The department offers a variety of analytical services and is equipped with:
- i) a JEOL JSM-6610 scanning electron microscope with Thermo Scientific Ultradry energy dispersive and Magnaray wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometers.
- ii) a Rigaku Primus IV wavelength dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer with chemical mapping capabilities.
- iii) a Panalytical Empyrean X-ray diffractometer.
- iv) a variety of light microscopes including a gemmological microscope.
- v) a JEOL JXA iSP-100 electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA).
The department has a well-maintained selection of rock saws, grinding and polishing laps, crushers, mills, sample splitters and homogenisers used for sample preparation and processing. The department also has access to a variety of analytical instruments housed within the Departments of Chemistry and Physics, the Institute for Groundwater Studies, and the Centre for Microscopy.
As of 9 September 2024, prices for the services on offer are as follows:
| Price for university clients | Price for industry clients |
| XRD | R500 | R600 |
| XRF Majors | R250 | R300 |
| XRF Traces | R250 | R300 |
| SEM per hour by client | R300 | R400 |
| SEM per hour | R550 | R600 |
| Polished Thin Section | R300 | R350 |
| Epoxy block | R250 | R300 |
| Thin section with cover slide | R250 | R300 |
All prices exclude VAT at the prevailing rate. For EPMA work, please contact
Prof Frederick Roelofse to discuss your analytical requirements. For all other analytical needs, please contact
Dr Megan Purchase.
Contact details:
Analytical Scientist: Dr Megan Purchase
T: +27 51 401 7158
E: purchasemd@ufs.ac.za