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Independent Study: Quantitative Handheld LIBS Helps Reveal the Story Behind Ancient Artifacts

Researchers studying artifacts from the Archaeological Park of Tindari in Sicily used a SciAps Z-903 handheld LIBS analyzer to move beyond simply identifying elements. They developed a chemometrics-assisted calibration capable of quantitatively determining major, minor, and trace elements in silica-based materials.

From Star Trek's Tricorder to the NICU: Broadband Spectroscopy Brings Science Fiction One Step Closer to Reality

Could broadband spectroscopy help transform the early detection of life-threatening diseases? Researchers recently used the ASD LabSpec 4 broadband spectrometer to identify the optical signatures of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease affecting premature infants. By combining high-resolution spectral data with machine learning, the team demonstrated a promising non-invasive approach that could one day lead to faster bedside screening.

Handheld XRF Analysis Reveals Ancient Ironmaking Technology in China's Benxi Region

Researchers publishing in Processes investigated the ironmaking technologies used in the Benxi region of China during the Ming Dynasty, revealing a sophisticated metallurgical process chain that flourished more than 600 years ago. To preserve valuable cultural artifacts, scientists employed the SciAps X-200 handheld XRF analyzer to perform non-destructive elemental analysis on unearthed iron agricultural tools and other historical materials.

Preventing Failure Before It Happens: X-550 Supports Aircraft Fatigue Study

Researchers publishing in the Journal of Vibration Engineering Technologies investigated the root cause of fatigue cracking in the oil cooler assembly of a trainer aircraft. The study combined fractographic analysis, shaker table testing, finite element modeling, and fatigue life prediction to identify stress concentrations responsible for crack initiation and to develop methods for improving component reliability.

Analyzing the chemical content of pine needles with SciAps XRF

Recent Advances in the Compositional and Mapping Analysis of Iron Meteorites Using Handheld LIBS

The results of this study have shown that the hLIBS analyses of the external surface of iron meteorites allows the rough identification of iron meteorites in conditions where internal, flat, or polished surfaces are unavailable, as may occur during material discovery in the field.

Independent Study: Testing spices for lead content in Türkiye and Ethiopia

LEEP conducted this analysis in the United Kingdom using the SciAps X-550 Pb, using a cut-off point of 5 ppm for signs of adulteration with lead pigment. We did not detect lead levels above 5 ppm in any of the 211 samples.

SciAps HH LIBS analyzer used to authenticate cheese and coffee beans

Independent Study: SciAps HH LIBS used in food authentication study in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy. The outcomes of the study indicate that the Hy-R-LIBS system, coupled with its chemometric strategies, might be employed for food authentication with promising results.

SciAps LIBS analyzer for food authentication and fingerprinting

Independent Study: Analytical approaches for food authentication using LIBS fingerprinting to address the issue of food fraud.

Smithsonian Utilizes LIBS Academic Loaner for Chinese Belt Hooks Study

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art recently utilized a SciAps LIBS analyzer through the Academic Loaner Program to conduct a study on their Chinese Belt Hook collection.

Rapid Analysis of Muscovites on a Lithium Pegmatite Prospect by Handheld LIBS

This study illustrates how in-field analysis by handheld LIBS can be used as an analytical tool in granite pegmatite exploration and for rapid prospect evaluation.

Handheld LIBS for Field Archaeology: Characterization of Roman Wall Mortars and Etruscan Ceramics

SciAps handheld LIBS was applied to two studies of archaeological material at excavation sites in the Orvieto (Umbria), Italy geographic region: Roman wall Mortars and Etruscan Ceramics. Study published in Applied Spectroscopy Practica.

Academic Loaner: Environmental soils in NJ parks with SciAps XRF

In Rutgers University, researchers used XRF to detect an exceedance of heavy metals in the soil of local parks.

Handheld LIBS for Lithium Exploration: An Example from the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt, USA

Finding a LIBS method for improved plant nutrition in grape production

LIBS targeted for 21st-century geoscience

Lewis Owen of North Carolina State University is using the SciAps Z-300 handheld LIBS instrument to analyze rock varnish on granite boulders in the Alabama Hills of east central California. Credit: Harmon and Senesi, 2021.[/caption]In a recent AGU article, Richard Sima discusses the potential of LIBS for illuminating the geosciences. From the three instruments on the Mars rovers to the handheld LIBS used for fieldwork on Earth, Sima discusses the benefits and limitations of the versatile instrument.

SciAps Instant Detection of Banned Fluorinated Ski Waxes with Handheld LIBS

Eight cross-country ski sections were evaluated in a blind study to determine if fluorine could be correctly identified.

In-field analysis of rock varnish with SciAps LIBS

This study investigated the chemical composition of rock varnish using SciAps Z-300 handheld LIBS to determine LIBS utility for three applications: elemental detection and identification, micro-chemical mapping, and subsurface compositional profiling. In situ LIBS analysis of rock varnish and visually similar coatings on granite outcrops and boulders across the Mojave Desert climatic region recognized the most abundant elements in rock varnish—Mn, Fe, Si, Al, Na, K, Mg, Ca and Ba, along with the primary spectral lines for H, Li, Ti, V, Sr and Rb.

SciAps LIBS test method for fluorine in food packaging

Brendan Connors, SciAps senior scientist, has used the handheld LIBS to analyze the presence of fluorine as a marker for the potential presence of PFAS in popular food packaging, including burgers, chips and popcorn.

Analysis of garnet by LIBS — two practical applications

This study evaluated two practical applications of handheld LIBS using SciAps Z-300—validation of labels assigned to garnets in museum collections, and discrimination of LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) and NYF (niobium, yttrium and fluorine) pegmatites based on garnet geochemical fingerprinting—both of which could be implemented on site in a museum or field setting with a handheld LIBS analyzer.

Advances in LIBS analysis for geology: A critical review

LIBS gives access to the most relevant elements; discrimination and sourcing of rocks or gems can be easily obtained; light elements are well detected at low level, and quantified in rocks; elemental LIBS mapping for strategic elements is of first interest.

Investigation of handheld LIBS in terms of heavy metal detection in contaminated soil

SciAps LIBS was used to perform heavy metals analysis in contaminated soil. Handheld LIBS simplifies the necessary qualitative and quantitative analysis and is faster than other conventional techniques.

Application of Handheld LIBS to Quantitative Analysis of Carbonate Minerals

Handheld LIBS is effectively applicable for in-field determination of carbonates and quantifying carbonate mixtures. The study achieved accurate results with limited sample pre-treatment and faster analyses than other conventional techniques.

Analyses of Li-Rich Minerals Using Handheld LIBS

Researchers used SciAps Z-300 LIBS to provide over 4,000 spectra on lithium-content materials, including minerals, powder pellets, and rocks. High resolution spectrometers combined with low detection limits for light elements make handheld LIBS a powerful option to detect critical elements. The LIBS spectra dataset combined with the Li content dataset can be used to obtain quantitative estimation of Li in Li-rich matrices.

Invited review: "Field-portable and handheld LIBS history, status and prospects"

SciAps LIBS is included in this invited review of field-portable and handheld LIBS instrumentation, from development history to new research and commercial applications.

Soil nutrient detection for precision agriculture with handheld LIBS

A new study using SciAps Z-300 LIBS shows handheld laser induced breakdown spectroscopy to be a promising sensor technique for the in-field determination of various soil parameters. The key to this new approach is moving LIBS out of the lab and to the work site. Read our interview with one of the German researchers advancing agricultural analysis.

Handheld LIBS used to measure beryllium in nuclear waste

The Difficult Waste Team at Los Alamos National Laboratory, contractor to the United States Department of Energy, recently demonstrated the use of handheld LIBS analyzers in elemental characterization of radioactive wastes.

First Gas uses SciAps LIBS for CE in pipeline repairs

Analyses of CRMs before and after the pipeline measurements shows excellent consistency with their respective data sheets. This indicates that the LIBS calibration is accurate and that the calibration is not drifting during the measurement period.

Optimisation of fast quantification of fluorine content using handheld LIBS

LIBS provides a multi-element detection that has been successfully used to quantify fluorine using either elementary or CaF molecular bands.

Technical Note: Handheld LIBS Provides a Fast and Easy Method to Trace Gold

A new study published as a Technical Note in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry (JAAS) demonstrates LIBS as a fast and easy method to trace gold provenance, a previously difficult but necessary task to ensure a responsible supply chain from deposit to consumer.

LIBS as an Emerging Analytical Tool for Mineral Exploration

A just-released publication in Minerals, in special issue Novel Methods and Applications for Mineral Exploration, the authors demonstrate how LIBS is ideally suited for field exploration programs that would benefit from rapid chemical analysis under ambient environmental conditions.

Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Uranium Using Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

In Applied Spectroscopy, Ben Manard and his Los Alamos National Laboratory colleagues use SciAps HH LIBS to quantify levels of REE in a uranium oxide matrix. Los Alamos personnel need a method to perform rapid chemical analysis in a nuclear facility.