Photo caption: (L to R) Mr. Johann Antoine, Mr. Darrion Walker (graduate student, Department of Physics), Prof. Mitko Voutchkov (Department of Physics), Prof. Charles Grant (ICENS), and Ms. Jhénelle Williams.

Mr. Darrion Walker, (graduate student, Department of Physics) and co-authors Johann Antoine, Jhénelle Williams, Prof. Charles Grant (ICENS) and Prof. Mitko Voutchkov (Department of Physics) recently published an article entitled ‘Elemental investigation of renal calculi in Jamaica by instrumental neutron activation analysis’ in the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. The paper presents results of research undertaken by the team to determine the elemental composition of Kidney stones using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). INAA is a sensitive nuclear-based analytical technique for determining the amount of different elements present in a sample. The analysis revealed a significant relationship between the concentration of calcium, sodium, strontium and zinc in kidney stones. This research provides the basis for further investigations into the role that the different elements play in the formation of kidney stone with an end goal of helping physicians reduce their recurrence in patients.

To read more: Walker, D.C., Antoine, J.M.R., Williams, J.A. Charles N. Grant, Mitko K. Voutchkov,. Elemental investigation of renal calculi in Jamaica by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). J Radioanal Nucl Chem (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-08071-6