Material science, recently identified as one of five strategic and critical areas of research by the Clinton administration, is experiencing a period of major advances in numerous areas. Since many of the desired characteristics of these materials are evaluated as a function of their structure and/or elemental composition, the material scientist looks toward x-ray techniques to provide fast, accurate, elemental and structural information requiring minimal sample preparation. The chemistry department is establishing a modern x-ray analysis laboratory composed of a wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer and an x-ray powder diffractometer. This project affects non-science- majors in general education courses, as well as most science majors in courses ranging from General Chemistry to Physical Chemistry. Undergraduate research, examining environmental topics, is being implemented, thereby encouraging participation in independent study by African-American and women students.
