Instruments
The University Instrument Center maintains a wide variety of analytical and imaging instrumentation. Many of these devices are equipped with automatic samplers and are connected through Western's Integrated Laboratory Network, allowing 24 hour a day access and operation. The Instrument Center is located in ES 508. The following instrumentation is available at the University Instrument Center.
| Imaging/Material Analysis | |
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Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) |
| Vega TS 5136MM w/ EDAX Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and retractable backscatter detector (BSE) | |
| The SEM is designed to make detailed images beyond the range of traditional light microscopy. The SEM can be used to look at a variety of materials such as minerals, artifacts, microorganisms, and manufactured material. The SEM software includes functions for image analysis and image processing. | |
Mass Spectrometry |
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API Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS) |
Applied Biosystems API 2000 Triple Quadrupole |
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| The LC/MS allows for the identification of molecules based on mass. The API 2000 can be used stand alone or in line with our Agilent 1100 Series HPLC. LC/MS is commonly used for environmental analysis, forensic toxicology, and protein and peptide characterization. | |
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Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) |
| Varian CP3800 GC with Saturn 2000 Ion Trap MS | |
| In gas chromatography a liquid sample mixture is injected, vaporized and separated into its molecular components. A mass spectrometer creates fragments from an original or “parent” molecule. It then analyzes those “pieces” of the molecule to provide, among other things, information about the molecular weight of the compound and its chemical structure. | |
| Chromatography | |
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High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) |
| Agilent 1100 Series w/variable wavelength UV-VIS detector | |
| HPLC is a method used to separate non-volatile, thermally unstable, molecular species dissolved in solution into molecular components. | |
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High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) |
| Varian 240 Prostar w/ programmable UV-VIS detector and Waters 432 conductivity detector | |
| HPLC is a method used to separate non-volatile, thermally unstable, molecular species dissolved in solution into molecular components. This system can also be used for anion chromatography. | |
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Gas Chromatograph (GC) |
| Varian CP3800 GC with Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD) | |
| In gas chromatography a liquid sample mixture is injected, vaporized and separated into its molecular components. The FID allows for the detection of carbon containing compounds such as hydrocarbons. The ECD detects compounds that contain halogens, peroxides, quinones, organometallics, and nitro groups such as chlorinated pesticides, insecticides, and drugs. | |
| Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy | |
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Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) |
| Varian SpectrAA 220FS w/ SPS-5 and SIPS auto sampling | |
| Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA or AAS) is one of the most common instrumental methods used to analyze for the presence and abundance of metals and some metalloids. The FAA is used to analyze samples with concentrations in the PPM range. | |
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Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GFAA) |
| Varian SpectrAA 220Z w/GTA 110Z and PSD | |
| GFAA spectroscopy is a technique that provides an exceptionally sensitive (ppb range) means of detecting metals and their abundance. | |
| Other Equipment | |
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Critical Point Dryer (CPD) |
| Quorum Technologies E3000 Series | |
| The CPD is used to prepare certain types of samples for viewing with the SEM. Samples are chemically fixed, dehydrated, and placed in the CPD for drying. This drying technique preserves sample structure. | |
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Gamma Ray Spectroscope |
| Canberra GL2820R Detector | |
| The Gamma Ray Spectroscope is used to chronologically date recent soil or sediment layers in order to determine the rate at which the environment is changing. The Gamma Ray Spectroscope has applications in areas such as Ecology, Geomorphology, and Oceanography. | |
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UV-VIS Diode Array Spectrophotometer |
| Hewlett Packard 8452 | |
| UV-VIS Spectrophotometry uses ultraviolet and visible light to determine chemical properties and quantities of both molecular and ionic species. | |
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Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) |
| Packard 1900 CA Tricarb | |
| Liquid scintillation counters are an effective method for detecting and measuring the amount of radioactivity present in a chemical sample. | |
