Magni Research
Sample Preparation and Analytics
By partnering with New Mexico Tech, we offer a wide range of analytical approaches that can be applied to experimental run products (both solids and liquids).
Sample Preparation
Solid samples can be prepared in epoxy mounts and polished to mirror finish for analyses using electron microbeams technologies (electron microprobe, scanning electron microscope and/or electron backscatter diffraction).
Imaging and non-quantitative chemical analyses do not require epoxy mounting and polish.
Fluids can be harvested via dilution and stored in test tubes for chemical analyses (using ICP-MS or -OES).
Electron Microprobe Analyses
We have access to the new JXA-iHP200F 2025 electron microprobe to obtain compositional datasets from solid run products. The microprobe is capable of analyzing both metals, oxides and silicate minerals at a ppm detection limit.
Common major element analyses for silicate minerals include elements like Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, P (and associated trace elements if concentrations are high enough).
For oxides and metals the probe is equipped with precious metal and transition metal standards.
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Backscatter Diffraction
Scanning electron microscopy using the JEOL JSM-IT700HR Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope offers a way of imaging and analyzing solid run products (e.g., reacted cements or drilling materials) without having to mount them in epoxy and produce a mirror finish. Elemental compositions of materials can be obtained, though the analytical quality is less than the microprobe.
Lattice structures (and identities of alloys and minerals) grown reacted solid materials can be obtained using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Surfaces targeted for EBSD do require an ultra fine polish.
Micro X-Ray Computed Tomography (µ-XRCT)
Micro X-Ray Computed Tomography (µ-XRCT) images solid materials using x-rays, which produces 3D imaging (including interiors) of solid run products. The 3D images reveal information about phase density and include void spaces in rocks.
µ-XRCT offers a nondestructive method of imaging fractures in rocks, cements and drilling materials (both unreacted and reacted in experiments).
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy and Optical Emission Spectroscopy
Fluids from experiments can be analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) at NMT"s Bureau of Geology.
These instruments can detect trace element compositions of both light and heavy elements at the ppm, ppb, and ppt concentrations depending on the samples of interest.