Renishaw has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Earth science and mineralogy by sponsoring a major international conference celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Mineralogical Society.
The three-day event, The Mineralogical Society at 150: Past Discoveries and Future Frontiers, was held at the University of Manchester from June 23 to 25, bringing together researchers, academics, industry professionals and students to reflect on the Society’s history while exploring the future of mineral sciences.
Renishaw showcased its latest Raman spectroscopy technologies at the conference, with Sales Manager Dr Dale Boorman and Applications Manager Dr Jennifer Ferguson demonstrating how the company’s systems are helping researchers better understand the chemical composition and structure of geological materials.
Dr Boorman also delivered a presentation highlighting more than three decades of Renishaw innovation in Raman spectroscopy and its role in supporting research across geology and mineralogy.
His talk included examples of Raman imaging being used to analyse volcanic glass from Mount St Helens, as well as Renishaw’s LiveTrack™ focus-tracking technology, which automatically maintains focus across uneven sample surfaces to produce detailed chemical images in both two and three dimensions.
The presentation also featured the portable Virsa™ Raman Analyser, designed to examine geological samples that cannot easily be transported to a laboratory. One example demonstrated how the technology was used to investigate the geological origin of Stonehenge’s Altar Stone through in-situ Raman analysis.
Delegates also heard about Renishaw’s inLux™ SEM Raman interface, which combines scanning electron microscopy with Raman spectroscopy to provide complementary structural, chemical and morphological data from exactly the same point on a sample.
The session concluded with examples of time-resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS), a technique that enables high-quality Raman measurements of highly fluorescent materials and samples heated to temperatures of up to 1,500°C, allowing scientists to study minerals under extreme geological conditions.
By sponsoring the Mineralogical Society’s landmark anniversary conference, Renishaw reinforced its support for the global mineral science community while highlighting how advances in Raman spectroscopy continue to help researchers tackle increasingly complex challenges in Earth science and geoscience.
For further information, visit www.renishaw.com/raman
