Supporting facilities

Institute of Paleobiology has a wide variety of traditional and modern laboratories, and other facilities for research conducted by scientific staff and visitors.

Computing Facilities

• There are over 30 IBM compatible microcomputers for the use of scientific staff, ranging from basic Pentium III based machines to Pentium Core 2 Duo/AMD Athlon 64 workstations. Peripherals available include 1200x1200 dpi color scanner, DVD-RW, and Hewlett-Packard IV LaserJet network printer. Local network (ethernet LAN) provides services like network printing and file sharing. The building has a 128kbit leased-lineInternet connection with full e-mail and web access.
• Conference facilities for 100 people are also available with a full-color LCD computer projector, slide projector,and transparency overhead projector.
• If you wish to bring your notebook, please make sure, that your powersupply can handle local current (230V/60Hz).

Electron Microscopy and Electron Microprobe Laboratory

STAFF: Dr. Cyprian Kulicki, Dr. Janusz Błaszyk

The electron microscopy and electron microprobe laboratory has a Philips XL20 microscope, equipped with SE detector, the catodoluminescence detector as well EDAX dual-window (UTW/Open) ECON detector for X-ray energy dispersive analysis. Fully integrated SEM/EDS system DX4-I is very convenient for user, and provides good quality standardless qualitative and quantitative analisis. Colour analog mapping is possible. This instrument provides quantitative chemical analyses, secondary electron images, and analog elemental distribution maps for use in the geological, metallurgical, ceramic, anthropological, and forensic sciences. Analyses and imaging can be done on samples as small as a few microns across. The maximal sise of samples is 20mm in diameter and 10mm high. This instrument is widely used by Institute staff as well as by industrial clients.

Specimens Preparation
Samples for EPMA imaging and analysis consist of materials that are stable in a vacuum and under a high-voltage electron beam. Specimens for quantitative analyses must be fine polished (or naturally have a flat surface). For EPMA analyzing non-conductive samples must be coated with thinn carbon layer, that is also available in Electron Probe Preparation Laboratory. For SEM imaging we use a platinum coating by BALTEC SCD 005 sputter coater. Specimen mounts, electroconductiv glue, tapes etc. are available in our laboratrory.
Data storage
Storage of the output analyses is available on IBM PC onto hard disk, floppy disks. SEM Images can also be transfered directly to the staff e-mail accounts.

Stable Isotope Laboratory

STAFF: Dr. Krzysztof Małkowski

The Laboratory (oparating jointly with Institute of Geological Sciences) is equipped with modern stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer Finnigan Mat Delta Plus purachsed in 1998 (photo). This high sensivity source instrument works in dual inlet mode, and is capable of analysing isotope ratios of C, N, O, S, and H/D being equipped with universal triple collector (one narrow and two wide Faraday cups) and H/D collector with two Faraday cups. Stable isotopes sample preparation line consists of high vacuum line with 11 ports used for preparation CO2 from carbonates. CO2 is prepared by reaction of a few miligram size carbonate sample powders with over 100% orthophosphoric acid in evacuated vessels held at pre-set temperatures. Prior to analysis impurities and non-condensable gases are removed by cryogenic distilation. The over-all analytical precision is for carbon and oxygen 0.04 per mil.

Photo Lab

STAFF: Grażyna Dziewińska, Marian Dziewiński

Photographic lab offers a wide range of services. Resources include dark room, fume hoods, stands, cameras, photomacroscopes, with a wide range of flash and incandescent lights, and computer system for digital imaging work.

Paleontology Laboratories

STAFF: Zbigniew Strąk, Ewa Hara, Grażyna Matriba

The following equipment is available for the preparation of fossil specimens:

• An acid lab for dissolution of samples in acetic acid.
• Thin section lab can be used for the preparation of standard thin sections, polished thin sections, and mounts.
• Mechanical preparation lab that house all equipment necessary for the preparation, cutting and crushing of rock samples. The equipment available includes three rock saws, and jaw crusher. There is also laboratory for preparation of vertebrate fossils (including a variety of mechanical tools).
• Binocular microscopes, lights and all typical preparatory tools are available.