Award Abstract # 0841669
Acquisition of a New Electron Microprobe for The University of Arizona

NSF Org: EAR
Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Initial Amendment Date: July 23, 2009
Latest Amendment Date: July 23, 2009
Award Number: 0841669
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: David Lambert
EAR
 Division Of Earth Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: August 1, 2009
End Date: July 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $500,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $500,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2009 = $500,000.00
ARRA Amount: $500,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Michael Drake (Principal Investigator)
    drake@lpl.arizona.edu
  • Kenneth Domanik (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Arizona
845 N PARK AVE RM 538
TUCSON
AZ  US  85721
(520)626-6000
Sponsor Congressional District: 07
Primary Place of Performance: University of Arizona
845 N PARK AVE RM 538
TUCSON
AZ  US  85721
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
07
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): ED44Y3W6P7B9
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Instrumentation & Facilities
Primary Program Source: 01R00910DB RRA RECOVERY ACT
Program Reference Code(s): 6890, 0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s): 158000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

0841669
Drake

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This proposal seeks $500K (1/2 total cost) in funding to acquire a new electron microprobe. NASA will fund the other 50% in a separate funding action. The current Cameca SX50 probe is 18 years old, heavily used (400 hours / month), and has supported users from UA and other US, foreign and community institutions. Over the past 17 years, the current instrument has provided data in over 265 peer-reviewed publications, 75 PhD theses and 35 M.S. theses. The current instrument has seen increased downtime due to maintenance issues and replacement parts are becoming difficult, if even possible, to find. Requested is a new Cameca microprobe with Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometers (WDS), an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and re-circulating water chiller. The new instrument will be housed in the existing facility. UA will provide funds for remodeling. The PI will have overall responsibility for the acquisition while co-PI will be the facility manager and be fully-funded by the state. The probe will be instrumental in several on-going research projects at UA. Questions to be addressed include understanding Earth and other planet?s history though mineralogy and geochemistry, determining the early thermal history of Earth and other terrestrial planets, determining the material composition and properties of Earth and other terrestrial planets, understanding early planetary accretion through chondrite analysis, understanding primitive achondrites, determining large-scale mixing and low-temperature components in the early solar system, determining solar system chronology, thermodynamics, phase equilibrium and diffusion kinetics related to terrestrial planetary processes, U-Th-Pb geochronology and developing other chronometers and thermochronometers, mineral resource identification and tectonics. Archeological applications for the instrument include understanding early human environments and tracing metallurgic and ceramic development, adoption and spread in early civilizations. This acquisition will replace and enhance the capabilities of a widely-used University and collaborative resource. The facility will be open to outside users.

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