Materials Characterization and Synthesis

Metals, Environmental and Terrestrial Analytical Laboratory

Materials Characterization and Synthesis Metals, Environmental and Terrestrial Analytical Laboratory Get Started

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The Metals, Environmental and Terrestrial Analytical Laboratory offers the following services for ASU and external customers:

Sample preparation (microwave digestion, multi-acid digestion, ball milling, microbalance weighing, centrifuging)
Elemental and ionic quantitation
Greenhouse gas analysis
Carbon and nitrogen (concentration and isotope) analysis (solutions and solids)
CH₄ and CO₂ carbon isotope analysis
Concentration of trace metals, REE, some major elements in a wide variety of sample types and over a large dynamic range by ICP-OES or ICP-MS
High-precision radiogenic and mass-dependent isotope ratio analyses by MC-ICP-MS
Measurement of isotope ratios (C, N, O and H) by IRMS

Customers may use the instruments themselves (in-house training is required) or submit samples for analysis by our staff. You can request services and training and schedule equipment through iLab.

Learn more about iLab and how to sign up.

Internal users will need to be associated with an ASU research laboratory and assigned a payment account. External users will also need to submit payment information. Please contact [email protected] with questions or for assistance.

Once you have an account, follow the instructions below to request services or access.

Required safety trainings

Training is provided through Workday Learning. Customers from outside of ASU will receive access after onboarding with Core Research Facilities staff. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Required trainings include:

Lab-specific safety training

Depending on the sample material and protocol you will be using, you may be required to take one or more of the following in-person trainings.

Hydrofluoric acid safety training
Compressed gas safety
Liquid nitrogen gas safety
Comprehensive biosafety tri-university training
Radiation-producing equipment
Respirable crystalline silica

Learn more about these safety courses.

To request services or training

Sign in to iLab and go to the METAL core page.
From the METAL core page, select the “Request Services” tab.
Click on the “Request Service” button.
Complete and submit the form. Staff will review and assist.

To request facility access and scheduling permissions

Sign in to iLab and go to the METAL core page.
From the METAL core page, select the “Request Services” tab.
Click on the “Request access” link and fill out the form that appears.
Complete and submit the form.

To schedule time on the equipment

Note: Only trained users can access the calendars to schedule equipment use.

Sign in to iLab and go to the METAL core page.
Select the “Equipment and Scheduling” tab.
Click on the “View Schedule” button next to the instrument of interest.
Click and drag on the timeframe you would like to schedule your reservation.
A window will pop up that will allow you to verify your reservations details and provide payment information before saving the reservation.