Scientists can now identify elements and molecules embedded inside another object without a chemical probe and without having to destroy the object, according to research published online in Nature Materials on May 29.
Using X-ray beams from a synchrotron light source, European researchers observed the distribution of chemical bonds in different forms of carbon deep inside an opaque material.
“Our new technique can see not only which elements are present in any inclusions but also what kind of molecule or crystal they belong to,” said lead author Simo Huotari at the University of Helsinki in a press release.
Previously, studying the composition of objects, such as carbon-based life, trapped deep inside other materials has not been easy. X-ray tomography reveals shape and texture in medicine and material science, but does not provide information about chemical states.
“If the inclusion contains oxygen, we can tell whether the oxygen belongs to a water molecule,“ Huotari added. ”If it contains carbon, we can tell whether it is graphite, diamond-like, or some other carbon form. Just imagine finding tiny inclusions of water or diamond inside martian rock samples hidden deep inside the rock.”
The technique could revolutionize chemical analysis of rare materials like fossils and meteors. “Now I would love to try this on Martian or moon rocks,” Huotari said.
Using X-ray beams from a synchrotron light source, European researchers observed the distribution of chemical bonds in different forms of carbon deep inside an opaque material.
“Our new technique can see not only which elements are present in any inclusions but also what kind of molecule or crystal they belong to,” said lead author Simo Huotari at the University of Helsinki in a press release.
Previously, studying the composition of objects, such as carbon-based life, trapped deep inside other materials has not been easy. X-ray tomography reveals shape and texture in medicine and material science, but does not provide information about chemical states.
“If the inclusion contains oxygen, we can tell whether the oxygen belongs to a water molecule,“ Huotari added. ”If it contains carbon, we can tell whether it is graphite, diamond-like, or some other carbon form. Just imagine finding tiny inclusions of water or diamond inside martian rock samples hidden deep inside the rock.”
The technique could revolutionize chemical analysis of rare materials like fossils and meteors. “Now I would love to try this on Martian or moon rocks,” Huotari said.
