The X-ray Characterization Techniques for Science and Technology (XST) course was held for MSc students from Applied Physics and Chemical Technology for the first time in 2022. The course was designed by researchers from the XUV Optics group at UTwente in collaboration with scientists from Malvern Panalytical in Almelo and coordinated by dr.ir. Igor Makhotkin.
The course is hybrid from an education and academic points of view, combining classical lecture and project-based learning while introducing academic and industrial applications of X-ray characterization techniques with the actual equipment.
To help students navigate in the world of various X-ray techniques we summarized the basic principles of X-ray diffraction, refraction, reflection and absorption and introduced most laboratory X-ray techniques in a set of classical lectures. After this introduction all participant traveled to Malvern Panalytical. During this trip students visited the manufacturing site for X-ray equipment and the industry application lab of Malvern Panalytical where we got a chance to directly experiment with state-of-the-art X-ray equipment.
After the lectures, the students defined and executed a research project on a realistic X-ray materials characterization challenge. During the project work, the students were embedded in our daily research environment and were treated like other group members, participating in scientific discussions, experiments and some social activities.
Next year there will be a new XST course! If you want to participate keep an eye on the course schedule for 2023.
