The Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) continues to strengthen its scientific infrastructure as a contribution to the industrial development of the country. On this occasion, the X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory, located in the Guatiguará Technology Park, incorporates a new sequential X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, a key tool to enhance teaching, research and the provision of specialized services to industry.
This equipment allows qualitative and quantitative analysis of solid and liquid materials, identifying the presence and concentration of chemical elements from sodium to uranium, even at minimum levels of up to 10 parts per million, depending on the sample matrix.
According to Professor José Antonio Henao, director of the X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory, thanks to the support of the University it was possible to acquire this instrument, which will strengthen a series of services aimed at sectors such as mining, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and metalworking. “This equipment strengthens the laboratory’s work and will allow us to offer shorter response times. For example, when analyzing a soil or fertilizer sample, we can determine the levels of iron, sodium, potassium or phosphorus present. If we detect iron, using the diffraction technique we can establish what type of iron oxides the sample contains or if this element is part of a mineral,” he explained.
In addition to its applications in specialized services, the new spectrometer will contribute to the training of undergraduate and graduate students, as it will be available for the development of academic and research projects.
This equipment strengthens the scientific capacity of the X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory, which has advanced technology for the analysis of a wide range of materials. Its services, aimed at the scientific and business sectors, focus on analysis, training, consulting and research in fluorescence and X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline and monocrystalline samples. Thanks to this versatility, the laboratory is consolidated as a strategic ally for the development of research projects, not only locally, but also in Latin America and internationally.
