Metal fiducial markers are often implanted on the back of the eye before proton therapy to improve target localization and reduce patient setup errors. We aim to detect characteristic x-ray emissions from metal targets during proton therapy to verify the treatment range accuracy. Initially gold was chosen for its biocompatibility properties. Proton-induced x-ray emissions (PIXE) from a 15 mm di...

A rapid and efficient Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) followed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy detection (LIBS) was evaluated for simultaneous determination of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in water samples. Metals in the samples were extracted with tetrachloromethane as pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) complexes, using vortex agitation to achieve dispersion of the extractant ...

This paper presents what is to our knowledge the first evaluation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) studies on elemental composition detection and identification by employing a femtosecond (fs) fiber laser. Qualitative LIBS spectra were obtained in ambient air using a 1030 nm fs fiber laser. Specific ion and neutral emission lines of different materials have been characterized, inc...

The laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) on the ChemCam instrument [1] on the Curiosity rover on Mars has played a vital role in bringing this new technology to the attention of the scientific community. With over 100,000 spectra from individual laser shots collected to date and many more in progress, ChemCam has amply demonstrated the robustness of this technique for remote applications...

Phototaxis is a phenomenon where cyanobacteria move toward light source. Previous studies have shown that the blue-light-using-flavin (BLUF)-type photoreceptor PixD and response regulator-like protein PixE control phototaxis in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The pixD-null mutant moves away from light, whereas WT, pixE mutant, pixD double light. This indicates functions downstream of...

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technique for stand-off detection of geological samples for use on landers and rovers to Mars, and for other space applications. For space missions, LIBS analysis capabilities must be investigated and instrumental development is required to take into account constraints such as size, weight, power...

A comprehensive investigation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) at 1.500 microm of residues of six organic compounds (anthracene, caffeine, glucose, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene) on aluminum substrates is presented and compared with LIBS at the Nd:YAG fundamental wavelength of 1.064 microm. The overall emission intensities were found to be smaller a...

A computer code, based upon the existing GUPIX code for PIXE analysis, has been developed to fit X-ray spectra that are excited simultaneously by both XRF and PIXE. Full matrix corrections for both excitation modes are included, and element concentrations are deduced. The code is intended for eventual use in processing spectra from the alpha-particle X-ray spectrometers aboard the Mars Explorat...

The rational design and fabrication of electrode materials with desirable architectures and optimized properties has been demonstrated to be an effective approach towards high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Although nanostructured metal oxide electrodes with high specific capacity have been regarded as the most promising alternatives for replacing commercial electrodes in LIBs, their...

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in the field of portable electric devices because of their high energy density and long cycling life. To further improve the performance of LIBs, it is of great importance to develop new electrode materials. Various transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been extensively investigated as electrode materials for LIBs. According to the reaction mecha...