The Charger Blog

Chargers Beta Test Cutting-Edge Instrument in the Laboratory

Thanks to a collaboration between the University and an innovative spectroscopy company, Nathan Seifert, Ph.D., and his students beta tested a new microwave spectrometer that isnӰԭt yet on the market. The experience gave them a glimpse into whatӰԭs on the horizon in the field of physical chemistry as they played a critical role in the development of a state-of-the-art instrument.

May 23, 2024

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Students have gained hands-on experience beta testing the new microwave spectrometer.
Students have gained hands-on experience beta testing the new microwave spectrometer.

During the spring semester, Dominick Panzino Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. took the lead on a series of experiments in the laboratory. It was a way for him to tie in the research heӰԭd started as an undergraduate student at the University, while also testing out an instrument that holds promise for the future.

A new graduate of the UniversityӰԭs masterӰԭs degree in chemistry program, Panzino began conducting research focused on fragrances as a forensic science major. He explains that although scents are protected by law, many companies try to mimic popular and well-known fragrances, such as CHANEL N°5. Counterfeiting can mean big business, and PanzinoӰԭs research and analysis of fragrances focused on detecting possible counterfeiting.

James McEwan Ӱԭ24 uses the microwave spectrometer.
James McEwan Ӱԭ24 uses the microwave spectrometer.

Panzino recently brought his background and his research to the lab as he took the unique opportunity to work with a cutting-edge instrument that isnӰԭt even yet on the market. The University is collaborating with Brightspec, a spectroscopy company thatӰԭs focused on research and development. It delivered a microwave spectrometer from its location in Waltham, Massachusetts, to the University during the spring semester, offering exciting opportunities for students such as Panzino and faculty members to test it. Panzino led the scientific validation experiments, testing what the instrument can do and applying it to his research.

ӰԭThis instrument can analyze components of a smell Ӱԭ breaking down a mixture to detect contaminants,Ӱԭ he explains. ӰԭCheaper, counterfeit products may contain such contaminants. ItӰԭs important to do this to ensure safety. IӰԭve been running samples, and weӰԭve been able to work on our own, though our professor is available to help us.Ӱԭ

ӰԭA canvas to do scienceӰԭ

PanzinoӰԭs professor is Nathan Seifert, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UniversityӰԭs Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Seifert has been working with this type of instrumentation for 15 years. He says this particular instrument is the first developed at this scale Ӱԭ an instrument with promise for both academic and commercial uses. Most chemists work with liquid and solid samples, he explains, and this microwave spectrometer would enable them to work with chemicals in the gas phase. It uses microwave radiation to detect molecules.

Dr. Seifert is serving as the companyӰԭs expert in the field of microwave spectroscopy in this testing phase of the new instrument. HeӰԭs excited to be among the first professionals to test it in a niche Ӱԭ but growing Ӱԭ field. Though the instrument is very complex, Dr. Seifert says it is easy to use, yet challenging to master. He says the spectrometer feels like a product of his community of scientists, reflecting their experiences in the field.

ӰԭI can see what weӰԭve all contributed to this instrument,Ӱԭ he explains. ӰԭI can see how it takes advantage of whatӰԭs been learned over the years. I can see parts of me in this instrument. Maybe thatӰԭs the ultimate goal of science Ӱԭ to see solutions and ideas weӰԭve come up with come together, and to not to forget the past.Ӱԭ

Dr. Seifert has a long history with Brightspec. While he pursued his doctorate at the University of Virginia in physical chemistry, a field he describes as Ӱԭbetween physics and chemistry,Ӱԭ one of his professors was involved with developing a new methodology for microwave spectroscopy.

Dr. Seifert, his mentor, and his fellow researchers built a new instrument and published several academic papers. His Ph.D. adviser eventually started Brightspec. After many years of building custom instruments for clients, the company is now developing its first mass-produced instrument Ӱԭ and thatӰԭs what Dr. Seifert and his students recently beta tested.

ӰԭI hope to get one of these at the University permanently,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭI hope to reimagine our physical chemistry lab and build it around this instrument as the centerpiece. It introduces a framework for modern physical chemistry. ItӰԭs a canvas to do science.Ӱԭ

Left to right: Sean Allen '23, '24 M.S., James McEwan Ӱԭ24, Dr. Nathan Seifert, and Dominick Panzino Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. with the microwave spectrometer.
Left to right: Sean Allen '23, '24 M.S., James McEwan Ӱԭ24, Dr. Nathan Seifert, and Dominick Panzino Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ24 M.S. with the microwave spectrometer.
ӰԭThe coolest thing IӰԭve seen all yearӰԭ

The spectrometer can also provide an invaluable canvas for students who are just learning how to conduct research in the laboratory, says Dr. Seifert. Most instruments in the field of physical chemistry use lasers. They can be difficult to maintain, and it is expensive. This one, he says, though powerful, is suitable for all students to use. He describes it as Ӱԭhard to break,Ӱԭ an instrument that offers Ӱԭso many pedagogical possibilities.Ӱԭ

The instrument has already been generating excitement from students Ӱԭ and drawing them to the laboratory. Sean Allen '23, '24 M.S. was excited to work with it, and he spent many hours each week using it. He enjoyed having the unique opportunity to conduct his own experiments with the instrument.

ӰԭItӰԭs the coolest thing IӰԭve seen all year,Ӱԭ said Allen, a new graduate of the UniversityӰԭs graduate program in chemistry who also earned a bachelorӰԭs degree in forensic science. ӰԭWeӰԭre testing the limits of it, testing temperatures of samples and how it affects the instrumentӰԭs sensitivity. ItӰԭs fun, and I got comfortable using it very quickly.Ӱԭ

ӰԭThe industry beyond academicsӰԭ

The new instrument is expected to hit the market later this year. The University was one of fewer than a dozen around the world to beta test the instrument, which will be marketed toward validation and analytical labs at chemical companies.

ӰԭDr. Seifert has long been at the forefront of molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy instrumentation and analytics, and this has made him an invaluable part of BrightspecӰԭs beta testing program,Ӱԭ said Colin Merrifield, director of product management for Brightspec. ӰԭThe feedback and perspective from his lab and students are actively strengthening the first commercial MRR platform to go to market in 50 years.

ӰԭI think this collaboration provides an excellent example of the very important role that academia plays in the development of new technology,Ӱԭ continued Merrifield. ӰԭWeӰԭre excited to be working with the next generation of scientists who will be pushing the boundaries of MRR and moving it into the applied sciences.Ӱԭ

BrightspecӰԭs close collaboration with the University has created even more unique opportunities for students outside of the laboratory. For Panzino, the new M.S. in chemistry grad, that meant learning about the field firsthand while also interacting with professionals outside of the laboratory.

ӰԭI attended a meeting with Brightspec, and they showed us how the software works,Ӱԭ he recalls. ӰԭIt was my first time interacting with a company on that level. It was great to see how the industry works, and I gave them my input. ItӰԭs good to learn about the industry beyond academics.Ӱԭ