Academic / Research

Macaulay Analytical is involved in a wide range of collaborative research. Much of this work involves colleagues based in universities and other research institutes. We have collaborative links with the universities of Aberdeen (including Oceanlab), Lancaster, Dundee and many others. Across Europe we have collaborators in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, Moldova and further afield in New Zealand, USA, Canada, China and Africa.

Typical examples of the type of work this involves is compound specific isotope analysis and the characterisation of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), a group of compounds which can be used to characterised the microbial population in soils.

Macaulay Scientific Consulting Limited has a renowned reputation, built up over many years, for the analysis of clay minerals using infrared spectroscopy. We have both mid and far infra red regions available for use in this analysis and the combination with the XRD and SEM analysis, which is also available in the Institute, provides a unique facility for examination of clay minerals. Infrared spectroscopy is complementary to XRD analysis in that it can provide additional details such as the nature of amorphous material present and information on relative proportions of cations within the clay. In the recent past we have provided research information on glauconite samples, halloysite samples and montmorillonite samples for a range of different international groups.

Commercial Project Work

We are also able to deploy our skills as researchers to undertake project work for commercial companies, a useful approach for tackling more in depth problems.

For more information contact Andy Midwood

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