Sample preparation for the XRD Scanner - an unique look behind the scenes

Ever wondered why sand from different beaches looks and feels so different? The secret lies in its mineral makeup — and the incredible journey it’s been on through time.

Geologists use X-ray Diffraction (XRD) scanners to uncover the minerals hidden inside sand. XRD creates a unique pattern called a diffractogram, where the peaks reveal which minerals are present. Normally, geologists consult online databases containing thousands of minerals to figure out what's inside.

But in this series, we challenged Earth Material Specialist Arjan Dijkstra: can he figure out what minerals are inside sand just by reading the diffractograms — without using a computer? And even more impressively, can he figure out where the sand came from?

All the sand samples in this series were (accidentally) brought home after holidays — and now Arjan’s skills are put to the test!

Before any analysis could happen, though, the samples had to be carefully prepared. In this episode, lab expert Kathrin Zweers-Peter takes us behind the scenes to show how it's done. We even get to see the wild PM 200 Ball Mill in action and learn what it takes to be a pro in the lab!

And if you haven't caught up on the series yet, why not start from the beginning? Check out our first episode!