J.J. Buckfart* communications * environment * leadership * science *

In the spring of 2009, Lakehead acquired a PanAlytical MPD X-ray diffractometer (XRD for short). This unit is used for materials identification and phase characterization. It has applications in most fields, including chemical engineering, chemistry, geochemistry, geology, mineralogy and environmental sciences. They don’t let me touch the machine, but they do let me talk to Shannon. She’s really smart and has a doctorate in geology and runs the XRD. CLICK HERE to see the news piece on the LUCAS website.

In CSI: Miami an XRD was used to determine the materials in a hubcab found at a crime scene.

I am not a physics major, but last time I checked, X-rays are invisble to the human eye. Hmmmmm.