MRI: Acquisition of Multicollector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (MC-TIMS) for Earth, Environmental, and Cross-disciplinary Research

来自主要研究仪器计划（MRI）的这一奖项为西北大学（NU）地球和行星科学系（EAPS）的同位素研究的多收集器热电离质谱仪（MC-TIMS）的收购和技术支持提供资金。MC-TIMS的收购恰逢EAPS部门建立一个新的分析设施，该设施将支持同位素（放射性和稳定），水，有机和沉积地球化学的功能。在这个综合体中，MC-TIMS将是放射性同位素实验室的主要研究工具，该实验室将包括一个用于样品制备的清洁实验室和一个气候控制仪器室。MC-TIMS将使NU和其他芝加哥地区机构（包括芝加哥大学和伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校）的教师和学生的跨学科社区受益。一项全面的管理计划将确保内部和外部用户以高效率和高成本效益的方式运作该仪器。重点将放在测量钙，钕，铼，锇，锶，钍和铀同位素丰度的变化，以支持单一的研究人员和合作研究活动，在水地球化学，地下水和地表水水文，化学海洋学，古海洋学，地质微生物学，宇宙化学，化学地层学和气候变化，现代和古代的领域。研究生和本科生将使用MC-TIMS来完成NSF资助的研究，PI将直接将该仪器整合到放射性同位素地球化学的理论和实践课程中。采用MC-TIMS的研究和教学活动还将包括来自埃文斯顿镇高中的少数民族学生，他们正在参加NU的EXCITE项目。EXCITE的目标是增加在大学一级主修科学、工程、数学和技术的人数不足的少数民族。最后，PI计划创建一个放射性同位素实习生项目，该项目由17所芝加哥地区的2年制和4年制大学组成，这些大学的学生由传统上代表性不足的群体组成。实习生将获得与MC-TIMS的实践经验。实习生有机会在NU研究生院提供的特别奖学金和奖学金的帮助下进入EAPS研究生课程。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) provides funds for the acquisition and technical support of a Multi-Collector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (MC-TIMS) for isotopic research in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department (EAPS) at Northwestern University (NU). The acquisition of the MC-TIMS coincides with the establishment of a new analytical facility in the EAPS Department that will support functionalities in isotope (radiogenic and stable), aqueous, organic, and sedimentary geochemistry. Within this complex, the MC-TIMS will be the primary research tool in the Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory, which will encompass a clean laboratory for sample preparation and a climate-controlled instrument room. The MC-TIMS will benefit a cross-disciplinary community of faculty and students at NU and other Chicago-area institutions, including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois-Chicago. A comprehensive management plan will ensure the efficient and cost-effective operation of the instrument by internal and external users. Emphasis will be placed on the measurement of Ca, Nd, Re, Os, Sr, Th, and U isotope abundance variations to support single investigator and collaborative research activities in the areas of aqueous geochemistry, ground and surface water hydrology, chemical oceanography, paleoceanography, geomicrobiology, cosmochemistry, chemostratigraphy, and climate change, both modern and ancient. Graduate and undergraduate students will use the MC-TIMS to accomplish NSF-funded research, and the PI will directly integrate the instrument into courses featuring the theory and practice of radiogenic isotope geochemistry. Research and teaching activities employing the MC-TIMS will also include minority students from Evanston Township High School who are participating in project EXCITE at NU. The goal of EXCITE is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities majoring in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology at the college level. Lastly, the PI plans to create a radiogenic isotope intern program drawing from a consortium of 17 Chicago-area 2- and 4-year colleges whose student body is comprised of traditionally underrepresented groups. Interns will gain hands on experience with the MC-TIMS. Opportunities exist for interns to matriculate into the EAPS graduate program with the aid of special fellowships and scholarships offered by The Graduate School at NU.