Experiments with Synchrotron Radiation for Modern Environmental and Industrial Applications

Closed for Proposals

Project Type

Coordinated Research Project

Project Code

G42005

CRP

1917

Approved Date

4 June 2013

Project Status

Closed

Start Date

4 April 2014

Expected End Date

14 April 2018

Completed Date

17 April 2019

Participating Countries

Egypt, Greece

Description

The CRP aims at expanding and strengthening the research capacity of Member States (MS) in multidisciplinary applications of synchrotron radiation based X-Ray Spectrometry (XRS) techniques. The Physics Section of the IAEA has recently developed and installed an experimental XRS facility as end-station at the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) beamline of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste (EST), Trieste, Italy. Under a cooperation agreement ?between the IAEA and EST, 40% of the beam time has been granted to the IAEA, accessible to end-users by the second semester of 2014. The IAEA multipurpose beamline end-station allows the synergistic application of various variants of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques such as, Grazing Incidence/Exit and Total Reflection XRF in combination with X-Ray Reflectometry (XRR) and X-Ray Absorption Spectrometry (XAS). ?Targeted applications refer to the characterization of modern nano-structured materials with relevance to energy storage and conversion technologies, micro- and nano-electronics, the investigation of environmental and biological samples, as well as non-destructive characterization of cultural heritage materials. The CRP will?connect large MS laboratories hosting synchrotron facilities with small but leading research groups in developing countries, whereas the CRP participants are expected to perform individual or collaborative experiments at the IAEA end-station at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste.?

Objectives

The overall objective of the CRP is to increase the quality and the competitiveness of MS research in the field of synchrotron radiation-based X-ray spectrometry methods. The CRP aims at expanding the know-how transfer and strengthening the research capacity of MS in development of novel structured materials and investigations of environmental and bio-chemical processes by enhancing the MS access to state-of-the-art synchrotron radiation X-ray based techniques. The obtained results and developed methodologies will be made available to other laboratories not participating in the CRP.

Specific Objectives

To foster the training of scientists and engineers on the operation of synchrotron beam lines and associated nuclear instrumentation

To provide beam time access for research and development projects implemented by MS

To?develop new methodologies and tools for characterizing nano-materials, environmental samples and processes, samples from the life science area, to explore new ideas for thin film analysis

To?employ synchrotron facilities for complementary X-ray based investigations by TXRF, GIXRF, XRF, XAFS and XRR methods of bio-related materials environmental and technological materials

To?perform hands-on training

To?promote and establish networking and knowledge sharing between scientists in synchrotron radiation-based advanced X-ray spectrometric techniques

Impact

The Impact of the CRP was that it brought together a great number of countries and a wide range of applications to the new end-station that had been developed by IAEA and installed and operated by Elettra. It succeeded in building a wide user base and good linkages around the world. The hardware and software were developed as were the techniques that could be attempted. It also helped several developing countries access this facility, including some associated with SESAME.

Relevance

Directly relevant to the Physics Section's promotion of research accelerators, specifically synchrotrons, but also relevant to our group's work with conventional XRF.

CRP Publications

Argentina

Conference

2017

“Elemental speciation of contaminated water using Total-Reflection RIXS/RRS”, José I. Robledo, Juan J. Leani, Andreas Karydas, Alessandro Migliori, Carlos Pérez and Héctor J. Sánchez, 27th Annual Users′ Meeting of the Brazilian Synchrotron Lght Laboratory (LNLS-RAU). 2017. Campinas, Brazil.