96-12-03 Grad Student Wins Invention Award

OHIO STATE STUDENT WINS PRIZE FOR INVENTION

     COLUMBUS -- An Ohio State University graduate student won an 
honorable mention in the sixth annual BFGoodrich Collegiate 
Inventors Program. The student, Jun Zhao of Columbus (43202), 
devised a new kind of Raman spectrometer, a laboratory instrument 
that analyzes and identifies chemicals.

     "I feel very happy and flattered to receive this honor," 
Zhao said. "Raman spectroscopy is experiencing a major 
renaissance due to recent technological advances, and I hope that 
my research will be a nice addition to this exciting event."

     Spectrometers analyze the colors of the spectrum that emerge 
when light passes through a molecule of a chemical sample. 
Because each chemical creates a unique set of colors, researchers 
can use the spectrum to identify a substance.

     Raman spectrometers often identify pharmaceuticals. Because 
the devices can obtain spectra through fiber optic cables, they 
enable remote inspection of the contents of petroleum pipelines 
and hazardous waste tanks. Previous research by Zhao's advisor, 
Richard L. McCreery, professor of chemistry at Ohio State, proved 
that Raman spectrometers also detect breast cancer in tissue 
biopsy samples.

     "I am very thankful to my advisor for all his support, 
encouragement, and wonderful ideas," Zhao said. "I hope that one 
day our invention will be introduced to the commercial market, 
and benefit both the manufacturers and users of Raman 
spectrometers." Ohio State is currently working with Chromex, 
Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to commercialize the new design.

     Zhao's invention combines the hardware of two common types 
of Raman spectrometer into a single unit that provides better 
reliability, sensitivity, and resolution. The new, more rugged 
model suits work outside the laboratory.

     Zhao grew up in Donghe, China, a small village near Beijing, 
and received a bachelor's degree in chemical physics from the 
University of Science and Technology of China in 1992. He earned 
a master's degree in chemical physics at Ohio State in 1994, and 
is now working toward a doctorate in analytical chemistry.

     The National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inventure Place, 
located in Akron, administers the Collegiate Inventors Program, 
which receives its funding from the BFGoodrich Company, also of 
Akron. The program spotlights the best inventions of students in 
colleges and universities across the US. Zhao received a $100 
cash prize for the honorable mention.

     Zhao's achievement marks the fourth time in six years that 
an Ohio State student has won an award or honorable mention in 
the competition.

                             #

Contact:  Jun Zhao, (614) 292-4360; 
          Jzhao@chemistry.ohio-state.edu
          Richard L. McCreery, (614) 292-2021; Mccreery.1@osu.edu


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Tue, 3 Dec 1996 09:39:15 -0500 (EST)]
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