Femtosecond laser micropyrolysis gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer

The project aims to build a femtosecond laser micropyrolysis gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. This worldleading facility will have the capability to selectively analyse very small (1–20 micron) petrographicallyrecognisable organic components, hence bridging the analytical gap between organic petrography and organic geochemistry. These analyses are expected to inform us about the early evolution of life, the response of the biosphere to mass extinction, the migration of fluids in petroleum reservoirs, the heterogeneity of organic matter in shale gas reservoirs, and the composition of macromolecules in biominerals and macerals. This is a groundbreaking capability that is expected to revolutionise organic geochemistry.