Acquisition of an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer

华盛顿大学的研究人员将购买一台新的Thermo MAT 253同位素比质谱仪，以取代一台使用了25年的旧型号。 需要更换此仪器，因为现有仪器的故障频率和相关停机时间正在增加。 这种故障的增加导致样品分析的大量延迟（数月），并且现有软件与无人值守分析不兼容，使得分析更加劳动密集。 此外，该实验室是一个大量使用的教学设施，依赖于学生研究项目的快速样品分析，这是由现有的仪器危害。 新仪器将能够测量惰性气体（Ar、Kr、Ar和Ne）的同位素组成，目前实验室中的任何质谱仪都无法测量这些气体，未来的研究项目将需要这些气体。目前，海洋和渔业科学学院（COFS）内有14个项目依赖于实验室中的同位素比测量。 这些项目涉及化学海洋学的七名教师和九名研究生。 去年，12个（80）本科海洋学专业的学生在实验室工作，无论是支付，个人研究项目，或类相关的研究。 该实验室在COFS的研究和教学计划中发挥着核心作用。 意识到实验室的成功运作目前处于危险之中，以及纠正这种情况的重要性，COFS将为一个新的质谱仪提供10万美元的配套资金。 就更广泛的影响而言，这一设备将大大改善华盛顿大学的研究和教学基础设施。 COFS内的研究和教学活动的广度受到同位素或气体比例分析的影响，这是由依赖于实验室的教师和学生的显着数量证明。 由于大量的研究生和本科生，在实验室的日常工作，新的仪器将是一个关键的教学仪器在COFS。

Researchers at the University of Washington will purchase a new Thermo MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer to replace a 25 year old model. This instrument replacement is needed because the existing instrument is experiencing an increase in failure frequency and associated down-time. This increase in failure is causing substantial delays (months) in sample analysis, and the existing software is not compatible with unattended analyses, making analyses more labor-intensive. In addition, the laboratory is a heavily used teaching facility that relies on rapid sample analysis for student research projects, which is jeopardized by the existing instrumentation. The new instrument will be able to measure the isotopic composition of noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe and Ne), which currently cannot be measured by any mass spectrometers in the laboratory, and will be needed for future research projects. Currently there are 14 projects within the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences (COFS) that rely on isotope ratio measurements in the laboratory. These projects involve seven faculty and nine graduate students within Chemical Oceanography. Last year, twelve (out of 80) undergraduate Oceanography majors worked in the laboratory either for pay, individual research projects, or for class-related research. The laboratory plays a central role in the research and teaching programs within the COFS. Realizing that the successful operation of the laboratory is currently at risk, and the importance of rectifying this situation, the COFS will provide $100K in matching funds for a new mass spectrometer. In terms of broader impacts, this equipment will substantially improve the infrastructure for research and teaching at the University of Washington. The breadth of research and teaching activities within COFS that are impacted by isotope or gas ratio analyses is demonstrated by the significant number of faculty and students that rely on the laboratory. Because of the large number of graduate and undergraduate students that routinely work in the laboratory, the new instrument will be a key teaching instrument within the COFS.