The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded nearly $340,000 to Marshall University to acquire a state-of-the-art Rigaku SmartLab SE X-ray Diffraction system, to be housed in the College of Science at Marshall University. This grant was awarded through the NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation Program, which supports faculty members in obtaining expensive, cutting-edge research tools that are also user-friendly. The X-ray diffraction system will significantly enhance structural characterization in critical fields such as energy materials, semiconductors, ceramics, minerals, organics, pharmaceuticals, and nanomaterials. The project was led by Marshall Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Iyad Hijazi, with a team of co-principal investigators including Associate Professor Dr. Rosalynn Quiñones (Chemistry), Assistant Professor Dr. Kimberly S. Kunkler (Forensic Science), Assistant Professor Dr. Nasim Nosoudi (Biomedical Engineering), and Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Ferdjallah (Electrical Engineering). The team also includes Senior Personnel: Professor Dr. Asad Salem (Mechanical Engineering), Professor Dr. Michel Norton (Chemistry), Professor Dr. Ali El-Shazly (Geology), and Assistant Professor Dr. Shin Moteki (Chemistry).
Although the primary focus of the new X-ray diffraction equipment is research, it will also be integrated into teaching laboratories, benefiting at least 60 students annually.
