2nd Announcement and Call for Expressions of Interest Round Robin on Quantitative Phase Analysis

[Lachlan Cranswick]

2nd Announcement and Call for Expressions of Interest
    Round Robin on Quantitative Phase Analysis

Initiated and Organized by the IUCr Commission on Powder Diffraction

The International Union of Crystallography - Commission for Powder
Diffraction intends to conduct a Round Robin focusing on quantitative phase
analysis using powder diffraction data. This message is a reminder for those
who may have missed seeing the first announcement and call for expressions
of interest. 

Aims of the Round Robin:

The round robin will focus on the use of laboratory X-ray, synchrotron
X-ray and neutron diffraction data for the derivation of quantitative phase
abundance. However, other methods may be used to validate the diffraction
results (e.g. FTIR, normative analysis, etc.). These additional methods will
be at the discretion of the participant.

The general goals of the round robin will include the following:-

á To document the methods & strategies commonly employed in Quantitative
Phase Analysis (QPA), especially those involving powder diffraction

á To assess (i)  levels of accuracy & precision, and (ii) lower limits of
detection

á To identify specific problem areas & develop practical solutions

á To formulate recommended procedures for QPA using diffraction data

á To create a standard set of samples for future reference

The samples used in the study will consist of mixtures of major and minor
components covering a wide range of analytical complexity and include sample
related aberrations such as preferred orientation, microabsorption and
amorphous content. The samples will be comprised of synthetic mixtures,
natural mineralogical specimens as well as pharmaceutical materials.
The involvement of participants in the round robin can vary depending on
the amount of time available to each individual/laboratory. This may range
from the analysis of supplied data to the preparation of samples along with
the subsequent data collection and analysis. However, since the success of
the round robin will depend on the number of results returned, full
participation is encouraged.

Since the purpose of the round robin is to assess the methods of
quantification, and not identification, the identity of each of the
component phases will be supplied. For those participants using Rietveld
based methods for the analysis, full structural information for each of the
phases will also be supplied.

How to participate

Potential participants can register their interest in the round robin by
sending an Email message containing the full contact information to the
address given below. Details should include

Name
Affiliation
Address, including organisation, postal address, post code and country.
Phone number (including country and area codes)
FAX number (including country and area codes)
Email address

Respondents will be sent a questionnaire request information about which if
the samples they wish to analyze plus the amount of sample required (i.e.
are they an X-ray or neutron user).

Operating Team
Ian Madsen              CSIRO Minerals, Australia
Rod Hill                CSIRO Minerals, Australia
Edward Groleau          Eli Lilly & Co, USA
Lachlan Cranswick       Melbourne, Australia
Advisory Team
Deane Smith (CPD)       Penn State University, USA
Jaroslav Fiala	Central Research Institute, Czech Republic

Contact Details for all Correspondence

Ian Madsen
CSIRO Minerals,
PO Box 124,
Port Melbourne, Victoria  3207,  Australia
Fax:  +61 3 9646 3223
E-mail:  qpa.rr at minerals.csiro.au

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