Advancing UArizona Mineral Resources and Gem Science Analytical Capabilities via Laser Ablation ICP-MS
- Principal Investigator (PI): Mark Barton, Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources
- Partners: Isabel Barton, Mining & Geological Engineering (MGE); Ananya Mallik, Dept of Geosciences (GEOS); Hervé Rezeau, GEOS; David Killick, School of Anthropology (ANTH); Jen McIntosh, Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences (HAS); Tom Meixner, HAS; Jon Chorover, Dept of Environmental Science (ENVS); Joaquin Ruiz, GEOS; Frank Mazdab, GEOS
Advancing UArizona Mineral Resources and Gem Science Analytical Capabilities via Laser Ablation ICP-MS
Purchase of sophisticated laser equipment will enhance UArizona’s capabilities for state-of-the-art analyses of solids and solutions in the Lowell Institute’s ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) facility.
The NWRFemto ultraviolet femtosecond pulsed laser ablation system by New Wave Research Inc. is unique in the way that it efficiently vaporizes tiny amounts of material for chemical and isotopic analysis.
As the first of its kind located in North America that is devoted to geological and related materials, the system will support faculty and student researchers across several disciplines—economic geology, geometallurgy, archeometallurgy, environmental sciences and gemology. Topics in which the system will help expand knowledge include basic geology and exploration, mineral processing and characterization of manmade materials. Students will have access to key instrumentation and methods as part of their mineral resources education.
This is part of a long-term effort to expand capacity for cutting-edge technology and replace aging instrumentation. As one of a few widely shared UArizona facilities for isotope and chemical analysis, the ICP-MS lab needs continuing staff and operations support. Project funds and matching funds through grants and contracts are working together to generate more than $1 million in buying instrumentation that will sustain and enhance future grant and contract work.
For more information on this project, please contact: Mark Barton