An x-ray microscopy method that obtains a classification of different particles by distinguishing between different material phases through a combination of image processing involving morphological edge enhancement and possibly resolved absorption contrast differences between the phases along with optional wavelet filtering.

A method of measuring element concentration in plant leaves comprises steps of: (a) gathering leaves of plants to be tested; (b) conditioning specimens of said leaves; (c) obtaining raw count-per-second XRF datasets of said specimens; (d) obtaining raw NIR datasets of said specimens; (e) obtaining raw analytical datasets; and (f) assessing concentrations of minerals within said specimens on the basis of said count-per-second XRF, NIR and analytical datasets. The aforesaid method further comprises steps of obtaining white reference radiance datasets and normalizing said raw NIR datasets on the basis thereof and providing NIR reflectance datasets.

A method of measuring element concentration in plant leaves comprises steps of: (a) gathering leaves of plants to be tested; (b) conditioning specimens of said leaves; (c) obtaining raw count-per-second XRF datasets of said specimens; (d) obtaining raw NIR datasets of said specimens; (e) obtaining raw analytical datasets; and (f) assessing concentrations of minerals within said specimens on the basis of said count-per-second XRF, NIR and analytical datasets. The aforesaid method further comprises steps of obtaining white reference radiance datasets and normalizing said raw NIR datasets on the basis thereof and providing NIR reflectance datasets.

This application relates to apparatus and method for x-ray fluorescence analysis. There is provided an X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus for analysing a sample, The X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus comprises an X-ray source, a measurement chamber for holding the sample in air, and an X-ray detector. The X-ray source is arranged to irradiate the sample with a primary X-ray beam, to cause the sample to fluoresce. The X-ray detector is arranged to detect characteristic X-rays emitted by the sample and to determine a measured X-ray intensity associated with the characteristic X-rays. An X-ray filter, which transmits the primary X-ray beam, is arranged between the X-ray source and the sample. The X-ray source comprises an anode of material having an atomic number that is less than 25. The X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus further comprises a sensor arrangement configured to sense air pressure and air temperature. A processor receives the measured X-ray intensity. The processor also receives air pressure data and air temperature data from the sensor arrangement. The processor is configured to carry out a compensation calculation for adjusting the measured X-ray intensity using the air pressure data and the air temperature data.

This application relates to apparatus and method for x-ray fluorescence analysis. There is provided an X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus for analysing a sample, The X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus comprises an X-ray source, a measurement chamber for holding the sample in air, and an X-ray detector. The X-ray source is arranged to irradiate the sample with a primary X-ray beam, to cause the sample to fluoresce. The X-ray detector is arranged to detect characteristic X-rays emitted by the sample and to determine a measured X-ray intensity associated with the characteristic X-rays. An X-ray filter, which transmits the primary X-ray beam, is arranged between the X-ray source and the sample. The X-ray source comprises an anode of material having an atomic number that is less than 25. The X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus further comprises a sensor arrangement configured to sense air pressure and air temperature. A processor receives the measured X-ray intensity. The processor also receives air pressure data and air temperature data from the sensor arrangement. The processor is configured to carry out a compensation calculation for adjusting the measured X-ray intensity using the air pressure data and the air temperature data.

The present disclosure provides a method for detection of soil heavy metal pollution using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. Based. Based on hardware equipment such as the UAV, XRF analyzer, and embedded equipment, the present disclosure develops an altitude hold module of the system and a ground-contact monitoring module, and assists the UAV to achieve safe and accurate fixed-point hovering, and develops a driving device for data acquisition to replace manual control and realize the automatic acquisition of XRF data. The data inversion method is realized by using embedded equipment, and after the data is acquired by the portable XRF analyzer near the ground, the algorithm research of inversion processing of contents of heavy metal elements in soil is realized, such that the portable XRF analyzer can automatically and accurately detect the contents of heavy metals in soil at a certain distance.

The present disclosure provides a method for detection of soil heavy metal pollution using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. Based. Based on hardware equipment such as the UAV, XRF analyzer, and embedded equipment, the present disclosure develops an altitude hold module of the system and a ground-contact monitoring module, and assists the UAV to achieve safe and accurate fixed-point hovering, and develops a driving device for data acquisition to replace manual control and realize the automatic acquisition of XRF data. The data inversion method is realized by using embedded equipment, and after the data is acquired by the portable XRF analyzer near the ground, the algorithm research of inversion processing of contents of heavy metal elements in soil is realized, such that the portable XRF analyzer can automatically and accurately detect the contents of heavy metals in soil at a certain distance.

A method and apparatus for x-ray fluorescence measurement in object (1) are disclosed. The method includes (a) producing x-ray beam (2) using source device (10), wherein beam extends through object parallel to a first projection direction, (b) irradiating object with beam at scan positions in first projection plane, which are set by scanning device (20) such that source device and object are moved relative to one another, (c) detecting x-ray radiation emitted from object using detector array device (30) securely connected to source device and including spectrally selective detector elements (31) arranged to detect radiation, and stop lamellas (32) extending in radial directions relative to beam direction shielding detector elements from radiation scattered in object and arranged such that detector elements are able to detect radiation from all locations, and (d) processing detector signals to capture x-ray fluorescence of target particles in radiation and to localize target particles in object.

Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.

Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.