Image: Luminescence dating field work taking place in the Chisholm Canyon near Watson Bar Creek. / Provided / University of Fraser Valley

By Alyssa Conti

NEW RESEARCH

Sand, rock and heavy metal: Fraser Valley researcher digs into unique prospecting method

Jan 31, 2025 | 2:17 PM

ABBOTSFORD — A team of researchers at the University of Fraser Valley is lighting up an innovative path to a critical resource— lithium. The metal is increasingly becoming valued, with uses ranging from smartphones and medication, to electric cars and solar panels.

Dr. Olav Lian’s team at the Luminescence Dating Laboratory will soon be receiving a new instrument worth $160,000 after some approved funding from university grants and federal organizations, like the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

Right now, Canadian researchers prospect and identify minerals using pricey chemical lab methods. With the new instrument, the team at UFV may be able to do this more efficiently– using the light found within those rocks.

When heating up minerals to high temperatures, samples begin to emit luminescence signals.

“We are investigating whether a luminescence signal, or a collection of luminescence signals of different colours, can be used to more efficiently detect these minerals in bulk samples,” said Lian.

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Lian explained that in a previous study from over 30 years ago, scientists used a spectrometer to detect lithium in quartz-rich rock.

“This prompted us to see if we could develop this technique for prospecting.” 

“If the initial experiments at [Danish Technical University] look promising, we will apply for an NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grant next year to obtain our own spectrometer.”

The UFV lab began in 2007 and is the only luminescence dating lab in western Canada, following the research labs established in Montreal. The team primarily consists of university students of all levels.