Award Abstract # 0447237
Technician Support: Laser Ablation ICP-MS Facility

NSF Org: EAR
Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: November 23, 2005
Latest Amendment Date: January 28, 2008
Award Number: 0447237
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: David Lambert
EAR
 Division Of Earth Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: December 15, 2005
End Date: March 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $0.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $150,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2006 = $75,000.00
FY 2007 = $75,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Robert Bodnar (Principal Investigator)
    rjb@vt.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
300 TURNER ST NW
BLACKSBURG
VA  US  24060-3359
(540)231-5281
Sponsor Congressional District: 09
Primary Place of Performance: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
300 TURNER ST NW
BLACKSBURG
VA  US  24060-3359
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
09
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): QDE5UHE5XD16
Parent UEI: X6KEFGLHSJX7
NSF Program(s): Instrumentation & Facilities
Primary Program Source: app-0106 
app-0107 
Program Reference Code(s): 0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s): 158000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

EAR-0447237
Bodnar

This award will support a full-time technician to maintain and operate equipment in the soon to be established laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. Funding to establish the LA-ICP-MS laboratory was recently awarded to the PI by the NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program. The instrumentation and operational protocol for the laboratory are designed specifically for analysis of fluid and melt inclusions. A laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory for analysis of fluid and melt inclusions was identified as a highpriority research need during an NSF-sponsored workshop entitled Research Opportunities in the Geology and Geochemistry of Mineral Deposit Systems that was held in Denver, Colorado, in October, 2002. Establishment of a laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory for fluid and melt inclusion analysis has broad support across the geosciences in the U.S., as documented by letters of support from 34 leading researchers from academic and government labs. The system to be installed at Virginia Tech will include a 193 nm ArF excimer laser combined with an ICP-MS. The laser system that best meets the requirements for fluid inclusion analysis is the GeoLas + manufactured by Lambda Physik. This will be coupled to an Agilent Technologies 7500cs ICP-MS. This instrument will be used to determine the major, minor and trace elements in both synthetic and natural fluid and melt inclusions, and will be available to all researchers requiring such data from fluid and melt inclusions.

The Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech maintains a strong commitment to outreach, education and participation of under-represented groups. While not specifically related to this proposal, the laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory will in the future be used in summer programs designed for high school science teachers. This program has operated successfully on the Virginia Tech campus for several years, and will be expanded in future years to include access to a wider range of facilities within the Department of Geosciences. Having a full-time technician dedicated to the laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory will also facilitate access to the lab by graduate students, post doctoral researchers and faculty from other institutions and will contribute in a general way to training of the future professoriate.


PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Mutchler SR, Fedele L & Bodnar RJ "Analysis Management System (AMS) for reduction of laser ablation ICPMS data" Laser-Ablation-ICPMS in the Earth Sciences: Current Practices and Outstanding Issues (P. Sylvester, ed.) Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course Series , v.40 , 2008 , p.318

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