An automated X-ray powder diffraction system that will enable investigators at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) to pursue research in the areas of materials science and X-ray powder diffraction techniques will be purchased. The proposed equipment would allow for obtaining diffraction data from specimens under a wide range of environmental conditions and the reduction of these data with a variety of computational algorithms. The X-ray diffraction community would also benefit from UMR obtaining this equipment as investigators at UMR are involved in the development of line profile analysis algorithms, enhancement and support of a community-developed Rietveld structure refinement code, and the development of quantitative analysis techniques for multi- component mixtures that do not require the preparation of standards. The new system will also replace obsolete and worn out equipment. One of the principal investigators (James) is an experienced and highly regarded scientist who had made several important contributions with regard to the structure of amorphous magnetic materials. His colleague, (Howard) is well regarded also.
