WVU Workshop on Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Subject: Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and Tandem LA-LIBS
Date: Tuesday, May 22 – Wednesday, May 23
Location: Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University
Sponsored by Applied Spectra, Inc.

Applied Spectra, Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University is pleased to announce a two-day workshop on Laser Ablation (LA-ICP-MS and LIBS) with a focus on forensic and geological science applications.

This two-day workshop will include presentations by Applied Spectra personnel on the fundamentals of laser ablation and LIBS technology and invited speakers on topical applications in the forensic and geological sciences.   We will also conduct hands on demonstrations of the J200 Tandem LA-LIBS system housed in the laboratory of Dr. Tatiana Trejos at West Virginia University. Participants may bring their own “real” samples to be analyzed on an optional second day of the workshop.

Agenda

Day One will consist of presentations by Applied Spectra and the invited speakers in the morning, followed by demonstrations of the J200 Tandem LA-LIBS system at WVU in the afternoon. Topics of presentations and discussions will include:

• Trace evidence forensic analysis using LIBS and LA-ICP-MS
• Improving sample discrimination rate by using Tandem approach (simultaneous LIBS and LA-ICP-MS)
• How to advance LA-ICP-MS capability with Tandem approach – integration of LIBS to cover organic (C,H,O, and N) and halogen elements (F, Cl, etc).
  • Cutting-edge geological analysis
  • hydrocarbon measurement in shale
  • REE, F, Cl measurements in geo-minerals
  • hydrogen measurement in volcanic glass, etc
  • High precision isotopic analysis using femtosecond laser pulses

Day Two is optional and will consist of running real samples from interested participants

Workshop Speakers:

Dr. Tatiana Trejos

Dr. Tatiana Trejos, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University

Presentation:
“Forensic Applications of Laser-Based Spectrochemical Analysis”

Dr. Trejos joined the faculty of the Department of Forensic & Investigative Science at WVU in the fall of 2016. Dr. Trejos earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Costa Rica, an M.S. degree in Forensic Science from Florida International University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry/Forensic from Florida International University.  Dr. Trejos’s research interests include chemical analysis of micro traces, mass spectrometric and spectroscopic chemical imaging, the discovery of chemical signatures of forensic materials for intelligence-driven applications and the use of chemometrics to forensic evidence interpretation. Previous research has included the development of spectrochemical methods (ICP-MS, Laser Ablation ICP-MS, u-XRF and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) for the forensic analysis of glass, paint, documents (paper & ink), soils and tape evidence. Dr. Trejos has authored 29 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters in the field of forensic chemistry and has presented over 90 oral presentations and posters at scientific meetings worldwide.

Dr. Luis E. Arroyo-Mora

Dr. Luis E. Arroyo-Mora, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University

Presentation:
“Forensic Analysis of Solids by LA-ICP-MS”

Luis E. Arroyo-Mora is assistant professor at the department of Forensic and Investigative Sciences at West Virginia University. Dr. Arroyo’s primary research focus is the characterization and analysis of emerging drugs of abuse, pollutants and environmental stressors. Dr. Arroyo’s previous research includes the application of mass spectrometry methods for the characterization and identification of novel psychoactive substances, pesticides and chemical entities in complex biological and non-biological matrices, and the elemental analysis of soil and sediments by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Luis has authored several peer reviewed scientific publications and has presented over 60 presentations and posters at scientific meetings in North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Australia.

Dr. Dustin McIntyre, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) 

Dr. Dustin McIntrye

Presentation:
“Elemental Mapping of Gas Producing Shales by LIBS”

Dustin L. McIntyre received a BS in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Computer Engineering in from West Virginia University in December of 1998. He completed his Masters in Mechanical Engineering in August 2000.  He completed his doctoral studies in May 2007 with his dissertation titled “A Laser Spark Plug Ignition System for a Stationary Lean-Burn Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine”. He is currently a researcher with the Geophysics team within the Geological and Environmental Systems division at the USDOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory studying various aspects of carbon sequestration with multiple CT scanner units. He also studies the use of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for use in downhole in-situ sensing applications. Dr. McIntyre is author/coauthor of over 50 publications.

Dr. Michael T. Colucci, Sales Director, Applied Spectra Inc.

Dr. Michael T. Colucci

Presentation:“LA-LIBS Tandem Technology”

As North and South America Sales Director, Mike oversees Applied Spectra’s sales in South America, and Russia. As well as heading up the company’s direct sale of instruments in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Mike brings an impressive 20 years of sales experience in the analytical instrumentation industry. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in the Geological Sciences from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., and a Ph.D in the same field from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He has published in several scientific journals including the Journal of Petrology and Geology.