Westminster College to Host Spectroscopy Seminar
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Westminster College will host a one-day technical seminar and demonstration of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) Thursday, Oct. 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Hoyt Science Resources Center.
Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster associate professor of chemistry and 1995 Westminster graduate, and Westminster chemistry majors will give technical presentations in the morning.
The afternoon session will include informative demonstrations of student research projects and analysis of samples contributed by attendees.
Boylan said, "In LIBS, a sample is irradiated with a laser that ablates a very small portion of the sample and creates a plasma. The elements in the sample emit light, which is detected by a spectrometer. The emitted light can provide information about which elements are in the sample and how much of each element is present."
"The instrument is used for both research and industrial applications," Boylan explained. "It's a great tool for quality control testing of products. One of the great features of this instrument is that it can analyze solid samples directly."
Westminster students assisting are:
Keri Biedka, a sophomore chemistry major, is a daughter of Mark and Amy Biedka of Harmony and a graduate of Seneca Valley high School.
Brittany Bivens, a senior biochemistry major, is a daughter of Carol Bivens of Saegertown and Jonathan Bivens of Meadville. She is a graduate of Saegertown High School.
Mallory Lichwa, a senior biochemistry major, is a daughter of Michael and Amy Lichwa ofWest Newton and a graduate of Yough High School.
John Riott, a senior biochemistry major, is a son of Sandra Moses Riott of New Castle and John Riott of New Wilmington. He is a graduate of Neshannock High School.
Bivens and Lichwa are using the LIBS instrument for their senior research.
Boylan, who has been with Westminster since 2001, earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster College and Ph.D. from Duquesne University.
The seminar is free and open to the public. Contact Boylan at (724) 946-6293 (e-mail boylanhm@westminster.edu) for more information or to register.
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