Experimental Geochemistry Lab

The UF Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory was established in 2018 to allow our researchers to recreate the high-temperature and -pressure conditions inside the terrestrial planets and asteroids. We use experiments to answer questions about planetary core formation and differentiation, mantle melting, phase equilibrium and elemental partitioning, stable isotope fractionation, and a range of other problems.
PI and Lab Manager: Steve Elardo
Location: Williamson Hall (Geology Building), Room 106
Main Instrumentation:
  • 2 End-Loaded Piston Cylinders - For conducting high-temperature and high-pressure experiments from 0.5 - 4 GPa and over 2000 °C.
  • 1 Controlled Atmosphere Furnace - For conducting high-temperature experiments up to 1800 °C at ambient pressure with a CO-CO2 gas mixture to control the redox conditions of the experiment.

Current Renovation Status: Progress is Being Made!

The Experimental Geochemistry Lab is taking over space originally used by a low-temperature experimental physics laboratory and the space was clearly in dire need of updating! The renovation work started in July 2018 to get the lab ready for all new experimental equipment, a new PI, and new graduate students to come in push the boundary of experimental geochemistry and planetary science. We expect the renovations to finish in early 2019, in plenty of time to welcome new students in the fall.

Experimental Instrumentation

Piston Cylinders

Two Rockland end-loaded piston cylinders are our main high-pressure experimental tools. They are highly versatile, allowing us to recreate the conditions relevant for anything from "low" temperature granitic systems to the more extreme conditions of planetary magma oceans and core formation.

Deltech Furnace

A Deltech controlled atmosphere furnace allows us to easily conduct a wide range of experiments at ambient pressure, including large-volume experiments with controlled redox conditions. We also use this versatile instrument to synthesize samples for other experiments.

Mass Spectrometry Lab

The UF Mass Spectrometry Lab is where our group conducts high-precision trace element and isotope analyses. Multiple mass spectrometers, including a brand new Nu Plasma III MC-ICP-MS, allows us to quantify the trace element abundances and isotopic compositions of bulk samples or individual individual phases in situ using the laser ablation system. We can study both natural samples and experiments. 
PI's: Ellen Martin, Andrea Dutton, Paul Mueller
Lab Manager: George Kamenov
Location: Williamson Hall (Geology Building), Third Floor Facility, including a Clean Lab
Main Instrumentation:
  • Nu Plasma III MC-ICP-MS - For high-resolution isotopic ratio analyses of numerous isotopic systems in natural samples and experiments
  • Nu Plasma HR MC-ICP-MS - Configured for U-Pb geochronology
  • Thermo-Finnigan Element II ICP-MS - For high-precision elemental analyses or a range of sample types
  • New Wave Laser Ablation System - For in situ analyses of both trace elements and isotopic compositions
UF Element2 ICP-MS
UF Nu Plasma HR MC-ICP-MS

UF Research Service Centers

College of Engineering
Location: Major Analytical Instrumentation Center
Main Instrumentation (Full List Here):
  • Cameca SXFive FE Electron Microprobe - For chemical analyses and high-resolution imaging of a wide range of samples
  • FEI Helio Dual Beam FIB/SEM - For microscale sample milling and manipulation
  • Two High Resolution TEM Instruments - For nano-scale chemical and structural characterization of samples
UF Cameca Electron Microprobe
UF FEI Heilo FIB/SEM