Analytical Equipment Available in MacMillan Hall
Dionex DX500 Ion Chromatograph/High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System The Dionex DX500 modular system is equipped for both ion chromatography and HPLC analysis. The setup for ion chromatography includes column sets for separate analysis of anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate) and cations (lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium). The modular system includes an AS40 autosampler, a GP50 gradient pump, and a CD20 conductivity detector for rapid analysis of ions in marine and freshwater samples, as well as leached extracts or sediment and plant digestions. The HPLC system will be primarily used for analysis of chlorophyll and chlorins (chlorophyll degredation products) in water and sediment samples. This system is on a separate channel module equipped with a C18 Vydac column linked to UV/Vis and spectrofluorometric detectors. The Dionex system includes the PeakNet 6.0 software program, which facilitates instrument control, sample analysis, data processing, reporting, and documentation. For more information, please contact David Murray. |
Carbon-Nitrogen Elemental Analyzer The CE Instruments Model NC2100 elemental analyzer is used to measure carbon and nitrogen content of samples. Our system consists of a base unit, an AS12 Autoloader, and two 32-position carousels. Samples are converted to gas via dynamic flash combustion, moved through oxidation-reduction reactors and an H2O absorptive trap, swept through a GC column where they are separated and subsequently detected by a thermal conductivity detector. Depending on how the sample is prepared, the analyzer is routinely used to determine the organic carbon, total carbon, and nitrogen content of sediment and plant material. For more information, please contact David Murray. |
Perkin Elmer Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer The AA spectrometer in MacMillan Hall is a Perkin Elmer Model 4100ZL, which uses a THGA Graphite furnace as a heat source. The temperature is controlled so that the sample is dried, ashed, and atomized, after which the atomic vapor fills a tube, through which light is passed. Some of this light is absorbed, and identification and concentrations of the sample is determined from the absorption spectrum. This spectrometer is useful for measuring trace levels of metals in water and soil. For more information, contact David Murray. |
NMR A nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is used to determine the molecular structure of chemical compounds. The NMR in MacMillan Hall is a Bruker Instruments 300MHz and is equipped with a broadband probe which can observe nuclei between the frequencies of 109Ag and 31P. It is capable of variable temperature work with a nominal temperature range of -100 oC to +150 oC. With the added feature of a 120 sample changer, it has the capacity to run multiple experiments on multiple samples. For more information, contact Dr. Tun-Li Shen. |
ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometer The JY2000 Ultrace ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometer is equipped with a JY AS 421 autosampler and 2400g/mm holographic grating. It runs on JY Windows software, which operates under Windows 95/98/NT systems . Elemental analysis can be done in gaussian scanning or direct peaking modes, and analysis times can be equal to or faster than a simultaneous spectrometer. The Ultrace spectrometer has a range of 160-800nm, and analyses can be performed on up to 176 samples in a typical run. For more information, contact David Murray. |
Spectronics 601 UV/VIS Spectrophotometer The UV/visible wavelength range for this spectrophotometer is 195 to 999 nm. It is generally used for nutrient analyses, and primarily for Si concentrations in wet chemical extracts from sediment samples (i.e. biogenic opal concentrations). A MR Sipper peristaltic pump is attached to this spectrophotometer for rapid sample analysis. For more information, contact David Murray. |
X-Ray Spectrometer X-ray spectrometers can be used to identify and quantify the elemental composition of solids, powders, and liquids. Macmillan Hall houses a Phillips PW1480 wavelength dispersive sequential diffractometer with a PW1510 30-cup sample changer. This system is used mainly for chemical analysis of sediment (sample sizes >5 g), prepared as either pressed powders or fused discs. The spectrometer is equipped with a rhodium side window x-ray tube and a 5-position crystal changer with a crystal configuration for standard major and minor elemental analysis. The spectrometer is controlled by Philips X40 4i software and the general data reduction is done by UniQuant 5 software. For more information, contact David Murray. |
DUâ 640 UV/VIS Scanning Spectrophotometer This Beckman Coulter DUâ 640 UV/VIS Spectrophotometer is controlled by a microprocessor and operates in a wavelength range of 190 to 1100nm with an accuracy of ± 0.2 nm. It includes a sipper accessory for automated sample to flow cell delivery and a DUâ 600 Micro Tm Analysis Accessory for determining sample melting points within the range or 0o to 110o C . The routine measurement modes of this spectrophotometer includes both kinetics/time, wavelength scans, and fixed wavelength. For more information, contact David Murray. |
EGC GCW-15 Plant Growth Chambers MacMillan Hall houses two Environmental Growth Chambers (EGC) GCW-15 Plant Growth Chambers, equipped with self-contained water-cooled condensing units, high intensity lighting, additive humidity, and a CO2 control system. The chambers offer temperature ranges of 4oC to 45oC, humidity up to 85%, and light intensity up to 1,470 µmoles. For more information, contact David Murray. |
Freeze Dryer MacMillan Hall houses a LABCONCO FreeZone 6 Liter freeze Dry System for removing water and other solvents from frozen samples by sublimation. For more information, contact David Murray. |
ETHOS 1600 Microwave Digestion Labstation MacMillan Hall houses a Milestone ETHOS 1600 Microwave Digestion Labstation. This advanced dual magnetron lab station performs digestion and evaporation procedures to prepare samples for AA, ICP, and ICP-MS analysis. Total digestion of up to twelve samples requires only 15-20 minutes. This ETHOS 1600 Labstation features magnetic stirring, built-in exhaust, and an MD Rotor 1000/6. This high-pressure 6-vessel rotor operates at a maximum pressure of 110 bar (1595 psi) and a maximum temperature 240oC. The system is controlled by EasyWave software. For more information, contact David Murray. |
Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) The GC-MS system in MacMillan Hall is a HP G-1800C GCD Series II, and consists of a gas chromatograph and an electron ionization detector. The GCD is controlled by a data system running ChemStation software under Window NT, and provides detection for compounds volatile below 400o C with molecular weight below 425 amu. It responds to classes of compounds including hydrocarbons, halocarbons, and nitrogen- containing compounds. For more information, contact Dr. Tun-Li Shen. |
MacMillan Hall also houses the following equipment, which is available for limited use in research and class projects. Geology and Environmental Studies use of this equipment is coordinated by David Murray in conjunction with the faculty or staff contacts listed below. For use of some equipment, fees may be assessed:
The following equipment is housed in the GeoChem building. It is available for limited use in research and class projects, and Geology and Environmental Studies use of this equipment is coordinated by David Murray in conjunction with the faculty or staff contacts listed below. For use of some equipment, fees may be assessed:
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For more information about this page, contact envstudies@brown.edu.