Peter M. Smith


About Me
I have been at Westminster College since 2002 and currently serve as an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Director of undergraduate Research.

I earned my B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry (Inorganic) from the Univeristy of Tennessee, Knoxville.

I have two main, ongoing research projects:
  • Recovery of samarium from SmCo Series 2:17 magnets - We are trying to recover the valuable samarium component of scrap SmCo magnets. We are using hydrometallurgical techniques (solvent extraction, precipitation stripping, etc.)
  • Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of lutetium oxyorthosilicate - We are developing new methods for producing lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) using microwave irradiation as the heat source. We are specifically interested in the particle size and morphology of the LSO powder. Our goal is to synthesize a commercially viable scintillation material.
Associate Professor
Chemistry
Hoyt Science Resources Center
368
Campus Mailbox: 51
 (724) 946-7299
 Website