Melissa,

I typically dice the increment core into cubes that are approximately 1 mm
x 1 mm, then grind with a wig-l-bug for about 30 seconds.  If you have
only a few samples and lots of time you could use a mortar and pestle with
liquid nitrogen in place of the wig-l-bug after dicing.

I use the industrial model wig-l-bug with some modifications and it has
processed >500 samples in a year.


Benjamin Harlow
Washington State University
School of Biological Sciences
P.O. Box 644236
Pullman, WA  99164-4236

Office:  (509) 335-6161
Lab: (509) 335-6154
Fax:  (509) 335-3184


> Hi-
>
> I am working on extracting cellulose from treecores for isotopic analysis
> of H and O.  We are having trouble grinding up small sized pieces of the
> treecore (around 5 mm long by 5 mm wide) using coffee grinders.  The final
> product needs to be 40-60 mesh.  Our goal is to process 1-2 tree rings
> with
> each sample.
>
> Does anybody have any suggestions for grinding or how to modify a coffee
> grinder to work with these samples?
>
> Thank you,
> Melissa
>
> *************************************
> Melissa E. Lenczewski, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor
> Northern Illinois University
> Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
> Davis Hall 411a
> DeKalb, IL 60115
> 815-753-7937
> Fax: 815-753-1945
> [log in to unmask]
>


Benjamin Harlow, Manager
Washington State University Stable Isotope Lab
School of Biological Sciences
Pullman, WA  99164
lab: (509) 335-6154
office: (509) 335-6161