Biomedical and Environmental Research Group

Research activities conducted by members of the Biomedical and Environmental Research Group are closely connected with the development and applications of analytical techniques utilizing X-ray and infrared radiation. They include techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), micro-beam X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) (micro-)spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Activities of the Group are focused on biomedical research, monitoring of environmental pollution, characterization of objects of cultural heritage and they include:

1. In the area of biomedical research:

  • development and applications of X-ray and infrared radiation-based techniques (including synchrotron radiation) to study physio- and pathological processes in tissue,
  • development of methods of quantitative mapping of spatial distributions of elements in biological samples with the use of micro-XRF technique,
  • elaboration of a method of comparative in vivo imaging of rodent brain and the microtome brain sections with the use of spectroscopic methods,
  • elaboration of relocation and positioning methodology for samples transferred between spectroscopic imaging setups and the optical/fluorescence microscope, for the purpose of chemical imaging of tissue samples.

2. In the area of environmental research

  • outdoor and indoor air aerosols sampling, application of XRF technique for the determination of chemical composition of air particulate matter in support to research on air pollution sources fingerprinting, source apportionment, aerosol transport, impact of air pollution on urban and rural areas – Environmental Research Team,
  • air quality assessment in spa towns with the use of XRF and physicochemical methods,
  • application of XRF and infrared micro-spectroscopy for the determination of elemental concentrations and spatial distributions of elements and functional molecular groups in geological samples,
  • the use of FTIR micro-spectroscopy in research on microplastic presence in sea sediments and sea beaches.

3. In the area of cultural heritage protection:

  • application of X-ray spectrometry to non-destructive characterization of objects of art, archeological artifacts and other unique/valuable samples from the cultural heritage domain,
  • characterization of indoor air pollution in historical churches and museum exhibitions with the use of XRF technique.

The Group is involved in the development and maintenance of research infrastructure of the PolyX beamline at the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre and participates in providing support to the beamline users.

group head: dr hab. inż. Magdalena Szczerbowska-Boruchowska, prof. AGH

Scientific equipment

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
 

M4 Tornado Plus (Bruker)

Focused beam X-ray fluorescence scanning spectrometer for determination of lateral distributions of elements and localized chemical composition of heterogenous samples with the following specification: 30 W X-ray tube with Ag anode equipped with a set of primary beam collimators (beam spot diameter: 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 4.5 mm) and filters, 30 W X-ray tube with Rh anode equipped with set of filters and polycapillary lens for primary beam focusing down to 20 µm, two silicon drift detectors (SDD) with energy resolution FWHM < 150 eV at 5.9 keV and ultra-thin 60 mm2 entrance windows, capability for detecting elements with atomic number Z > 5,  integrated optical microscope (magnification: x10, x100) for selecting regions of interest on analyzed samples with option of stitching optical microscope images to cover large area samples, measurements conducted in air at pressure reduced down to 2 mbar or using helium flush, capability for high spatial resolution (~ 20 µm) fast elemental mapping and localized multipoint analysis of samples with mass up to 7 kg and lateral dimensions 20 cm x 16 cm, detection limits of elements (Z > 9) in the range from about 1 to 100 µg/g.
 

Nanohunter II (Rigaku)

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for determination of element concentrations in homogenous samples and elemental profiles in layered flat samples with the following specification: 600 W X-ray tube with Mo anode, silicon drift detector (SDD) with energy resolution FWHM < 150 eV at 5.9 keV and 60 mm2 entrance area, X-ray beam forming with the use of multilayer bend monochromator, measurement conducted in air or helium atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, simultaneous determination of elements with atomic number Z > 14, detection limits of the order 0.5 µg/g, capability for quantitative analysis of small samples (~ 100 mg) and qualitative analysis of very small aliquots (< 100 µg).
 

Multifunctional X-ray spectrometer system

Spectrometer system utilizing high-power X-ray tube (up to 3 kW, available anodes: Cr, Mo, Ag, W) comprising of three independent measurement lines: (1) energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRFS) utilizing exchangeable secondary/polarizing targets, silicon drift detector and 8-position sample changer; (2) X-ray absorption and X-ray tomography demonstration setup; (3) X-ray radiation dose evaluation demonstration setup.
 

Portable XRF spectrometer

Radioisotope source based, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer comprising of annular 238Pu source, Si-PIN thermoelectrically cooled X-ray detector (7 mm2 active area, 0.3 mm nominal thickness, 0.5 mil Be window).
 

Fourier transform infrared microscopy system 

Setup configuration enables analysis of liquid and solid samples in mid and near infrared ranges, in micro- and macro-scale using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy methods in transmission, reflectance, transreflectance, ATR, low angle excitation and polarized IR modes. The setup is comprised of FTIR spektrometer Nicolet 8700 (Thermo Scientific) with multi-bounce ATR attachment (Smart Multi-Bounce HATR Thermo Scientific) and infrared microscope Continuum (Thermo Scientific).

Multi-wavelength absorption black carbon instrument (MABI)

SAMPLING AND SAMPLE PREPARATION EQUIPMENT

Air particulate matter samplers PM2.5 and PM10.

Analytical ultra-microbalance.

Agate mortar, sieves, system for homogenization of powdered samples, hydraulic press for preparation of pellet samples.

Pressurized chemical digestion system (TEFLON bomb), oven with temperature cycle control, water purification system, freeze-dryer, liquid nitrogen sample storage, clean room.

Cryostat Leica CM1850UV for sample freezing and sectioning.

Cryo (liquid nitrogen) freezer/mill model 6775 (SPEX Sample Prep.).