MRI-R2: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer for Multi-Department Research Projects at Gonzaga University

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。有了这项来自主要研究和仪器(MRI)计划的奖项，Eric Ross和他的同事Gonzaga大学的Patrick Ferro、Mara R.London、Joanne A.Smieja和Brook O.Swanson将获得一台电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)这台仪器将在该大学提供先进的元素分析能力，并扩大化学和生物化学、生物以及土木和机械工程系教职员工和本科研究人员的研究机会。将开展的研究项目包括分子膜研究、金属离子与脂质双层的结合分析、甲壳类生物材料调查、放射性和重金属环境研究、为发展中国家制定水处理方法以及太阳能电池和储氢材料调查。这些项目将允许本科生从事具有地方、国家和国际影响的基础和应用研究。电感耦合等离子体质谱仪是一种使用高能等离子体从样品中产生离子的质谱仪。产生的离子的质量由质谱仪测量，提供样品的元素分析。由于这种高灵敏度的仪器能够检测极低浓度的离子，因此对于环境污染物的痕量分析是有价值的。该奖项提供的乐器将通过贡萨加印第安人教育推广计划提供给美洲原住民学生和高中教师。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Eric Ross and colleagues Patrick Ferro, Mara R. London, Joanne A. Smieja and Brook O. Swanson of Gonzaga University will acquire an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) This instrument will provide advanced elemental analysis capabilities at the university and expand research opportunities of faculty and undergraduate investigators in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology, and Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Research projects to be undertaken include studies of molecular films, analysis of metal ion association with lipid bilayers, investigations of crustacean biomaterials, environmental studies of radioactive and heavy metals, development of water treatment methods for developing countries, and investigations of solar cells and hydrogen storage materials. These projects will allow undergraduate students to engage in fundamental and applied research that will have local, national and international impact.An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is a type of mass spectrometer that uses a high-energy plasma to generate ions from a sample. The masses of the ions produced are measured by the mass spectrometer providing an elemental analysis of the sample. Since this highly sensitive instrument is capable of detecting ions at extremely low concentrations, it is valuable for trace analysis of environmental contaminants. The instrumentation provided by this award will be available to Native American students and high school teachers through the Gonzaga Indian Education Outreach Program.