Acquisition of X-Ray Diffraction Instrumentation for Mineralogical, Crystallographic, and Geochemical Research and Education

Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc., Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

1029020 Deocampo This grant supports acquisition of an x-ray diffractometer (XRD) with advanced capabilities to permit rapid phase identification and crystallographic structural analysis of a range of sample sizes (down to nanometer sized crystals via requested microdiffraction capabilities) and using a range of x-ray intensities. The XRD would replace an extant but antiquated (25 yrs old) XRD in the Department of Geosciences at Georgia State University (GSU). The new XRD will support a range of PI and collaborative research including studies of: 1) the 137Cs sorption potential of clay minerals at the DOE Savannah River Site ; 2) paleoclimatological and paleoanthropological investigations of East African Rift ancestral lake sediments recovered from an International Continental Drilling Project that rely on authigenic clay mineral identification to elucidate paleoenvironmental conditions; and 3) investigations of the pedogenesis of volcanic tephras, to name a few. The XRD will support undergraduate and graduate education and will be incorporated into a distance learning course developed by the PI that seeks to engage both K-12 teachers students statewide. The PI is an early career investigator. ***