Methods and devices for evaluating the contents of materials

A sample container for facilitating analysis of an at least partially solid material obtained from a geologic site comprising (1) an interior space adapted to receive and contain a sample of the at least partially solid material from a geologic site, (2) an outer barrier that surrounds the interior space and isolates any sample of a geologic material deposited into the interior space and any gas that can contain volatile compounds associated with such a sample from the environment, (3) a selectively sealable and selectively puncturable seal, which is impervious to one or more volatile compounds contained in material obtainable from a geologic site and that sealingly engages the outer barrier to enclose a part of the interior space not enclosed by the outer barrier, and (4) a collapsible component that forms a part of the outer barrier and that can be compressed by a force that promotes the release of volatile compounds from a sample of a geologic material contained in the interior space without any disruption of the sample container that results in loss of such volatile compounds from the interior space,

• wherein when the sample container contains an at least partially solid material obtained from a geologic site and is subjected to a force that causes compression of the collapsible component, the amount of compression of the collapsible component, provides an indication of the strength of the at least partially solid material and the sample container does not release any volatile compounds contained in the interior space.