Articles by Mathieu Bauer

The EU's RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products to protect health and the environment, prohibiting materials like lead and cadmium.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries power many of our daily devices. However, manufacturing them requires scarce base metals and has supply and sustainability challenges. Battery recycling is vital for the supply chain. This article discusses using analytical technologies to maximize Li-ion materials and optimize production.

Advances in technology have resulted in the development of handheld X-ray fluorescence (HHXRF) and handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (HHLIBS) analyzers that can be used for on-site analysis, enabling real-time testing and often eliminating the need for destructive sampling.

Fasteners – such as nuts, bolts, screws and rivets – are essential structural components of vehicles, and their failure can have severe repercussions for driver safety. Many of these metallic items are also unavoidably exposed to harsh operating conditions, meaning they are liable to corrode over time.

HH-XRF can help manufacturers to streamline their quality control processes and ensure materials meet the requirements for demanding applications.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a useful technology to measure the thickness of metal layers. Handheld XRF is an indispensable tool in quality assurance.