EQUIPMENT
The Laboratory of Archaeometry and Physicochemical Measurements is equipped with advanced and comprehensive scientific instrumentation for the analysis of materials, environmental samples, and cultural heritage objects. Its facilities support a wide range of analytical techniques, enabling the qualitative and quantitative determination of elements and compounds, the investigation of material structure and properties, and the assessment of radiological parameters.
The Laboratory’s equipment supports applications in archaeometry, environmental analysis, geosciences, agrotechnology, and advanced materials, providing high accuracy, reliability, and non-destructive measurement capabilities. It also incorporates modern field technologies and automated monitoring systems, enabling real-time data collection and processing.
The Laboratory’s integrated infrastructure covers all stages of the analytical process, from sample preparation and pretreatment to advanced laboratory and field analysis, supporting high-level research and applied activities.
Dating & Dosimetry
Two state-of-the-art Thermoluminescence and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (TL/OSL) systems (Risø TL/OSL DA-15 and Risø TL/OSL DA-20), with pulsed OSL measurement capabilities using blue and infrared stimulation, for dosimetry and archaeological dating applications.
Structural Analysis & Imaging
Variable-pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), equipped with EDS, WDS, and EBSD microanalysis systems, with magnification from ×5 to ×1,000,000. It is suitable for non-conductive and unprepared samples and enables the non-destructive observation and analysis of untreated samples for all elements with Z > 4 (B), as well as crystal-orientation analysis.
X-ray Diffraction (XRD) system for the analysis of powdered samples and the identification, quantification, and investigation of crystalline phases, particularly suitable for soils, clays, ceramics, and geological samples.
Digital X-ray radiography system, with variable radiation energy and intensity.
Advanced binocular biological microscope with LED illumination, equipped with phase contrast and a colour digital camera.
Fully automated stereomicroscope, equipped with a colour digital camera.
Ultraviolet/visible/infrared multispectral camera (UV/visible/IR).
Physicochemical Analyses
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) system with flame, graphite furnace, and hydride generator for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace elements, at concentrations down to 10⁻⁹ g/mL, for almost all metals in a wide range of samples.
Liquid Chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system for molecular analysis, capable of the simultaneous detection, separation, and identification of a large number of compounds at trace concentrations, down to 10⁻⁸ g/mL, with a resolution of 0.7 ± 0.1 amu.
Micro-X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) system for non-destructive, multi-element, point-based (~150 μm) qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements with atomic number Z ≥ 14 (Si), with in situ measurement capability.
State-of-the-art portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) system for non-destructive, multi-element qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements with Z ≥ 9 (F). It is suitable for rapid and reliable field measurements in areas including art conservation, archaeology, food safety and agri-food applications, geochemistry, metal purity, and advanced materials.
Advanced Fourier-transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) system for rapid and non-destructive qualitative and quantitative analysis of foods, pharmaceuticals, soils, and their constituents.
Fully automated Kjeldahl system for the quantitative determination of total nitrogen in organic and inorganic compounds and the estimation of protein content.
Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy system.
Radiological Analyses
Advanced portable high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry system for the identification and quantification of gamma-emitting radionuclides in any type of sample.
Portable gamma-ray spectrometry system (NaI) for the identification and quantification of gamma-emitting radionuclides in any type of sample.
Portable and laboratory systems for radioactivity detection and measurement.
Environmental Monitoring
Fully configurable sensor system for the remote measurement and recording of specific conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, pH, oxidation–reduction potential (redox/ORP), dissolved oxygen, and dissolved CO₂ in surface waters, groundwater, and aquaculture systems.
Complete integrated system for measuring gas exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere using the Eddy Covariance technique, suitable for field measurements and comprising:
- › Closed-path CO2/H2O analyzer
- › Relative humidity and air-temperature sensor
- › Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensor
- › Soil-moisture and soil-temperature sensor
- › Net-radiation sensor
- › Heat-flux sensor
- › Ultrasonic sensor for wind-speed analysis
- › Data-acquisition system
Telemetric agrometeorological stations equipped with::
- › Air-temperature and relative-humidity sensor
- › Rainfall sensor (rain gauge)
- › Solar-radiation sensor
- › Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensor
- › Non-contact leaf-temperature sensor
- › Wind-direction and wind-speed sensor
- › Profile sensor for soil moisture, conductivity, and salinity
- › Leaf-wetness sensor
- › Non-contact leaf-temperature sensor
Autonomous Robotic Systems & Field Technologies
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) capable of integrating thermal and multispectral cameras.
Heavy-duty unmanned aerial vehicle for automated spraying, fertiliser distribution, and precision crop management.
Autonomous 4×4 all-terrain ground vehicle with a robotic arm, equipped with a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) manipulator and a comprehensive sensor suite, designed for autonomous navigation, inspection, sample collection, and field-robotics research in demanding outdoor and industrial environments.
Small-scale unmanned ground vehicles.
Humanoid robot.
Extended Reality systems.
Sample Preparation & Pretreatment
Centrifuges
Digital automatic sieving system
Solid-phase extraction (SPE) column
Soxhlet extraction system
Microwave digestion system for sample dissolution
Laboratory ashing furnaces and drying ovens
Hydraulic press for pellet preparation
Ball mill
Solar-light simulation chamber