Acquisition of an X-ray diffraction unit for earth science research and education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison

0824890 Xu本提案寻求资金以购买一台新的X射线衍射仪。目前使用了20年的仪器出现了电气问题，背景稳定性不可靠。当前仪器的制造商已经停业，并且没有可用的支持选项。所要求的升级将能够进行一般粉末X射线衍射、微衍射和广角X射线散射。还提出了一种二维图像板检测系统。XRD是研究地球和外星物质的常用技术。研究小组将把所要求的仪器投入使用，以1）更好地了解地球和行星样本中发现的支持生命的矿物学信号，2）通过矿物特征更好地了解岩石-水的相互作用，3）确定地球和行星岩石中的生物特征，4）了解微生物在介导含铁粘土和铁氧化物中的氧化还原反应以及地下U（IV）矿物形成和氧化还原过程中的作用，（5）定量研究冰碛物、风成沉积物和湖泊沉积物中的粘土、碳酸盐和长石/石英矿物学，重建古气候变化。新仪器将被安置在UWM现有的X射线衍射实验室。现有的基础设施（冷却水、交流电、电力、蒸馏水等）已到位，可支持此次收购。一名50%时间的XRD实验室经理将支持操作，并由PI监督。实验室经理将培训新用户，提供技术支持，维护XRD和相关仪器，开发技术并保存一般记录。现有文书的网络注册系统先到先得，将继续使用。用户按小时付费。这些费用支持25%的FTE实验室经理和维护成本。旧仪器将保留用于培训目的。

0824890XuThis proposal seeks funding to purchase a new X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument. The current 20 year old instrument has developed electrical problems and suffers from unreliable background stability. The manufacturer of the current instrument has since gone out of business and no support options are available. The requested upgrade will be capable of general powder X-ray diffraction, micro-diffraction, and wide angle X-ray scattering. Also proposed is a 2-D image plate detector system. XRD is a common technique for studying Earth and extraterrestrial materials. The research team will put the requested instrument into service to 1) better understand mineralogical signals indicative of supporting life found in Earth and planetary samples, 2) better understand rock-water interactions through mineral signatures, 3) determine biosignatures in Earth and planetary rocks, 4) understand the role of microbes in mediating redox reactions in Fe-bearing clays and Fe-oxides in addition to U(IV) mineral formation and redox processes in the subsurface, and 5) quantitatively survey clay, carbonate and feldspar/quartz mineralology in glacial tills, eolian sediments, and lacustrine deposits in order to reconstruct paleoclimatic changes. The new instrument will be housed in current X-ray Diffraction Laboratory at UWM. Current infrastructure (cooling water, AC, power, distilled water, etc) is in place to support the acquisition. A 50%-time XRD lab manager will support operation and is supervised by the PI. The lab manager will train new users, provide tech support, maintain the XRD and associated instruments, develop techniques and keep general records. A first-come, first-serve web-based sign up system is in place for the current instrument and will continue to be used. Users pay an hourly fee. The fees support 25% of the FTE lab manager and maintenance costs. The old instrument will be kept for training purposes.***