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Recent Articles

Welcome to the University of Iowa Thin Section Lab!




SisyphusSince 1966, the Department of Geoscience has maintained a full-service rock lab for the purpose of making research-grade thin sections by hand and teaching these techniques to students. Over forty years later, we proudly carry on this tradition by continuing to maintain a thin section lab and satellite processing room dedicated to the production of high quality thin sections, the preparation of geologic specimens for modern analytical methods, and the instruction of these techniques to students involved in research projects. We happily offer these same services to individuals and companies not affiliated with the University of Iowa at the lowest rates possible.



geology - microscopy - chemistry

4
Jul

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

We would like to take a moment to wish everyone a happy Independence Day! We had our fireworks display a day early and they were beautiful!

Jazz Fest Fireworks

1
Jul

We can also section ceramics…

We recently had the pleasure of sectioning some glazed porcelain pieces for our friends in the ceramics program. Shown here are micrographs of a piece of ceramic mug. We also sectioned holmium-glazed test cubes. Take a look here.

Ceramic Mug Sherd Ceramic Mug Sherd

 

 

31
Mar

Congratulations, Katie!!!

We are pleased to announce that lab assistant Katie Goff has been selected as one of eight undergraduates campus-wide for recognition by the Student Employee of the Year Committee.

I’m so proud!!!  :grin:

Congratulations, Katie! You deserve it!

5
Nov

We built it and they just keep coming!

Wowzers! Four months since our busiest summer ever and the only thing that has changed is the calendar!

We’d like to sincerely thank all of our customers, new and old, for this ongoing torrent of support and encouragement.

Billets on workbench
Slides and Billets, most are from Guam
Billets and Boats on Bench

Awesome. Just awesome.   :tu:

3
Sep

Yah, we do the impossible stuff too…

When a customer asked if we could section conodont elements embedded in mud I said, “Hmmm… I dunno.” A week later we returned 6 out of 7 samples featuring both basal plates and denticles. :tu:

Conodont Element I PPL
Conodont Element II PPL
Conodont Element III