Elemental Analysis Laboratory

Department of Chemistry  -  Texas A&M University

Laboratory Information

The Elemental Analysis Laboratory is a part of the Department of Chemistry at Texas A & M Universitry. It is physically located in the Olin E. Teague Building.

The purpose of the laboratory is threefold. First we provide research support for Texas A&M University investigators. In this capacity, we work with the various research groups and departments to ensure the methodology of neutron activation analysis is available to all. Some of this work is done on a fee for service basis, but the huge majority is done as collaborations. Often graduate students or postdoctoral associates perform their own analyses, using our facilities and under our supervision. Secondly, we provide analysis services to entities outside our university as might be requested on a commercial basis. This service is heavily used by industry from Texas and elsewhere, as well as other state and federal government agencies. Finally we also perform methodological development in the field of elemental analysis (ICP-MS, NAA and other analytical methods).

The ICP-MS-LA system is located in the Teague Building on campus in room G26.  Various facilities for sample preparation including analytical balances, clean water, etc are available in the laboratory.  The instrument is maintained as a "walk up" user operated capability, but considerable training and supervision is required before users can gain independent access to the facility.  We operate a AP93 auto-sampler for solution work with allows a fair degree of flexibility with analyses of large batches of samples.  The laser system is based on a 213 nm wavelength laser which has the capability of being concentrated either by aperture imaging or beam focusing to a spot as small as 10 microns.  Spot ablations, line or matrix trace patterns of programmed multiple spot patterns can all be performed, depending on the sample type and the analytical goal of the experiment.  Protocols for the use of the ICP as well as the user guide are under development at this time.

The NAA program depends on gamma emission detection and quantification.  To that end, the laboratory maintains gamma ray spectroscopy instrumentation at the Nuclear Science Center for use in pneumatic tube (short-lived) neutron activation analysis and in our main counting laboratory on campus.  Two systems in the Teague building are fully automated for unattended 24 hour operation.  The laboratory enjoys a unique capability for flexible NAA analysis, in that we have both thermal (reactor) and fast (accelerator produced) neutrons sources available.  In addition, we have newly developed epithermal irradiation capabilities using an in-core fast flux irradiation device (FFID).  Two versions of the FFID are available, one for long irradiations and one for pneumatic irradiations.  Our main counting laboratory also houses a Compton suppression gamma spectroscopy system.  This system includes an n-type germanium detector (EG&G Ortec, Gamma-X) and a huge NAI(Tl) suppression annulus.  Peak to Compton ratios for this instrument are on the order of 600!

Automation in our laboratory is primarily based on use of programmable logic controllers.  We have several Toshiba M-40 PLC's which are programmed in- house.  These devices have allowed us to operate on a 24 hour/day basis with the reliability that is required for dealing with radioactive material of short or intermediate half-lives.

An NAA User's Guide has been published and is now available on-line.  If you have questions about submission of samples or if you would like to know more  about our programs, please check our guide or contact us.

 Please send questions, comments, etc. regarding these pages to wd-james@tamu.edu.