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Analytical Chemistry Facility

Overview

Established in 2016, the ECU Science Analytical Facility’s mission is to support fundamental and applied research and education within ECU and to provide specialised analytical services to industry and the community.

The University’s commitment to this facility, and hence high-quality research outputs, is evidenced by the acquisition of several quality instruments and new technologies. Furthermore, a strategic alliance between the School of Science and Thermo-Fisher Scientific Australia has resulted in the establishment of a proof of concept analytical facility at the ECU Joondalup Campus, the first of its kind in Western Australia, aimed at supporting and promoting collaboration across the science community in WA. This alliance enables access to state-of-the art research instrumentation, as well as staff who have the knowledge, expertise and skills to produce reliable solutions to today’s most challenging analytical questions related to fundamental and applied research.

This facility supports research in forensic science, medical and sport science, health and food science, agriculture and grain science, industrial chemistry, environmental science, nutrient cycling, water quality and pollution science and trophic ecology and food webs.

Cutting edge facilities and instrumentation include:

  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (iCAP™ RQ ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (iCAP™ 7600 duo ICP-OES) dedicated to trace elements analysis.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Trace1310 ISQ™ GC-MS-FID) system with a TriPlus™ RSH autosampler for fully programmable automated sample preparation and sample introduction (e.g., SPME, on-line derivatisation) dedicated to target analysis of non-polar/volatile organic molecules.
  • Gas chromatography- methaniser FID/FPD detection (Trace1310 ISQ™ GC-FID/FPD coupled to a methaniser system) with a TriPlus™ RSH autosampler for fully programmable automated sample preparation and sample introduction.
  • Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC MS) with a with a TriPlus™ RSH autosampler dedicated to target/non-target analysis of non-polar/volatile organic molecules and chemically derivatised polar analytes.
  • Two Ultimate ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography systems coupled  to DAD, and fluorescence detection for routine target analysis of polar/non-volatile organic molecules.
  • FlashSmart™ elemental analyser coupled to a Delta V Plus Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (Flash EA IRMS) for simultaneous determination of δ13C, δ15N stable isotopes and %C and %N in solid samples (e.g., fish, soils, sediments, salts, plant material, algae etc).

Other instrumentation includes; ISQ GC-FID, Nicolet™ iS™5 FT-IR Spectrometer for chemical fingerprinting of flat solid, powder and aqueous samples, a Lachat nutrients analyser, a MEP Multiwave GO microwave digestion system, a CAMAG HPTLC with ADC 2 + TLC visualizer + Linomat 5, various UV and fluorescence spectrometers, a Labconco freeze drier, a number of centrifuges (e.g., Sorvall high speed centrifuge, Thermo Heraeus Megafuge 8, Thermo Savant SPD1010 Speedvac), Portable Digital Voltammeters (PDV6000 plus and PDV6000 ultra, Modern Water), Scanning Electron Microscope (Hitachi), and Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering System KVS-T4065.

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