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How to Prepare Samples for XRF Analysis?

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Proper sample preparation is of paramount importance in any quantitative analysis method, including X-ray fluorescence analysis, although the XRF method has an advantage over other quantitative analysis methods in this regard, since it requires relatively simple sample preparation for measurement. There are various methods for sample preparation prior to chemical composition analysis using XRF spectrometers. The choice of a specific method depends on the task, in particular the required accuracy, marginal cost and labor intensity of the process. As a rule, along with an increase in the accuracy of analysis due to the chosen method of sample preparation, the price and complexity of this method also increase.

Basic requirements for samples for XRF analysis:

• The measured sample must be representative of the rest of the sample, i.e. reflect its composition as a whole, and not its specific area

• The sample must be homogeneous and have a smooth surface.

• The sample must remain stable throughout the measurement.

• Sufficient sample thickness (usually in the order of millimeters).

It should be noted that a sample preparation method other than that used to calibrate the instrument should not be used, since the measurement of a powder sample with an instrument calibrated on solid samples will have negative effect on the accuracy of the analysis. Let us consider in more detail the main sample preparation methods used in XRF guns.

Solid samples

When analyzing solid samples such as alloys or precious metals, it is important to have a clean, flat surface on which to measure. In the case of an uneven surface, X-rays scattered by different points on the surface will travel different distances before hitting the detector, and the rays scattered from more distant points on the surface will scatter more strongly in the environment, which can lead to errors in the measurement results. To obtain a smooth and flat surface, the sample is usually ground. However, even if the sample already has a fairly smooth surface, it should still be cleaned before measurement. Solid samples should be cleaned with a file, and different files should be used for different types of samples, because if, for example, a copper alloy is cleaned with a file that was used to clean aluminum before, aluminum particles brought to the surface will be detected during measurement.

Powder samples

For the analysis of powder samples, such as soils, it is necessary to finely grind a mass sufficient for the analysis (usually about 15 grams) of the sample, and ensure its homogeneity by thoroughly mixing. The accuracy of the analysis in the case of powdered samples will be the higher, the more thoroughly the sample is crushed. The resulting powder is placed in a special cuvette, and measured in this form.

An alternative is to compact powdered samples. As in the previous method, the sample must be finely ground before compaction, ideally the particle size should not exceed 75 nm. This method is more complicated and time consuming than measuring powders in cuvettes, but provides a better quantification result due to the absence of empty areas between particles in the cuvet.

Liquid samples

Similarly to powder samples, liquids are measured by pouring them into special cuvettes. However, it should be noted that for the measurement of liquids, unlike powders, only open cuvettes are used, since liquids partially evaporate over time, which leads to film swelling in closed cuvettes. An important role in the measurement of liquids is played by the choice of the film covering the cuvette. Different films have different characteristics, such as X-ray transparency or strength, and the choice depends largely on the task.

Fusion

The most time-consuming and expensive option for sample preparation for X-ray fluorescence analysis is the fusion of the test sample with a flux with a flux/sample ratio from 5 to 1 to 10 to 1. To do this, the sample is melted at a temperature of 900-1000C, mixed with flux and placed in a mold with a flat bottom. The advantage of this method is the reduction of the influence of mineralogical and matrix effects on the analysis results, which makes it possible to obtain more accurate results in the analysis of the elemental composition. However, due to the strong dilution of the sample, this method of sample preparation has a negative effect on the detection limits for elements contained in the sample at low concentrations.

Conclusion

Thus, there are many methods for preparing a sample for analysis by X-ray fluorescence analysis, and the choice of the most appropriate method in a particular task is to find a balance between the required accuracy of the results, the cost and the complexity of sample preparation.

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How Life Sciences are Improving the Lives of People Around the World

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Scientific knowledge can help to improve our lives in different ways. From understanding the way that the climate affects us to informing government policy, all forms of scientific research can be valuable.

Life sciences is one area in particular that’s helping people in the UK and beyond.

What are life sciences?

The life sciences are the scientific study of living things. Some of the scientific areas that fall under the ‘life sciences’ umbrella include biology, zoology, botany, and ecology. Ongoing discoveries about human life, along with findings about animals, plants, and fungi are all made by practitioner of life sciences.

Life sciences can be used for medical purposes, but they are also helpful in helping governments form policies and can help from a criminal law perspective in helping with DNA evidence – although forensic science is not necessarily classed as a life science, the discovery of DNA is part of the field.

Within a medical setting, life science team members play a significant role, delivering healthcare in a variety of forms. This could be helping to diagnose a disease through pathology, which is the investigation into the progression of an illness and testing for conditions and diseases through blood, tissue, and other samples. It may be that the life science staff work in the field of genetics, or they may work in the field of reproductive health.

Most recently, we’ve seen life sciences in action during the global pandemic, where skilled workers in the field worked to understand Covid-19.

The biggest discoveries in life sciences

There have been some groundbreaking discoveries made by life science experts over the years. One of the most significant discoveries was the structure of DNA, which was made in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. This has helped with investigations into genetics and other biological factors.

The discovery of antibiotics is another biological discovery that revolutionised medicine. It helped to treat infectious diseases – and the discovery of viruses was another major scientific breakthrough.

Challenges faced by the life sciences sector

As life sciences requires a lot of tech and lab work, there are several challenges this area faces. Some of these include:

  • Expense

Technology needed to fund research and testing is expensive. However, this technology is crucial, so spending money on these tools of the trade is an investment.

  • Legal cover

As well as life science experts, the sector also applies to entrepreneurs and biotech companies that supply the essentials to make advancements and discoveries possible. There is sometimes a need for legal protection for issues around IP and other concerns that apply to the tech being used, so life science lawyers are called in to provide expert legal counsel.

  • Compliance

Life sciences companies must comply with rules and regulations. This can mean that compliance can be time consuming, but essential in order to keep operations running smoothly.

Why life science is important?

Life science helps us to understand the functioning of our body and provides insight into the disease processes. Life science also fosters the development of advanced medical devices and novel therapeutics. The study of life science helps us to recognize our surrounding environment and how we share this plant with other living species.

More importantly, we can learn the reasons of our existence and realize the true reality of human being. Life science also provides vital insight into social justice, world peace, animal protection, environmental preservation, and fundamental human rights. Therefore, life science helps us to have scientific views on different social issue. When we can clearly understand our environment and the issues in our environment, we can work towards improving our environment and make a beautiful world for living.

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Development of Modeling Business on the Internet: Evolution and Prospects

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The online modeling business is one of the fastest growing industries in the modern era of the digital economy. In this article, we will look at the history and evolution of the modeling business in the online environment and analyze its prospects for the future.

Since the birth of the Internet, the modeling business began its development, and each year it has become more and more important. Initially, the model business on the Internet was reduced to the creation of virtual stores where consumers could purchase goods and services. However, over time, the modeling business has undergone a number of significant changes.

With the advent of social networks and the development of online communication technologies, the modeling business has become more and more focused on interaction and the social component. The influence of bloggers, Instagram models and other virtual personalities became a decisive factor in shaping fashion trends and consumer preferences.

With the development of internet technology and platforms such as https://hotties.club/, modeling has become available to many people who previously had no opportunity to participate in the industry. Now anyone can create their own modeling career, attract audience attention, and collaborate with brands.

In today’s modeling business, there is an emphasis on personal branding. Models strive to create a unique image and build the loyalty of their audience. The Internet provides ample opportunities to promote personal branding through social networks, blog publications, online events, and other tools.

However, success in the modeling business requires not only talent, but also strategic thinking. It is important to develop a unique brand, define your target audience, and constantly create interesting content. This requires constant updating and adapting to changing trends.

Today’s models use a variety of tools to promote their brand. They actively use social media, posting photos, videos and text content, hosting live events and interacting with followers. In addition, they participate in collaborations, sponsor products and represent brands on their platforms.

The Internet has changed the way modeling is done, giving many people the opportunity to pursue their dreams and become famous. Rapid advances in technology and the growing popularity of online platforms are creating new perspectives for the modeling industry. More and more people are entering the field and finding their place, setting new standards and inspiring others to succeed.

With the increasing competition in today’s modeling business, it is becoming more and more important to have uniqueness and originality. Models strive to create a recognizable style that helps them stand out among thousands of other accounts and attract the attention of brands and sponsors.

One of the key components of a successful modeling business is working with brands. Models actively cooperate with companies, become their face, advertise products and participate in the launch of new collections. This allows them not only to make money, but also to strengthen their status and expand their audience.

However, the modeling business also has its shady sides. In some cases, models face pressure to look perfect, negative comments and comparisons. A great deal of time, effort, and discipline is required to stay in shape, create content, and maintain social media activity. This can be hard on models’ physical and emotional well-being.

Today’s online modeling business offers many opportunities, but also requires significant effort. Success depends on a combination of talent, hard work, creativity, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing trends. Nevertheless, for many, it proves to be an indispensable and exciting way to express themselves, achieve financial independence and build a successful career in the online world.

In general, the modern Internet modeling business is a dynamic and diverse industry that is constantly evolving. Success in this field requires not only talent and diligence, but also flexibility, adaptability, and the desire for constant development. Those who are ready for challenges and willing to put in the effort can achieve significant results in the world of fashion and influence online.

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The Future of Sustainable Construction

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With increasing carbon emissions, it is more important than ever before for the sustainability of construction to be prioritised. Not only does the construction of buildings need to be considered, but the efficiency of said buildings, once they are built, should also be taken into account.

With rising energy costs, the demand for energy-efficient buildings is greater than ever before.

Materials and processes

One of the most popular ways to increase a building’s sustainability credentials is to use recycled materials such as wood and repurposed metal. This can generally be used easily in place of purpose-made materials and is an easy way to reduce both emissions and waste whilst also cutting costs.

To improve the efficiency of a building, proper insulation is of the utmost importance. This means that the building should have adequate roof insulation to prevent valuable heat from escaping. This will allow heating to be used less often, improving the overall efficiency of the building.

Thankfully, there are now an array of technologies that can be utilised to assist with improving efficiency.  Processes such as 3D printing and off-site production can significantly reduce carbon emissions. This is largely due to the reduced travel required to and from site, as well as reduced waste generated.

Green building certifications

It is no longer just good practice to build with sustainability in mind, there are now a host of green building certifications that suppliers can obtain to demonstrate their green capabilities.

Just some examples include BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) and WELL Building Standard.

The availability of these credentials means that it is easier than ever before for contractors to select suppliers based on their ability to build sustainably, meaning this is quickly become a requirement in order to compete for work.

Economic benefits

As well as benefits to the environment, there are a host of economic benefits to sustainable construction.

Reduced operating costs – often sustainability is linked to higher costs, but for construction, this is not always the case. Making a conscious effort to reduce the carbon footprint of a project typically means being more mindful of the usage of water, energy, and materials. This can in turn lead to impressive cost savings

Property values – in general, the population is now making far more conscious decisions from food shopping to homes. As a result, anything that has been constructed to be sustainable will then have a higher value to reflect demand and future savings.

Social benefits – creating environmentally friendly buildings is extremely beneficial to the surrounding communities, as they can benefit from better air condition and a healthier surrounding environment. This can then have a ripple effect, causing more businesses to be drawn to the area.

Existing processes

Sustainable construction is no longer considered a new concept, with a wealth of construction companies already having many sustainable projects in their portfolio. It is expected that these improved processes are only going to continue evolving for the better and sustainability within construction is here to stay.

As a result, those operating within the construction sector no longer have the option to opt-in or out of considering the environmental impact of their projects. This is evident from the inclusion of sustainability criteria in all major construction tender processes.

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