LAB TOUR

Ginny is analyzing samples on our GC-ECD.  This is a gas chromatography system equipped with an electron capture detector.  This instrument does a great job detecting chemicals containing halogens or nitrates...thus is perfect in our chlorinated and brominated pollutant studies.  The "tower" you see protruding from the top is our autosampler...we are particularly fond of it, because we can load our samples, tell the instrument what to do, and it analyzes the samples while we are out for lunch, etc. ...Yes, I do allow my students a break for lunch!  :)

Kendell is making use of our HPLC system to analyze samples from her actinometry experiment.  This instrument has both UV/VIS and fluorescence detection, so is quite versatile.  And...it has a 120 position autosampler!

Heather is working in a "glovebag".  Her samples cannot be exposed to air (in particular, oxygen) - or their reactivity might change.  So, she performs her experiments in a bag purged with inert gas (nitrogen or argon).  Currently she is optimizing methods ... if things work well, we hope to invest in a glovebox - a much more sturdy version of the glovebag.
 

Kendell is retrieving samples from our "light box".  (Some other students have lovingly dubbed it the tanning bed).  This plexiglass box was home-built and is fitted with 8 bulbs that mimic the UV portion of sunlight that hits earth's surface, here at mid-latitudes.  We irradiate samples under this light for specific periods of time and monitor their photochemical degradation.  We also have the capability of irradiating frozen samples (that device is not pictured).  An important point...Kendell is wearing special safety glasses that absorb harmful UV light...otherwise prolonged exposure might harm her eyesight (that's also why we cover it with a black cover).

Another view of the hoods...Kendell is obviously doing something VERY important and Ginny is still slaving away at the GC!

Last updated 6/7/05