(openPR) - Woburn, MA, July 30, 2008 -- Congratulations to Dr. Joan Bytheway, Assistant Professor for the Forensic Science Program in the College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State Universtiy, Huntsville, Texas, on receiving an Innov-X Systems Academic & Research Relations Grant Award. Dr. Bytheway’s research project, Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Human Bone Elements for the Identification of Origins, is being carried out at the Texas-Mexico border, considered a geographical crossroad. Dr. Bytheway is working in conjunction with Dr Jorn Yu, Analytical Chemist, and Dr. Jianzhong Wang, Mathematician, at SHSU. According to Dr. Bytheway, “There are many instances in which human skeletal remains, once recovered, cannot be identified. DNA sample collections or dental examinations are available, but are not helpful unless they can be matched with a known sample.” She stated, “There are other anthropological methods that can be developed, such as the analysis of biogeochemical markers, and can be utilized to narrow and refine unidentified individual’s searches.” The objective of Dr. Bytheway’s study is “to determine biogeochemical markers in bone samples to differentiate the origins of contemporary humans. The pilot study will examine all elements that can be detected by portable XRF to determine if there is a reliable pattern in bone or dentition, not only with strontium, but other metals.”

Portable XRF provides fast and simple in-situ elemental analysis of Mg through U, from PPM to high percentage levels. In a matter of seconds, it allows simultaneous measurements of up to 25 elements. The Innov-X Academic Relations Program encourages and supports research into applications where in-situ XRF measurements expand or enhance a knowledge base. It puts the power of portable XRF in researchers’ hands allowing them to take it to the field, where it really counts. Innov-X Academic Research Grants include the loan of an analyzer, technical training and/or consultation, and sponsorship at a technical conference to present the research findings. To learn more or to apply for a grant, visit our website at www.innovxsys.com/en/company/academic.

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Carrie-Ann Doucette, Dir Corp MarCom

Academic Relations Contact:
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Kimberley Russell, Dir Academic Relations

About Innov-X Systems
Innov-X Systems, founded in 2001, is the global leader in rapid, in-situ XRF measurements. Innov-X takes the solution right to the source, providing real-time, non-destructive analysis where the answer is needed the most. This full suite of on-site XRF products from Innov-X provides high performance elemental analysis. Innov-X Systems has the breadth of XRF experience and range of product offerings to provide field-hardened, high performance XRF systems for virtually any location and elemental measurement. Innov-X Systems is a first class global service organization with worldwide operations, sales, and service. Headquartered in the U.S. with R&D and manufacturing facilities, they have offices in Europe and Asia. In addition, sales and service (including installation & training) is available in over 100 countries.

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