TY - JOUR A1 - Gornushkin, Igor B. A1 - Völker, Tobias T1 - Intrinsic Performance of Monte Carlo Calibration-Free Algorithm for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy N2 - The performance of the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm for calibration-free LIBS was studied on the example of a simulated spectrum that mimics a metallurgical slag sample. The underlying model is that of a uniform, isothermal, and stationary plasma in local thermodynamical equilibrium. Based on the model, the algorithm generates from hundreds of thousands to several millions of simultaneous configurations of plasma parameters and the corresponding number of spectra. The parameters are temperature, plasma size, and concentrations of species. They are iterated until a cost function, which indicates a difference between synthetic and simulated slag spectra, reaches its minimum. After finding the minimum, the concentrations of species are read from the model and compared to the certified values. The algorithm is parallelized on a graphical processing unit (GPU) to reduce computational time. The minimization of the cost function takes several minutes on the GPU NVIDIA Tesla K40 card and depends on the number of elements to be iterated. The intrinsic accuracy of the MC calibration-free method is found to be around 1% for the eight elements tested. For a real experimental spectrum, however, the efficiency may turn out to be worse due to the idealistic nature of the model, as well as incorrectly chosen experimental conditions. Factors influencing the performance of the method are discussed. KW - Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy KW - Calibration-free analysis KW - Monte Carlo algorithm PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-558016 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197149 VL - 22 IS - 19 SP - 7149 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-55801 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Gornushkin, Igor B. T1 - Importance of physical units in the Boltzmann plot method N2 - The Boltzmann plot is one of the most widely used methods for determining the temperature in different types of laboratory plasmas. It operates on the logarithm as a function of the dimensional argument, which assumes that the correct physical units are used. In many works using the Boltzmann method, there is no analysis of the dimension of this argument, which may be the cause of a potential error. This technical note offers a brief description of the method and shows how to correctly use physical units when using transcendental functions like the logarithm. KW - Boltzmann plot KW - Laser induced plasma PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-558039 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ja00241h SP - 1 EP - 3 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-55803 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Klewe, Tim A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Götz, J. A1 - Landmann, M. A1 - Wilsch, Gerd A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine T1 - Sorting of construction and demolition waste by combining LIBS with NIR spectroscopy N2 - In a joint project of partners from industry and research, the automated recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW) is investigated and tested by combing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Joint processing of information (data fusion) is expected to significantly improve the sorting quality of various materials like concrete, main masonry building materials, organic components, etc., and may enable the detection and separation of impurities such as SO3-cotaining building materials (gypsum, aerated concrete, etc.). The project focuses primarily on the Berlin site to analyze the entire value chain, minimize economic/technological barriers and obstacles at the cluster level, and sustainably increase recovery and recycling rates. First measurements with LIBS and NIR spectroscopy show promising results in distinguishing various material types and indicate the potential for a successful combination. In addition, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is being performed to obtain more information about the quantitative elemental composition of the different building materials. Future work will apply the developed sorting methodology in a fully automated measurement setup with CDW on a conveyor belt. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - LIBS KW - NDT KW - Circular economy KW - Recycling KW - Material classification PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-555531 UR - http://www.ndt.net/?id=27220 VL - 2022/09 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - NDT.net CY - Bad Breisig AN - OPUS4-55553 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klewe, Tim A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Landmann, Mirko A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine T1 - LIBS‐ConSort: Development of a sensor‐based sorting method for construction and demolition waste N2 - AbstractA joint project of partners from industry and research institutions approaches the challenge of construction and demolition waste (CDW) sorting by investigating and testing the combination of laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and visual imaging. Joint processing of information (data fusion) is expected to significantly improve the sorting quality of various materials like concrete, main masonry building materials, organic components, etc., and may enable the detection and separation of impurities such as SO3‐cotaining building materials (gypsum, aerated concrete, etc.)Focusing on Berlin as an example, the entire value chain will be analyzed to minimize economic / technological barriers and obstacles at the cluster level and to sustainably increase recovery and recycling rates.The objective of this paper is to present current progress and results of the test stand development combining LIBS with NIR spectroscopy and visual imaging. In the future, this laboratory prototype will serve as a fully automated measurement setup to allow real‐time classification of CDW on a conveyor belt. T2 - 21st Ibausil - International Conference on Building Materials CY - Weimar, Germany DA - 13.09.2023 KW - NDT KW - Material cassification KW - Recycling KW - LIBS KW - Data fusion KW - Construction and demolition waste KW - Circular economy PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-590734 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.2866 SN - 2509-7075 VL - 6 IS - 6 SP - 973 EP - 976 PB - Ernst & Sohn GmbH AN - OPUS4-59073 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Gornushkin, Igor B. T1 - Investigation of a method for the correction of self-absorption by Planck function in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy N2 - The electron density and temperature of a laser-induced plasma can be determined from the width and intensity of the spectral lines, provided that the corresponding optical transitions are optically thin. However, the lines in laser induced plasma are often self-absorbed. One of the methods of correction of this effect is based on the use of the Planck function and an iterative numerical calculation of the plasma temperature. In this study, the method is further explored and its inherent errors and limitations are evaluated. For this, synthetic spectra are used that fully correspond to the assumed conditions of a homogeneous isothermal plasma at local thermodynamic equilibrium. Based on the error analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed in comparison with other methods of self-absorption correction. KW - LIBS KW - Self-absorption KW - Planck function PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-572677 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D2JA00352J SN - 0267-9477 SP - 1 EP - 6 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-57267 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Mensing, Friedrich A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine T1 - Estimation of cement content in concrete by spatially resolved laser induced breakdown spectroscopy N2 - The cement content in concrete significantly influences critical properties such as durability, permeability, strength, and workability. Traditional methods for estimating the cement content face limitations. These include the need for comprehensive chemical and solubility knowledge, extensive sample preparation, and their time-consuming and destructive nature. This study investigates the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as an alternative method. It involves probing concrete samples with high spatial resolution and analyzing the resultant spectra. The methodology is first tested on mesoscale concrete models to assess limitations and inherent errors. Subsequently, the methodology is applied to actual concrete samples with varying cement content and aggregate size distributions. The results demonstrate a promising accuracy, with an average relative error of approximately 8%. This paper offers a comprehensive evaluation of the method's advantages, limitations, and factors influencing its practical applicability in field conditions. KW - LIBS KW - Spectroscopy KW - Cement content KW - Elemental mapping PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-620112 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2024.107714 SN - 1873-3948 VL - 189 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-62011 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Gornushkin, Igor B. T1 - Mass and mole fractions in calibration-free LIBS N2 - This technical note highlights the fact that CF-LIBS algorithms work in mole fractions, while results of spectrochemical analysis are usually reported in mass fractions or mass percent. Ignoring this difference and not converting mole fractions to mass fractions can lead to errors in reported concentrations determined by the CF-LIBS method and inadequate comparison of these concentrations with certified concentrations. Here, the key points of the CF-LIBS algorithm are reproduced and the formulae for converting a mole fraction to a mass fraction and vice versa are given. Several numerical examples are also given, which show that the greater the difference between the molar mass of an individual element in a sample and the average molar mass, the greater the discrepancy between the mole and mass fractions. KW - Spectroscopy KW - Analytical Chemistry KW - LIBS KW - Calibration PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-598611 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ja00028e SN - 0267-9477 VL - 39 IS - 4 SP - 1030 EP - 1032 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-59861 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schwarz, W. A1 - Wilsch, Gerd A1 - Katsumi, N. A1 - Ebell, Gino A1 - Völker, Tobias T1 - Ion distribution in concrete overlay, mapped by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), modified by an embedded zinc anode N2 - Galvanic corrosion protection by embedded zinc anodes is an accepted technique for the corrosion protection of reinforcing steel in concrete. Galvanic currents flow between the zinc anode and the steel reinforcement due to the potential difference that is in the range of a few hundred mV. The ion distribution was studied on two steel reinforced concrete specimens admixed with 3 wt.% chloride/wt. cement and galvanically protected by a surface applied EZ-anode. On both specimens, a zinc anode was embedded and glued to the concrete surface by a geo-polymer-based chloride-free binder. At one specimen, the EZ-anode was operated for 2,5 years, the EZ-anode at the other specimen was not electrically connected to the reinforcement, this specimen serves as a reference. Both specimens have been stored under identical conditions. The ion distribution between the anode (EZ-ANODE) and cathode (steel reinforcement) was studied by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) after 7 months, 12 months, and 2,5 years. Results of the LIBS studies on the specimen with activated EZ-anode after 7 months, 12 months, and 2,5 years and of the reference specimen after 2,5 years are reported. Results show that diffusion of ions contributes to the changes in the ion distribution but migration, especially of chlorides towards the EZ-anode is significant despite the weak electric field – several hundred millivolts - generated by the galvanic current. Results show that chloride ions accumulate near the zinc-anode as in water-insoluble zinc-hydroxy chlorides - Simonkollite. T2 - ICCRRR 2022 CY - Capetown, South Africa KW - Corrosion KW - LIBS KW - Zinc KW - Anode PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-560576 DO - https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202236404023 SN - 2261-236X VL - 364 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis AN - OPUS4-56057 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dalichow, Dirk A1 - Blaschke, Jil A1 - Wilsch, Gerd A1 - Völker, Tobias T1 - Revolutionizing Concrete Analysis and Maintenance with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy N2 - Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a valuable complement to established methods for the chemical analysis of concrete. Compared to conventional techniques, LIBS enables spatially resolved imaging of harmful ion distributions within the cementitious matrix. It allows the simultaneous detection of all relevant ions and degradation mechanisms, facilitating a better understanding of interacting processes. The benefits of multi-element analysis are illustrated through selected examples that highlight the method’s superior information content. Ion penetration profiles are recorded at a resolution of 0.25 mm, providing high-quality input data for service life modelling. Instead of drill dust, a 50 mm core sample is used. The measurement is automated, requires no chemical reagents or elaborate sample preparation, and is completed within minutes. KW - LIBS KW - Durability KW - Ion transport profiling KW - Concrete analysis KW - Service life assessment PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-642846 DO - https://doi.org/10.58286/31656 SN - 1435-4934 VL - 30 IS - 10 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - NDT.net GmbH & Co. KG AN - OPUS4-64284 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ukrainczyk, Neven A1 - Bernard, Thomas A1 - Babaahmadi, Arezou A1 - Huang, Liming A1 - Zausinger, Christoph A1 - Soive, Anthony A1 - Bonnet, Stéphanie A1 - Georget, Fabien A1 - Mrak, Maruša A1 - Dolenec, Sabina A1 - Völker, Tobias A1 - Suraneni, Prannoy A1 - Wilson, William T1 - Test methods for chloride diffusivity of blended cement pastes: a review by RILEM TC 298-EBD N2 - The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) is an important part of the roadmap for reducing CO2 emissions and extending the service life of reinforced concrete structures. To accelerate the adoption of SCMs, the RILEM Technical Committee 298-EBD evaluates scaled-down cement paste test methods to assess the effect of SCM on resistance to chloride and sulfate ingress and reactivity, which are critical to concrete durability. This review focuses on methods for measuring chloride diffusivity and is divided into four sections: diffusivity models and parameters, diffusion test methods (including NMR and chloride measurements), migration test methods and implications for future research. Key insights highlight the complexities of multi-species ionic and molecular diffusion/migration, including various binding interactions, and compares the different measurement methodologies. The review also addresses the test scale and aggregate effects, noting the pros and cons of testing at the paste, mortar, and concrete scales. The review underscores the need for further investigation into testing protocols and the influence of SCM on chloride diffusion, emphasizing that comprehensive testing across different scales provides complementary information for assessing durability performance. KW - Chloride ingress KW - Diffusion tests KW - Migration test KW - Cement paste KW - Concrete KW - Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-645889 DO - https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-025-02809-4 SN - 1359-5997 VL - 58 IS - 10 SP - 1 EP - 35 PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC AN - OPUS4-64588 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -