During the last week of October, the 4th edition of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Training Workshop on Synchrotron Technologies and Techniques and their Applications took place at Elettra. It was a full week of learning, hands-on practice, and future-ready training, and the ENIGMA project participated in a lecture and hands-on session!
We had the opportunity to explain the participants about the wonderful world of hard tissue histology, and how useful XRF mapping with Synchrotron radiation can be for our type of research
Micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) is a powerful, non-destructive analytical technique used to detect and map the elemental composition of a sample at microscopic scales. In a synchrotron beamline, highly focused X-rays are directed onto the sample, exciting atoms within it and causing them to emit secondary (fluorescent) X-rays. Each element emits X-rays with a unique energy signature, which can be detected to identify and quantify the elements present. Elemental mapping is the process of scanning this micro-XRF beam across the sample’s surface to create detailed, high-resolution “maps” showing the spatial distribution of different elements. This is especially useful in fields like archaeology, geology, and materials science, where understanding the precise location and concentration of elements helps reveal a sample’s history, composition, or any degradation processes.
After an introductory lecture, the next day we had a beamtime at the XRF beamline (working closely together with beamline Scientist Dr Ilaria Carlomagno), where we performed elemental mapping on hard tissue histology sections – this way the participants could get a good impression of the research pipeline: We went through components such as research formulation, sample selection and preparation, how to select the correct region of the sample for mapping, launching the scan, and how to interpret the data. All together a great day of teaching as well as collecting relevant data for our project!
