6 March 2019

Curation and Core Handling Lab Working Group Minutes

March 6, 2019

Agenda Items and Notes:

• Start of the Catwalk Module of the SampleMaster Replacement Project

  • This may be pushed back because of pressure to do other internal development projects

  • First meeting is this Friday (March 8) at 2:30pm C140

  • Tim Blaisdell began working on a sample browser on the ship, which is part of the print module. He will be demonstrating this at the Friday meeting.

  • SPLAT Update

    • X368X could be first trial using the sample lists that have been submitted

    • X379 will be the first scientist use

• Shipboard Tutorial for SPLAT

  • Katy Smith (curator X379) is currently working on a tutorial for the X379 science party and will hold a meeting for the scientists while on the ship.

• SOP for Core Shipments to Other Institutions

  • Have had issues with shipping samples to other institutions – specifically, the condition of the cores

  • Curation and Shipping are working on a SOP

  • Currently looking at 2 different shipping companies

    • One of them will give a quote based on mileage for a single 2000 lbs palette

    • Sprinter vans

  • Place palette in aluminum rack (2 are made) or a plastic shipping container that Shipping and Logistics has found

  • Phil Rumford has created a core-flow diagram that will be finalized and circulated

  • There will be an SOP document that will be created for the requestor, including a loan agreement document

  • Let Phil know thoughts on SOP.

• Post-XRF Storage of Cores Ultimately Destined for the Other Repositories

  • Cores from non-GCR cruises are staying here for a very long time and the GCR is quickly running out of space

  • There is little room to stage the cores for unloading

  • Purchasing a new set of racks to finish reefer 4; will then lose all reefer space for staging

  • How long to hang onto XRF cores after the programmatic measurements?

    • Small volume is not an issue, but multiple km’s will be

  • Will likely need to bring back a container outside

·       Recommendations:

·       Provide a 2 month grace period in case of emergency (4 months total at the GCR)

·       This recommendation will go to the XRF Working Group

·       Update: XRF Working Group approved 2 month post-scanning residency

• Update on Core Refrigeration Storage Plans

  • GCR is quickly running out of room

  • Begin to scope the project for expanding reefer space

  • Options:

    • Renovate either the XRF lab or back loading dock

    • Look for external space off-site at A&M

  • Seems most likely that XRF lab/TAS space will be converted

  • This requires several steps that will have to progress in order

• User issues with SADR and user experience

  • SADR written in a language that none of the developers can work with

  • X385 Scientists and Co-Chiefs are having many issues, in addition to the problems internal users have already identified

  • Recommendation: Request for revisions to SADR. Will write a document to present to the Management Team (mini-project)

  • UPDATE: SADR will need to be completely replaced due to Java compatibility