X-ray powder diffraction
Regulations for the use of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) laboratory
According to the resolution of the Department of Geodynamics and Geomaterials Research of the University of Würzburg of 06.12.2010, the use of the XRD laboratory is regulated by the following usage regulations. An adjustment of the costs will be made according to a resolution of 10.03.2017.
Please note: The device is subject to the radiation protection regulations of the department!
1. Laboratory equipment
The core of the laboratory is a Malvern Panalytical Aeris (Research Edition) X-ray fine structure analyzer with an X-ray tube with copper anode (Cu-Ka radiation). The analytical capabilities include qualitative crystal structure analysis of whole rock/total material. The routine analysis refers primarily to geological sample material, i.e. rocks, ores, soil samples, etc., but also to archaeological and modern (materials) (e.g. glass, ceramics, pharmaceutical and synthetic materials).
2. Sample preparation
XRD requires powdered samples, which can be crushed in the coarse preparation laboratory with a jaw crusher, pulverized with a vibrating disk mill, and dried in the drying oven, if required. The pulverized samples are then coated into the designated sample carriers. This work is carried out by the users themselves, but may only be done under the guidance of the employee responsible for the preparation.
3. Measurement appointment
Appointments for sample preparation and measurements are requested from the supervising persons (by telephone, e-mail, or in person) and entered in a calendar. All appointments are non-binding, as disturbances in the laboratories can occur at any time, resulting in rescheduling. Significant changes to the measurement schedule, which may result from an instrument shutdown with prolonged service calls, are discussed in consultation with the workgroup leaders, taking into account in particular the urgency of a measurement project (e.g., deadline for BSc theses).
4. Costs
The cost of the laboratory is composed of two items:
1. Costs for acquisition and operation
- Power
- Support office
- Repair costs
- Replacement of electrical and mechanical components that are not typical wear items (e.g., power supplies; computers; labware)
2. Costs for carrying out the measurement operation and for ensuring the quality of the analysis
- Costs for special gases (helium flushing of the sample chamber)
- Running costs for consumables (chemicals for sample preparation, spectrometer windows)
- Costs for maintenance and service
- New purchase, or repurchase of certified standards
For the calculation of the proportionate laboratory costs that can be allocated to academic users, only the laboratory costs for carrying out the measurement operation and for ensuring the quality of the analysis were taken into account. This results in the following flat rates for use for different user groups:
18 € / hour – for all academic work carried out by members of the department (under the responsibility of the respective working group leaders) as well as for those guests who cooperate directly with the working group leaders in joint projects.
24 € / hour – for university members who are not part of the Department of Geodynamics and Geomaterials Research and for such guests who do not cooperate with the working group leaders within the framework of projects.
60 € / hour – for third parties (companies, non-institutes) within the framework of commercial contract analysis. These costs include sample preparation, measuring instrument time, intensive support of the project by the operator, evaluation of the data, writing of a report.
Würzburg, 22.03.2024
Dr. Stefan Höhn, Tel. 0931-31-85422 oder stefan.hoehn@uni-wuerzburg.de
