Science Labs and Field Facilities

Scientific Instrumentation 

Are you interested in learning to use the instrumentation?  Evergreen provides training so that you may independently operate the advanced instrumentation. 

Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)

The AAS is used for qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis, examining a single element at a time.
Sample Types: water, soil, minerals, airborne particulates and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~0.2 – 10 ppm depending on analyte

Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)

The ICP-MS is used for qualitative and quantitative multi-elemental analysis at trace-level concentrations.
Sample Types: water, soil, minerals, airborne particulates and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~ppt (parts per trillion)

Mercury Analyzer

The mercury analyzer is used for qualitative and quantitative determination of total mercury in a sample.
Sample Types: water, soil, minerals, airborne particulates and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~0.002 ng

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen Analyzer (C, H, N)

The CHN analyzer is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content in samples. All three elements are analyzed simultaneously.
Sample types: soil; water, and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~ .001 mgs

Discrete Analyzer

The discrete analyzer is used for quantitative and qualitative analysis of anions and cations commonly used to indicate water and soil quality. It can detect various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as alkalinity and silica, although it is limited in the number of separate analytes it can measure at one time.
Sample Types: water, soil, and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~0.06-0.2 ppm depending on analyte

Ion Chromatograph (IC)

The IC is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions, such as fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate. It can analyze multiple analytes in a single sample run. 
Sample types: fresh water (no brackish or saltwater), water-extracted soil, and water-extracted airborne particulates
Detection Limit: ~0.2 ppm

Polarograph

The polarograph is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions and cations, forfunctional groups in organic compounds, and for many different elements. It can also be used to measure redox conditions. It can measure only a single analyte at a time.
Sample types: water, soil, airborne particulates, and biological materials
Detection Limit: ~ppb depending on analyte

Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (FT-NMR)

The FT-NMR is used to for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds, and is most commonly used to determine the carbon-hydrogen framework of organic molecules.  Available analysis includes 13C, 1H, 31P, and 19F.
Sample Types: organic compounds
Detection limit: ~µM

Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)

The GC-MS is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds. It can separate components of a mixture and provide information about the chemical structures of compounds.
Sample types: organic liquids, gases, soil, water, and biological materials
Detection limits: ~ ppb

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR)

The FT-IR is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds and is most commonly used to identify functional groups within a compound.
Sample types: organic and inorganic compounds.

Microscopes

Advanced Steromicroscopes 

The advanced stereomicroscopes are suitable for life science and materials research. These microscopes use high-resolution color cameras, computer-controlled motorized focus, and image-processing software to provide expanded focal imaging (or Z-stacking) capability and advanced image analysis. The scopes are equipped with multiple illumination sources and imaging modes including: transmitted, ring light, relief-contrast, darkfield, side light, and epi-fluorescence. 
Sample Types:  Best suited for samples that are too large or opaque for a compound microscope. Can be used with wet or dry samples. 
Magnification: 5-320X (not all illumination techniques available at maximum magnification)

Advanced Upright Compound Microscope

This advanced upright compound microscope is suitable for life science research. It is equipped with high resolution optics and is set up for several imaging methods including: brightfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, dark field, and epi-fluorescence. It is equipped with a high-resolution dual sensor camera and software, allowing for both color and high-sensitivity data collection. This microscope also has expanded focal imaging (or Z-stacking) capability.
Sample types: Best suited for slide-mounted samples or microtome-sectioned tissue
Magnification: 40-1000X

Advanced Inverted Compound Microscope/Confocal

This advanced inverted compound microscope is suitable for life science research.  It is equipped with high resolution optics and is set up for several imaging methods including: brightfield, differential interference contrast, epi-fluorescence, and confocal fluorescence. It is equipped with a high-resolution camera and software, allowing for high sensitivity data collection and expanded focal imaging (or Z-stacking) capability.
Sample types: Cell culture flasks, specimen dishes, deep well slides/plates, and slide-mounted samples.
Magnification: 40-1200X

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

The SEM is an electron microscope that provides morphological, topographical, and compositional information about the surface of the specimen. The SEM has both backscatter and secondary electron detectors and can run in low and high vacuum modes.
Sample types: Fixed, dried, and coated samples
Magnification: 8-300,000X