Characterization
Critical Materials
Characterization Specialists
Critical materials must be characterized before extraction, separation and use. INL uses advanced analytical instruments to detect, quantify and characterize critical materials in natural waters, tailings, recycled materials and more.
Our work provides precise, reliable data to support the efficient extraction of critical materials.
Microscopy and Characterization Suite
The Microscopy and Characterization Suite (MaCS) uses advanced instruments to identify, quantify, and provide detailed analyses of critical materials in sources like ores, recycled materials, industrial byproducts, and more. The suite includes a transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and an electron microprobe. These tools provide high-resolution images and analyze the nanoscale composition and material structures.
Trace Element Laboratory
The Trace Element Geochemistry Lab, which does all standards work for brines for the Department of Energy, quantifies critical material concentrations in solutions down to parts per trillion levels. It features a state-of-the-art clean enclosure designed to measure rare earth element concentrations in oil and gas produced brines.
The facility has a HEPA-filtered, dust-free environment, allowing researchers to isolate and capture rare earth elements. It ensures precise characterization, even in brines with up to 30% dissolved solids, supporting the evaluation of these brines as viable sources of critical materials for advanced technologies in defense, communication and transportation.
The presence of trace amounts of critical materials in a solution could mean there is a larger source nearby. The ability to detect such small amounts of critical materials could lead to the discovery of invaluable sources of critical materials.
Analytical Chemistry
INL has a range of elemental analysis capabilities, including inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ion chromatography techniques.
We can analyze organic and inorganic materials with chemometrics and conduct advanced gas and liquid phase analysis, examining smaller gases, radiation chemistry degradation products and detailed pyrolysis products. Our materials characterization and qualification include new scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with unique features, and an upgraded X-ray diffraction system.
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