MRI: Acquisition of a Laser Ablation System for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy at Union College

1039832FreyMRI奖资助激光消融系统与现有的电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)相结合，以加强地球化学和固体材料研究。激光消融(LA)系统将允许扩展分析能力，并为PI提供新的机会。七名教师和他们的学生将立即受益于地质学、化学和物理。目前，学院不具备现场和高空间分辨率能力；目前的电感耦合等离子体质谱仅支持基于溶液的样品。研究议程架起了几个学科的桥梁，新的激光消融系统将有助于更好地了解：利用斜长石微量元素分析进行岩浆混合，斜长石中锶、钡、Rb、Y和稀土元素的分配，微量元素测温、裂变径迹测年和锆石微量元素组成，作为降温速度替代指标的微量元素扩散曲线(S)，利用氧化还原敏感元素在恐龙共原岩中矿物记录的地下水化学，热带安第斯湖岩心古气候，软体贝壳中的钡-环境条件的双重指标，膨润石/聚苯胺纳米组装分析，以及激光光谱分析和艺术品保护。该仪器将用于将研究作为本科课程不可分割的一部分，并通过使用最先进的仪器来开发创新的、多学科的教学和研究机会。洛杉矶国际电感耦合等离子体质谱仪将被整合到不同层次的地质学和化学课程的教师个人研究、师生合作研究活动和实验室培训练习中，以丰富本科生的研究经验。PI在让本科生参与研究方面有着很强的记录。许多人攻读科学研究生课程，从事研究工作。代表不足的群体积极参与研究和教育项目。洛杉矶系统将被纳入联盟？S暑期推广计划，该计划包括来自弱势和代表性不足背景的年轻人。还将与邻近的机构进行接触。LA系统将安装在支持电感耦合等离子体质谱仪的现有设施中。样品准备实验室与电感耦合等离子体质谱实验室相邻。有充足的设施和设备用于样品的准备、储存和加工。目前的电感耦合等离子体质谱已有20年历史，只有6个月的停机时间。PI积累了40多年的电感耦合等离子体质谱经验。PI将使用休假来全职设置和准备新仪器。一名专职的仪器技术人员将执行日常维护。地质部的资金将用于服务和维护。计划将在特别的基础上进行，最初是以自动化系统作为选项。培训将由督察负责。***

1039832FreyThis MRI award funds a laser ablation system to couple with an existing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) to enhance geochemistry and solid materials research. The laser ablation (LA) system will allow expanded analytical capabilities and provide new opportunities for PIs. Seven faculty and their students Geology, Chemistry, and Physics will immediately benefit. Currently, in situ and high spatial resolution capabilities are not available at the College; the current ICP-MS only supports solution-based samples. The research agenda bridges several disciplines and the new laser ablation system will support better understanding of: magma mixing using plagioclase trace element analysis, Sr, Ba, Rb, Y, and REE partitioning in plagioclase, trace element thermometry, fission track dating and zircon trace element composition, trace element diffusion profiles as proxies for cooling rate(s), groundwater chemistry as recorded by minerals in dinosaur coprolites using redoxsensitive elements, tropical Andean lake core paleoclimate, barium in mollusk shells - a dual proxy of environmental conditions, laponite/polyaniline nanoassembly analysis, and laser spectroscopy and art conservation. The instrumentation will be used to incorporate research as an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum and to develop innovative, multidisciplinary teaching and research opportunities through the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation. The LA ICP-MS will be integrated into individual faculty research, faculty and student collaborative research activities, and laboratory training exercises in Geology and Chemistry courses at various levels to enrich the undergraduate research experience. The PIs have a strong record of involving undergraduate students in research. Many pursue graduate studies in the sciences and careers in research. Underrepresented groups are actively included in research and educational projects. The LA system will be incorporated into Union?s summer outreach program, which includes youths from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. Outreach to neighboring institutions will also be made. The LA system will be housed in the current facility supporting the ICP-MS. A sample prep laboratory is adjacent to the ICP-MS lab. Ample facilities and equipment exists for sample prep, storage and processing. The current ICP-MS is 20 years old and has only had 6 months of downtime. The PIs amass over 40 combined years of ICP-MS experience. The PI will use sabbatical to work full-time setting up and preparing the new instrumentation. A dedicated instrument technician will perform routine maintenance. Geology Department funds will be used for service and maintenance. Scheduling will be done on an ad hoc basis originally with an automated system as an option. Training will be conducted by the PIs. ***