ISMC – In-situ Material Characterisationlab

An R&D infrastructure project 2023 of the FFG

Co-financed by the European Union (ERDF)

 

Project objective:

The aim of the project is to establish a modern laboratory for material characterisation that is specifically equipped for in-situ investigations. The laboratory will be one of the new core facilities at BOKU.

 

Link:

Webseite of the programms of IBW/EFRE - & TJTF: www.efre.gv.at

 

[Translate to English:] EU-Fahne - Kofinanziert von der Europäischen Union
[Translate to English:] FFG - Forschung wirkt

Collaboration at BOKU

The project is embedded in a long-standing collaboration between an interdisciplinary project team.

The key figures in the project come from two different research fields:

  • Institute of Physics and Materials Science, Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources
  • Institute of Soil Research, Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity

The project team is characterised by joint research using innovative methods. Soil is examined using physical methods such as ultrasonic splitting, electron microscopy (with elemental analysis) and X-ray scattering (for structure determination). To determine soil quality, a size range of around one micrometre is of particular interest. This range has been difficult to access until now, but will be made possible by the establishment of the new laboratory.

 

 

Schematic representation of the measurement ranges of X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS). The typical sizes of soil components (DOM, SOM, SOC and aggregates) are also shown. (DOM stands for dissolved organic matter, SOM for soil organic matter and SOC for soil organic carbons)

The project will significantly expand the existing measurement range of XRD and SAXS to include the relevant measurement range of USAXS, increase the sensitivity of the SAXS system and establish new possibilities for imaging techniques.