Evan Hardy Collegiate 2010 - Saskatoon, SK
From left, Dan Stasiuk, Laura Newton, Maha Yaquob, Fatima Ahmed and Morgan Brosoky
Five grade 11 and 12 students from Evan Hardy Collegiate Saskatoon, SK participated in the Students on the Beamline program. Their research focused the chemical analysis of the sulphur content of lignite coal at different stages of processing from the Poplar River Mine. Even though the percent of sulphur in coal is relatively small the total emissions from sulphur can be significant. They used X-Ray Fluorescence and XANES techniques to focus on the sulphur content using the HXMA and SXRMB beamlines. The project was possible through group effort with CLS staff Industry Scientist Jeff Warner and Outreach Student Derek Mortensen in collaboration with staff from Sask Power, who provided coal samples at varying stages of processing and participated in part of the experiment.
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Array of coal samples that are ready to be loaded and tested. |
| Jeff Warner explaining the components of the HXMA beamline |  |
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Aligning the sample on the HXMA beamline |
Tina Rioux, an Evan Hardy teacher taking her turn for the “up close view” of the optic hutch on the HXMA beamline. |
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Jeff Warner dispensing liquid nitrogen to be used in their experiment. |
Documenting throughout the procedure is crucial for later analysis. |
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A view of HXMA ready for sample placement |
The students listen attentively while viewing the incoming data at HXMA Beamline. |
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Preparing samples takes precision and patience. |
Operating the hydraulic doors of the experimental hutch. |
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Examining the results with an expert explanation from SXRMB Staff Scientist Yongfen Hu. |
Jeff coaches the students on how to interpret their data from SXRMB beamline. |
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Even Hardy students present their findings to the Canadian Light Source staff. |
Dan explains the refining process of coal. |
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Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:36