Our world-class analytical facilities, together with our interdisciplinary expertise, enable innovation and support impactful scientific discovery. Cambridge Earth Sciences houses the latest instrumentation for natural materials analysis, including state-of-the-art microanalytical and geochemical techniques.
We are creative and collaborative—designing and building bespoke experimental equipment such as advanced X‑ray diffractometers, prototype electron and ion probes, mass spectrometry systems, and a range of specialised tools for deep‑ocean research.
Commercial enquiries
We welcome enquiries from external researchers and collaborators interested in using our facilities. If you have a project in mind, please contact our laboratory technicians using the information below.
Microanalysis Laboratory
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and X‑ray diffraction (XRD).
Contact: Dr Iris Buisman & Dr Rosa Danisi
Geochemical Laboratories
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) for the analysis of solid and aqueous samples. Includes laser ablation ICP-MS
Contact: Dr Jason Day
Marine Sediment Analysis
- The Godwin Laboratory specialises in the analysis of marine sediments, using XRF, ICP‑MS, and radiocarbon dating.
Contact: James Rolfe
Researcher facilities
In addition to the facilities listed above, we also have the following equipment for use by our researchers and collaborators:
- Clean Laboratories for metal isotope work. Instruments include: multi-collector mass spectrometers (Thermo Scientific Neptune and Neoma MC-ICP-MS, Triton TIMS)
- Major and trace element analysis: Agilent 5100 ICP-OES, iCap-Q ICP-MS with Analyte G2 Laser Ablation
- Raman Microscopy
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- Lab-based and field-deployable laser spectrometers
- Palaeontology preparation lab
- The IEEF has a Fluids and Colloids Interface Laboratory