Melbourne TrACEES Platform
Melbourne TrACEES Platform (Trace Analysis for Chemical, Earth and Environmental Sciences) is the first University platform to support existing and initiate new research requiring high quality surface chemical analysis, trace elemental and speciation analysis, and associated structural chemical analysis.
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Capabilities
TrACEES Platform’s core capabilities are identification and quantitation of elements, chemicals and structures on the surface of a sample, or within a complex matrix.
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Access
The platform is a key research infrastructure in the University, and houses a range of state-of-the-art equipment. We offer training and access for selected equipment and analytical services.
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Our people
Learn about our people behind the Melbourne TrACEES Platform.
Our mission
Melbourne TrACEES Platform is dedicated to providing high quality and unique surface and chemical analysis, technical support and expertise for researches in chemical, earth, environmental, and life sciences together with ongoing training of research students and staff.
Our vision
Melbourne TrACEES Platform will offer world class surface and chemical analysis services to researchers of the University, other academic and research institutions and industry to support cutting edge researches and training development of research partnerships and excellence.
Other platforms
For more information about the wider platform community, please visit Research Website, which is available to all visitors. Details about the University’s research infrastructure related resources and services can be found on Research Gateway, which is available to the University of Melbourne staff and Graduate Researchers.
TrACEES Platform’s core capabilities are identification and quantitation of elements, chemicals and structures on the surface of a sample, or within a complex matrix.
Our services
Melbourne TrACEES Platform offers a range of general and specialised analytical services for water, soil, biological, polymers, constructions and geological samples including nutrients, trace elements, toxic heavy metals (e.g. Hg, Se, As), organic compounds (semi-volatiles, fatty acids and alcohols). These services allow researchers and clients to enjoy peace of mind and is the best option for those who have limited knowledge and skills in analytical instrumentation. Explore our unique capabilities below.
Chemistry Node
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GCMS
Gas chromatography mass spectrometer is used to identify and quantify small (often volatile) organic molecules.
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ICPOES(chem)
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer is an analytical instrument to identify and quantify over 70 elements at trace level.
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NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is an analytical technique that studies nuclei and their molecular structures, dynamic processes and chemical reactions.
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Hy-GCMS
Hyphenated gas chromatography mass spectrometry is an advanced technology widely applied for the identification of insoluble and polymeric materials.
Geo Node
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Micro-CT
micro-Computed Tomography reconstructs 3D image and enable to visualise inside the object without destroying the structure.
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EMPA
Electron microprobe analyser is able to visualise and analyse all elements from Boron to Uranium.
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ESEM
Environmental scanning electron microscope permits wet and insulating samples to be imaged at micron scales.
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MC-ICPMS
The Nu Instruments™ Sapphire MC-ICPMS allows for the precise and accurate determination of isotope ratios in many different element systems.
Soil Node
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ICPOES(soil)
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer is an analytical instrument to identify and quantify over 70 elements at trace level.
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ICPMS
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer is an analytical instrument to identify and quantify over 70 elements at ultra-trace level.
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IRMS
Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is used to measure the relative abundance of isotopes in a sample.
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SFA
Segmented flow analyser is a highly automated and high throughput technique for multiple anions analysis.
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TCN
Total carbon and nitrogen analyser determines content of carbon and nitrogen (in percentages) in soil and plant samples.
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Soil and plant testing
TrACEES Soil Node is accredited for a range of tests by ASPAC and has a strong capability in soils and plant testing and offers a range of high throughput services.
Microbial Laboratory
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QIAcube
QIAcube is designed to perform fully automated purification of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and proteins in molecular biology applications.
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qPCR
Quantitative PCR offers two analytical modules for the microbial quantification such as the abundance of environmental bacteria and fungi.
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HT-qPCR
The Wafergen PCR system is used for large scale genotyping analysis and quantitation of environmental antibiotic resistance genes.
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TOC
Total organic carbon analyser measures total, organic/inorganic carbons and total nitrogen in soil and water samples.
Thermochronology Laboratory
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CLSM
Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a technology designed for 3D-topographic analysis of materials and testing for surface microstructures.
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LA-ICPMS
Laser ablation ICPMS offers high sensitivity and rapid multi-elemental determinations of solid state samples at a ultra-trace level.
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Axio-Imager WS
Axio-Imager WS microscope provides brilliant optics with great contrast and resolution for generating image stacks and stitched photos serving as base maps.
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Sample Preparation
Sample preparation is often required for optimised analytical outcomes and precisions. Various mounting, cutting, grinding and coatings tools are available.
The platform is a key research infrastructure in the University, and houses a range of state-of-the-art equipment. We offer training and access for selected equipment and analytical services.
Make a booking now
Equipment training and booking is generally open to all academic users from the University of Melbourne or other universities and research institutes. TrACEES also offers a range of analytical services which best meet most external requirement.
iLab reference guides
Melbourne TrACEES Platform has adopted a new equipment booking and service request system - iLab. Please refer to the following reference guides for Principle Investigator (supervisor) and Researcher (user) such as lab group creation (PI), account registration, etc.
User Guideline
All users please ensure to follow the User Guideline and acknowledge the Platform in your publications.
Contact TrACEES
If you have an enquiry about our capabilities or services, or would like to discuss how we can help you, please phone +61 3 8344 6485 or email us.
Melbourne TrACEES Platform is governed by Capability Steering Committee who provides strategic direction and senior leadership, and Users Committee who brings invaluable guidance and feedback representing a broad multi-disciplinary user community.
Platform staff
Our specialised academic and technical expertise provide consultation and assist researchers and clients with their analytical enquiries.
Dr. Alex DuanPlatform ManagerAcademic Specialist | Dr. Jay BlackDeputy ManagerAcademic Specialist Geo Node, micro-CT | Dr. Jianlei SunNode SupervisorSoil Node |
Dr. Yukie O'BryanSenior Technical SpecialistChemistry node | Lachlan Hurley-ShawTechnical AnalystSoil Node | Graham HutchisonSenior Technical SpecialistGeo Node, EMPA & ESEM |
Dr. Ashlea WainwrightAssistant Lab ManagerIsotope Laboratory | Christine XieTechnical AnalystMicrobial Laboratory | Dr. Ling ChungAcademic SpecialistThermochronology Laboratory |
Steering Committee
The Capability Steering Committee provides strategic direction and senior leadership to the Melbourne TrACEES Platform.
Prof. Ralf HaeseChair of Steering CommitteeProfessor School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science | Dr. Maria Ines AlmeidaResearch fellowSchool of Chemistry Faculty of Science | Prof. Deli ChenProfessorSchool of Agriculture and Food Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences |
Dr. Brad ClarkeSenior lecturerSchool of Chemistry Faculty of Science | A/Prof. Kathryn MumfordAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and IT | Prof. Richard O'HairProfessor, Head of SchoolSchool of Chemistry Faculty of Science |
Prof. David PhillipsProfessorSchool of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science | A/Prof. Helen SuterAssociate ProfessorSchool of Agriculture and Food Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences | Dr. Petronella NelLecturerGrimwade Centre for Culture Materials Conservation Faculty of Arts |
Users Committee
The Users Committee who brings invaluable guidance and feedback representing a broad multi-disciplinary user community.
Dr. Petronella NelChair of Users CommitteeLecturer, Grimwade Centre for Culture Materials Conservation Faculty of Arts | A/Prof. Suzie ReichmanDirector of CAPIMSchool of Biosciences Faculty of Science | Dr. Maria Ines AlmeidaRepresentative of Steering Committee, Research fellowSchool of Chemistry Faculty of Science |
Dr. Clayton ButterlySenior lecturerSchool of Agriculture and Food Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences | Dr. Apoorv JyotiReactive-Transport ModellerSchool of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science |
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