Prototype Analyser Tests Ground in Mining Applications

Dr Graeme Hansford from the University of Leicester’s Space Research Centre (SRC) has recently started a collaborative project with Bruker Elemental to develop a handheld mineral analyser for mining applications – said to be the first of its kind.

The analyser will combine a novel X-ray diffraction method, invented at the University of Leicester and further developed at the Space Research Centre with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to identify and quantify the minerals. Expected to weigh just 1.5 kg, the analyser will be capable of producing results within 1-2 minutes and requires no sample preparation.

Dr Hansford said: “It’s very fulfilling for me to see the development of this novel XRD technique from initial conception through theoretical calculations and modelling to experimental demonstration.

“The next step is to develop the commercial potential and I’m very excited to be working with Bruker Elemental on the development of a handheld instrument.”

Alexander Seyfarth, senior product manager at Bruker Elemental, said: “Bruker is excited to be involved in this project as it will bring new measurement capabilities to our handheld equipment.  In many cases this system will provide information on the crystallography of the sample in addition to the elemental analysis.”

Dr Hansford originally conceived of the XRD technique in early 2010, when trying to work out how to apply XRD for space applications - for example on the surface of Mars or an asteroid - without the need for any sample preparation.

The next stage of the current project will focus on developing and testing the methodology using samples which are representative of real-world problems encountered in mining, before moving to the stage of developing a prototype handheld device at the SRC in conjunction with Bruker.