Facilities & Resources

Conflo-IV reference interface; Trace GC 1310 having PTV injector; ISQ II LT GC/qMS; GC Isolink II combustion/thermal conversion preparation device; TriPlus autosampler.

With dual-inlet and multiple continuous-flow inlet systems [Carlo-Erba NCS-2500 elemental analyzer; Gas Bench® automated gas handling system; Conflo-III gas chromatograph-combustion interface with HP 6890 gas chromatograph; LEAP CombiPal autosampler; and custom-built system for continuous-flow purification and stable isotopic analysis of Cl as CH₃Cl.

A Canberra reverse-electrode intrinsic Ge detector system (34% relative efficiency at 1.33 MeV); an ORTEC model GEM-115220-P-S detector (122% relative efficiency at 1.33 MeV; and two new ORTEC well-geometry Ge detector systems (15-mm well diameter, 25% relative efficiency at 1.33 MeV). All gamma detectors are housed in low-background 10-cm lead shields; have ORTEC DSPEC series digital signal analyzers interfaced with the Maestro-2000 multichannel analyzer software package for data acquisition.

(~1 background count per day per alpha peak from 3 to 8 MeV) interfaced via Ethernet link with a PC for acquisition and analysis of alpha spectrometry data.

Equipped with multiple fume hoods, furnaces, ovens, balances, centrifuges, various glass and Teflon labware, ultrapure deionized water systems, and vacuum manifolds for sample preparation.

Number of Robots: 2

A semi-modular AUV, the REMUS 100 is equipped with side-scan sonar and can detect the difference between metal and organic matter at the seafloor.  An acoustic modem provides researchers with status and position updates while it is out on a mission, while a spectral radiometer helps researchers measure light levels in the vehicle’s location. Missions can run 6-12 hours over 40-60 kilometers at depths to 100 meters.

This modular AUV is used for deep research because it can carry larger sonar equipment deeper into the ocean than other AUV systems. Dual frequency down-looking sonar, built specifically for the UD vehicle and used for biological research, extends the range of the sonar to approximately 4,000 feet! Missions run 6-50 hours over 40-300 kilometers at depths to 600 meters.

Number of Robots: 2

A modular AUV, the Gavia can create 3-D sonar plots, while its cameras capture video and images.  An acoustic modem, not too dissimilar from a Wi-Fi modem, provides researchers status updates of its progress and helps locate it if it gets lost. Text messages via satellite communications when the vehicle surfaces inform scientists about the AUV’s position and mission status. Missions can run 3-4 hours over 15-20 kilometers at depths to 500 meters.

Number of Robots: 2

These AUVs are used for long-term missions for environmental monitoring, habitat monitoring and large area oceanographic studies. They can measure water quality over great distances. While deployed, gliders periodically surface and use satellite communications to report their position and status, providing the research team an opportunity to change their mission. Missions can last 1-90 days over hundreds of kilometers and depths to 1 kilometer.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is controlled by an operator through a 300-meter tether cable. Equipped with many add-ons, this robotic system can conduct low-visibility sonar mapping, real-time video surveying, data collection and grab sampling.

Equipped with high-definition cameras and GPS technology, aerial vehicles like quadcopters and fixed-wing drones give scientists a top-down view of our planet from up to 300 meters in the air. They are transported and deployed by a single operator, and can soar above and capture high-resolution video and images.