Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis

Welcome to the Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis (CCIM). Our aim is to provide Canadian and international researchers in academia, government, and industry with access to leading-edge instrumentation and research expertise in geochemistry and geochronology.  CCIM is dedicated principally to research on mineral and energy resources, and the environmental impacts associated with their exploitation. Our team of dedicated academics and technical staff is here to collaborate with researchers, both professionals and students, from across Canada and internationally to address questions of high scientific and societal impact. We utilize unique analytical instruments and lab facilities, and develop special techniques to analyse the smallest ('micro') quantities of minerals for a range of isotopes.  Isotopes are powerful tracers of geological processes and history, and CCIM is here to unlock their potential in your rocks and minerals.  

Established in 2008 as a University of Alberta academic centre through amalgamation of existing and planned isotope facilities, CCIM has since attracted over $30M in infrastructure investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Alberta Innovates (AI), the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) program, and the University of Alberta. CCIM encompasses 315 m² of state-of-the- art clean room laboratories and 430 m² of instrument space, housing Canada's only multi-collector high resolution ion microprobe, six inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometers (including multicollector types), one solid state and two gas (excimer) UV laser systems, six thermal ionization mass spectrometers, two electron microprobes and powder diffractometer.  The Centre is supported by extensive sample preparation facilities and machine shops.