Scientists at FIU are now equipped to do just that with the acquisition of a powerful and versatile X-ray diffractometer. FIU is now one of only two sites in the United States to house the brand known as Rigaku SmartLab X-Ray Diffractometer. X-ray diffraction is widely used across a variety of industries, with approximately 90 percent of companies engaged in research and development. FIU research will focus on clean energy, advanced electronics, infrastructure resilience and next-generation materials innovation. Understanding batteries at the atomic level allows researchers to develop technologies that last longer, charge faster and leave a smaller environmental footprint.