The next TCD Department of Geology seminar will take place online and will be delivered by Alexander Gundlach-Graham Assistant Professor (Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University) on the following topic: 'High-throughput nanoparticle analysis by ICP-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry'.
Abstract:
Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) has become an effective tool for measuring particle sizes and number concentrations of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Here, I will discuss single-particle ICP-TOFMS combined with online-microdroplet calibration as an approach for high throughput and multiplexed NP analysis. I will present details of this analytical approach through the lens of a case study in which we quantify NPs in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent samples. I will also report on the development of particle clustering strategies to classify and differentiate NP types based on multi-metal signatures. Such classification could enable accurate simultaneous quantification of analyte metals present as both naturally occurring and anthropogenic NPs.
About the Speaker:
Alexander Gundlach-Graham received his B.A. in chemistry from Earlham College in 2008. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2013 from Indiana University under the supervision of Prof. Gary Hieftje. Alex's Ph.D. research focused on the development of distance-of-flight mass spectrometry. In 2014, Alex joined the group of Prof. Detlef Günther at ETH Zurich as a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Scholar, and later continued as a scientist with a Swiss NSF Ambizione fellowship. At ETH, his research centered on the combination of laser ablation with ICP-TOFMS for high-resolution elemental imaging and on the detection of engineered nanoparticles by single-particle ICPTOFMS. Alex joined the faculty of Iowa State as an Assistant Professor in August 2019. The Gundlach-Graham lab works on the development and application of atomic mass spectrometry to address current measurement challenges in environmental and bioanalytical sciences.