Particle Induced X-Ray Emission for Environmental Analysis - Stephen Po-Chedley
Hometown: Hamburg, New York
Class Year: 2008
Major: Physics Minor: Mathematics, Environmental Studies
Research Advisor: Dr. Scott LaBrake
Project Description:
This summer Stephen optimized the particle accelerator, making necessary repairs and upgrades. Steve also worked on theoretical physics, finishing a computer program that could efficiently carry out precise calculations. Once the accelerator was optimized and the theoretical work complete, tree bark samples were collected near a coal-fired power plant to observe metal contamination from the plant. Although, the element of interest, mercury, was close to the limits-of-detection (one part-per-million), other particulates such as arsenic were clearly present in trees. Further study is needed to see if there is correlation between distance from the plant and heavy metal concentration.