Laboratory facilities - research

• Elementar Vario EL (CNHS)

  The Elementar Vario EL Cube is an advanced elemental analyser designed for the precise determination of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in solid samples. The instrument employs a high-temperature combustion method, where samples (typically 2-40mg, depending on matrix) are introduced into a combustion tube and oxidised at temperatures up to 1,200^oC in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Complete combustion converts the sample into gaseous products such as CO₂, H₂O, NO_x and SO₂. These gases are then passed through a series of reduction and drying steps to remove interfering components. Quantification is achieved using highly sensitive thermal conductivity detectors (TCD), ensuring accurate measurement of each element. The system features an 80 place automated sample carousel for high-throughput analysis and is optimised for rapid, reliable CHNS determination across a wide range of sample types.

• Elementar SoliTOC

  The Elementar SoliTOC Cube is a high-performance analyser for determining carbon fractions in solid samples such as soils, sediments, and waste. It uses temperature-programmed combustion combined with differential heating to distinguish between Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC), and Residual Oxidisable Carbon (ROC). Samples (up to 3g) are placed in reusable crucibles and heated in a dynamic furnace directly at the crucible, first to around 400^oC to target labile organic carbon, then up to 900^oC for complete oxidation. Automatic gas switching between oxidizing and inert atmospheres enables precise separation of carbon fractions in a single run. Carbon dioxide generated during combustion is detected by a Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) detector, ensuring accurate quantification across a wide range of concentrations. 

• Elementar EnviroTOC

  This TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analyser uses a high temperature catalytic oxidation methods in order to determine TC (Total Carbon), IC (Inorganic Carbon), TOC (Total Organic Carbon) or NPOC (Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon) in aqueous samples. Samples (minimum sample size of 10ml) are added to the analyser using a 60 position autosampler and are heated to 720^oC in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Oxidation of the sample generates carbon dioxide which is detected by an NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) detector. TN (Total Nitrogen) content is determined by thermal decomposition at 720^oC. The nitrogen monoxide gas generated from the nitrogen containing compound in the sample is detected by a chemiluminescence detector. 

• Mettler Toledo TGA2

  The Mettler Toledo TGA 2 is a high-precision thermogravimetric analyser designed to measure changes in sample mass as a function of temperature or time under controlled atmospheric conditions. Solid samples (typically 1-30mg) are placed in a crucible and subjected to a programmed heating profile ranging from ambient temperature up to 1,000^oC. The instrument operates under inert or reactive gas flows, allowing for studies of thermal stability, decomposition, oxidation, and moisture content. Mass changes are continuously recorded using an ultra-sensitive balance with microgram resolution.

• Netzsch TG 309 Libra

  The Netzsch TG 309 Libra is a high-performance thermogravimetric analyser designed for precise measurement of mass changes in materials as a function of temperature or time under controlled atmospheres. Samples (typically 1-50mg) are placed in a crucible and subjected to a programmable heating profile from ambient temperature up to 1,100^oC. The instrument supports both inert and reactive gas environments, enabling studies of thermal stability, decomposition, oxidation, and moisture content. Differential heating steps can be applied to separate processes such as volatile loss, organic decomposition, and inorganic residue analysis. Mass changes are continuously monitored using an ultra-sensitive microbalance with sub-microgram resolution.

• Ramped oxidation/Pyrolysis system

  The ramped oxidation system is based on the design from the NEIF Radiocarbon Laboratory and consists of two quartz combustion vessels housed in Carbolite tube furnaces, enabling controlled temperature ramps up to 900^oC for sample oxidation. High-purity oxygen is used as the carrier gas, regulated by a metering valve and scrubbed of CO₂ before entering the primary furnace. A secondary furnace containing platinized wool ensures complete oxidation of evolved gases. The system incorporates sensors connected to an Arduino microcontroller for real-time monitoring of CO₂ concentration (via a SprintIR NDIR sensor), gas flow, and furnace temperature.

• Beckman Coulter LS13320 laser particle size analyser

  This instrument uses laser diffraction to measure the size distribution of particles in the range 0.04 µm to 2000 µm. Laser diffraction works by measuring the patterns of scattered light produced when a laser beam passes through a dispersed particulate sample. Sediment samples must be prepared prior to analysis; specifically organic material and carbonate is removed and the particles disaggregated. Samples are introduced into this instrument through an aqueous liquid sample module.

• Mastersizer 3000+ Pro laser particle size analyser

  The Mastersizer 3000+ Pro with Hydro EV uses laser diffraction to measure particle size distributions in the range of 0.1 µm to 2500 µm. The Hydro EV unit provides an aqueous liquid dispersion system, allowing controlled introduction and circulation of samples for accurate and repeatable measurements.

• FlowCam 5000

  The FlowCam 5000 is an advanced imaging particle analysis system designed to characterise and quantify particles in liquid samples using flow imaging microscopy. Samples (typically 1-5ml) are drawn through a flow cell where particles are imaged in real time using a high-resolution digital camera coupled with a microscope objective. The instrument captures thousands of images per sample and uses sophisticated image analysis software to measure particle size, shape, and morphology.

• P6 UV/Vis Spectrophotometer

  This instrument measures the absorption of visible and ultraviolet light (190-1100 nm) by chemicals in a liquid sample. The compounds present absorb light of a specific wavelength depending upon their structure and since this is dependent upon concentration, a calibration graph can be constructed to quantify the amount present in a sample. This instrument can perform absorbance readings at single wavelengths, full wavelength scans and kinetic scans (change in absorbance with time). 

• Buchi ProxiScout portable NIR Spectrometer

  This handheld instrument is designed for rapid, on-site compositional analysis of solids, powders, and liquids. It operates across and extended near-infrared spectral range of 1,350-2,550 nm, enabling the detection of overtones and combination bands critical for quantifying multiple parameters such as moisture, protein, fat, starch, and more in a single measurement.

• EGM-5 portable CO2 gas analyser

  The EGM-5 is a portable infrared gas analyser designed for accurate measurements of soil respiration and CO₂ flux in field environments. It uses a high-precision Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensor to detect CO₂ concentrations in real time, with a measurement range from ambient levels up to 10,000ppm. The instrument features an integrated GPS, data logging, and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless field data collection.

• LI-COR trace gas analyser

  The LI-COR trace gas analyser is a high-precision instrument designed for real-time measurement of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapor (H₂O). It uses advanced laser-based cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) to achieve exceptional sensitivity and stability, with detection limits in the parts-per-billion range. The analyser operates continuously under field or laboratory conditions, providing fast response times and accurate data for flux measurements, atmospheric monitoring, and ecosystem studies.

• Sercon Integra2 EA-IRMS

  The Sercon Integra2 is a benchtop combined elemental analyser and isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS), engineered for simultaneous, high-precision determination of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from solid samples. It features advanced trapping-loop technology, a stainless-steel flight tube, a thoria-coated filament for enhanced oxidation resistance, and universal Faraday triple collectors for concurrent mass detection across molecular ranges (e.g., 28-30, 44-46).

• Shimadzu Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry

  The Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) system is designed for detailed analysis of complex organic materials by thermal decomposition. Solid or polymer samples are placed in a pyrolyzer and rapidly heated to temperatures up to 1,000^oC in an inert atmosphere, causing them to break down into smaller volatile fragments. These pyrolysis products are immediately introduced into a gas chromatograph, where they are separated based on chemical properties, and then detected and identified by a mass spectrometer. This technique provides molecular-level information on polymers, biomass, and environmental samples without prior chemical treatment, making it ideal for characterising composition, degradation pathways, and contaminant profiles.

• Micro and ultra-microbalances

  The research laboratory is equipped with three high-precision microbalances and two ultra-microbalances designed for accurate measurement of very micron to sub-micron sample masses.

• Electrochemical meters

  The Mettler Toledo SevenExcellence pH meter is a high-precision benchtop instrument designed for accurate electrochemical measurements in research and quality control. Equipped with both a pH electrode and a conductivity sensor, it enables simultaneous determination of pH, conductivity, and related parameters in aqueous samples. The systems modular design supports the expansion of sensors in the future.

• Freeze dryers

  We have two freeze dryers that are regularly used to prepare samples for chemical analyses. Freeze-drying is routinely selected over oven drying in order to preserve thermally sensitive materials. Prior to freeze-drying, samples are frozen overnight. Samples are then quickly transferred to the freeze dryer where the surrounding pressure is reduced, allowing frozen water in the material to sublimate to the gas phase, bypassing the liquid phase.

• Orbital ball mill

  The planetary ball mill can be used to quickly reduce the particle size of freeze-dried or oven-dried samples (e.g., sediment, plant material), without the loss of material. Samples are frequently prepared on this piece of equipment prior to geochemical analyses.

• Magnetic susceptibility meter

  The Bartington MS2 magnetic susceptibility system, equipped with the MS2K surface-scanning sensor and MS2G single-frequency sensor, provides accurate measurements of magnetic susceptibility in soils, sediments, and rock samples. The MS2K sensor is designed for rapid surface scanning, measuring over a 25mm area to depths of 3-8mm at 0.93kHz, making it ideal for field profiling and core logging. The MS2G sensor offers precise laboratory measurements at a fixed frequency, enabling mass- or volume-specific susceptibility analysis with high accuracy. 

• Muffle furnaces

  The laboratory has two muffle furnaces, these are high-temperature heating devices (40^oC to 1,000^oC). The muffle furnace is commonly used for determining ash content, thermal decomposition, and preparing samples for chemical analysis.

• Autoclave

  The laboratory has a small benchtop autoclave which is a pressurized steam sterilizer designed to eliminate microorganisms from laboratory equipment, media, and waste. Operating at temperatures around 121^oC under high pressure (typically 15 psi), it ensures complete sterilization through pressure and heat.

• Incubators

  The laboratory has a suite of standard and cooled incubators which provide controlled temperature and humidity conditions. Typically, these operate between ambient temperature and 70^oC, with precise regulation to ensure reproducible biological processes.

• Erosion microcosm system

  The U-GEMS (Gust erosion microcosm system) is a laboratory and field-deployable device for quantifying the erodibility of fine-grained sediments using intact cores (~10cm diameter). It employs a spinning disk combined with central suction to create uniform sheer stresses between 0.01 and 0.6Pa across the sediment surface. The system is fully automated - integrating motor speed, pump flow control, and turbidimeter measurements - with real-time data logging via dedicated software. During experiments, the effluent is collected and analysed for total suspended solids, while the core response to calibrated shear provides insights into erosion thresholds and rates. 

• 3D printer

  The Bambu A1 is a desktop 3D printer designed for rapid prototyping and model fabrication using fused filament fabrication technology. It features multi-material capability, automated calibration, and high-speed printing for complex geometries. The printer is ideal for producing custom parts, teaching aids, and experimental apparatus.