Current Projects

The design of a full neutron activation system for the simultaneous measurements of fat-free mass (FFM), fat, fat distribution and protein in vivo.
The development of a stable isotope method that identifies frailty in the elderly. The advent of new, portable technologies for the measurement of bromide and deuteriated water molecules in biological samples made this approach practical for field use. The techniques tested were x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and high precision laser spectroscopy for Br and D/H ratio respectively. The impact is significant. We are able now to monitor the expansion of extracellular water space in the elderly (a measure of frailty) using stable isotopes without the complexity, time-delay and expense of isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
We provided proof-of-principle for the rapid detection of zinc in human hair and fingernails using non-destructive, portable XRF.
Nutritional assessment in nursing homes.
Validation of hand-held DEXA caliper for field measurements of body composition.
Energy intake using stable isotopes.