Laboratories Category: Scientific Laboratories

Overview

Conducts accurate quantitative mineralogical and petrographic analyses of stones and minerals using internationally accepted techniques and standards.

Services

• Performs basic and advanced mineralogical and petrographic analyses of samples generated from geological mapping, mineral exploration projects, and geo-archaeological research.
• Preparation of quality petrographic thin sections and polished sections of rocks, ores…etc.
• Carrying out mineralogical and petrographic analyses to the samples related to monuments and samples generated from archeological sites.

CONTENTS

Petrographic microscope (polarizing microscope)

It is used mainly in geo-archaeological studies to identify stones and minerals in thin sections.

This type of microscope is characterized by the use of polarized light, in which the light vibrates in one direction, unlike the microscopes that use regular light that vibrates in random directions.

It is used in anisotropic materials.

Inverted Microscope

It is a microscope with its light source and condenser on the top, above the stage pointing down, while the objectives are below the stage pointing up.
It is used to identify the opaque minerals in polished sections.

It is used in isotropic materials, required a technique employing reflected light from the polished surface.

A Stereo Microscope

It is a type of optical microscope that allows the user to see a three-dimensional view of the specimen. Otherwise known as a dissecting microscope or stereo zoom microscope. Magnification ranges from 7.5 to 75x. Opaque, thick, solid objects are ideal to be studied with this tool.

Uses of “Stereo Microscope”:

It is used by biologists to aid in dissections, used in the study of insects without having to dissect them, Technicians use stereo microscopes when they repair circuit boards, in Quality control to check the quality of products.

The thermal analysis unit includes:

1. Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA).
2. FT-IR microscopy.
3. FT-IR Microscopy Combined with TGA System (TGA-IR).
4. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
5. Differential/Thermal Mechanical Analysis (DMA).

Thermal analysis unit can be used to identify wall painting degradation, binding media, metals, metal alloys, metallic corrosion, ceramics, glass archaeometry, polymer, plastic and composites, archaeological soil, pottery, ceramics, buried archaeological remains, nanomaterial, DNA, RNA, protein, bones, pigments, and dyes.

Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA)

TGA measures the weight change of a sample as a function of temperature. It can be used to determine weight loss with temperature, thermal stability, and thermo gravimetric kinetics.

FT-IR microscopy

FTIR microscopy has the ability to capture images of large sample areas rapidly at high spatial resolution. It also has the capabilities of intelligent automation and sophisticated analysis. It incorporates a number of unique productivity tools and features, such as an ATR imaging system that enables the collection of high-resolution infrared images of extremely small samples to visualize the composition of materials based on FT-IR spectral data. It can be used in material analysis, forensics, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, biomaterials, and academic research.

FTIR Microscopy combined with TGA System (TGA-IR)

TGA-IR can analyze polymeric materials, fire retardant polymers, and the enhanced correlation between weight loss and polymer structure. Its applications include the analysis of coal decomposition and pharmaceuticals, where it can be used to better identify bonded and free water in pharmaceuticals. It also has the ability to form quantitative and qualitative analyses without the need for a standard.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

DSC measures the energy absorbed or released from a sample as a function of time or a temperature profile. It is used to recognize organic compounds and polymers. Its applications include measuring glass transition, heat capacity, melting points, and purities.

Differential/Thermal Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

DMA provides easy access to, and mounting of, samples; rapid changing of samples and clamps (typically less than 2 minutes); immersion experiments in any geometry; and optimal analysis head configuration for virtually any test type and sample geometry. It can be used for moisture-induced phase transitions; moisture-sensitive materials like paper, natural fibers, and food products; swelling, shrinking and stiffness changes as humidity changes; also plasticizing and Tg effects as seen in nylon and polyurethanes.

Spectrometer unit includes:

1. UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer.
2. Fluorescence Spectrophotometer.

UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer

UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer measures the intensity of transmitted light through the sample or reflected light from the sample, and compares it to the intensity of the fundamental light. It achieves high-performance testing across a spectral range of up to 3300 nm. The UV/Vis resolution reaches 0.05 nm, while the NIR resolution reaches up to 0.20 nm. It has large, dual sample compartments. Also has a universal reflectance accessory and snap-in integrating spheres. It can be used to identifying glass archaeometry, binding medium, the degradation process of the leather, archaeological soils, pottery, buried archaeological remains, nanomaterials, protein (amino acids), bones, pigments, and dyes. UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer can be used in materials analysis, forensics, quality control, product improvement, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, biomaterials, and academic research.

Fluorescence Spectrophotometer

The fluorescence spectrophotometer determines the concentration of analytic solutions based on their fluorescent properties. It has a huge range of accessories, a pulsed Xenon lamp that reduces photo bleaching of samples, a large convenient sample compartment, and user-friendly FL Win Lab software. It is highly sensitive and flexible, and is ideal for research applications; it has holographic gratings to reduce stray light, as well as automated polarizers. It can be used to identifying protein (amino acids), pigments, and dyes. It can also be used in biotechnology applications, forensic applications, pharmaceutical applications, environmental applications, and academic research.

This laboratory is specialized in analyzing and tracing the chemical elements and isotopes of the periodic table, especially the Heavy Metals. The analysis process includes the identification and quantification of elements at very low concentration levels up to the ppt of a sample. It has a wide range of applications in archaeology and other scientific research fields. For example, in archaeology, the analysis process includes the identification of sources and technology of slips, glazes, and paints on ancient ceramics, as well as the determination of trace elements in ancient artifacts. Applications in other fields include the food industry, drinking water analysis, pharmaceutical and biomedical fields, the isotopic ratio used in geological dating of rocks, and other scientific research fields.

Movable micro XRF is an elemental analysis technique that quickly and easily provides data regarding the elemental composition of an archaeological sample from magnesium (Mg) to uranium (U) in situ.

It is required for origin or age determination of unique and valuable art objects, for investigating objects that secure evidence in forensic sciences as well as for final testing of industrial products and for materials research.

Movable micro XRF can be used for archeological soil analysis, sourcing/source separation of obsidian and other lithics, ceramics analysis and sourcing, pigment analysis, analysis of glazes, varnishes, lacquers, and patinas, analysis of objects in museum contexts for treatment with toxic heavy metal pesticides (As, Hg, Pb) as part of NAGPRA compliance, glass analysis, analysis of archeological metals and alloys.

It can be also used in archaeometry, restoration and conservation, process-related quality control, forensic sciences, and research and development of advanced materials.

The Mastersizer uses laser diffraction techniques to measure the size of particles. These could be suspensions of solid particles, emulsion droplets, or even dry powders.

The control and understanding of particle size and size distribution are key in understanding both physical and chemical properties. Measuring particle size distributions and understanding how they affect the products and processes can be critical for the success of many manufacturing businesses.

Particle size and size distribution have a direct influence on material properties such as reaction rate, dissolution rate, packing density, product appearance, sedimentation, and texture.

Our range of particle size analyzers use different measuring principles and cover a size range from 0.3 nm to >3 mm.

The Mastersizer uses the principles of static light scattering (SLS) and Mie theory to calculate the size of particles in a sample. The basic principle is those small particles will scatter light at large angles and large particles will scatter light at small angles, as shown in the diagram on the right. The scattering pattern produced by the sample is recorded and by applying Mie scattering theory the distribution of particle sizes can be calculated.

The technique of laser diffraction particle sizing enables us to measure the size distribution of emulsion droplets. This data obtained aids in the selection of appropriate emulsifiers to control droplet size and distribution.

Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Time of Flight (UPLC-ToF)

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) is a powerful tool to separate the components of a complex mixture. It could be considered as a new and alternative method to the conventional LC in which the main difference is the particle size of column sorbent (less than 2 μm) that requires a high pressure (15,000 psi) to work with. This technology allows for lower injection volume, less sample consumption, faster flow rate, and higher sample throughput, and thus increasing the chromatographic performance (narrower peaks and shorter chromatographic runs). UPLC is equipped with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToF) for better identification efficiency (mass sensitivity and analytical resolution). UPLC-ToF can be used for the detailed analysis of dyes, inks, oils, proteins, waxes, gums, and resins in the archaeological materials.

Gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometer is important for the analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It has a fast oven heat-up which allows faster chromatography and particularly useful when speeding up the elution of late eluting compounds. It has the fastest available cool-down rate that is delivered using forced convection air. This device greatly reduces the non-productive time between runs.

The device can analyze absorbed pottery residues, visible pottery residues, organic binders, and pigments in paintings and artwork, resins, sealants, and many other substances.

It can also be used in forensic applications, biological analysis, pharmaceutical research, chemical warfare, geochemical research, and industrial applications.

Radiocarbon dating can be used to dated artifacts dating back to more than 5,000 years. It can be also used for dating archaeological organic materials as papyrus, scrolls, wood, pottery, and some other materials.

It can be used for drinking water analyses of Rn, Ra, U, gross alpha/beta, food analysis for strontium/yttrium, radiation fallout studies (Sr-90, Cs-137, plutonium), groundwater circulation and oceanographic studies, radiocarbon dating of archaeological and art samples (C-14), adulteration studies in art, wine and liquors (C-14), plant growth and pesticide studies (C-14, P-32, P33), biosynthesis pathways (C-14, P-32, P-33).

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization has a Paleobiobank as a reference unit for the organization of archaeological in the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. This emphasizes the importance of having a biological repository for preserving biological samples from different organisms as one of the main foundations in life science research and in preserving the genetic origins of various organisms. This bank or bio-repository will play many roles related to life science research. It will store samples that were only available to be taken for a short time (such as some archaeological samples from which samples were taken only once due to their archaeological importance or to unavailability for resampling after their discovery). Also, it will save samples of extinction-prone organisms (such as; some types of wild, extinct or rare plants, and animals, or microbes with unique characteristics). The field of ancient life science research is similar to its contemporary counterpart in the demand to have an archaeological biological repository for preserving samples of biological remains of all kinds (human, animal, plant, or microbial). The bank will store samples using an integrated classification system and thorough scientific documentation.

Objectives of the Paleobiobank:

The idea of establishing a Paleobiobank arose from the need to preserve reference samples of mummies, skeletons, plant and animal remains and to make them available for study by various scientific research disciplines. This will help in drawing a clearer picture of the Egyptian civilization through the studies of its various aspects, in addition to the possibility of making use of the ancient knowledge in discovering and generating useful information for the current fields of industry and health. This will be considered new economic opportunities for ancient Egyptian heritage.

The basic structure of the bank:

1. A laboratory for receiving, handling, and processing samples (cleaning the samples from pollutants and sterilization). In addition to their classification (according to the organism nature (human, animal, or plant), the era, the dynasty, the discovery site, the social class of the person (Royals, nobles or workers) … etc.).
2. A sample storage unit with high-cooling devices for preserving biological samples using biobank standard measures.
3. A small laboratory equipped to execute minor laboratory procedures such as dividing stored samples and making quality control and assurance tests, etc.
4. A database unit for archiving samples (electronic archive).

Sample handling mechanism:

The biobank will follow a clear policy concerning the availability of archaeological samples for study, whereby protocols for handling and allowing researchers to deposit and receive samples for the study will be devised according to the framework of the policies and decisions of the supreme council of antiquities.