Coming This Summer: Schmidt College of Science Set to Receive State-of-the-Art Powder X-ray Diffractometer

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has received a $238,187 grant from the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for a powerful powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD) to identify and characterize unknown crystalline materials like minerals or metals. With the added features of small-angle X-ray capabilities and a temperature stage, the XRD is critical to studies in chemistry, physics, geology, environmental, mechanical and civil engineering.  

“X-ray powder diffraction is a versatile, non-destructive technique for characterizing solid materials, ranging from simple inorganic crystals to nanomaterials, complex biological molecules or synthetic polymers,” stated Vivian Merk, Ph.D., PI, assistant professor in the FAU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. “The equipment will prove useful to identify crystalline phases, quantify crystallinity and crystallographic orientation, study nanoparticle size distributions and quantify intrinsic strain.”  

Merk’s lab focuses primarily on biominerals, biomineralized tissues and bio-based composites. Her group aims to better understand biological crystal growth in complex organic matrices and develop sustainable synthesis protocols that emulate mineralized structures in the biosphere.  

Other Florida Atlantic faculty who pursue a broad spectrum of research also stand to benefit from the XRD. Some of its potential uses include nanocomposites, bone replacement materials, carbon nanotube reinforced polymers, chemical sensors, metal organic framework for the detoxification of chemical warfare agents, drug delivery systems and wound dressings, paleoclimate reconstructions, air revitalization technologies, mineralogical assessment of pipe encrustations or amyloid fibers in Alzheimer’s disease, and many more.  

Merk anticipates that the XRD will be installed on the Boca Raton campus in June 2025. Once installed, she will establish guidelines and tutorials on the machine’s application and use.  

“I plan to integrate XRD instrument demonstrations, laboratory experiments and course-based undergraduate and graduate research experiences—in particular in chemistry, physics and geosciences—thereby sparking genuine interest in scientific discovery and boosting research literacy and problem-solving skills,” shared Merk.  

Apart from enriching the Schmidt College of Science’s programming, Merk also hopes to use XRD to educate younger students, and hopefully future Owls, in the community.   

“With so many research programs in diverse STEM disciplines, this instrumentation will provide invaluable educational opportunities for K-12, undergraduate and graduate students,” noted Merk. “Instrument demonstrations are an integral part of K-12 summer camps and recruitment events that target undergraduate and graduate students.”