Field of Research:
Analytical Chemistry
In Germany:
01.05.2007 -
31.07.2007
Host's project description
Prof. Pawliszyn has pioneered work in sample preparation in the field of analytical chemistry.
Chemical analysis is usually devided in sampling, sample preparation (for instance: extraction, clean-up) and the instrumental analysis. Impressive progress has been made in recent decades in the development of sophisticated instruments which are usually fully outomized and allow the analysis of chemical compounds with ever increasing sensitivity, precision and selectivity.
In contrast sample treatment has been largely neglected and today techniques are used frequently which have been invented 100 years ago. Theses techniques are time-consuming, labour intesive and need large quantities of in part toxic chemicals.
Prof. Pawliszyn has invented several new methods for sample preparation which are very simple, but nevertheless efficient and which can be readily automized. Most remarkable is his invention of solid phase micoextraction, a solvent-free method which uses a tiny polymer coated fibre to extract and concentrate organic compounds from water, air, soil, plant material and other matrices.
This new method facilitates chemical analysis in the lalboratory, but is also very well suited for field analysis, i.e. for the monitoring of air and water in the environment.
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University of Waterloo
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