Planetary Groups in the South West of England
University of Bristol
The Bristol Isotope Group is a collective of researchers who use isotopic measurements to study natural processes. The Group is centred around an extensively equipped mass-spectrometry suite and clean labs based in the School of Earth Sciences. There are three permanent staff with strong interests in cosmochemistry, Chris Coath, Tim Elliott and Ian Parkinson who are part of the School of Earth Sciences’ Planetary Structure and Dynamics research theme. Typically some twenty early career researchers work in the laboratories. The clean laboratories are managed by Carolyn Taylor.
Our expertise lies in making high precision isotope ratios of non-gaseous elements. We have a track record of developing new methods to make novel measurements.
Current research projects include:
- In situ search for carriers of transition metal isotope anomalies in primitive meteorites
- Identifying the stellar sources of solar system isotopic anomalies
- Constructing a chronology of the formation of major silicate phases in the early solar system
- Determining elemental loss during planetary accretion
- Development of multi-collection collision cell mass-spectrometry
- Testing models of lunar formation by comparing isotopic compositions of Earth and Moon
- Exploring possible meteoritic sources of Earth’s volatiles
Our facilities include:
Mass-spectrometry: two multi-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometers (Thermo Neptunes, with flexible collection configurations involving Faraday cups coupled to feedback amplifiers with 1010, 1011 and 1012 ohm resistors, electron multiplier with retarding filter and multiple channeltrons), one multi-collector thermal ionisation mass-spectrometer (Thermo Triton), one rapid scanning single collector inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometer (Thermo Element II), a prototype collision cell, multi-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometer (“Proteus”), two Teledyne Analyte G2 excimer laser ablation devices, Cetac hydride generator, 4 Cetac Aridi and 3 ESI Apices desolvating introduction systems.
Sample preparation: 9 nominal class 10 extracted working hoods in two overpressured, nominally class 1000 clean labs, each with independent 15 and 18Mohmcm clean water supplies and acid distillation equipment, Parr bombs, Aton Parr high pressure asher, muffle furnance, New wave micro-mill, Nikon Eclipse LV100ND microscope with z-controlled stage.
You can find further information at:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/earthsciences/big/
Our expertise lies in making high precision isotope ratios of non-gaseous elements. We have a track record of developing new methods to make novel measurements.
Current research projects include:
- In situ search for carriers of transition metal isotope anomalies in primitive meteorites
- Identifying the stellar sources of solar system isotopic anomalies
- Constructing a chronology of the formation of major silicate phases in the early solar system
- Determining elemental loss during planetary accretion
- Development of multi-collection collision cell mass-spectrometry
- Testing models of lunar formation by comparing isotopic compositions of Earth and Moon
- Exploring possible meteoritic sources of Earth’s volatiles
Our facilities include:
Mass-spectrometry: two multi-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometers (Thermo Neptunes, with flexible collection configurations involving Faraday cups coupled to feedback amplifiers with 1010, 1011 and 1012 ohm resistors, electron multiplier with retarding filter and multiple channeltrons), one multi-collector thermal ionisation mass-spectrometer (Thermo Triton), one rapid scanning single collector inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometer (Thermo Element II), a prototype collision cell, multi-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometer (“Proteus”), two Teledyne Analyte G2 excimer laser ablation devices, Cetac hydride generator, 4 Cetac Aridi and 3 ESI Apices desolvating introduction systems.
Sample preparation: 9 nominal class 10 extracted working hoods in two overpressured, nominally class 1000 clean labs, each with independent 15 and 18Mohmcm clean water supplies and acid distillation equipment, Parr bombs, Aton Parr high pressure asher, muffle furnance, New wave micro-mill, Nikon Eclipse LV100ND microscope with z-controlled stage.
You can find further information at:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/earthsciences/big/
University of Plymouth
Plymouth Planets is the research group for all things space at the University of Plymouth, and includes an interdisciplinary team of academic staff, researchers and students throughout the Faculty of Science & Engineering. We also host several Masters (MGeol) students and interns each year, giving them unparalleled access to leading analytical facilities, and new & novel specimens.
Our research focuses on the origin and evolution of our Solar System, from the earliest processes recorded within meteorites to the active processes shaping terrestrial planets, and beyond, as well as understanding the physics of spacecraft missions exploring the universe. We also actively participate in an annual meteorite hunt to Australian Outback each year with our international collaborators, and work on classifying new meteorite specimens.
Current research projects include:
- Volcanic & magmatic evolution on Mars
- Chronology of the Shergottite meteorites
- Meteorite source regions on Mars
- Basaltic volcanism in the Solar System
- Itokawa; links to the LL chondrites
- Magma genesis on Vesta
- Variation within the Vestan meteorites
- Dunes on Pluto
- Testing quantised inertia using spacecraft trajectory data
- XNAV: the feasability of Pulsar navigation: GPS for deep space
Facilities include:
Our facilities include full specimen preparation, electron microscopy (TEM, FEG-SEM, VP-SEM, Cryo-SEM, FIB-SEM, EDS, WDS, EBSD, TKD, CL & EBL), X-ray Fluorescence, Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR, micro FT-IR), mass spectroscopy (TIMS, ICP-MS & ICP-OES), and Palaeo-Magnetism. We also offer GIS software and modelling facilities.
You can find more information about the Plymouth Planets research group, including team members, opportunities and contact details, on our website www.plymouthplanets.wordpress.com, and follow us on Twitter @PlymPlanets
Our research focuses on the origin and evolution of our Solar System, from the earliest processes recorded within meteorites to the active processes shaping terrestrial planets, and beyond, as well as understanding the physics of spacecraft missions exploring the universe. We also actively participate in an annual meteorite hunt to Australian Outback each year with our international collaborators, and work on classifying new meteorite specimens.
Current research projects include:
- Volcanic & magmatic evolution on Mars
- Chronology of the Shergottite meteorites
- Meteorite source regions on Mars
- Basaltic volcanism in the Solar System
- Itokawa; links to the LL chondrites
- Magma genesis on Vesta
- Variation within the Vestan meteorites
- Dunes on Pluto
- Testing quantised inertia using spacecraft trajectory data
- XNAV: the feasability of Pulsar navigation: GPS for deep space
Facilities include:
Our facilities include full specimen preparation, electron microscopy (TEM, FEG-SEM, VP-SEM, Cryo-SEM, FIB-SEM, EDS, WDS, EBSD, TKD, CL & EBL), X-ray Fluorescence, Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR, micro FT-IR), mass spectroscopy (TIMS, ICP-MS & ICP-OES), and Palaeo-Magnetism. We also offer GIS software and modelling facilities.
You can find more information about the Plymouth Planets research group, including team members, opportunities and contact details, on our website www.plymouthplanets.wordpress.com, and follow us on Twitter @PlymPlanets