Particle profilers trace bright future
Analysing the make-up worn by Egyptian mummies and measuring meteorites is all in a day’s work for Brisbane-based material analysis company Intellection.
Employing a powerful electron microscope, smart x-rays, and ‘extreme programming,’ the technology known as QEMSCAN is the fastest, most accurate particle analysis tool in the world. Based on research pioneered by CSIRO 40 years ago, QEMSCAN stands for Quantitative Evaluation of Materials by Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Intellection Chief Scientist Dr Alan Butcher said anything that is solid, stable and able to withstand the electron beam can be analysed.
“Just as each of us has a DNA profile, the world that each of us inhabits – the vehicle we use, the house, neighbourhood, workplace, the daily path we tread – produces what could be described as a particle profile,” Dr Butcher said.
The traces of particles specific to us, our movements and lifestyle could potentially be identified using Intellection’s unique technology. Under the microscope, the particles can be surprisingly stunning and Intellection has tagged these microscopic beauties iArt.
While the first-of-its-kind technology may sound like something lifted from a Dr Who script, Dr Butcher says the applications are practical, potentially friendly to the environment and increasingly sought after by mining and other industries.
In the UK, QEMSCAN forensic analyses have helped investigators solve over 50 Category A crimes, including murder cases.
“By reviewing medical specimens the technology is adding value to our understanding of disease while analysis of precisely how soil quality impacts on the quality of grapes is assisting growers in South Australia to improve productivity,” Dr Butcher said.
CEO Calvin Treacy is justifiably proud of Intellection’s long list of achievements over just a few short years.
“All our hard work paid off when recently we were awarded the ultimate accolade, becoming the only company to ever receive the whole of the $5 million Australian Government Commercial Ready Industry Grant,” he said.
At this year’s Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, Intellection won the Dermot McManus Award for outstanding achievement in innovation.
And in case you are wondering what was in the make-up worn by Egyptian mummies, it turned out to be, much like make-up of today, mineral-based.
Story: Antoinette Bauer
Photos: Intellection
Last reviewed 17 December 2007
