The Charger Blog
Charger Blogger Discusses Fueling Your Brain for Finals
Beatrice Glaviano 杏吧原版26, a nutrition sciences major, offers her guide to brain-boosting foods for end-of-semester study sessions.
The Charger Blog
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 isn杏吧原版檛 yet on the market. The experience gave them a glimpse into what杏吧原版檚 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
During the spring semester, Dominick Panzino 杏吧原版23, 杏吧原版24 M.S. took the lead on a series of experiments in the laboratory. It was a way for him to tie in the research he杏吧原版檇 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 University杏吧原版檚 master杏吧原版檚 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掳5. Counterfeiting can mean big business, and Panzino杏吧原版檚 research and analysis of fragrances focused on detecting possible counterfeiting.
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 isn杏吧原版檛 even yet on the market. The University is collaborating with Brightspec, a spectroscopy company that杏吧原版檚 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.
杏吧原版淭his instrument can analyze components of a smell 杏吧原版 breaking down a mixture to detect contaminants,杏吧原版 he explains. 杏吧原版淐heaper, counterfeit products may contain such contaminants. It杏吧原版檚 important to do this to ensure safety. I杏吧原版檝e been running samples, and we杏吧原版檝e been able to work on our own, though our professor is available to help us.杏吧原版
Panzino杏吧原版檚 professor is Nathan Seifert, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University杏吧原版檚 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 杏吧原版 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 company杏吧原版檚 expert in the field of microwave spectroscopy in this testing phase of the new instrument. He杏吧原版檚 excited to be among the first professionals to test it in a niche 杏吧原版 but growing 杏吧原版 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.
杏吧原版淚 can see what we杏吧原版檝e all contributed to this instrument,杏吧原版 he explains. 杏吧原版淚 can see how it takes advantage of what杏吧原版檚 been learned over the years. I can see parts of me in this instrument. Maybe that杏吧原版檚 the ultimate goal of science 杏吧原版 to see solutions and ideas we杏吧原版檝e come up with come together, and to not to forget the past.杏吧原版
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 杏吧原版渂etween physics and chemistry,杏吧原版 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 杏吧原版 and that杏吧原版檚 what Dr. Seifert and his students recently beta tested.
杏吧原版淚 hope to get one of these at the University permanently,杏吧原版 he said. 杏吧原版淚 hope to reimagine our physical chemistry lab and build it around this instrument as the centerpiece. It introduces a framework for modern physical chemistry. It杏吧原版檚 a canvas to do science.杏吧原版
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 杏吧原版渉ard to break,杏吧原版 an instrument that offers 杏吧原版渟o many pedagogical possibilities.杏吧原版
The instrument has already been generating excitement from students 杏吧原版 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.
杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 the coolest thing I杏吧原版檝e seen all year,杏吧原版 said Allen, a new graduate of the University杏吧原版檚 graduate program in chemistry who also earned a bachelor杏吧原版檚 degree in forensic science. 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e testing the limits of it, testing temperatures of samples and how it affects the instrument杏吧原版檚 sensitivity. It杏吧原版檚 fun, and I got comfortable using it very quickly.杏吧原版
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.
杏吧原版淒r. 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 Brightspec杏吧原版檚 beta testing program,杏吧原版 said Colin Merrifield, director of product management for Brightspec. 杏吧原版淭he feedback and perspective from his lab and students are actively strengthening the first commercial MRR platform to go to market in 50 years.
杏吧原版淚 think this collaboration provides an excellent example of the very important role that academia plays in the development of new technology,杏吧原版 continued Merrifield. 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e 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.杏吧原版
Brightspec杏吧原版檚 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.
杏吧原版淚 attended a meeting with Brightspec, and they showed us how the software works,杏吧原版 he recalls. 杏吧原版淚t 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. It杏吧原版檚 good to learn about the industry beyond academics.杏吧原版
The Charger Blog
Beatrice Glaviano 杏吧原版26, a nutrition sciences major, offers her guide to brain-boosting foods for end-of-semester study sessions.
The Charger Blog
A new space on campus provides a second home for commuter students, enhancing their Charger experience with dedicated support and resources
The Charger Blog
Beatrice Glaviano '26 reflects on the importance of bouncing back after setbacks.