Development of non destructive elemental analyses of bulk samples using techniques derived from atomic and nuclear physics

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Knowing the elemental content of an object can be vitally important. For example, the amount of lead in a person’s bone gives information about their history of exposure to lead. The elemental profile of the pigments in a painting can determine when it was painted and perhaps whether it is genuine. For analysis of people or unique cultural artifacts, it is essential that the measurement not harm the object, that is, it must be non destructive. At McMaster, we specialise in developing methods of measuring elemental content of bulk samples non destructively. The two main methods used are x-ray fluorescence and neutron activation. This proposal breaks new ground in developing a non destructive method of measuring uranium, for example in bone. We shall also examine both neutron activation and x-ray fluorescence to measure selenium, which is essential in small quantities. Both methods show promise, we need to investigate thoroughly to determine which is best and in which circumstances. For some other elements, for example cadmium and gadolinium we shall be building on our previous work to improve measurement systems, in order to detect low level accumulation through environmental exposure, in the case of cadmium, or the residual retention following use as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, in the case of gadolinium. The techniques are applied physics. However, the overall research is multidisciplinary, because the physicists who develop the technique work closely with environmental scientists and health science investigators to apply these methods to learn more about specific situations. Most of our previous areas of application have concerned human health, but the methods can be applied in other areas, such as examination of cultural artifacts, or in assessing potential illicit materials or in threat detection. Most of the new research with this equipment will be carried out by graduate students and other highly qualified personnel in training. This will provide opportunities for these students to enhance their research experience and prepare them for their subsequent leadership roles in industry, government science, health care technology and academia.