Mount Royal University Summit Fall 2014

TREASURE Shell Canada // Gift-in-kind to Earth Sciences research Something old yet new arrived at Mount Royal’s Earth Sciences department this past spring. Two treasures weighing more than 200 pounds with the ability to deliver speed and sensitivity through innovative technology.

The Rigaku MiniFlex II XRD and Primini Biofuel XRF are the two new additions to Earth Sciences. Not sure what a Rigaku MiniFlex or a Primini Biofeul XRF is? Have you been living under a rock?

In short, students can now X-ray minerals! Cool, right?

Mount Royal’s Earth Sciences department will use the donated pieces to complete research in the areas of environmental science, material science, geology, engineering, pharmaceutical and biology.

Though the greatest advantage is the research possibilities, students will now have the ability to create their own research projects and conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The state-of-the-art pieces of equipment are a gift-in-kind on behalf of Shell Canada. Jeff Pollock, PhD, associate professor of Isotope Geochemistry and Tectonics was more than pleased to have the machinery donated, which was valued at an estimated $220,000.

“We are very lucky to have this machine. It was very generous of Shell to donate it to us. This could open up opportunities for our department in acquiring more complicated, more advanced analytical equipment,” he says.

The Earth Sciences department is currently setting up proper regulations and developing training for students and staff so that these treasures will be widely used for all faculties, as well as by external groups.

— Molnar