Projects
Application of Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope systems in geological and archeometric research Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Platform for interdisciplinary isotopic research by means of multi-collector inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry Ghent University
As a hybrid mass spectrometer, MC-ICPMS combines an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) plasma source, an energy filter, a magnetic sector analyzer, and multiple collectors for the measurement of ions. The ions are produced by introducing the sample into an inductively coupled plasma which strips off electrons thereby creating positively charged ions. These ions are accelerated across an electrical potential gradient (up to 10 KV) and focused ...
Lithium (7Li/6Li) and boron (11B/10B) isotopes: additions to our existing biogeochemical arsenal of tracers in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Ghent University
Development of analytical protocols for chemical isolation of the target elements Li and B out of various sample types for their subsequent high-precision isotopic analysis using multi-collector ICP – mass spectrometry. Li (δ7Li) and B (δ11B) isotope ratios will be used as paleoproxies, i.e. to unravel information on the prevailing temperature, CO2 level, surface erosion levels, etc in the distant past.
Isotopic research via the combination of laser ablation with single-collector and multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry Ghent University
Development of analytical methods based on the combination of deep-UV ArF* excimer laser ablation (LA) with single-collector or multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for application to real-life problems, including the determination of the platinum group elements (PGMs) in Pb disks, obtained via fire assay treatment of the samples of interest, via LA-ICP-MS using isotope dilution for calibration, quasi non-destructive isotopic ...
Combination of high-end instrumental techniques for analysis of skeletal tissue to obtain insight into human migration, mobility and diet. Ghent University
Development and refinement of approaches for the determination of isotope ratios and elemental ratios in skeletal tissue, leading to a reduction of the risk of misinterpretation of such data. Capabilities of several types of ICP-MS instrumentation will be compared. The possibility of using laser ablation for direct bulk and spatially resolved analysis of solid bone will be evaluated. All efforts aim at unraveling provenance of human remains ...
Development of methods for chemical isolation and measurement protocols for copper, antimony and titanium isotopic analysis of ancient glass via multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry Ghent University
Analytical methodology for (i) the quantitative isolation of the pure analyte (Cu, Sb, Ti) fraction from the concomitant matrix and (ii) gathering isotopic information via multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry will be developed for provenance determination of the Cu-, Sb- and Ti-based raw materials used in antiquity to (de)colorize glass. Also non-destructive (femtosecond) laser ablation MC-ICP-MS will be deployed for this purpose.
High-precision isotopic analysis of essential metals as a novel tool for unraveling their role in Alzheimer's disease and for diagnostic/prognostic purposes Ghent University
This PhD research project aims to evaluate high-precision isotopic analysis of the essential metals copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) as a novel means for obtaining a more profound insight into the potential role of these metals in Alzheimer’s disease and assess its use for diagnostic/prognostic purposes in this context. The A&MS group at Ghent University has previously demonstrated that ...
Evaluation of the capabilities of isotopic analysis of the essential transition metals Fe, Cu and Zn in whole blood and blood serum for medical diagnosis Ghent University
Chromatographic isolation of the essential transition metals Fe, Cu and Zn from whole blood or blood serum for their subsequent isotopic analysis via MC-ICP-MS (multi-collector ICP – mass spectrometry). Comparison of results for a reference population with those for patient groups for evaluation of the diagnostic capabilities of isotopic analysis in this context. Targeted diseases include hemochromatosis, Crohn’s disease, Wilson’s disease and ...