MRI: Acquisition of Multicollector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (MC-TIMS) for Earth, Environmental, and Cross-disciplinary Research

该奖项来自重大研究仪器计划(MRI)，用于为西北大学(NU)地球和行星科学系(EAPS)的同位素研究购买多收集器热电离质谱仪(MC-TIMS)并提供技术支持。收购MC-TIMS的同时，EAPS部门建立了一个新的分析设施，将支持同位素(放射性和稳定的)、水、有机和沉积地球化学的功能。在这个综合体内，MC-TIMS将是放射性成因同位素实验室的主要研究工具，该实验室将包括一个清洁的样品制备实验室和一个气候控制仪器室。MC-TIMs将使NU和其他芝加哥地区机构的教师和学生的跨学科社区受益，包括芝加哥大学和伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校。一项全面的管理计划将确保内部和外部用户对仪器进行高效和具有成本效益的操作。将侧重于测量Ca、ND、Re、Os、Sr、Th和U同位素丰度变化，以支持水化学、地下水和地表水水文学、化学海洋学、古海洋学、地质微生物学、宇宙化学、化学地层学和气候变化等领域的单个调查员和合作研究活动。研究生和本科生将使用MC-TIMS完成NSF资助的研究，PI将直接将该仪器整合到以放射性同位素地球化学理论和实践为特色的课程中。使用MC-TIMS的研究和教学活动还将包括来自埃文斯顿乡镇高中的少数族裔学生参加NU的Excite项目。EXCITE的目标是增加大学水平上科学、工程、数学和技术专业的少数族裔人数。最后，PI计划创建一个放射性同位素实习生计划，该计划由17所芝加哥地区的2年制和4年制大学组成，这些大学的学生群体传统上代表人数较少。实习生将获得与MC-TIM的实践经验。在新加坡国立大学研究生院提供的特别奖学金和奖学金的帮助下，实习生有机会进入EAPS研究生课程。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) provides funds for the acquisition and technical support of a Multi-Collector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (MC-TIMS) for isotopic research in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department (EAPS) at Northwestern University (NU). The acquisition of the MC-TIMS coincides with the establishment of a new analytical facility in the EAPS Department that will support functionalities in isotope (radiogenic and stable), aqueous, organic, and sedimentary geochemistry. Within this complex, the MC-TIMS will be the primary research tool in the Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory, which will encompass a clean laboratory for sample preparation and a climate-controlled instrument room. The MC-TIMS will benefit a cross-disciplinary community of faculty and students at NU and other Chicago-area institutions, including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois-Chicago. A comprehensive management plan will ensure the efficient and cost-effective operation of the instrument by internal and external users. Emphasis will be placed on the measurement of Ca, Nd, Re, Os, Sr, Th, and U isotope abundance variations to support single investigator and collaborative research activities in the areas of aqueous geochemistry, ground and surface water hydrology, chemical oceanography, paleoceanography, geomicrobiology, cosmochemistry, chemostratigraphy, and climate change, both modern and ancient. Graduate and undergraduate students will use the MC-TIMS to accomplish NSF-funded research, and the PI will directly integrate the instrument into courses featuring the theory and practice of radiogenic isotope geochemistry. Research and teaching activities employing the MC-TIMS will also include minority students from Evanston Township High School who are participating in project EXCITE at NU. The goal of EXCITE is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities majoring in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology at the college level. Lastly, the PI plans to create a radiogenic isotope intern program drawing from a consortium of 17 Chicago-area 2- and 4-year colleges whose student body is comprised of traditionally underrepresented groups. Interns will gain hands on experience with the MC-TIMS. Opportunities exist for interns to matriculate into the EAPS graduate program with the aid of special fellowships and scholarships offered by The Graduate School at NU.