Dow Analytical Science Laboratory

Dedicated April 20th, 2001

The Dow Analytical Science Lab is an interdisciplinary analytical laboratory within the Albion College Science Complex that serves the natural sciences and mathematics departments of the College. The instrumentation is used in both faculty and student research projects as well as in undergraduate coursework. The instrumentation found in the lab is listed below, along with a brief description of their use.

Instrument:

JEOL 400 MHz Eclipse Multi-Probe Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR)

Applications:

Technique is similar to MRI. Provides detailed structural information for the identification of organic compounds.

Instrument:

JY 38 S Inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometer

Applications:

Determination of concentrations of cations, including metals, at low levels in environmental and other kinds of samples.

Instrument:

Photon Technology Fluorescence Spectrometer (Time-Resolved and Steady State)

Applications:

Laser excites sample and then the analyte molecules fluoresce at specific wavelengths of light. Useful technique for the analysis of biomolecules and organics. Both steady-state (QM4) and time-resolved (LaserStrobe) analyses are available.

Instrument:

Micrometric SediGraph 5100 Particle Analyzer

Applications:

Measures the size distribution of small particles in environmental and other samples.

Instrument:

Waters 2690 separations module; Waters 996 photodiode array detector; Micromass ZMD 4000 High-Pressure Liquid Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (HPLC and LC-MS)

Applications:

Allows for the separation and analysis of organic liquids and aqueous solutions. The mass spectrometer is a detector that allows the exact determination of the compound(s) present.

Instrument:

CEM Mars 5 Microwave Digester

Applications:

Rapid preparation of samples for analysis by instrumental methods.

Instrument:

Varian Cary 300 Bio Ultra-violet/visible spectrometer (UV/vis)

Applications:

Samples absorb UV/Vis light. The wavelength of light that is absorbed is characteristic of the molecule or ion in the sample. The intensity of the light absorbed is proportional to the amount of analyte present.

Instrument:

Applied Biosystems Gene Amp PCR 9700 DNA Sequencer

Applications:

Allows for the automatic analysis of gene sequences.

Instrument:

Dionex DX 500 Ion Chromatograph with Autosamples

Applications:

Identification and quantification of anions in solution, such as environmental samples.

Instrument:

Agilent 6890/5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) with Headspace analyzer

Applications:

Identification and quantification of most organic compounds in research, environmental, and other samples.

Instrument:

Rigaku Multiflex X-ray diffractometer

Applications:

Samples absorb x-ray radiation which is reemiteed by sample as wavelengths characteristic of its elements. X-ray emission intensity is proportional to amount. Used primarily for analyzing solid samples.