Scientific Solutions 

An Independent Consultant Serving 

the Writing, Marketing and Educational Requirements of the Analytical Science Community

Full List of Publications Credited to Robert Thomas

• Single Particle ICP-MS: A Key Analytical Technique for Characterizing Nanoparticles, AP Column, Spectroscopy Magazine, March, 2017

  Characterizing Fuel by Gas Chromatography: Making Sure that IndyCar Race Teams are Playing by the Rules, Petro Industry News, February, 2017

  New Approaches in Sample Preparation and Precise Multielement Analysis of Crude Oils and Refined Petroleum Products Using Single-Reaction-Chamber Microwave Digestion and Triple-Quadrupole ICP-MS, Spectroscopy magazine, October, 2016

• Optimization of EPA Method 325 for the Fast, Accurate and Precise Monitoring of VOCs Around Oil Refinery Fencelines, Petro Industry News, September, 2016

• The Applicability of Field-Portable GC–MS for the Rapid Sampling and Measurement of High-Boiling-Point Semivolatile Organic Compounds n Environmental Samples, Current Trends in Mass Spec, July, 2016

• The Benefits of GC/MS Coupled with a Headspace Trap to Monitor Volatile Organic Compounds in the Production of Beer, Chromatography Today, May/June, 2016

• Money To Burn: Do you Know What is Costs to Run your Atomic Spectroscopy instrumentation? International Labmate, April, 2016

• Extending the Hydrocarbon Range for the Analysis of Soil Gas Samples Using Automated Thermal Desorption Coupled with GC-MS, LCGC, March, 2016

• Replacing Traditional Heavy Metals Testing with Modern Plasma-Based Spectrochemical Techniques, Atomic Perspectives Column, Spectroscopy Magazine, March, 2016

• The Benefits of Single-Particle ICP-MS to Better Understand the Fate and Behavior of Engineered Nanoparticles in Environmental Water Samples, Spectroscopy Magazine, Environmental Issue, October, 2015

• Approaches to Maximize Performance and Reduce the Frequency of Routine Maintenance in ICP-MS, Atomic Perspectives, Column, Spectroscopy Magazine, October, 2015

• Handheld X-ray Diffraction for Remote, Field-Based Applications, Atomic Perspectives, Column, Spectroscopy Magazine, July, 2015

• Determining Elemental Impurities in Pharmaceutical Materials: What Atomic Spectroscopic Technique is Right for Your Lab? Atomic Perspectives, Column, Spectroscopy Magazine, March 2015

• GC Ensures Integrity of Drinking Water in Fracking Locations, Laboratory Equipment, February, 2015

• Shifting the Landscape of Nanomaterial Measurement, The Analytical Scientist, November 24, 2014

• A Single-Method Approach for the Analysis of Volatile and Semivolatile Organic Compounds in Air Using Thermal Desorption Coupled with GC–MS: LC/GC, October, 2014

• The Benefits of Single-particle ICP MS for the Characterization of Engineered Nanomaterials: R&D Magazine, April, 2014

• The Use of Hand-held Raman Spectroscopy for Forensic Investigations, Spectroscopy Magazine, Raman Supplement, Jun, 2014

• How to Select an ICP-MS System: Some Important Considerations, November, 2013 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine

• The Benefits of Ion–Molecule Chemistry for the Determination of Titanium in Whole Blood and Serum Using Quadrupole-Based Collision–Reaction Cell ICP-MS Technology, November, 2013 issue of Applications of ICP - Supplement to Spectroscopy Magazine

• Collaboration Results in a Breakthrough Design of Desorption Tube For Soil Vapor Intrusion Analysis, October, 2013 issue of Pollution Equipment News 

• The Use of Raman Spectroscopy in Cancer Diagnostics, September, 2103 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine

• Miniature Spectrometer Designs Open New Applications Potential, May, 2013 issue of Laser Focus World

• The Benefits of a High-Performance, Handheld Raman Spectrometer for the Rapid Identification of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials, December, 2012 issue of American Pharmaceutical Review

• ICP-MS with Autodilution and Autocalibration for Implementing the New USP Chapters on Elemental Impurities, Spectroscopy Magazine, ICP Supplement, November, 2012

• Portable Raman for Raw Material QC: What’s the Return on Investment? November, 2012 issue of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

• Field-Flow-Fractionation Coupled with ICP-MS for the Analysis of Engineered Nanoparticles in Environmental Samples, September, 2012 issue of Spectroscopy magazine

•  Complex Human Biological Samples by ICP-MS, July, 2012 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine, 

• Optimization of an Analytical Method for the Determination of Trace Metals in Urine by ICP-MS Coupled with a Dynamic Reaction Cell, January, 2012 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine 

• Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Foodstuffs Produced in China: The Role of ICP-MS, November, 2011 issue of Applications of ICP and ICP-MS Techniques for Today's Spectroscopists (Supplement to Spectroscopy Magazine)

• Analysis of Toxic Trace Metals in Pet Foods Using Cryogenic Grinding and Quantitation by ICP-MS, Part II, February 2011 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine

• Analysis of Toxic Trace Metals in Pet Foods Using Cryogenic Grinding and Quantitation by ICP-MS, January 2011 issue of Spectroscopy Magazine

• Comparison of Different Sample Preparation Procedures for the Determination of RoHS/WEEE Regulated Elements in Printed Circuit Boards and Electrical Components by X-Ray Fluorescence - Spectroscopy, April, 2010

• A Novel Sample Preparation Approach to Increase the Throughput of Pesticide Analysis by LC–MS-MS - LC/GC, July, 2009

• Using ICP-MS for Environmental Trace Metal Detection - Lab Manager, June, 2008

• ICP-MS Plays a Vital Role in the Investigation of Lead Levels in a Public School System’s Drinking Water Supply - Controlled Environments, May, 2007

• Optimization of a High Sample Throughput Method for the Determination of Trace Nutrients in Agricultural Soil Samples Using ICP-OES - Applications of ICP and ICP-MS Techniques for Today's Spectroscopist, Oct, 2006

• New Developments in Wavelength Dispersive XRF and XRD for the Analysis of Foodstuffs and Pharmaceutical Materials - Spectroscopy, Sept 2006

• Advances in the Separation and Detection of As, Cr, and Se Species in Potable Waters Using HPLC Coupled with Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS - Current Trends in Mass Spectroscopy, May, 2006

• Biodiesel: Renewable and Biodegradable Fuel - Hydrocarbon Processing, Feb, 2006

• Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Used Engine Oils - Estimating Base Number - Practicing Oil Analysis, Nov/Dec, 2005 

• On-Line Remote Sampling of an ICP Mass Spectrometer to Monitor Trace Metal Contamination Levels in Semiconductor Process Chemical Baths - Semiconductor Manufacturing, July, 2005

• Harsh Environments Dictate Design of Imaging Spectrometers - Laser Focus World, August, 2005

• Reducing the Impact of Spectral Interferences on the Determination of Precious Metals in Geological Matrices Using DRC-ICP-MS - Currents Trends in Mass Spectrometry, May, 2005

• Oil Analysis and Preventive Maintenance -  Plant Engineering, May, 2005

• Using Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS to Determine the Full Suite of Elements in Rainwater Samples - Spectroscopy, Jan, 2005

• Meeting The Demands of the Next Generation Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometers - NASA Tech Briefs, Jan, 05

• Reduction of Carbon-Based Interferences in Organic Compound Analysis by Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP MS - Spectroscopy, Sept, 2004

• A Coupled Technique to Improve Protein Yield Measurements - PharmaGenomics, Oct, 2003

• Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS for the Analysis of Semiconductor Materials - Analytical Chemistry, A-Page Article, Oct. 1, 2003

• Achieving High Trace Element Purity Levels Using Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS - Micro Magazine, April, 2003

• The Benefits of Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS for the Analysis of High Purity Sulfuric and Phosphoric Acid - Spectroscopy, Jan, 2003

• A Statistical Approach to Reporting Uncertainty on Certified Values of Chemical Reference Materials - Spectroscopy, September, 2002

• Physiomics and Drug Discovery - Modern Drug Discovery, July, 2002

• Implementing Enhanced ICP-MS Technology to Attain SEMI Grade 5 Purity Levels - MICRO, January, 2002

• Determining the Link between Trace Elements and Human Disease - Today's Chemist at Work, January, 2002

• A Beginner's Guide to ICP-MS - Monthly Tutorial Spectroscopy -  April, 2001 to December, 2002

• A Beginner's Guide to ICP-MS Wall Poster - Spectroscopy, February, 2001

• Solid Sampling Tool Finally Reaches Maturity: What Drove the Development of Laser Sampling for Atomic Spectroscopy? - Spectroscopy, Feb, 2001

• Recent Developments in LC-MS-MS for the Identification and Measurement of Nanoscale Amounts of Proteins and Peptides - Spectroscopy, January, 2001

• Oil Analysis Prevents Paralysis: Monitoring Engine Lubrication Can Help Avoid Wear and Breakdown - Today's Chemist at Work, Oct, 2000

• Money to Burn: Consider What it Costs to Run Your Trace Element Analysis - Today's Chemist at Work, September, 2000

• Early Detection of Cervical Cancer - Modern Drug Discovery, July/Aug 2000

• Beta Test Site Proves Mass Spec's Mettle - Today’s Chemist at Work, February, 2000  

• Choosing the Right Trace Element Technique –Today’s Chemist at Work, October, 1999

• An Overview of Clinical Applications by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry – Atomic Spectroscopy, July/Aug, 1998

• Uses and Applications of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in the Petrochemical Industry – Spectroscopy, February, 1998

• A New Approach to Extending the Dynamic Range in ICP Mass Spectrometry – Spectroscopy, February, 1997

• Benefits of a Dual-View ICP-OES for the Determination of Boron, Phosphorus and Sulfur in Low Alloy Steels - Atomic Spectroscopy, May/June, 1996

• Determining Critical Trace Elements in High Purity Hydrochloric Acid by ICP-MS Alone - Microcontamination, March, 1996

• Benefits of a Microconcentric Nebulizer for the Multielement Analysis of Small Sample Volumes by ICP-MS - Atomic Spectroscopy, Sept/Oct, 1995

• Relying on ICP-MS for Routine Analysis - Environmental Laboratory, Feb/March, 1994

• The Benefits of Electrothermal Vaporization for Minimizing Interferences in ICP-MS - Spectroscopy, January, 1994

• The Benefits of a Multiparameter Optimization Algorithm for the Analysis of Difficult Samples by ICP-OES - Spectroscopy,  February, 1990

• Use of a Commercial Software Package with ICP-OES to Report Inorganic CLP Data to the US EPA - Atomic Spectroscopy, Nov/Dec, 1989

• Comparison of a Pumped Drain System with a Conventional Drain on the Perkin-Elmer Plasma II ICP-OES - Atomic Spectroscopy, May/June, 1989

• Evaluation of an Ultrasonic Nebulizer Using a Sequential ICP - Atomic Spectroscopy, March/April, 1989