Funds from this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program grant will support the acquisition of a powder x-ray diffractometer in the Geology Department at Lawrence University, an undergraduate institution in NE Wisconsin. The XRD will support research across the disciplines of geology, materials science and anthropology requiring phase identification and crystallographic characterization of soils and sediments from contaminated urban river systems and regional lakes, volcanic glasses, synthesized mesoporous silica and pottery shards, to name a few. The XRD facility established will facilitate inter- and cross-disciplinary research and research training at Lawrence. Faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and St. Norbert College will also be granted instrument access. The PIs will develop XRD instrument exercises into the science curricula at all levels.
