Making the most of over 25 years of experience in quantitative elemental analysis by inductively couple plasma (ICP) techniques to answer bio-clinical and environmental research questions, the Trace Element Analysis Facility offers expert advice to research groups and companies on quantitative element analysis, as well as sample preparation and analysis on a collaborative or fee-for-service basis.
To discuss any aspect of these services, please contact icp@vet.cam.ac.uk
What we offer
- Elemental/isotopic analysis
- Single particle analysis
- Single or multi-elements
- Semi- and full-quantitative analysis
- Heavy metals analysis
- Impurity analysis
Samples we routinely analyse
- Water, foods and feeds
- Materials and minerals
- Whole blood, serum/plasma, urine, skin, bone, intestinal and other tissues
- Pharmaceuticals
- Samples from in vitro assays
Analytical concentration range
ppt (ng/L) to ppm (mg/L) - depending on element and sample type
Core instruments
Current state-of-the-art Agilent triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (8900 ICP-MS/MS) and Horiba Jobin Yvon inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (Ultima 2c).
The latest microwave digestion technology in the Milestone UltraWave single reaction chamber microwave digestion system.
All housed in a clean and purpose designed trace element room.
Sample prep requirement
Liquid/aqueous samples should ideally be acidified (1-5% nitric acid) to keep elements (metals) in solution.
Solid specimens should be destructed with nitric acid or in combination with hydrogen peroxide. The final solutions for analysis should ideally contain 1% nitric acid and < 0.2% dissolved salts/solid matter.
We offer advice on sample preparation (i.e. digestion) and/or provide the complete sample prep and analysis package. Please contact us to discuss further.
Indicative cost
From £7 to £27 per sample, however this depends on the number and frequency of samples, instrument, number of elements and sample prep requirements.