Status: COMPLETED December 2012
The Life Science Complex Imaging Facility (Physiology), the Cell Imaging and Analysis Network (CIAN, Biology) and the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) microscopy core have eleven microscopes with mercury based light sources that they would like to eliminate. Replacing eleven light sources would be the equivalent of 1,650 mercury bulbs or almost a quarter of a kilogram of mercury and would use 25 times less power. The light output from light engines is constant and reliable over years requiring little maintenance, zero inventory, and minimal management while providing researchers with better quantitative data. With this in mind the Mercury Free Microscopy project group will begin a new campus wide initiative for mercury free microscopy (MFM) that provides awareness, recycling, and elimination of mercury based light sources. Resources from the SPF will be used to purchase and install eleven light engines in three core microscopy facilities across campus, and educate the staff and student community about their use.
If you would like to learn more about this project or reach the individuals involved, please contact the krista.houser [at] mail.mcgill.ca (SPF Administration Team).
