X-Ray Vision: What can you see?
It is not only the man of steel who can use x-ray vision to see inside things. X-ray Diffraction is used to probe the internal structure (atomic arrangement) of materials/compounds. Powder x-ray Diffraction is routinely used to identify crystalline compounds present in samples from a range of different sciences, e.g. chemistry, physics, earth sciences, materials science, pharmacy. This workshop will consist of background information on the topic of x-rays and diffraction as well as hands-on experience collecting powder x-ray diffraction data using a portable state-of-the-art diffractometer. This small instrument can be taken out and about to analyse samples in factories, at mine sites, up mountains or even to other planets. Bring along solid samples, e.g. rocks, soils, shells, powders from the baking cupboard and we will collect and analyse powder x-ray diffraction data to find out what crystalline phases are present; you could be surprised!

















