ASU Core Facilities Equipment Showcase: Trace Metal Clean Lab

The Trace Metal Clean Lab, which is a key component of the metal core at ASU, offers an ultra-clean environment specifically designed to minimize metal contamination during sample preparation. This facility is essential for researchers who need to achieve the lowest possible blank levels before conducting sensitive analyses, ensuring that trace element work is performed under strictly metal-free conditions. By eliminating potential sources of interference, the lab provides a foundational space where even the most delicate measurements can be executed with high precision and reliability. The physical infrastructure of the laboratory is engineered to maintain these rigorous standards through several critical features. The workspace includes over 40 linear feet of ULPA-filtered Class 10 laminar flow and exhaust systems, which are routinely maintained at Class 10,000 cleanliness levels. Inside, there are no exposed metal surfaces; instead, the room utilizes polypropylene workstations that are resistant to corrosion, alongside piping for ultra-pure water throughout the facility. This combination of positive pressurization and specialized materials creates a controlled atmosphere that prevents external contaminants from entering while protecting samples from internal metallic leaching. Beyond its environmental controls, the lab is equipped with dedicated spaces to support a wide range of advanced analytical procedures. These areas facilitate acid distillation, gravimetric determinations, isotope dilution protocols, and thorough cleaning of laboratory glassware. Such versatility allows scientists to handle diverse tasks from high-precision isotope analysis to evaluating trace contaminants in semiconductors and chemical reagents. Ultimately, this facility provides the necessary clean foundation that researchers require for their most sensitive investigations, bridging the gap between sample preparation and final data analysis.