MRI: Acquisition of a Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer at Hamline University

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program, Hamline University will acquire a portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer. An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is an analytical tool used to determine the chemical elements in a sample. Because it is portable and hand held, it can be used to analyze samples away from a laboratory, for example in a classroom, at an archeological site, or to examine art objects or cultural heritage materials in museums. The instrument will be shared with researchers at Minnesota State University-Mankato and two non-profit organizations, the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) and the Midwest Art Conservation Center (MACC). It will be used in undergraduate chemistry courses, a teacher education course and a forensics/anthropology course. It will also be used in high school courses and in elementary school demonstrations. This community outreach includes a large minority student population. The societal benefit includes understanding and preserving cultural artifacts. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) identifying the chemical composition of forensic samples, art and cultural heritage objects; (b) characterizing artifacts for provenience; (c) understanding the influence of the Golgi membrane on the formation of paired-helical fibers (PHFs) from the protein tau; (d) synthesizing aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles; and (e) developing a searchable database for rapid and reliable field use of materials commonly found at crime scenes.