Traditionally XRF has not been the must useful technique for biological and medical research, since it is usually necessary to work with a full vacuum in order to detect many of the biologically important elements (including Sodium, Magnesium, Sulfur , Calcium). Typical samples in these fields cannot withstand such experimental conditions.

However, the unique Partial Vacuum Mode available on the HORIBA XGT systems now opens this technique to the analysis of biological tissues and other water containing materials. Hence it is now possible to characterise these materials using XRF. The microscopic capabilities of the XGT systems allows individual particles or features to be analysed, and imaging experiments can show the distribution of elements across a surface.

Areas which have already utilised the power of micro-XRF analysis include bone disease research, drug pathways and accumulation in tissue, micro-nodules in plant leaves, phytoremediation pathways in plants, and imaging of gallstones. The common link between these is the requirement for microscopic elemental analysis of both major and trace elements.

• Leaves and plants
• Tissue
• Bones
• Disease investigation
• Drug interactions
• Pharmaceutical materials
• Mineral deposits and stones
• Implants and scaffolds