Development of Automated In Situ 14C Extraction Systems at the University of Arizona

该奖项将资助亚利桑那大学现有的原位14 C提取和CO2净化系统的升级，该系统具有自动机电阀门执行器和相关控制系统，并将安装自动液氮输送系统。此外，用于原位14 C石墨化系统的热控制设备将进行升级，以提供更可靠的温度控制，并促进我们石墨化程序的未来改进。由于我们正在改造现有的真空系统，因此实施这些技术只需要对系统的行为进行最小程度的重新表征。总之，我们预计，拟议的升级将使我们的年度实验室样品吞吐量增加多达四倍-没有额外的提取系统和一半的现有人员。新的自动化系统将显着扩大原位14 C对过程导向的地貌和第四纪地质研究的影响。它还将简化和缩短培训更多人员的过程，这将使研究生和外部研究人员能够更多地互动和参与，并将扩大亚利桑那大学内外的合作机会。

This award will fund upgrades to the existing in situ 14C extraction and CO2 purification systems at the University of Arizona with automated electromechanical valve actuators and associated control systems, and will install automated liquid N2 delivery systems. In addition, thermal control equipment for the in situ 14C graphitization systems will be upgraded to provide more reliable temperature control and to facilitate future improvements to our graphitization procedures. Because we are retrofitting our existing vacuum systems, implementing these technologies will require only minimal re-characterization of the systems' behavior. In all, we project that the proposed upgrades will enable an increase of our annual laboratory sample throughput by up to a factor of four - without additional extraction systems and with half of the current personnel. The new automation systems will significantly broaden the impact of in situ 14C on process-oriented geomorphic and Quaternary geologic research. It will also simplify and shorten the process of training additional personnel, which will allow greater interaction with and involvement of graduate students and outside researchers, and will expand opportunities for collaboration both within and outside the University of Arizona.