Development of non destructive testing methods for bulk samples using atomic and nuclear physics techniques

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We develop new ways of measuring the amount of an element present in a bulk sample. Where the bulk sample can be a piece of art, an item of luggage or, most often in our case, a living human person. We adapt and use methods derived from atomic physics and nuclear physics and apply them to the special situation of measuring the elemental content of part of the human body. For example, we have developed an x-ray fluorescence method to measure the amount of lead stored in a person's bone. This enables us to find out about that person's exposure to lead over a long period of time. Alternatively, we are refining the development of a neutron activation method to measure aluminum stored in the bones of a person's hand. This will provide an analytical tool that can be used to study the long term health effects of exposure to aluminum, whether through the environment or via the place of work. On the other hand, we are also refining our method of measuring strontium in bone. In some circumstances, a strontium supplement has been shown to confer added strength on bones. Our x-ray fluorescence technique remains the only way of measuring normal and even low levels of bone strontium, without having to take a sample out of the bone. Although most of our research and development concerns elements which are present in only trace quantities in the human body, we are also working on the measurement of nitrogen, which comprises 3 or 4 % of the mass of the body and itself indicates the mass of protein present. The development work described here, is applied physics. Many of the subsequent applications are in health and environmental sciences.