Hazardous substances in soil, water or food are harmful for humans, animals and the environment. This is the reason why there is a strong trend, especially in the European Union, of applying stricter and stricter statutory thresholds. Therefore, analytical technologies for monitoring and supervision of statutory thresholds are particularly important. Environmental samples must be analysed for their elemental compositions with a high throughput in order to meet an expected increasing demand.
Conventional destructive analytical methods for multi-element analysis used in environmental analysis require chemical pulping by strong acids. Samples necessarily need to be small. Existing non-destructive methods, such as X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF), are only convenient for small homogeneous samples. It is restricted to surface analysis and a limited number of elements.
AiNT has developed an innovative non-destructive and non-contact analytical technology for complete multi-element detection using neutrons as probes. The technology enables an analysis of large environmental samples in a short time without sample preparation. Compared to existing methods, samples can be stored to preserve evidence. Costs for analysis will be significantly reduced.
The developed methodology opens the opportunity for AiNT to enter the market of environmental analysis with a unique product. This sector promises high growth rates regarding an ongoing trend towards an extension of environmental protection. The measurement system is currently built in a technical centre of AiNT. Analysis results are created automatically by the developed evaluation software. Results are digitally available and can be uploaded to a cloud-based database for direct access and post-processing. With our technology, we are able to deliver complete results within a single measurement, which means true added value for the customer in terms of reduced costs, simplicity and completeness of measurement results.
