As of January 28, 2007

for international journal X-Ray Spectrometry (John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

X-ray absorption spectroscopy aids improvement of fuel cell performance (January 12, 2007)

Platinum is the most efficient electrocatalyst for accelerating chemical reactions in fuel cells for electric vehicles.  However, the reactions that take place during the stop-and-go driving of an electric car cause the platinum to dissolve, which reduces its efficiency as a catalyst.  Recently, a Brookhaven National Lab group led by Dr. R. Adzic found that adding gold clusters to the platinum electrocatalyst is effective in stabilizing and prolonging the life of the electrocatalyst.  The group tested the performance under the oxidizing conditions of the O₂ reduction reaction and potential cycling between 0.6 and 1.1 V in over 30,000 cycles, and obtained successful results.  X-ray absorption spectra measured at the Pt LIII edge clearly showed that the Au clusters contribute to protecting the platinum from being oxidized.  The next step of the research is to duplicate the results in real fuel cells.  For more information, see the paper, "Stabilization of Platinum Oxygen-Reduction Electrocatalysts Using Gold Clusters", J. Zhang et al., Science, 315, 220 (2007).
　

Synchrotron X-ray analysis of comet particles returned by Stardust spacecraft (December 15, 2006)

In January 2006, the Stardust spacecraft brought back a number of tiny particles from comet Wild 2, which is believed to have originated within a cloud of comets just beyond the orbit of Neptune called the Kuiper Belt.  The particles have been analyzed by X-rays at six synchrotron radiation facilities around the world, ESRF (France), APS (Argonne, USA), SSRL(Stanford, USA), ALS (Berkeley, USA), NSLS (Brookhaven, USA) and SPring-8 (Japan).  The particles from this comet are important because they are believed to be close to the starting material of the solar system, which is now about 4.5 billion years old.  The particles were found to contain a wide variety of minerals and organic materials that look similar to those seen in primitive meteorites found on earth, but the samples also revealed the presence of new materials not previously found in meteorites.  It was also discovered that the samples contained minerals similar to Calcium Aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), which can be formed at high temperatures, i.e., in the innermost part of the solar nebula, well inside the orbit of Mercury.  For more information on the Stardust mission, visit http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html.  Some interesting results have been published as part of a special series of papers in the Dec. 15, 2006, edition of the journal Science.
　

3D imaging of GaN nano dots (~17nm) by coherent X-ray diffraction (November 24, 2006)

By combining coherent X-ray scattering with a method of direct phase recovery called over-sampling, lens-free microscopy in the X-ray region becomes a realistic technique. The latest hot topic is the extension of the technique from two to three dimensions.  One of the most promising ways of applying this technique is the recently reported combination of (i) ab initio phase retrieval of 2D coherent diffraction patterns with a guided hybrid input-output algorithm and (ii) 3D image reconstruction with equally sloped tomography.  The scheme was applied to quantitative 3D imaging of a heat-treated GaN particle with each voxel corresponding to 17×17×17 nm³.  The internal GaN-Ga₂O₃ core shell structure was successfully captured in three dimensions.  For more information about the analysis, see the paper, “Three-Dimensional GaN-Ga₂O₃ Core Shell Structure Revealed by X-Ray Diffraction Microscopy", J. Miao et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 215503 (2006).

Crystal structure of the most famous artificial sweetener determined after more than a century (November 23, 2006)

Sodium saccharinate, NaC₇H₄NO₃S•xH₂O, listed in most catalogues as a dihydrate (x = 2), has been extensively used as a food additive and has constituted the basic component of the diabetics' diet for about 125 years.  However, due to such factors as the instability of the crystal, the large unit cell and a very complex and heavily disordered structure, scientists have been unable to establish its composition with any certainty, until now.  Dr. P. Naumov (Nat'l Inst for Mater. Sci., Japan) and his collaborators recently succeeded in the first determination of the crystal structure, by using special techniques for preserving unstable crystals during X-ray data collection.  This crystal structure, which has as many as 16 formula units in the asymmetric unit (Z’ = 16) as well as one of the largest unit cells, represents one of the most difficult cases for a small molecular species such as the saccharinate ion.  It was found that, instead of being a dehydrate, the crystal is in fact a 1.875 hydrate, because of a structural misfit and the lack of two water molecules per asymmetric unit.  The composition can be best described as Na₆₄(C₇H₄NO₃S)₆₄•120H₂O.  At a meeting of the Asian Crystallographic Association held in Tsukuba, Japan, Dr. Naumov received the Best Presentation Award.  For more information, see the paper, “Solid-state structure and temperature/evacuation-induced dehydration of sodium saccharinate 1.875 hydrate", P. Naumov et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 44, 1251 (2005).
　

Combination of several in-situ X-ray methods clarify how micropores are created in zeolites (November 2, 2006)

Professor Weckhuysen (Utrecht University, Netherlands) and his colleagues have recently solved the molecular mechanism for the organic-base-mediated synthesis of zeolites.  AlPO₄-5 is a typical zeolite, which can be constructed from aluminium-based tetrahedra (AlO₄) and phosphorus-based tetrahedra (PO₄).  The research group compared the formation of the chargeless AlPO₄-5 framework with the negatively charged framework (known as ZnAPO-34) that is formed by replacing Al³⁺ in AlPO4-5 with Zn²⁺.  The former contains one-dimensional channels, but the latter spherical cavities rather than channels.  By employing not only small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS), but also X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it was possible to observe in real time both the structural changes in the aluminophosphate gel and the conformational features of the organic base (tetraethylammonium hydroxide) used as a template for the crystallization of zeolite.  The tetraethylammonium ion was found to form a complex with developing zeolite subunits in the gel, adopting a molecular structure close to that found in the final crystal.  This molecular recognition process determines which type of crystal lattice is formed.  The principal point here is that molecular organization takes place before crystallization.  The experiments were done at BM26A, ESRF (Grenoble, France).  For more information, see the paper, "A Combined SAXS/WAXS/XAFS Setup Capable of Observing Concurrent Changes Across the Nano-to-Micrometer Size Range in Inorganic Solid Crystallization Processes", A. M. Beale et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 12386 (2006).  Another interesting account can also be found in "Physical chemistry: Porous solids get organized", R. A. van Santen1, Nature, 444, 46 (2006).
　

Scientists from France, Germany and U.K. awarded 2007 Japan Prize (January 11, 2007)

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan has announced that French, German and U.K. scientists have been named as laureates of the 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize.  Prof. Albert Fert, 68, of France and Prof. Dr. Peter Grunberg, 67, of Germany, will receive the prize in this year's category of “Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research.”  They discovered the phenomenon of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and contributed to the development of innovative spin-electronics devices.  Dr. Peter Ashton, 72, of the U.K. has been selected in another prize category of “Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-Existence.”  They will receive certificates of merit, and commemorative medals.  There is also a cash award of fifty million Japanese yen for each prize category.  The prize categories for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize will be "Information Communication Theory and Technology" and the“Medical Genomics and Genetics”.  For further details of the Japan Prize, contact The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan, Phone: +81-3-5545-0551, Fax +81-3-5545-0554, info@japanprize.jp, http://www.japanprize.jp/English.htm
　

Compact soft X-ray microscope with 50 nm resolution (January 16, 2007)

JMAR Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has successfully hit the 50 nm resolution milestone targeted in the development of its soft X-ray microscope, which bridges the sizeable gap between optical microscopes and transmission electron microscopes.  Key advantages include the ability to provide not only 2D images, but full 3D tomographic reconstructions without physical slicing.  For further information, contact Dennis Valentine, Chief Financial Officer, Phone: +1-858-946-6800, http://www.jmar.com/2004/index.shtml
　

Sarnoff Imaging Systems' new linear CCD (January 16, 2007)

Sarnoff Imaging Systems has released its 8k linear CCD sensors for standalone purchase.  The company also plans to offer camera modules for companies that do not require a custom-built camera.  The front-illuminated CCD sensor features eight output ports, each running at speeds of up to 19MHz and a 17kHz line rate.  For further information, visit http://www.sarnoffimaging.com/
　

Agilent Technologies releases new software for X-ray inspection (January 3, 2007)

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced the release of its 8.4 software for the Medalist 5DX Automated X-ray Inspection (AXI) system.  The main benefits are expected in the inspection of quad-flat no-lead (QFN) and defect characterization on non-wetted direct FET.  For further information, contact Janet Smith, Phone: +1-970-679-5397, janet_smith@agilent.com, http://www.agilent.com/
　

Sydor's new X-ray streak camera (December 21, 2006)

Sydor Instruments, LLC has announced that the new Sydor ROSS X-Ray Streak Camera is to be presented for the first time at Photonics West 2007 (San Jose, CA, January 23-25, 2007).  Sydor Instruments is the only commercial supplier of the ROSS (Rochester Optical Streak System) technology, which has been developed under an exclusive license from the University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics.  For further information, call +1-585-427-9112 or visit http://www.sydorinstruments.com
　

Hecus XRS launches point-focus X-ray camera (December 18, 2006)

Hecus X-Ray Systems GmbH has announced the launch of S3-MICRO, an X-ray camera system for nanostructure analysis.  The system is powered by GeniX (developed by Xenocs, Grenoble, France), a high brilliance X-ray beam delivery system that uses a low power 50 W micro focus source.  For further information, call +43-316-4811-180, Fax: +43-316-4811-1820, office@hecus.at, http://www.hecus.at
　

e2V opens new Asia Pacific office (January 18, 2007)

e2v has announced the expansion of its sales and support offices with the opening of its new Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong.  For further information, call Andy Bennett, Phone: +44 1245 453296, andy.bennett@e2v.com, http://www.e2v.com/
　

Kodak sells X-ray division (January 10, 2007)

Eastman Kodak Co. is selling its health-imaging business, created after the discovery of X-rays in 1895, to Canadian investment firm Onex Corp. for up to $2.55 billion.  The deal, expected to close in the first half of the year, includes a significant portion of Kodak's plant in Windsor as well as facilities in other cities.  For further information, visit http://www.kodak.com/
　

OMRON launches X-ray business in alliance with UNI HITE System (January 10, 2007)

OMRON, Kyoto, Japan, recently announced that the company will collaborate with UNI-HITE System, and will start developing a 3D X-ray inspection machine mainly for package solder applications.  For further information, call Osamu Harasawa, Phone +81-3-3779-9434, or visit http://www.omron.com/

SpectroscopyNow.com

For additional news about X-ray analysis and other spectroscopy sciences, browse the Wiley website.

Kenji Sakurai
Director, X-Ray Physics Group, National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS)
and Professor, Doctoral Program in Materials Science and
Engineering, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences,
 University of Tsukuba
1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan
Phone : +81-29-859-2821, Fax : +81-29-859-2801
sakurai@yuhgiri.nims.go.jp
http://www.nims.go.jp/xray/lab/

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