MRI-R2: Acquisition of a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。Sullens和他的同事Tarek Abdel-Fattah，Kathleen E. Brunke和Lauren Ruane将获得波长色散X射线荧光光谱仪（WDXRF）。 它将支持该大学的海岸，环境和大气研究中心（C2 EAS）。 以下研究领域将受到影响：a）可裂变材料在植物和土壤环境中的归宿，B）大气气溶胶的元素特性，c）菌根真菌对植物中金属积累的影响，d）开发用于吸收污染土壤中重金属的纳米材料，e）污染土壤和空气的补救：检测和量化军事场地的重金属（重点：铅），f）海洋文物的保护和恢复，g）金属在人工湿地中的吸收效率和归宿。波长色散X射线荧光光谱（WDXRF）使研究人员能够通过非破坏性手段获得材料的元素分析。 X射线照射样品，使原子的核心电子被提升到更高能量的轨道。这些电子的弛豫导致元素的次级X射线特征的发射（荧光）。 由于这将是弗吉尼亚州东南部唯一的区域WDXRF设施，它将提供给该地区的其他研究机构（汉普顿大学，伊丽莎白城州立大学，诺福克州立大学，旧自治领大学，威廉和玛丽学院，美国宇航局，杰斐逊实验室国家加速器设施）。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Tyler A. Sullens and his colleagues Tarek Abdel-Fattah, Kathleen E. Brunke and Lauren Ruane will acquire a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (WDXRF). It will support the Center for Coastal, Environmental, and Atmospheric Studies (C2EAS) at the university. The following areas of research will be impacted: a) fate of fissionable material in plant and soil environments, b) elemental characterization of atmospheric aerosols, c) effects of mycorrhizal fungi on metal accumulation in plants, d) development of nanomaterials for the absorption of heavy metals from contaminated soils, e) remediation of contaminated soils and air: detecting and quantifying heavy metals on military sites (focus: lead), f) preservation and restoration of marine artifacts, and, g) uptake efficiency and fate of metals in a created wetland.Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectroscopy enables researchers to obtain elemental analysis of materials through non-destructive means. X-rays irradiate a sample causing core electrons from atoms to be promoted to higher energy orbitals. The relaxation of these electrons results in emission (fluorescence) of secondary X-rays characteristic of the element. Since this will be the only regional WDXRF facility in SE Virginia, it will be made available to other research institutions in the area (Hampton University, Elizabeth City State University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, and College of William and Mary, NASA, Jefferson Laboratory National Accelerator Facility).