Lessons learned from establishing and running a Mössbauer laboratory in industry

Abstract

Mössbauer spectroscopy offers unique capabilities for primary industry sectors such as mining, mineral processing, and steelmaking, as well as in environmental services and advanced manufacturing. However, there are three key limiting factors: the time required to record a single spectrum, the challenges of managing an additional radioactive source on company premises, and the lack of personnel skilled in analysing Mössbauer spectra and understanding its operation. More commonly used techniques such as XRD, SEM, or XRF have technical staff who can interpret data with support from standard libraries and user-friendly software packages. In contrast, Mössbauer spectroscopists, who often hold degrees in Physics or Chemistry, typically emerge from academic settings and are less commonly employed in industry. This paper addresses the current challenges limiting the widespread adoption of Mössbauer laboratories in the industry and proposes potential solutions to overcome these obstacles. These solutions include promoting internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students familiar with Mössbauer spectroscopy in industrial settings, increasing investment in software development, hosting seminars and workshops to educate industry professionals on the capabilities of Mössbauer spectroscopy, and providing ongoing support from the scientific community to industries interested in operating spectrometers in their facilities.