INAA is a highly sensitive analytical     technique useful for performing both     qualitative and quantitative analyses of     major, minor, and trace elements in bulk     samples from a broad range of scientific     fields.        In the geological sciences, INAA is still     considered the method of choice for multi-     element studies requiring precision and     accuracy. University of Michigan's Ford Nuclear Reactor

Advantages of INAA:

sensitivity	high-precision determination of elemental concentrations, often in ppm or even ppb;
precision	measurement errors of < 3-5% are standard;
scope	67 common and rare earth lements form radioisotopes which can be readily identified and quantified using INAA;
multi-element capability	over 30 elements can be determined simultaneously without chemical separation;
minimal sample preparation	limited handling reduces sample contamination and accelerates analytical process; (pulverization & homogenization required);
nuclear technique	chemical composition and crystal structure do not affect elemental analyses; isotopic identifications possible.

    

INAA services are available to UM Geologists through the           Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project (MMPP) and           Ford Nuclear Reactor (FNR) on North Campus.

         To find out more about INAA:

         visit the MMPP web-site (http://www.umich.edu/~mmpp)

         or contact Leah Minc (leahminc@umich.edu).

             Back to Geology Research Facilities.