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The Application of Electron Backscatter Diffraction to the Forensic Analysis of Minerals
Electron Backscatter Diffraction has been largely used in the metallurgic and material sciences and until now, has found few applications in the forensic sciences. One of the few utilizations of this technique in forensic science is in firearm serial number restoration as a complementary technique to the time-consuming and tedious chemical etching methods. This research aims to expand the uses of Electron Backscatter Diffraction in the forensic sciences as it applies to other types of samples, specifically as it pertains to forensic mineral analysis. Electron Backscatter Diffraction offers the analyst information regarding crystal structure of a material, so long as the sample is crystalline in nature. Minerals, many of which are crystalline in nature, can be analyzed using Electron Backscatter Diffraction. The Electron Backscatter Diffraction instrumentation used to achieve these patterns is coupled with a Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer. These three instruments provide the analyst information of morphology, elemental composition, and of course, crystal structure. This combination of information in one single system is the most attractive feature of this method.Minerals have long been encountered in items of forensic importance, primarily as the main constituent of the inorganic portion of soil. Scientists have determined numerous methods to analyze this type of evidence by its mineral content, to determine if two samples came from a common origin. This information can aid in a forensic investigation to determine if a suspect has ever been at a crime scene, or with the use of geo-sourcing, determine where a crime scene is located.Polymorphisms are of special importance in forensic science as they further allow the differentiation of samples based on their crystal structure. By many of the currently used forensic techniques for analyzing the mineral fraction of soil samples, only the chemical composition is determined, by the physical properties of the bulk sample assessed. However, with the use of Electron Backscatter Diffraction, one can determine the crystal structure and determine the polymorph present. Determining the crystal structure of a mineral can help to add to the information about a sample, either as exclusionary or inclusionary evidence in a forensic investigation. This study aims to examine minerals commonly found in nature, which could ultimately become forensic evidence, and the ability of Electron Backscatter Diffraction to obtain crystal information from a single grain or crystal. The parameters necessary to achieve this information will be thoroughly studied. Various sample preparation techniques will be considered. The applicability of this technique to gem authentication will be tested. Lastly, this research aims to answer the question as to whether Electron Backscatter Diffraction can be successfully used to analyze minerals in real forensic case samples.
Dissertation
Rocks & minerals
Text and photographs examine the creation, importance, erosion, mining, and uses of rocks, minerals and precious metals.
Book
Calcined Soiled Waste: Performance, Cost and Energy Efficient Pozzolan in Cementitious Building Material
The pursue for rapid urban and economic development across the globe leads to a steep increase in construction activities involving huge demand of concrete. This study investigates the suitability of converting unwanted Singapore marine clay (SMC) and waste bentonite slurry (WBS) into a sustainable substitution of cement through thermal treatment called calcination, that requires 40% lower temperature than cement production. Material characterisation through various techniques will be employed to examine the suitability of waste clays as a cement substitute. While various influencing factors to compressive strength have been documented in literature, an in-depth understanding is still lacking. This study attempts to fill the gap by examining salient factors (effect of percentage substitution, calcination temperature, particle size and storage conditions on the calcined waste clay) which performance of pozzolan is dependent on. A statistical analysis of factorial regression on the contribution of each influence will provide critical quantitative values to ascertain the significance of each factor to compressive strength. At the same time, this study aims to propose a guideline where calcination techniques can be optimised to achieve the best strength performance of cement-calcined clay mortars. The estimated cost savings, and lower carbon footprint from reduced energy expenditure required by calcination of clays will be assessed and compared to OPC production and commercially produced clay minerals. Lastly, a novel approach of using vacuum technology to reduce calcination temperatures is simultaneously examined.Results indicate that both calcined Singapore marine clay and calcined waste bentonite can optimally replace cement up till 20% replacement level. This is maintained while achieving strength higher than pure mortar, with lower energy requirement and carbon emission. The production of calcined waste clays requires an activation temperature of only 700°C as compared to 1450°C in the manufacturing of cement. Using the proposed novel method of calcination i.e., placing marine clay through thermal treatment in vacuum, activation temperature may be reduced from 1450°C in the manufacturing of cement to 450℃ for calcined under low pressure condition. This 1000°C reduction in temperature will remarkably reduce fossil fuel and energy consumption, lowering our carbon footprint.
Dissertation