MRI: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Spectrometer - Dept. of Geosciences, Franklin & Marshall College

0116484de WetThis grant，made through the Major Research Instrumentation（MRI）Program，provides partial support for costs of acquiring a Thermal Jammell-Ash IRIS Advantage Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Spectrometer（ICAP）with Extended Wavelength Range Dual Plasma.该设备包括垂直定向（径向等离子体）焊炬和水平定向（轴向）焊炬的设置。这种双系统是对包含固定径向等离子体炬取向的早期类型的ICP光谱仪的显著改进，因为使用轴向取向可以更准确地测量低波长。使用垂直定向的炬配置优化长波长分析。这种仪器为服务于不同研究和教学需求的本科院校提供了最大的灵活性。这种灵活性的增加增加了我们的用户群，并确保最大限度地访问设备。还为微型钻孔设备划拨了资金，特别是配备高速精密钻头的新浪潮研究微型加工系统。微钻孔系统通过结合相对于容易出现用户错误的手持设备的速度和精度来增强小规模采样。ICAP和微加工系统协同工作，以更快的速度和更友好的方式更准确、更精确地生成数据。这在本科研究中很重要，因为学生没有太多时间投入研究，但首先要学习扎实的研究方法和技术。促进学习过程的工具，减少挫折和挫折，对于留住科学学生并鼓励他们继续研究生研究非常重要。将受益于新仪器的具体研究领域包括：寒武纪微生物碳酸盐的成岩作用;澳大利亚坎宁盆地泥盆纪礁碳酸盐的微量元素地球化学;火成岩长石生长带中的微量元素分布;流域和湿地的微量元素化学（土壤和水）;考古学（当地文物和燧石产地）和艺术史（油漆斑点分析）的跨学科研究。***

0116484de WetThis grant, made through the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, provides partial support for costs of acquiring a Thermal Jarrell Ash IRIS Advantage Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Spectrometer (ICAP) with Extended Wavelength Range Dual Plasma. This equipment includes settings for both a vertically oriented (radial plasma) torch and a horizontally oriented (axial) torch. Such a dual system is a significant improvement over earlier types of ICP spectrometers that contained a fixed, radial plasma torch orientation because low wavelengths can be measured more accurately using the axial orientation. Long wavelength analysis is optimized using the vertically oriented torch configuration. This instrumentation provides maximum flexibility for an undergraduate institution servicing diverse research and teaching needs. This increased flexibility increases our user base and ensures maximum access to the equipment. Funds are also allocated for microdrilling equipment, specifically a New Wave Research Micromachining System with a high speed precision drill. The microdrilling system enhances small scale sampling by combining speed and precision relative to hand-held devices that are prone to user error. Both the ICAP and micromachining system work in conjunction to produce data more accurately, more precisely, at a faster rate, in a more user-friendly manner. This is important in undergraduate research where students have less time to devote to their research, but where solid research methodologies and techniques are first learned. Instrumentation that facilitates the learning process, with fewer frustrations and set-backs, is important in retaining students in science and encouraging them to continue with graduate research. Specific research areas that will benefit from the new instrumentation include: diagenesis of Cambrian microbial carbonates; trace element geochemistry of Devonian reefal carbonates from the Canning Basin, Australia; trace element distribution in igneous feldspar growth zoning; minor element chemistry of watershed and wetland sites (soil and water); and interdisciplinary studies in Archeology (local artifacts and chert provenance), and Art History (paint fleck analysis). ***