MRI: Acquisition of a Liquid/Supercritical Fluid Chromatoghraphy Mass Spectrometer for Energy and Environmental Research

来自主要研究仪器计划的这一奖项将资助拉斐特学院和附近大学为环境和能源研究购买液相色谱/超临界流体/质谱仪（LC/SFC/MS）。 LC/SFC/MS将能够对这些系统中的组分进行定量和鉴定。 加强对每个系统的了解将有助于制定战略，以调解负面影响，并优化与能源和环境应用有关的有益成果。 此外，邻近机构使用LC/SFC/MS将进一步实现这些目标，并为使用仪器以及绿色化学和工程方面的培训提供推广机会。 该仪器将被多个团体用于研究，并为本科生研究人员提供教育经验。 在适当的情况下，这种仪器也将作为一个先进的教学工具，在多个类。LC/SFC/MS是一个组合系统，将改变拉斐特学院的研究能力。 该仪器能够进行高清晰度和准确的分析，具有足够的多功能性，可用于许多应用。LC和SFC的独特组合将使我们的教师和学生研究人员能够获得广泛的目标分析物的反相和正相分离。与色谱系统联用的MS是一种稳健的技术，能够从复杂基质中进行未知分子鉴定和化合物分离，同时为定量和鉴定具有从极性到非极性的广谱挥发性化合物的组分提供足够的灵敏度。 该仪器将用于推进与能源和环境应用相关的高影响力教师领导的研究，具体项目如下：1）用于选择性和可持续的生物柴油生产的CO2介导的反应，2）使用绿色溶剂从微藻中选择性提取和再循环有价值的副产物，3）大气气溶胶生长途径的产物鉴定和机理阐明，和4）了解淡水系统中硫醇的产生和归宿。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program will fund the acquisition of a liquid chromatography/supercritical fluid/mass spectrometer (LC/SFC/MS) for both environmental and energy research at Lafayette College and proximate universities. The LC/SFC/MS will enable the quantification and identification of components in these systems. The enhanced understanding of each system would allow for the development of strategies to mediate negative implications and optimize for beneficial outcomes related to energy and environmental applications. Additionally, the use of the LC/SFC/MS by neighboring institutions will further these goals and provide outreach opportunities for training in both the use of the instrument as well as green chemistry and engineering. The instrumentation will be used by multiple groups for research and provide educational experiences for undergraduate student researchers. When appropriate this instrumentation will also serve as an advanced teaching tool in multiple classes.The LC/SFC/MS is a combined system that will transform the research capabilities at Lafayette College. The instrument is capable of high definition and accurate analyses with sufficient versatility for use in many applications. The unique combination of LC and SFC will make both reverse- and normal-phase separations accessible to our faculty and student researchers for a wide range of target analytes. MS coupled to a chromatography system is a robust technique possessing the ability to perform unknown molecule identification and compound isolation from complex matrices while providing ample sensitivity for quantification and identification of components with a wide spectrum of volatilities that range from polar to nonpolar. This instrumentation will be used to advance high impact faculty-led research relevant to energy and environmental applications with specific projects as follows: 1) CO2 mediated reactions for selective and sustainable biodiesel production, 2) Selective extraction and recycling of valuable co-products from microalgae using green solvents, 3) Product identification and mechanism elucidation of atmospheric aerosol growth pathways, and 4) Understanding of the production and fate of thiols in freshwater systems.