Article
Spectroscopy
Lukas Brunnbauer, Veronika Zeller, Zuzana Gajarska, Silvia Larisegger, Stefan Schwab, Hans Lohninger, Andreas Limbeck
Summary: Epoxy molding compounds, consisting of a polymer-based matrix, inorganic filler particles, and various additives, are widely used in the semiconductor industry for encapsulation. This study explores the use of a Tandem LA-ICP-MS/LIBS approach to comprehensively characterize epoxy molding compounds and construct a classification model capable of distinguishing different types. The analysis of 29 samples from 4 suppliers using exploratory data analysis and a Random Decision Forest-based classifier demonstrates the potential of this method.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
B. Wagner, A. Czajka
Summary: The elemental composition of historic iron gall-inks can be approximated using LA-ICP-MS measurements and colorimetric response with BPhen. This non-invasive analytical approach allows for conservation diagnosis and ink corrosiveness estimation, as well as fingerprinting of valuable manuscripts. The presence of Fe and other elements significant for ink corrosion can be detected in a neutral way for historical documents using this method.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisa Abas, Cesar Marina-Montes, Mariano Laguna, Roberto Lasheras, Patricia Rivas, Pablo Peribanez, Javier del Valle, Miguel Escudero, Abrahan Velasquez, Jorge O. Caceres, Luis Vicente Perez-Arribas, Jesus Anzano
Summary: This study used three powerful spectroscopic techniques to analyze air samples from the Antarctic region, revealing the presence of heavy metal elements and providing important information for further understanding atmospheric pollution in Antarctica.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cesar Marina-Montes, Elisa Abas, Juan Buil-Garcia, Jesus Anzano
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the air quality in the city of Zaragoza, Spain, by characterizing atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) during winter and spring. The results revealed the presence of both natural and anthropogenic particles, with the latter mainly formed by black carbon from fossil fuel combustion emissions. Additionally, chemical analysis showed the presence of three types of microplastics in the city's air. These findings are of special interest for future air quality policies aiming to reduce air pollution in cities.
Article
Archaeology
Corina Anca Simion, Maria Mihaela Cozac, Nicoleta Mihaela Florea, Oana Gaza, Iuliana Madalina Stanciu, Doru Gheorghe Pacesila, Maria Valentina Ilie, Cristian Manailescu, Ioana Stanculescu, Andrei Robu
Summary: Radiocarbon dating of pictorial support is not commonly used, with results indicating that the seventeenth century oil-based painting may not be attributed to the famous classical period painter as previously assumed. Additional multidisciplinary research on recently solved cases provided more accurate interpretation, with elemental analysis and XRF spectrometry supporting the unlikelihood of attributing paintings to their designated authors.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Behnke, W. McClelland, S. E. Tank, A. M. Kellerman, R. M. Holmes, N. Haghipour, T. Eglinton, P. A. Raymond, A. Suslova, A. Zhulidov, T. Gurtovaya, N. Zimov, S. Zimov, E. A. Mutter, E. Amos, R. G. M. Spencer
Summary: Climate change is significantly impacting Arctic ecosystems, altering the sources, composition, and fate of riverine dissolved organic matter in the Arctic Ocean. DOM composition shows synchrony and stability across the pan-Arctic, with potential changes in sources and export anticipated with future warming.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Melissa B. K. Kharkongor, Stijn Glorie, Jacob Mulder, Christopher L. Kirkland, David Chew, Barry Kohnd, Alexander Simpson
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of laser ablation apatite Lu-Hf dating to obtain primary crystallization ages for otherwise difficult to date mafic rocks. The results show that the Lu-Hf system in apatite has a higher closure temperature compared to the U-Pb system, making it more suitable for determining crystallization ages.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Christiaan T. Laureijs, Laurence A. Coogan, Jody Spence
Summary: Celadonite is a common void-filling mineral formed during low-temperature, off-axis, hydrothermal alteration in ocean floor and ophiolite lavas. The duration of celadonite formation varies significantly in different regions, with factors such as the presence of hydrothermal sediments impacting the chemical conditions required for celadonite precipitation. Spatial heterogeneity in the uptake of potassium from seawater into the oceanic crust may be influenced by subsurface redox conditions and the distribution of hydrothermal sediments.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Haiyue Hou, Qiuxiang Wu, Zhihao Li, Di Wang, Augustine Atta Debrah, Jixin Zou, Zhenxia Du
Summary: An analytical method based on ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) combined with chemometrics was developed for rapid identification of inkjet printouts. The method utilized characteristic peaks in IMS spectra identified by HS-GC-MS, and performed principal component analysis (PCA) for further differentiation. A supervised model based on orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) achieved excellent accuracy for inkjet printed documents, while partial least squares (PLS) models predicted the formation time of documents with satisfactory performance. The study demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of using IMS combined with chemometrics in identifying questioned documents.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anika Rogoll, Korbinian Heimler, Dina Friebel, Erica Brendler, Carla Vogt
Summary: This article presents a preparation method for reference materials containing trace amounts of metals and demonstrates its applicability and performance in different analytical techniques. The materials prepared using this method show excellent performance in spatial resolved measurements and depth sensitive methods, making them suitable as reference materials for calibration purposes.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marina Martinez-Minchero, Adolfo Cobo, Ana Mendez-Vicente, Jorge Pisonero, Nerea Bordel, Igor Gutierrez-Zugasti, Patrick Roberts, Alvaro Arrizabalaga, Jose Valdiande, Jesus Mirapeix, Jose Miguel Lopez-Higuera, Asier Garcia-Escarzaga
Summary: The elemental composition of marine mollusk shells can provide valuable information about environmental conditions. This study proposes the use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for rapid measurement and estimation of Mg/Ca concentration profiles within limpet shells. The results show a significant correlation between LIBS and traditional analytical methods, indicating the accuracy of LIBS in inferring Mg/Ca concentrations in shells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Korina Menking-Hoggatt, Claudia Martinez, Courtney Vander Pyl, Emily Heller, Edward 'Chip' Pollock, Luis Arroyo, Tatiana Trejos
Summary: This study aims to develop IGSR microparticle standards to enhance analytical capabilities and evaluate them using SEM-EDS, LIBS, and ICP-MS. The research is anticipated to assist forensic and environmental scientists by providing IGSR standards that can strengthen research, expand access to new detection techniques, and enhance laboratories' cross-validation and quality assurance.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yihong Xu, Chen Li, Haiping Yu, Fengman Fang, Xiaolin Hou, Chao Zhang, Xiaofei Li, Shan Xing
Summary: In this study, ultra-trace Pu isotopes in small environmental samples were accurately determined using ICP-MS/MS in NH3-He mode. The interference of uranium and uranium hydrides was effectively eliminated by shifting them to U(NHm)(n)(+) and UH(NHm)(n)(+) using NH3 as reaction gas. The interference of uranium was reduced to a very low level (<2.4 x 10 (-7)), while maintaining excellent sensitivity for Pu-239. Purification of plutonium using a single AG1- x 4 column was sufficient for accurate determination of plutonium isotopes. The developed method was validated using certificated reference materials and reported environmental samples. It was successfully applied to sediment dating of ultra-trace Pu isotopes in small amounts of lake sediments.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Graham Hagen-Peter, Yue Wang, Olle Hints, Anthony R. Prave, Aivo Lepland
Summary: Carbonate rocks are important paleo-environmental records, and diagenetic processes may perturb the chemical and isotopic systems, indicating the need to carefully examine the depositional history and recrystallization of carbonate rock samples.
Article
Spectroscopy
Marketa Hola, Karel Novotny, Jan Dobes, Ivo Krempl, Vojtech Wertich, Juraj Mozola, Martin Kubes, Veronika Faltusova, Jaromir Leichmann, Viktor Kanicky
Summary: The study demonstrated the great potential of combining LIBS and LA-ICP-MS imaging techniques, providing advantages of high speed, large area imaging, high resolution, and low detection limits. A special software, ILAPS, was created to ensure data processing consistency, effectively identifying structures responsible for elements migration in uranium ore samples.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francesca Sabatini, Iacopo Corsi, Alessio Ceccarini, Marco Brillanti, Maria Perla Colombini, Ilaria Bonaduce
Summary: This paper investigates the characterization and identification of metal-free leather using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Thirty-three bovine split leather samples tanned with various metal-free tanning agents were analyzed, and pyrolytic markers were determined in reference materials, intermediates, and end-products. Evolved gas analysis coupled with mass spectrometry was used to compare the thermodegradative profiles of metal-free leathers and chromium tanned leather.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Laura Fornasini, Simona Raneri, Stefano Legnaioli, Vincenzo Palleschi, Antonella Casoli, Silvia Simeti, Danilo Bersani
Summary: The church of San Francesco del Prato in Parma, Italy, is a Gothic masterpiece from the 13th century. It was not appreciated for its historical and monumental value due to its transformation into a jail. Recent restoration works revealed valuable frescoes and wall paintings from different periods.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Analytical
B. Campanella, F. Poggialini, S. Legnaioli, B. Cocciaro, G. Lorenzetti, S. Raneri, V. Palleschi
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Physics, Applied
Vincenzo Palleschi
Summary: The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique is a highly promising laser-based analytical technique, and its evolution can be traced through a chronological collection of key papers.
LASER AND PARTICLE BEAMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ophelie Ranquet, Celia Duce, Emilia Bramanti, Patrick Dietemann, Ilaria Bonaduce, Norbert Willenbacher
Summary: The authors use a combination of egg yolk and two pigments to investigate how different distribution of proteinaceous binder can control the flow behavior, drying kinetics, and chemistry of oil paints. This study demonstrates that adjusting the distribution of proteinaceous binder can enhance the stiffening effect and prevent undesired absorption of humidity, improving the brushability and preserving invaluable artworks.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Rosa Costantini, Luca Nodari, Jacopo La Nasa, Francesca Modugno, Lucia Bonasera, Sara Rago, Alfonso Zoleo, Stefano Legnaioli, Patrizia Tomasin
Summary: This study investigates the instability of polyurethane foam used in artworks, which requires careful conservation strategies. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the main components and additives of the foam. Morphological changes and harmful environmental factors were also studied. The findings provide important insights for preventive conservation of these artworks.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francesco Poggialini, Stefano Legnaioli, Beatrice Campanella, Bruno Cocciaro, Giulia Lorenzetti, Simona Raneri, Vincenzo Palleschi
Summary: This paper discusses the issues related to determining the limits of detection (LOD) in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analytical applications. It illustrates the derivation of the commonly used '3-sigma over slope' rule and its evolution towards the new official definition recently adopted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Methods for extending LOD calculation to LIBS multivariate analysis are also discussed, using the detection of Cu traces in cast iron samples by LIBS as an example.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessia Andreotti, Francesca Caterina Izzo, Ilaria Bonaduce
Summary: The archaeometrical study of Saturnino Gatti's wall paintings focused on the study of the organic component, in order to understand the original binders used and the products used for restoration. Through non-invasive and multi-band imaging techniques, Gatti's original painting technique was identified, and the materials used in restoration were analyzed using mass spectrometry. The analysis revealed the presence of synthetic organic materials, with paraffin being commonly used as a coating/consolidant.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Joshua Torres, Casper Jacobsen Toftgaard, Thomas Delbey, David Brewer, John Farchette III, Guillermo de la Fuente, Kaare Lund Rasmussen
Summary: A sample of 128 pottery shards curated by the National Museum of Denmark from archaeological sites in the US Virgin Islands were thermoluminescence dated to refine pre-colonial pottery chronology. The results generally confirmed existing chronologies, but also revealed significant variation due to overlapping pottery styles. This study demonstrates the viability of thermoluminescence dating in the Virgin Islands and its reliability as an addition to traditional radiocarbon dating for pre-colonial midden contexts. The use of thermoluminescence dating provides a nuanced chronology and enhances understanding of settlement timing, socio-cultural interaction, and information transmission.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Lavinia de Ferri, Beatrice Campanella, Alice Martignon, Davide Vallotto, Benedetta Tomaini, Stefano Legnaioli, Giulio Pojana
Summary: SERS measurements and false colour images were used to analyze historical textile fragments, revealing the use of multiple dyes and the presence of previously unidentified compounds. The study also highlighted the need for a complete database of historical dyes.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Simona Raneri, Lucia Mancini, Gabriele Lanzafame, Alexander Peter Kao, Konstantinos Giannoukos, Ravi Chandra Malladi, M. Shiva Kumar, Vincenzo Palleschi, Thirumalini Selvaraj
Summary: The characterisation of lime mortars is crucial for the conservation and repair of ancient buildings. The pore structure, influenced by manufacturing processes, recipes, and technical expedients, plays a significant role in the strength and durability of mortars. Fermenting organic matter in water and adding it to lime mixture has shown promising potential for improving workability and mechanical performance. The use of high-resolution synchrotron radiation computed microtomography (SR-mu-CT) proves to be an effective tool for studying the contribution of organically fermented water in lime mortars and understanding the impact on pore structure and mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Francesco Poggialini, Beatrice Campanella, Bruno Cocciaro, Giulia Lorenzetti, Vincenzo Palleschi, Stefano Legnaioli
Summary: This review paper discusses the evolution of the calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS) method and explores its new applications in the past decade. It provides interested researchers with insights into the latest trends and strategies that have been developed to improve the analytical performance of CF-LIBS since the last comprehensive review.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
George R. Milner, Hugh R. Milner, Jesper L. Boldsen, Kaare L. Rasmussen
Summary: A GIS approach improves the analysis of trace element data from cortical bone. The use of GIS procedures allows for more precise studies of individual life histories using LA-ICP-MS data. Concentrations of Sr, Ba, Pb, and Cu in bone microstructure indicate postmortem chemical alteration and correlations between dietary and socioeconomic indicators.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Anna Lluveras-Tenorio, Alessia Andreotti, Fabio Talarico, Stefano Legnaioli, Luca M. Olivieri, Maria Perla Colombini, Ilaria Bonaduce, Simona Pannuzi
Summary: The research investigates the materials and techniques of Gandharan art through chemical analysis of samples taken from stucco architectural decorations, shedding light on ancient painting techniques and artistic technologies. The aim is to understand the influences exerted on this Buddhist ancient art from Eastern and Western artistic traditions.
Article
Anthropology
Julia Becher, Alex Schoeman, Gavin Whitelaw, Stephen Buckley, Jean-Pierre Celliers, Sara Cafisso, Matthias Belser, Maxime Rageot, Cynthianne Spiteri
Summary: This study represents the first application of Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) to southern African early farming pottery to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior and subsistence patterns. The study found evidence of dairy processing and multi-purpose functionality of the ceramics. It also discovered potential medicinal use and the involvement of dung in pottery sealing and mending.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Jon Clindaniel, Matthew Magnani
Summary: Large sources of digital trace data have become important in the study of material culture. The authors introduce a computational method to observe digital formation processes and highlight the importance of accounting for these processes in studies utilizing digital trace data.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Rebecca A. G. Reid, Miranda M. E. Jans, Lesley A. Chesson, Rebecca J. Taylor, Gregory E. Berg
Summary: Chemical treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity but has no significant impact on stable isotope ratio analysis. Examination of treated and untreated human remains through histological and stable isotope analysis reveals that treated remains exhibit better preservation compared to untreated remains. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains, regardless of their origin.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Laura Tome, Eneko Iriartec, Antonio Blanco-Gonzalez, Margarita Jambrina-Enriquez, Natalia Eguez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera, Carolina Mallola
Summary: This paper presents the outcomes of a microcontextual geoarchaeological study conducted on earthen dwellings from the Early Iron Age village of Cerro de San Vicente. The study employed soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, XRD, and XRF analyses to investigate various aspects of the dwellings, including construction materials, site formation processes, and daily life practices. The results have shed light on the construction layers, floor use, maintenance, repaving, periods of abandonment and decay, and the presence of lipid biomarkers associated with dwelling functionality. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient construction practices and the utilization of domestic spaces during the Early Iron Age.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
