X-ray Spectrometry / Ezine
Resisting resistance: Exposing sulfa drug mechanism
Date: Mar 15, 2012
Author: David Bradley
X-ray diffraction has been used to pin down the mode of action of the sulfa antibiotics, which were first used 70 years ago. The work could provide clues to developing a new generation of antibiotics that would have fewer side effects and could stave off bacterial drug resistance at least temporarily.
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Journal Highlight: PIXE-RBS survey of a Meissen porcelain snuff box: first version or not?
Date: Mar 12, 2012
Author:
The combination of proton-induced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry was used to make both bulk composition and surface characterization data simultaneously available, to study the provenance of a Meissen snuff box.
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Drugs enmeshed: Superhydrophobic slow delivery
Date: Feb 15, 2012
Author: David Bradley
X-ray computed tomography can be used to look closely at superhydrophobic polymer meshes. These experimental materials have been shown to trap drug molecules with a barrier of air between them and an external aqueous environment.
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Journal Highlight: Global and local hard X-ray tomography of a centimeter-size tumor vessel tree
Date: Feb 13, 2012
Author:
Adaptation of local tomography data using the global data has been demonstrated using two-parameter histogram matching of the radiographs, sinogram extension, and multi-parameter cupping correction.
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Recycling platinum: An ionic liquid solution
Date: Feb 1, 2012
Author: David Bradley
Analyses using energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction have been used to investigate the electrochemical dissolution of platinum in an ionic liquid. Given the high value of platinum metal and its widespread use in catalysts and fuel cells this discovery could fulfil the growing need for an efficient way to recycle the metal.
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Journal Highlight: Disputed discovery: the beginnings of X-ray diffraction in crystals in 1912 and its repercussions
Date: Jan 16, 2012
Author:
The discovery of X-ray diffraction is reviewed from the perspective of the contemporary knowledge in 1912 about the nature of X-rays, including the disputes between the principle players.
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Editor exposed: XRD provides evidence
Date: Jan 15, 2012
Author: David Bradley
A combination of traditional X-ray crystallography and computer-based model reported in the journal Science have uncovered the structure of an important gene-editing protein.
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Close packing: Flexible boost for electronics
Date: Jan 5, 2012
Author: David Bradley
US reserchers have found that packing organic semiconductors closer together can boost the materials' electrical conductivity. X-ray diffractions studies reveal structural details that take us one step closer to more efficient solar energy panels, better television and computer screens and perhaps even flexible electronic gadgets.
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Theoretical crystal: Density functional theory reveals amino acid structure
Date: Dec 15, 2011
Author: David Bradley
Is it possible to obtain a structure using solid-state density functional theory on powder X-ray diffraction data of molecular crystals when those molecules are too large and complex for conventional refinement methods? The approach has now been applied to obtain the true crystal structure of the amino acid L-phenylalanine.
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Journal Highlight: Evaluation of the utility of handheld XRF in meteoritics
Date: Dec 12, 2011
Author:
A handheld X-ray fluorescence instrument was tested in the hot desert of Oman while searching for meteorites and also in the laboratory while doing research on meteorites. Its main applications are the identification and classification of meteorites, the quantification of terrestrial elemental contamination (Sr and Ba) and detection of Mn-rich desert varnish.
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