This proposal requests funds to purchase a quadrupole mass spectrometer which would serve as the basis of a core mass spectrometry facility, to be located on the UNR campus. The instrument would be used to support the research of the six major users whose programs are described in this proposal, along with those listed as minor users. The demand generated by this level of research activity exceeds the capabilities of existing mass spectrometry instrumentation at our university. The university has agreed to pay 152,161 dollars towards the total cost of 304,322 dollars. The requested level of funding from NSF is the remaining 152,161 dollars. This figure reflects only the cost of the instrumentation itself. UNR will pay for the site renovation, operation, maintenance, and installation.
