The State University of New York College at Plattsburgh will purchase equipment and software to automate and upgrade an existing manual x-ray diffractometer. A microprocessor controller, diffracted beam monochrometer, microcomputer, control and data collection software, minerals database, and search/match software will permit fully automated collection and analysis of x-ray data. The upgraded facility will be used to improve instruction in courses in x-ray crystallography, x-ray analysis, water quality analysis, and soil analysis. In addition, the upgraded x-ray diffractometer will be used by undergraduate students in independent research projects. SUNY, Plattsburgh will match the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.
