Analytical facilities

The Museum offers comprehensive analytical imaging facilities and a DNA sequencing consultancy service.

Our purpose-built laboratories are staffed by a team of specialists experienced in preparation, analysis and interpretation of a broad range of natural and artificial specimens, including biological, mineralogical and cultural heritage specimens. We also have close relationships with researchers, curators and instrument manufacturers.

Our analytical capabilities and techniques

• high resolution scanning electron microscopy (FEG SEM)
• variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP SEM)
• confocal microscopy (CLSM)
• micro-CT scanning (µ-CT)
• analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX)
• electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)
• inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
• inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)
• laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-IPC-MS)
• ion chromatography (IC)
• powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• transmitted and reflected light microscopy of minerals, ores and rocks
• thin, ultra-thin and polished sectioning of rock and mineral specimens
• Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscope and spectrometer
• gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)