U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Funding & Awards
 LIBS for Soil Screening Study of Matrix Effects on Elemental Profiling
Award Information
Awardee
              University of Central Florida
Award #
              2013-DN-BX-K006
Funding Category
              Competitive
Location
                    Orlando, FL
Awardee County
              Orange
Congressional District
              7
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2013
Total funding (to date)
              $292,182
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 13 Basic Scientific Research to Support Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2013, $292,182)
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has become a very attractive spectroscopic technique for elemental analysis in forensic science. Its potential to provide fast conclusions without intensive sample preparation makes it a very serious tool for field analysis and in particular for soil analysis. Although LIBS cannot perform trace analysis with a level of precision comparable to mass spectrometry-based techniques, it is the only technique that could provide a fast screening of carbon and nitrogen species as well as anions and cations, at the surface, as well as in the depth of the soil of across an area. This type of screening can help to thoroughly sample soil specimen on-scene, even in-situ, for further analysis in the laboratory and reference it with quantitative background to specific areas of a scene for laboratory analysis. However, LIBS being a laser-ablation based technique, its results are usually matrix-dependent. And soil is perhaps the most complex medium from this viewpoint. LIBS results from soil show a dependence on moisture, temperature and texture without mentioning concentration of major elements. The goal of this proposal is to quantify the matrix effects (moisture, texture) on the LIBS elemental analysis of soil samples and correct for them for a reproducible elemental profile\ .
This project will fulfill this goal in three steps:
(i) The study of moisture effects. Water reduces the LIBS emission by wasting the laser energy in its evaporation instead of creating a strong emitting plasma. The effect of moisture content on the LIBS signal and its reproducibility will be studied for three types of grain size (sand-, silt- and clay-type). The study will first investigate the elemental profile of major elements and then minor elements. Validation with certified NIST samples will be performed.
(ii) The effect of the soil texture. Once the effect of moisture and temperature will be understood on pure soils, the project will evolve towards more realistic soils. Controlled mixtures of sand-, silt- and clay-type powders will be fabricated to simulate soil textures and extend the conclusions of the first step. Validation with certified soil NIST samples will be performed.
(iii) The spectral correction protocol. From the conclusions from the previous steps of the study, a spectral correction protocol will be established to be able to correct the LIBS emission spectra and retrieve the correct elemental signature by compensating for the eventual unknown physical state of the soil (moisture, type, grain size). This correction will be spectrum-based and include physical information from the plasma rather than uncontrolled multivariate analysis.
This project will be led by Dr. Matthieu Baudelet, with the co-direction of Dr. Martin and sponsor a student at the Townes Laser Institute. The experience of the PIs in LIBS and its use for forensic applications, soil analysis and matrix effects ensure the scientific feasibility of the proposed project.
This project will provide forensic field practitioners with an evaluation of and a protocol for LIBS as a screening method for soil sampling in various conditions of moisture, temperature and soil types. This study could become a milestone towards a quantitative field instrument for forensic soil analysts and provide the field with a better choice of samples for laboratory analysis.
ca/ncf



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Effect of Powder Compact Density on the LIBS Analysis of Ni Impurities in Alumina Powders
                  LIBS for Soil Screening Study of Matrix Effects on Elemental Profiling
                  Quantification of non-stoichiometry in YAG ceramics using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
                  Quantification of SiO2 sintering additive in YAG transparent ceramics by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

  
Date Created: September 8, 2013
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              Current Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Forthcoming Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Expired Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
    
      
            
            
            
      Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
    
      
            
            
            
      Fellowship & Student Programs
    
      
            
            
            
      Travel Scholarships
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ Challenge ProgramSimilar Awards
        
                      Comparison of Examiner Conclusions with Score-based Likelihood Ratios for Cartridge Case Evidence
                  Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Leakage, and Social Networks: The Legislative, Behavioral, and Social Contexts Surrounding Mass Public Shooting Incidents and Plots
                  Exploring how survivor perspectives and priorities are reflected in the use and implementation of Extreme Risk Protective Orders to address intimate partner violence
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov