has various kinds of properties, such as acid, alkaline, etc. In this issue, an analysis method for liquid samples by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WDX) is discussed. Full article >

Thermal Analysis (TA) Application Note Rapidly discriminative of thermal decomposition analysis for several Nylons Rigaku Corporation Nylon is polyamide which includes the multiple monomers combined due to amide bond. To study thermal decomposition of three typical Nylon resins which have similar structure, we employed the skimmer-type TG-DTA-PIMS, photoionization mass spectrometer, which can be used to characterize the evolved gases in real time and to discriminate easily for each Nylon. For more >

Raman Application Note Presumptive Field Testing for Narcotics, Explosives and Chemical Warfare Agents with Rigaku's Progeny ResQ Portable Raman Analyzer Rigaku Analytical Devices Raman spectroscopy is a well-established technique widely used in the pharmaceutical, chemical and safety and security areas. In safety and security environments, the use of portable Raman instruments has revolutionized the presumptive testing of narcotics and explosives. Overall, the use of portable Raman instruments has resulted in faster response times for on-site narcotics and explosives detection by first responders – helping them resolve potential hazardous situations rapidly and safely. For more >

WDXRF Application Note Semi-Quantitative Analysis for Geological Samples Rigaku Corporation Requirement of quick determination of elements in geological samples has been increasing for industries, environment and earth science. They are, for example, exploration of resource, operation of mining, discrimination of contaminated materials hazardous to environment and human health and characterization for geochemical profiling. For more >

EDXRF Application Note On-line Sulfur in Heavy Oils Applied Rigaku Technologies On-line, real time X-ray Transmission (XRT) measurement of sulfur (S) in heavy or light oils to satisfy the needs of refineries, pipelines, blending operations, bunkering terminals and other storage facilities. Applications include bunker fuel blending to meet MARPOL Annex VI sulfur restrictions, interface detection of different grade fuels delivered via pipelines, refinery feedstock blending and monitoring, diesel/kerosene blending or production, and the quality monitoring of crude at remote collection and storage facilities. For more >

Small Molecule Application Note Absolute Structure of L-Alanine Rigaku Oxford Diffraction Determining the absolute structure of light-atom organic molecules is a developing field with several research groups working on novel statistical methods in data refinement. All of these methods require precise experimental determination of very small differences in the intensities of related reflections. With high-intensity sources and ultra-sensitive, low noise detectors coupled with efficient data collection strategies, Rigaku Oxford Diffraction's microfocus SuperNova X-ray diffractometer is well suited to this field. For more >

Book Reviews Artemis by Andy Weir; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; and Origin by Dan Brown Reviewed by Joseph Ferrara, Ph.D. For this issue I have some holiday reading selections. Read reviews >

Material Analysis in the News News for January 2018 January 2, 2018. SEMI announced the appointment of Masahiko (Jim) Hamajima as president of SEMI Japan. Reporting to SEMI president and CEO Ajit Manocha, Hamajima assumes profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for SEMI Japan and leadership of SEMICON Japan along with all regional programs, events, and initiatives including SEMI Standards and industry advocacy. January 7, 2018. A Japanese start-up company says it has developed the technology to produce bendable light-emitting diode (LED) screens, a development that could revolutionize the way information is presented. PI-Crystal Inc., an entrepreneurial spinoff from the University of Tokyo, said that the LED panel it developed can bend freely like a curtain. January 9, 2018. A collaborative research team has designed a wearable robot to support a person's hip joint while walking. The team, led by Minoru Hashimoto, a professor of textile science and technology at Shinshu University in Japan, published the details of their prototype in Smart Materials and Structures, a journal published by the Institute of Physics. January 12, 2018. NIMS researcher Katsuhiko Ariga receives the STAM Best Contribution Award 2017 for his efforts and dedication in the publication of the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM). Supramolecular chemistry and surface scientist, Katsuhiko Ariga has made important contributions to the publication of STAM. January 17, 2018. Researchers in Japan have demonstrated that that moss can be a green alternative for decontaminating polluted water and soil. Their study shows that the moss Funaria hygrometrica tolerates and absorbs an impressive amount of lead (Pb) from water. January 19, 2018. Overall, science funding is on a good trajectory. In 2005, global R&D spending was just under a trillion dollars; by 2015, it had cleared $2 trillion. In total, 75 percent of that is spent in 10 nations; in order of spending, these are the United States, China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, France, India, and the United Kingdom. January 22, 2018. An international team of scientists, in conjunction with Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan, has produced the first high-powered, randomly polarised laser beam with a "Q switch" laser, which typically emits pulses of light so brief that they're measured in nanoseconds. January 23, 2018. The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Basic Sciences category goes, in this tenth edition, to Jordanian-American chemist Omar Yaghi, "for his pioneering work in the conception and synthesis of new crystalline materials, MOFs and COFs, of major impact in science and engineering," with potential applications that extend to "the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) and trapping water molecules in air to produce water for drinking." January 25, 2018. Until now, the metamaterials used to create tunable color from structural geometry have been based on metals. Although effective in achieving high resolutions, metallic materials suffer from inherent energy losses at visible wavelengths, which makes optimizing color purity challenging. By comparison, the resonance of silicon materials enables high reflectance and purity. A trio of researchers at Osaka University recently demonstrated precise color control using monocrystalline silicon.

Recent Scientific Papers of Interest Papers for January 2018 Recent Scientific Papers of Interest is a monthly compilation of material analysis papers appearing in recently released journals and publications. See below

Who's Who in Mineral Names: Max von Laue and the Discovery of X-ray Diffraction by Crystals (1879–1960). Neumeier, Günther. Rocks & Minerals. Jan/Feb2018, Vol. 93 Issue 1, p74-80. 7p. DOI: 10.1080/00357529.2018.1383834.

Elucidating the Crystal Structure of DL-Arginine by Combined Powder X-ray Diffraction Data Analysis and Periodic DFT-D Calculations. Hughes, Colan E.; Boughdiri, Ines; Bouakkaz, Clément; Williams, P. Andrew; Harris, Kenneth D. M. Crystal Growth & Design. 1/3/2018, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p42-46. 5p. DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.7b01412.

Mechanism of Action of TiF₄ on Dental Enamel Surface: SEM/EDX, KOH-Soluble F, and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis. Comar, Lívia P.; Souza, Beatriz M.; Al-Ahj, Luana P.; Martins, Jessica; Grizzo, Larissa T.; Piasentim, Isabelle S.; Rios, Daniela; Buzalaf, Marília Afonso Rabelo; Magalhães, Ana Carolina. Caries Research. Jan2018, Vol. 51 Issue 6, p554-567. 14p. 3 Black and White Photographs, 2 Charts, 4 Graphs. DOI: 10.1159/000479038.

X-ray Diffraction and Rietveld Refinement in Deferrified Clays for Forensic Science. Prandel, Luis V.; Melo, Vander de F.; Brinatti, André M.; Saab, Sérgio da C.; Salvador, Fábio A. S. Journal of Forensic Sciences (Wiley-Blackwell). Jan2018, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p251-257. 7p. DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13476.

Gaseous detectors for energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Veloso, J.F.C.A.; Silva, A.L.M. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A. Jan2018, Vol. 878, p24-39. 16p. DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.011.

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the direct multi-element analysis of dried blood spots. Marguí, E.; Queralt, I.; García-Ruiz, E.; García-González, E.; Rello, L.; Resano, M. Spectrochimica Acta Part B. Jan2018, Vol. 139, p13-19. 7p. DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2017.11.003.

Use of Monte Carlo Simulation as a Tool for the Nondestructive Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) Spectroscopy Analysis of Archaeological Copper-Based Artifacts from the Chalcolithic Site of Perdigões, Southern Portugal. Bottaini, Carlo E.; Brunetti, Antonio; Montero-Ruiz, Ignacio; Valera, Antonio; Candeias, Antonio; Mirão, José. Applied Spectroscopy. Jan2018, Vol. 72 Issue 1, p17-27. 11p. DOI: 10.1177/0003702817721934.

Determination of effective atomic numbers and mass attenuation coefficients of samples using in-situ energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Zhang, Qingxian; Guo, Yinglei; Bai, Haitao; Gu, Yi; Xu, Yang; Zhao, Jiankun; Ge, Liangquan; Peng, Yi; Liu, Jun. XRS: X-ray Spectrometry. Jan/Feb2018, Vol. 47 Issue 1, p4-10. 7p. DOI: 10.1002/xrs.2799.

Size-resolved analysis of fine and ultrafine fractions of indoor particulate matter using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and electron microscopy. Hamdan, Nasser M.; Alawadhi, Hussain; Jisrawi, Najeh; Shameer, Mohamad. XRS: X-ray Spectrometry. Jan/Feb2018, Vol. 47 Issue 1, p72-78. 7p. DOI: 10.1002/xrs.2813.

Observation of non-basal slip in Mg-Y by in situ three-dimensional X-ray diffraction. Huang, Zhonghe; Wang, Leyun; Zhou, Bijin; Fischer, Torben; Yi, Sangbong; Zeng, Xiaoqin. Scripta Materialia. Jan2018, Vol. 143, p44-48. 5p. DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2017.09.011.

Internal stresses and carbon enrichment in austenite of Quenching and Partitioning steels from high energy X-ray diffraction experiments. Allain, Sébastien Yves Pierre; Gaudez, Steve; Geandier, Guillaume; Hell, Jean-Christophe; Gouné, Mohamed; Danoix, Frédéric; Soler, Michel; Aoued, Samy; Poulon-Quintin, Angeline. Materials Science & Engineering: A. Jan2018, Vol. 710, p245-250. 6p. DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2017.10.105.

Radial X-ray diffraction study of the static strength and texture of tungsten to 96 GPa. Xiong, Lun; Li, Bin; Tang, Yumei; Li, Qiang; Hao, Jiabo; Bai, Ligang; Li, Xiaodong; Liu, Jing. Solid State Communications. Jan2018, Vol. 269, p83-89. 7p. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2017.10.016.

Small-angle X-ray scattering tensor tomography: model of the three-dimensional reciprocal-space map, reconstruction algorithm and angular sampling requirements. Liebi, Marianne; Georgiadis, Marios; Kohlbrecher, Joachim; Holler, Mirko; Raabe, Jörg; Usov, Ivan; Menzel, Andreas; Schneider, Philipp; Bunk, Oliver; Guizar-Sicairos, Manuel. Acta Crystallographica. Section A, Foundations & Advances. Jan2018, Vol. 74 Issue 1, p1-13. 13p. DOI: 10.1107/S205327331701614X.

Thermal shrinkage and microscopic shutdown mechanism of polypropylene separator for lithium-ion battery: In-situ ultra-small angle X-ray scattering study. Xiong, Bijin; Chen, Ran; Zeng, Fangxinyu; Kang, Jian; Men, Yongfeng. Journal of Membrane Science. Jan2018, Vol. 545, p213-220. 8p. DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.10.001.

Large-scale reverse Monte Carlo analysis for the morphologies of silica nanoparticles in end-modified rubbers based on ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering data. Hagita, Katsumi; Tominaga, Tetsuo; Sone, Takuo. Polymer. Jan2018, Vol. 135, p219-229. 11p. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.12.018.