Getting Ready To Rock

CSCSS Nomad > B Deck > Science Lab > Geology Bay
Blackwood-Mori’s Rock Processing Laboratory provided the equipment needed for sawing, grinding, pulverizing, washing, drying, and sieving rock samples. The lab offered sections that were available for individual use.

Lab sample processing boxes were stocked with:
- hammer + steel plate
- jaw crusher
- mini disk mill
- shatterbox
- sieve shaker
- sample storage containers
- balances

The main room had the following equipment:
- sink
- ultrasonicator
- drying oven
- LED magnifier
- 10” trim saw
- Dremel + wide assortment of bits
- full set of sieves for size fraction analyses

By putting the equipment into sound proof boxes it would cut down on disturbing the other scientists, since working with rocks was often a loud process.

The large variety of samples that were processed in the lab, required a selection of cutting and grinding materials of varying hardness, which were available for sample processing. The shatterbox, mini-disk mill and jaw crusher all had interchangeable plates of ceramic, hardened steel, and tungsten; the trace element concentrations of all plate materials were available to all users.

Blackwood-Mori’s General Geochemistry or “Rock/Mineral Separates” Laboratory provided the equipment for separating minerals from a pulverized rock sample via magnetic separation, heavy liquids separation and wet chemistry (acid dissolution).

The lab was home to multiple microscopes, as well as Moticam microscope camera software and LED magnifiers for sample imaging; ultrasonicators and drying ovens for sample washing and drying; as well as sanding and polishing equipment for sample mounting and preparation.

The equipment was provided to lab users in a clean/dust-free environment, with temporary sample storage and chemicals and requisite personal protective equipment provided by the laboratory.

Dr. Adama checked out the equipment and set it up to his configurations before he was satisfied with the results. After running a few samples through the various process he made some adjustments to his preferences and then cleaned the lab section. He wanted it ready to work after he collected his samples from the planet. Sadly till then he had nothing else to do so he looked around and saw what the other scientist were working on.