BioTools Magazine from QDUKI

Edition No. 1

NEXT-GEN BIOTOOLS High-Tech Instrumentation for Bio Applications

MODERN BOTANY WITH XRF Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Soft Biological Tissues

Focus On: FORENSICS Correlative Microscopy for Life Sciences Applications

Interview: HANS ARWIN world leader in spectroscopic ellipsometry research ELLIPSOMETRY SUCCESS AT BOSTON SCIENTIFIC BIOMEDICAL DEVICES

CASE STUDY: Swedish Geological Survey

02

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

FOREWORD Welcome to the first issue of NextGen BioTools, the new magazine from Quantum Design UK and Ireland dedicated to showcasing

the

latest

advances

in

high-tech

scientific

instrumentation for life science and biomedical research. Our mission is to highlight the tools, techniques, and success stories that are shaping the future of biological discovery, from fundamental

plant

science

to

cutting-edge

medical

applications.

In this issue, we explore the unexpected intersections of biology and technology. Discover how XRF analysis is revolutionising modern botany, offering fresh perspectives on plant physiology and adaptation. We are proud to feature an interview with Hans Arwin, a world leader in spectroscopic ellipsometry, who shares insights from decades of pioneering research.

We also examine correlative microscopy for life sciences, where advanced

imaging

techniques

are

enabling

scientists

to

uncover biological complexity with unprecedented detail. A case study from the Swedish Geological Survey demonstrates how instrumentation designed for earth sciences can unlock biological knowledge, while Boston Scientific shares its journey using ellipsometry to drive success in biomedical device development.

NextGen BioTools celebrates innovation, collaboration, and the transformative role of instrumentation in bioscience.

Dr. Luke Nicholls TECHNICAL SALES MANAGER

Contents

Highlights CORRELATIVE MICROSCOPY FOR LIFE SCIENCES APPLICATIONS

NANOSCALE CHEMICAL IMAGING OF SOFT BIOLOGICAL TISSUES

Focus On: FORENSICS ELLIPSOMETRY SUCCESS AT BOSTON SCIENTIFIC, CLONMEL Interview: HANS ARWIN

world leader in spectroscopic ellipsometry research in biological material applications

MODERN BOTANY WITH XRF

4-

Foreword

5-

Correlative Microscopy for Life Sciences Applications

6-

Correlative in-situ Analysis of Bone Collagen

8-

Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Soft Biological Tissues

12 -

Focus On: FORENSICS

19 -

Ellipsometry for Biomedical Devices

20 -

Ellipsometry Success at Boston Scientific, Clonmel

22 -

INTERVIEW: HANS ARWIN world leader in spectroscopic ellipsometry research in biological material applications

26 -

Illuminating the Process of Biomineralisation in Baby Teeth

31 -

X-rays in Life Sciences

32 -

Modern Botany

34 -

Agriculture

36 -

Geology Applications

37 -

CASE STUDY: Swedish Geological Survey

Correlative Microscopy for Life Sciences Applications Combining high-resolution SEM and state-of-the-art AFM you can easily characterise Nanostructures such as nanowires, 2D-materials, and nanoparticles. FusionScope gives you full control to locate the Nanostructures and perform the measurements of your choice.

Easy to use Correlative AFM with SEM Microscopy Platform Combine the complementary strengths of AFM and SEM like never before! The FusionScope fully integrates a wide range of advanced AFM measurement techniques with the benefits of SEM imaging. Seamlessly image your sample, identify areas of interest, measure your sample, and combine your imaging data in real time.

Discover the FusionScope

05

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

APP NOTES AND ARTICLES ON LIFE SCIENCES OVERVIEW Using FusionScope in Life Science applications allows you to acquire the nanoscale morphology of biological samples accurately and easily. Especially for hard-to-reach sample areas or very small features, FusionScope allows you to characterise physical properties such as 3D topography, stiffness, and adhesion with the highest precision.

CHARACTERISE SUB-WAVELENGTH PARTICLES USING AFM AND ENERGY DISPERSIVE SPECTROSCOPY (EDS) ALONG WITH PROFILE VIEW Modes: SEM, AFM Topography and Phase, EDS Sample: Superparamagneti c Particles

DISCOVER PROPERTIES OF HARD-TO-REACH SAMPLE AREAS USING ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY Mode: AFM Topography Sample: Bone FusionScope offers a fast and easy identification and imaging of the lacunae structures.

Read the Article

EASILY LOCATE AND IMAGE DIATOMS ON A SEASHELL SURFACE

Fig 1. Topography and phase images of a particle (600 x 600 nm with 600 x 600 pixels in the x- and yaxis). The surface roughness (RMS) shown by the dashed square (250 x 250 nm) on the image above is 25.01 nm

The topography and phase data from the AFM permit high-resolution inspection of the particle surfaces. We then use the correlated coordinate system and correlative in-situ measurement modes to capture relational AFM and SEM data. Higher-resolution AFM images from a single particle are shown in Figure 1.

Finding particular particles of this size to take AFM data would be extremely difficult without FusionScope's correlated coordinate system and Read the Article Profile View.

Mode: AFM Topography, SEM Sample: Seashell

Fig 1. SEM image of seashell surface in profile view with cantilever tip

Fig 2. SEM image of diatom structure on seashell surface

For this example, we use carboxyl (COOH) group functionalised magnetic particles as a model system to demonstrate FusionScope’s imaging capability. The FusionScope allows us to image the particle’s surface with picometer resolution. The wide field of view of the SEM is employed to localise particles for AFM imaging.

Fig 3. 3D AFM topography image of diatom surface

Diatoms are fascinating unicellular organisms that make up a significant amount of the Earth's biomass. In this application we used the power of correlative microscopy to locate diatoms on the surface of a seashell using the high-resolution of the FusionScope SEM. With Profile view you can easily position the AFM cantilever tip on a diatom structure of your choice and perform a 3D topography analysis.

06

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Correlative in-situ Analysis of Bone Collagen Fast and easy identification and imaging of lacunae with AFSEM® : Real 3D topography with sub-nm resolution Bone tissue is continuously remodeled through the concerted actions of bone cells. Whereas osteoblasts synthesise the bone matrix and are responsible for its mineralisation, osteoclasts break down bone matrix.

The third cells, osteocytes, are inactive osteoblasts that have become trapped within the bone they have formed.

The small space containing the osteocyte is called lacuna. When the tissue is dead, the lacuna topography gives information about the osteocyte that occupied it before.

This is particularly advantageous when the sample is extremely difficult to reach with the AFM cantilever as in the case of bovine vertebra.

AFSEM® combines the strengths of both SEM and AFM for a quantitative analysis of bone structure.

SEM’s large field of view enables identifying lacunae in bone tissue and the precision of the SEM is used for positioning the cantilever directly onto lacunae.

Correlative AFM/SEM microscopy allows for complementary SEM and AFM topography information of lacunae and collagen fibres. Real 3D representation of the topography can be used for analysing collagen fibres with high resolution.

Quantitative analysis of the AFSEM® data reveals characteristic 67 nm periodic banding pattern on collagen fibres with sub-nm resolution.

The cross-section of the banding pattern shows a corrugation height of 3 nm.

In summary, AFSEM® is the solution of choice to obtain correlative AFM/SEM microscopy analysis. It accepts any sample that fits the SEM/FIB. SEMguidance makes the identification and cantilever positioning even on very complicated samples very easy.

AFSEM® enables quantitative 3D analysis of features with sub-nm resolution.

Interactive correlative in-situ SEM and AFM analysis Identify your region of interest fast and easily Quantitative 3D topography with sub-nm resolution Discover the AFSEM nano

AFSEM® positioned above the bone sample mounted on the SEM stage

AFSEM® ensures SEM-guided easy identification and cantilever positioning on lacunae in bone structure and enables complementary SEM and AFSEM® 3D topography information of lacunae and collagen fibres. sample courtesy : Prof. G. E. Fantner, (EPFL)

AFSEM® enables quantitative 3D analysis of collagen fibres with sub-nm resolution.

08

NANOSCALE CHEMICAL IMAGING OF SOFT BIOLOGICAL TISSUES Exploring the capability of PiFM on fixed human skin samples that were penetrated by topically applied dexamethasone and show that there is similarly a good correlation between XAS microscopy and PiFM, with PiFM offering much higher spatial resolution.

09

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

A cross-section of prepared skin slices of 300 nm thickness was deposited on a Si3N4 window for XAS microscopy; the same area was then subsequently analysed by PiFM. Given the FTIR spectrum of dexamethasone (Fig. 1a), PiFM images were acquired at 1708 cm−1 and 1559 cm−1 to highlight dexamethasone molecules and corneocytes (via amide II band), respectively; amide I band was avoided since dexamethasone has a strong absorption at around 1660 cm−1.

PiFM images for dexamethasone and corneocytes were colored to red and green, respectively, and combined to map the two different components; the resulting chemical map is shown in Fig. 1b (top) and compared to the X-ray transmission image (below) at 530.2 eV, the maximum absorption energy for dexamethasone. From both PiFM and X-ray transmission images, we can see that the drug is primarily concentrated toward the top region of the stratum corneum, highlighted by the black rectangular box; this result is similar to previous work on X-ray microscopy *.

*[REF: K. Yamamoto et al., Eur. J. Pharm.

Biopharm. 18, 30 (2017)].

Fig 1. FTIR spectrum of dexamethasone; (b) combined PiFM images (top) acquired at 1708 cm−1 for dexamethasone (red) and at 1558 cm−1 for corneocytes (green) and X-ray transmission image of the same region. Region A is further investigated by PiFM in Figure 2.

08

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

10

Fig 2. Detailed view on the stratum corneum of fixed human skin: (a) AFM topography visualising the structure of corneocytes; (b) chemical PiFM contrast related to amides probed at 1558 cm−1; (c) PiFM contrast related to dexamethasone at 1708 cm−1; (d) two PiFM images combined to map chemical components.

Figure 2 shows PiFM images at higher magnification along with the topography. The top images (12 mm × 12 mm) show the stratified structure of the stratum corneum clearly in all imaging modes; the bottom portion of these images coincide with the region A defined in Fig. 1b. Fig. 2c shows clearly how the drug is concentrated in the uppermost layer of the stratum corneum as seen in Fig. 1. The bottom row of images (3 mm × 3 mm) in Figure 2 zoom into the Credit: The samples were provided by E. Rühl, regionBerlin defined by white boxes in the Freie Universität (Germany). top images.

To discuss your application or upcoming research project, get in touch with our Technical Director, Dr. Shayz Ikram.

Call (01372) 378822 Email shayz@qd-uki.co.uk

Figure 2b’ shows that no amide II signals are seen in between the corneocytes, most likely due to the thin lipid lamellae that are known to occur between the corneocytes.

However, Fig. 2c’ shows that the topically applied drug penetrates into these lipid lamellae between the corneocytes and fills them partially; this is even more clearly visible in Fig. 2d’ (combined PiFM image, red for dexamethasone and green for corneocytes), which is magnified by 2X for easier observation.

THE ORIGINAL PIF MICROSCOPE FOR

NANO‑IR CHEMICAL

ANALYSIS

Molecular Vista “Vista One” PiF Microscope Nano IR Microscope and Spectrometer Vista One makes nanoscale chemical maps and point spectra with more detail than FTIR or nanoFTIR. Characterise at the highest resolution.

Discover the Vista One

12

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Focus on

Forensics

13

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

X-ray Fluorescence for Forensics Not only is XRF a non-destructive technique, it requires essentially no sample preparation. The ATLAS from IXRF Systems is a small spot µ-XRF unit which is capable of analysing extremely small samples down to 10 microns or scanning a small area of interest. µ-XRF is especially useful for analysing trace levels of elements in the ppm range, which can mean differentiation where other techniques falter or it could add to the weight of the evidence by showing samples cannot be differentiated.

ATLAS can be used to analyse a wide variety of sample types, including but not limited to: glass chips, rubber, paint, soil/geological material, metals, money/coins, glitter, and more.

ATLAS is the only µ-XRF unit that has software that automatically processes and presents data according to the specifications in the ASTM method: “ASTM E2926-13 Forensic Comparison of Glass using Micro-XRF Spectrometry”.

The use of the software eliminates potential sources of human introduced error within the numerical data.

Spectrum of NIST 610 Glass Standard 200 - 300ppm levels

Discover the ATLAS

IXRF ATLAS M : micro XRF Spectrometer The 5 micron advantage With the smallest X-ray spot in the industry at 5 μm, this unique XRF microscope is optimised for analysis speed without compromising accuracy.

To discuss your application or area of research, please get in touch with our Sales Manager, Dr. Luke Nicholls.

Call (01372) 378822 Email luke@qd-uki.co.uk

Painting analysis ATLAS is a very powerful tool capable of single or multi-spot analysis as well as elemental mapping to identify location of elements within a sample. This is extremely useful for paint chip/layer analysis.

Metal comparison XRF can help distinguish between two very closely related steel standards by comparing trace levels of elements.

Shrapnel from a pipe bomb scene could be compared to metal shavings found in a suspect’s garage.

Tyre rubber Identify trace elemental similarities or differences between tyre mark and tire. Scrapings from a tyre mark at a hit and run scene can be compared to a suspect vehicle.

Soil analysis XRF can easily identify differences between common potting soil and contaminated soil. Soil found from a shoe print at a crime scene can potentially indicate the suspect has been to or is from a specific region.

Due to the micron-sized spot of ATLAS different layers of paint chips are easily resolved not only elementally but also by comparative concentrations from one sample to the next. This can help differentiate closely related samples by the coating, paint, or base coat in any combination. ATLAS can also be used as a bulk spot size XRF for homogenous evidence materials such as soil, metals, or other unidentified materials.

15

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Cracking Cases with Light: How Hyperspectral Imaging Could Revolutionise Forensics

Analyse forensic evidence either in laboratory conditions or directly at the crime scene.

Hyperspectral imaging is a noncontact, non-destructive method that requires no sample preparation, ensuring the integrity of evidence.

A crime scene can hold a myriad of evidence – stains, marks, or residue.

It is for the forensic investigators to identify, gather and analyse the samples to help find out what happened.

To discuss your application or area of research, please get in touch with our Sales Manager, Dr. Luke Nicholls.

Call (01372) 378822 Email luke@qd-uki.co.uk

Crime Investigation Goes Mobile

While forensic science has made leaps and bounds in the past, could it still benefit further from the use of

hyperspectral imaging?

Several independent studies indicate that it could. There is room for improvement in the current crime scene investigation methods: while some of them use chemicals and therefore risk contaminating the sample, others require sending the samples for laboratory analysis, which takes time and money.

What is missing is a non-contact, non-destructive way to identify materials quickly, reliably, and on location.

Here are just a few examples of how hyperspectral imaging can improve forensic investigation methods.

Identifying Blood Stains A stain is found at the possible crime scene. Is it blood, or something else?

Is it from the nosebleed that happened last week or from a more recent event? Hyperspectral imaging finds blood stains in crime scenes quickly and easily. What is more, it can even help determine how old the blood stain is. No chemicals are involved, therefore there is no risk of diluting or altering the blood spatter.

“Hyperspectral imaging for the age estimation of blood stains at the crime scene”

Examining Gunshot Residue Gunshot residue is delicate evidence.

When a forensic investigator applies chemicals for visualisation, they can alter the pattern that is used for reconstruction

and

determining

shooting distances and angles. As a result, they may destroy valuable information. Hyperspectral imaging can provide a quick, non-contact tool for determining the presence of the gunshot residue at a scene and visualising the patterns.

“Visible and near-infrared chemical imaging methods for the analysis of selected forensic samples”

Analysing Paint Marks in Hit-andRun Cases Paint traces left on a scene of a hitand-run

case

can

give

valuable

information on the car that escaped the scene. Paint analysis, however, requires microscopes and sample preparation.

With

hyperspectral

imaging, a quick test performed at the scene could narrow down the possible makes of the car based on the paint spectra.

“Evaluation of Hyperspectral Imaging Visible/Near Infrared Spectroscopy as a forensic tool for automotive paint distinction”

THE FUTURE OF HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING IN FORENSICS Forensics

is

more

than

just

investigation.

The

possible

crime

scene

applications

of

hyperspectral imaging do not end there, either.

Hyperspectral imaging could, for instance, help doctors determine the age of a bruise – objectively and accurately. It could also be used in a laboratory

to

identify

fraudulent

documents

without having to destroy the sample. As the technology develops and becomes more portable and easier to use, it is quite possible that a hyperspectral camera will be a regular part of forensic investigators’ toolbox in the future.

EXAMINE AND ANALYSE EVIDENCE WITH SPECIM IQ Blood stains: detection, identification, age Bruises: ageing and detection Paint analysis in hit and run cases Document examination: altered documents, forged signatures Gunshot residue

SPECIM IQ Mobile, compact and autonomous Integrated processing engine for obtaining instant results Highest sensitivity and data quality on the market

Discover the Specim IQ

19

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Ellipsometry for Biomedical Devices

Medical devices implanted or adhered to

the

body

require

specialised

coatings to ensure biocompatibility, improve functionality, and increase the lifespan of the device within the body.

Coatings

are

engineered

to

reduce inflammation caused by the device

and

therefore

reduce

the

associated risk of infection.

Thin-film coatings on these devices have also been designed to improve corrosion

resistance

caused

by

interactions with bodily fluids. Many different methods of deposition have been

developed

to

optimise

the

coatings. Ellipsometry is one form of metrology used in development and quality control of thin-film deposition on bio-implanted or adhered devices. our technology is used to monitor the consistency of the coatin as well as ensure its presence on the device.

20

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

ELLIPSOMETRY SUCCESS AT BOSTON SCIENTIFIC, CLONMEL Medical Devices Boston Scientific’s Clonmel site includes a Centre of Excellence for metal additives used in a range of electronic components for medical technology.

Boston Scientific employees based in Clonmel manufacture medical devices that support the treatment of more than 400,000 patients globally each year.

Products created in Clonmel help patients suffering from conditions such as heart disease, neurological disorders, kidney stones, and diseases of the pancreas, bile ducts and esophagus.

21

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

“Here at Boston Scientific Clonmel, we have advanced capabilities to deposit thin film and have wide range of characterisation techniques,” says Zahra Ghaferi PhD, a Senior Scientist in Process Development at Boston Scientific.

“In this regard, Ellipsometry helped us to develop a recipe for ALD film deposition on our implantable devices. We have a J.A. Woollam alpha-SE ellipsometer on site which enables us to verify film thickness and identify layers by optical features.”

“To me, J.A. Woollam and Quantum Design UK and Ireland have the most reliable and user-friendly Ellipsometers.

Not only equipment diversity but also robust technical knowledge and wonderful customer care make them unique in this field. I was working on a very complex project and was struggling to model film thickness. I was in touch with vendor and they kindly advised me how to sort it over phone call and email.”

“I would strongly recommend attending their annual workshop and training. It is suitable for all user levels. It is an opportunity to level up knowledge!”

Zahra working with the J. A. Woollam alphaSE at Boston Scientific

J.A. Woollam alpha 2.0 ELLIPSOMETER FOR SPECTRAL RANGE OF 400-1000 NM The alpha 2.0 is a budget-friendly option for routine measurements of thin film thickness and refractive index.

A compact footprint and simple design make the alpha 2.0 easy to use while harnessing the power of spectroscopic ellipsometry. It was designed for easeof-use: simply place the sample on the stage, choose the model that matches your film, click “measure”, and you will have results within seconds.

To discuss your application or upcoming research project, get in touch with our Technical Director, Dr. Shayz Ikram.

Call (01372) 378822 Email: shayz@qd-uki.co.uk

Discover the alpha 2.0

22

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Interview HANS ARWIN

What made you choose physics?

What was your PhD dissertation topic? When did you become interested and involved with optics and materials?

I studied electrical engineering at Chalmers Uiversity in Gothenurg (1969 1974, with a one-year break for military service as a Radar Technician). My master’s thesis dealt with measuring the spectral dielectric function at kHz/MHz frequencies of cerebrospinal fluid from old people with dementia. The idea was to see if proteins had different resonance frequencies due to different amount of bound water caused by Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Hans Arwin at Linköping University is a world leader in spectroscopic ellipsometry research. Especially in biological material applications. Prof.

Arwin’s arsenal of ellipsometric capabilities include dynamic (in-situ), spectroscopic, generalised (anisotropic), imaging, and total internal reflection ellipsometry.

23

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

After my master’s degree in electrical

It has been a nice journey including:

engineering (1974), I worked on a PhD in

single-wavelength

applied physics. My dissertation in 1980

thickness

in Linköping was about a capacitance

layers

method to determine enzyme activity in

in-situ dynamics of protein adsorption

blood. It includes some in-situ (solid-

in-situ protein layer spectroscopy

liquid)

proteins in porous silicon

null

ellipsometry

determination) capacitance

in

(mass

combination

measurements

with

(surface

determination

analysis of cellulose nanocrystal layers transparent wood

molecular surface area.

and much more!

My biology approach is due to my PhD supervisor,

Ingemar

Lundström,

who

encouraged this research. It turned out to be very fruitful as the competition was small and it was easy to present new results obtained by ellipsometry techniques.

protein

TIRE for biosensing

coverage) allowing determination of

How did you get interested and involved with biological applications of ellipsometry?

of

An interest in beetles started in 2004 when I visited Mathias Schubert in Leipzig. I had a beetle in my bag, and we did a measurement with his Woollam M-2000 system. I did not understand the data even though Mathias encouraged me to use models developed for liquid crystals.

Many years later, when we had the RC2 system, we could do some serious studies of the chrial circular Bragg structures in exoskeletons of the narrowband (green) Cetonia aurata beetle.

Our first paper was in 2012, but [almost exactly] 100 years after Michelson, who first observed these effects in beetles. We were lucky to

get

many

support

years

to

curiosity-driven with

no

during perform research

demands

on

applications. It became a fascinating journey

24

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Tell us about the impact and usefulness of J. A. Woollam ellipsometers on your research...

J. A. Woollam ellipsometers have never disappointed me. They are in most cases not limiting our progress. It is the modeling which is the bottlenec as samples

are

never

ideal.

However,

WVASE and CompleteEASE are excellent, and we skipped development of our own program in the 90s. We were lucky to have one of the first RC2s and J. A. Woollam

was

very

generous

and

updated it several times for free. Thanks to the RC2 we could move to Mueller matrices very early, which has been a very good advantage. This made it possible

to

study

depolarisation,

perform differentual as well as sum decompositions, and also has given us more confidence in electromagnetic modeling of chiral structures.

I

now

consider

understanding

my

work

on

structure

determining

properties

bioreflectors

to

be

contribution.

We

have

and

of

my

chiral greatest

some

25

publications on the subject, covering more than 10 different types of beetles.

During this project we have developed the methodology.

Initially we presented Mueller matrices only.

The

we

performed

electromagnetic modeling of twisted layered structures, sum decomposition for

classification

of

bioreflectors,

differential decomposition to resolve effective chiral parameters, resolved pitch gradients to explain narrow versus broad, band chiral features (circular Bragg)

to

understand

differences

between silvery and green/red beetles, and more. Recently we have done transmission ellipsometry with ambition

What do you think is your greatest contribution to modern ellipsometry? Your proudest work?

to generalise ellipsometry to include circular birefringence (CB) and circular dichroism (CD). It is pretty extensive, and

it

was

very

nice

that

it

was

accepted as is.

If you had asked me long ago, I [would have] said resolving spectral dielectric

functions

monolayer

first

of at

protein air-solid

interfaces (at Bell Labs), then at liquid/solid

interfaces

(with

our

homebuilt RAE) and finally in IR with the IRSE system. I had wished that our

more

applied

research

ellipsometric

memories,

delivery

porous

using

on drug

structures,

optical nose, or TIRE had reached industry, but I am a bad marketing person

and

entrepreneur.

not

at

all

an

Imaging ellipsometry on beetles at École Polytechnique in Paris when visiting Enrique GarciaCaurel and Razvigor Ossisovski (2010)

25

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

I am now very happy that our Mexican colleague Arturo Mendoza-Galván has a

program

structures

on

synthesis

of

chiral

in

cellulose.

He

has

Tell us about what you are doing now and what you plan and want to do in the upcoming years...

participated in our beetle research and has contributed considerably.

I will continue develop my textbook. I also

He now has protocols for fabricating thin films of nanocrystalline cellulose with polarising properties I am fully focused on chirality and working on a follow-up paper to my latest contribution [1]. I also have in the pipeline to make a review of the beetle studies performed over the years. We have also a collection of Cetonia aurata beetles, and we will investigate if the Mueller-matrices

exhibit

some

differences between male and female beetles. It is still unclear why they have these polarising features.

To discuss your application or upcoming research project, get in touch with our Technical Director, Dr. Shayz Ikram.

Call (01372) 378822 Email: shayz@qd-uki.co.uk

run my consulting company and perform on average 10 small projects each year.

I also develop short presentations (20-30 minutes)

on

various

aspects

of

the

Stokes/Mueller formalism. I present them at our group meetings (Mueller School) So far I have done 25 presentations over the years.

The things I do above are for keeping my brain alert. For my body I am doing sports activities at least four days per week (skiing, skating, roller skies, floor ball, jogging, gym, etc.).

26

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

ILLUMINATING THE PROCESS OF BIOMINERALISATION in Baby Teeth with MicroXRF

The journey to understanding human growth and development traverses unexpected but fascinating scientific routes.

The study of human baby teeth and bones, far from being purely dental or orthopedic research, offers a unique lens into a child’s overall health.

A particularly innovative analytical approach for

understanding growth and development involves highspatial-resolution microXRF. This powerful tool provides an indepth analysis of the elemental composition of teeth and bone down to 5μm pixel diameter.

This blog post by IXRF Systems delves into the application of microXRF in studying biomineralisation in teeth.

27

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

MICROXRF MicroXRF (Micro X-ray Fluorescence) spectroscopy is an advanced analytical technique used for non-destructive elemental analysis with high spatial resolution. While it shares the same foundational principles as XRF, microXRF allows researchers to scrutinise materials at microscopic levels. By directing an ultrafine X-ray beam – as small as 5µm – onto the sample, the technique excites atoms, and as these atoms revert to their ground state, they emit X-rays at wavelengths that are distinctly unique to each element. This feature allows users to identify and quantify the elements.

MicroXRF can detect, quantify and map the spatial distribution of elements in solid, tissue, liquid, and powdered samples with minimal preparation.

INSIGHTS THROUGH ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION The elemental composition of baby teeth (also referred to as primary or milk teeth) and bones hold valuable information about a child’s environmental and nutritional history. This research helps us understand the influence of factors such as diet, environmental toxins, and parental habits like smoking on their growth and development. Certain elements, including lead, arsenic, and mercury, are particularly important to monitor due to their significant health impacts.

Researchers can identify potential associations between early life exposure to certain elements – as determined by microXRF – and subsequent health issues by linking the elemental data with health and development outcomes.

This information plays a critical role in formulating public health initiatives to protect children’s health.

MICROXRF FOR STUDYING BIOMINERALISATION IN TEETH AND BONES MicroXRF allows for the nondestructive examination of the elemental composition and distribution in teeth and bones.

As children grow, trace elements from their environment and diet are integrated into their teeth and bone structures. Just like tree rings, teeth provide a chronological record of exposure to these elements.

MicroXRF allows us to analyse tooth development, shedding light on a child’s early life exposures and potential health implications.

28

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

THE DENTIN-ENAMEL JUNCTION (DEJ) – A CRUCIAL INTERFACE One portion of the tooth that can illuminate developmental differences is the crucial interface between odontoblasts and ameloblasts at the junction where dentin and enamel usually meet and become tightly bound to each other. This interface, also known as the Dentin-Enamel Junction (DEJ), plays a critical role in tooth strength and resilience. The DEJ is the interface between the two primary mineralised tissues of the tooth:

enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body, produced by ameloblasts, and dentin, a slightly softer material produced by odontoblasts. This junction is critical for the mechanical integrity of the tooth. Despite the stark difference in the properties of enamel and dentin, they form a seamless connection at the DEJ, giving the tooth its unique combination of hardness and resilience.

Figure 1: 2D elemental heat maps of a sliced baby incisor tooth ~0.8 mm thick. Maps were collected on the Atlas M microXRF at a pixel size of 5µm.

At the DEJ, several elements are of key interest. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), the primary constituents of hydroxyapatite, the mineral that gives teeth their hardness, are present in different

amounts in enamel versus dentin.

Mapping these elements using microXRF can help us understand the transition between these two tissues at the molecular level.

29

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

In addition, trace elements like magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), and others are of great interest. These elements can subtly alter the properties of hydroxyapatite and might play a role in the binding mechanism between dentin and enamel.

Detailed mapping and quantification of these elements at the DEJ will provide more clarity on their role and function.

Knowledge about the elemental composition at the DEJ can potentially help develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of dental diseases. For instance, a better understanding of the DEJ could lead to the development of more effective dental materials for restorations and prosthetics, which could mimic the natural structure and function of the DEJ.

THE ROLE OF IXRF SYSTEMS IN THIS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IXRF Systems stands at the vanguard of this research with the Atlas series, supplying robust, accurate, and efficient microXRF technology. IXRF systems offer a superior spatial

resolution, providing an X-ray spot size as small as 5µm, making it ideal for this analysis due to the necessity to see microscale features often present.

Moreover, this technology can configure up to four (4) silicon drift detectors (SDD), adding photon sensor area, directly translating to counts and mapping velocity in a linear relationship, providing highthroughput analysis, and paving the way for comprehensive studies.

Discover the Atlas M

Figure 2: Atlas M benchtop microXRF spectrometer (above) and an inside view looking up at the polycapillary X-ray source with 4 SDDs incorporated (below).

30

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

The objective at IXRF Systems goes beyond providing cutting-edge analytical technology; we strive to propel research that contributes to a comprehensive understanding of human health. Collaborating with researchers and public health institutions, they aspire to enrich our knowledge of early-life elemental exposures’ impacts and aid in developing effective preventive measures.

CONCLUSION The use of MicroXRF for studying biomineralisation in teeth and bones exemplifies the multidisciplinary and innovative nature of contemporary science. This approach empowers researchers to identify patterns of elemental exposure that could potentially influence a child’s health trajectory. IXRF Systems remains committed to delivering the essential tools for this critical work, as they continually refine their understanding of these relationships.

Intrigued by the intricate process of biomineralisation in teeth or bone?

Your journey into this complex and critical biological phenomenon can start today with IXRF Systems. By utilising IXRF’s advanced microXRF technology, researchers, healthcare professionals, and innovators are making strides in understanding how minerals are deposited in biological systems. The implications span from enhanced dental care to groundbreaking treatments for bone-related disorders.

IXRF ATLAS M : micro XRF Spectrometer Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μXRF) Hyperspectral Imaging Elemental Analyser Benchtop / tabletop form factor Spot size down to 5 microns with antihalo optic SDD detectors w/ active area up to 150 mm2 Large chamber volume 50 kV / 50 W polycapillary optic X-ray source Multi-point/multi-area automation & mapping Air, vacuum, helium for solids, liquids, and powders Iridium Ultra software running on Windows™ 10 OS

To discuss your application or area of research, please get in touch with our Sales Manager, Dr. Luke Nicholls.

Call (01372) 378822 Email luke@qd-uki.co.uk

35

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

31

X-rays in Life Sciences Mouse sciatic nerve samples at 0.25 µm

Cropped region of interest of mouse sciatic nerve cells (0.25 µm)

BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES Biological and other low-density samples, can be extremely challenging to image using conventional x-ray techniques like microCT due to their low absorption and ultrahigh resolution requirements.

EclipseXRM provides both superior contrast and resolution, enabling the visualisation of sub-cellular details.

Shown in the examples here, is a mouse sciatic nerve sample, demonstrating how the system’s ultrahigh resolution clearly reveals the axons and myelin sheaths.

Discover the EclipseXRM

INTRIGUED? Discuss how the Sigray’s EclipseXRM could help your upcoming research with our Sales Manager, Dr. Luke Nicholls Call (01372) 378822 Email luke@qd-uki.co.uk

32

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Modern Botany Modern botany is a broad, multidisciplinary subject with inputs from most other areas of science and technology. Research topics include: biochemistry and primary metabolism chemical products development the study of plant structure growth and differentiation evolutionary relationships systematics reproduction diseases plant taxonomy Dominant themes in 21st century plant science are molecular genetics and epigenetics, which are the mechanisms and control of gene expression during differentiation of plant cells and tissues.

Botanical research has diverse applications in providing staple foods, materials such as timber, oil, rubber, fibre and drugs, in modern horticulture, agriculture and forestry, plant propagation, breeding and genetic modification, in the synthesis of chemicals and raw materials for construction and energy production, in environmental management, and the maintenance of biodiversity.1 ATLAS X microEDXRF elemental maps of K, Ca, Se and sum of Xrays image of a hydrated youngest fully opened leaflet of Neptunia amplexicaulis

33

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Reference Paper Distribution and chemical form of selenium in Neptunia amplexicaulis from Central Queensland, Australia ABSTRACT:

Selenium (Se), a trace element essential for human and animal biological processes, is deficient in many agricultural soils. Some extremely rare plants can naturally accumulate extraordinarily high concentrations of Se. The native legume Neptunia amplexicaulis, endemic to a small area near Richmond and Hughenden in Central Queensland, Australia, is one of the strongest Se hyperaccumulators known on Earth, with foliar concentrations in excess of 4000 mg Se g-1 previously recorded. Here, we report on the Se distribution at a whole plant level using laboratory micro X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (µXRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), as well as on chemical forms of Se in various tissues using liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LC-MS) and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

The results show that Se occurs in the forms of methyl-selenocysteine and seleno-methionine in the foliar tissues, with up to 13600 mg Se g-1 total in young leaves. Selenium was found to accumulate primarily in the young leaves, flowers, pods and taproot, with lower concentrations present in the fineroots and stem and the lowest present in the oldest leaves. Trichomes were not found to accumulate Se. We postulate that Se is (re)distributed in this plant via the phloem from older leaves to newer leaves, using the taproot as the main storage organ. High concentrations of Se in the nodes (pulvini) indicate this structure may play an important a role in Se (re)distribution. The overall pattern of Se distribution was similar in a non-Se tolerant closely related species (Neptunia gracilis), although the prevailing Se concentrations were substantially lower than in N. amplexicaulis.

ATLAS X microEDXRF elemental maps of K, Ca and Se of a hydrated infructescences of Neptunia amplexicaulis

ATLAS X microEDXRF elemental maps of K, Ca and Se of a hydrated mature inflorescence of Neptunia amplexicaulis

Read the article

DOl: 10.1039/C9MT00244H (Paper) Metallomics, 2020, 12, 514-527 by Maggie-Anne Harvey a, Peter D. Erskine a, Hugh H. Harris b, Gillian K. Brown c, Elizabeth A. H. Pilon-Smits d, Lachlan W. Casey e, Guillaume Echevarria f and Antony van der Ent af a Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. b Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, Australia c Queensland Herbarium, DES, Toowong, Australia d Biology Department, Colorado State University, USA e Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Australia f Universite de Lorraine-INRA, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, France | Received 30th September 2019, Accepted 27th January 2020. First published on 14th February 2020.

References: 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany

34

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Agriculture Agriculture has seen a large growth in investment for research and development in recent years and we have endeavoured to help our customers implement new techniques, such as multispectral, hyperspectral and thermal imaging to solve their agricultural challenges.

Precision farming, plant research, quality assurance, and animal husbandry are key topics featured in this magazine. QDUKI is proud to contribute to these developments, and look forward to hearing your challenges and finding suitable solutions.

35

FREE MAGAZINE

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Quantum Design UK and Ireland (QDUKI) presents our first magazine dedicated to Agricultural applications. Quantum Design (QD) has been a leader in high-tech instrumentation for over 40 years, with renowned systems like the MPMS and VersaLab. Features of the magazine include: Remote sensing of Vegetation using SWIR cameras Thermal Imaging in Agriculture Infrared Cameras for Plant Research Quality Assurance in Potato Storage Precision Agriculture CASE STUDY: Vertical Farming Animal Husbandry and Thermal Imaging

36

Geology

SMALL SPOT MICROXRF EXPANDS GEOLOGISTS’ ABILITIES

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

SPECIM SISUCHEMA CHEMICAL IMAGING ANALYSER Visualisation of MNF bands 2, 3, and 4 of a rock sample showing the inherent variability of the material. The full hyperspectral image (data cube) with 320 x 360 spatial pixels and 256 spectral bands in the range 1,000 - 2,500 nm was acquired in less than 6 seconds.

This elemental map is of an amphibole thin section | IXRF System’s Atlas benchtop XRF combines the excellent mapping of a small spot and the ability to work with large samples due to the large sample chamber.

In studying the planetary processes and makeup of the Earth, as well as other bodies in our solar system, geologists routinely analyse the composition of a huge variety of materials including: rock, mineral, and meteorite samples.

Rapid elemental analyses for sodium through uranium at trace levels can be accomplished through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation without destruction, digestion or alteration of the sample. No sample preparation: highly polished samples are not required, and even rough samples can be analysed with excellent results.

The SisuCHEMA is ideal for pharmaceutical, geological and agricultural applications where high spatial resolution is required and samples are small. In the SisuCHEMA, the maximum sample size is 200 x 300 x 45 mm. The system can image samples of 10 mm or smaller at a very high pixel resolution of 30 microns, and offers flexible settings to coarser resolutions.

Read the Article

HARNESSING MICROXRF FOR ENHANCED MINERAL EXPLORATION AND MINING In the mining industry, there is a continual quest for innovative and efficient technologies that can provide deeper insights into the composition and structure of geological materials. One such technology that has become a game-changer is Micro X-ray Fluorescence (microXRF, microEDXRF, µXRF, µEDXRF) Spectrometry. This state-of-the-art technology is revolutionising mineral exploration, resource management, and quality control in mining.

A 2D microXRF phase map of shale with laminated sphalerite identifying six different phases using Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

With sub-micron precision of the X/Y sample stage associated with MicroXRF instruments, exquisite elemental maps of thin section and core samples are obtained where each pixel, down to 5µm diameter, contains its own distinct elemental spectrum. This high resolution XRF mapping capability then allows further phase analysis, which is one of the most relevant mineralogy outcomes associated with MicroXRF.

Discover the SisuCHEMA

37

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

CASE STUDY: SWEDISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY actually part of what happened “andIt'sstarted years ago..."

begins Kaj Lax, Head of the Mineral Resources Department of the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU). "The European Union realised that we had a problem with providing EU with metals and minerals so they started off a raw materials initiative. The Swedish government set aside a fair amount of money for the survey to do more on Mineral Resources. The SGU scanning project is a result of that."

“The archive contains more than three million metres of drill core from more than 18,000 bore holes, some of them almost 100 years old. The Swedish Geological Survey made a decision to digitise a part of this little core archive, and publish the results for free on the internet.” says Kaj Lax. “When we started out, the Geological Survey looked around broadly at what was available on the market. We wanted a methodology that had been used before and that was already established. And that produced as much data as possible as quickly as possible for the money we had. The result was hyperspectral imaging.”

Specim Project Manager, Rainer Bärs, explains “SisuROCK is Specim’s hyperspectral core logging workstation. It contains three cameras for imaging the core. Specim’s Phoenix hyperspectral imaging camera, Specim’s OWL hyperspectral imaging camera and a high-resolution RGB camera. The SisuROCK measures infrared light reflected from the surface of the drill core. The shape of the spectrum of the reflected light, the absorption in the spectrum tells us which mineral the light was reflected from. So, it tells us which minerals are in the rock.”

38

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

Specim sisuROCK Kaj Lax continues, “If we would have done this using a traditional core logging it would have taken us far, far, far too long! I don’t know how long it would have taken us, but you simply would never have done that, it would not produce what we were looking for.”

The SisuROCK can maintain a scanning speed of more than 200 boxes in an eight-hour shift, meaning that more than 2,000 metres of drill core. With the SisuROCK you can find minerals not visible to the naked eye, because they have a very small grain size, for example. You can also see and detect more gradual changes in mineral composition and mixing of several minerals. You define more boundaries more accurately and make new interpretations of the origin of the formation.

“We’ve already seen that there are examples where there is a clear mismatch with what the hyperspectral imaging data says and what the geologists on site had logged, and that is extremely interesting,” says Kaj Lax.

In just six months, SGU scanned 230,000 metres of drill core.

Hyperspectral Core Imaging Station SisuROCK workstation is a fully automated, multi-camera spectral imaging instrument for easy and rapid scanning of drill cores and other geological samples. SisuROCK is a scientifically proven and reliable spectral imaging instrument that significantly improves the efficiency and productivity of drill core analysis and mineral mapping.

Discover sisuROCK “The objective for the Geological Survey now is to make sure that the SisuROCK available for exploration companies, mining companies, universities, anyone interested.

The information in the data is probably going to lead to a mine, I would hope so I think so. We’ve seen some pretty interesting stuff already. In my view, the most valuable properties at this workstation used the SisuROCK are the reliability and speed. It’s a very good combination when you have both!”

HAVE YOUR SAY 62

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

EVENTS

25

BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT EDITION

SEND IN YOUR IMAGES / RESULTS Show off your best visuals

We'd love to share your findings SHARE YOUR APPLICATIONS What have you been using QD products for recently?

FOLLOW US:

MAGAZINES

SEND IN YOUR RESEARCH OR WHITE PAPERS

view here

Cryogenics:

Customisable Cryostats Focus on Temperature Sensors Lowest Temperature Measurements The Next Generation of Helium Recovery view here

Space:

Imaging Venus with SWIR Temperature Sensors for Space Measurement of Space Optics/Structures Optical Filters for Astronomy

Imaging Cameras:

view here

Advancing Geology with Hyperspectral Imaging Avoiding Contamination in the Food Industry SWIR Cameras for Telecomms Applications Streak Cameras in Action

Semiconductors:

view here

Camera of PET Semiconductor Inspection Power Electronics Efficient Control of the Future Energy Analyse Electronic Components Using AFM

Quantum 1 & 2:

view here

Quantum Technology for R&D How to Choose the Right Cryostat The Keys to Quantum Cryogenics Cryo for Quantum Networks

JOIN NOW

Further reading: Latest News Press Room

Produced by: Quantum Design UK and Ireland Unit 1, Mole Business Park, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7BA +44 (0)1372 378822 info@qd-uki.co.uk www.qd-uki.co.uk Follow us: