At Olympus, our application engineers are sources of invaluable knowledge and support. To offer a better understanding of what they do, we’re profiling some of our team members, starting with our analytical instruments (ANI) division. First, we introduced you to Dillon McDowell, a specialist in X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and then to Andrew Cardamone, an XRF and XRD application engineer. Alex Thurston is another one of our experts in XRF, overseeing such products as the Vanta™ handheld analyzer series. Learn a bit about Alex in this Q & A:
Q: What is your day-to-day role at Olympus?
Alex: My day-to-day role includes solving technical global support issues for both salespeople and end users, using ANI products in a wide variety of ways. This can be in the form of dataset analysis, working with software to fix any bugs, or remotely supporting instruments in the field. In addition to solving field-related issues, I help make sure that any newly developed software or features are meeting desired improvements in our instruments.
Q: What is your educational and professional background?
Alex: I have both a bachelors and Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering. I started my professional career working as a metallurgist for some of the largest metal processing companies in North America. From there I continued into electronics manufacturing and high-alloy metal casting. Throughout these experiences, I utilized highly specific technical testing and analytical equipment, which provided a great basis for the ANI product lines I now deal with.
Q: How did you get involved in materials science and XRF?
Alex: I always had an interest in making things from scratch and understanding how products we use in our daily lives were made from the world we live in. That basic curiosity translated into choosing materials science as a major, where I could learn how to process and utilize materials in nearly any industrial process.
Q: What types of projects do you work on at Olympus?
Alex: My longer term projects involve validation and testing of new ANI products in terms of customer performance expectations. My group is the link between taking customer-related field feedback and translating that into actionable items to the software and R teams.
Q: What is a little-known fact about XRF technology you think is interesting?
Alex: I think the idea that X-ray fluorescence largely behaves as XRF no matter where it is in the universe is a neat aspect of the technology. It can be operated in a vacuum, in air, underwater, and even on Mars, and it will still provide relevant information to the operator.
Q: Do you have a favorite niche XRF application?
Alex: The biggest market for XRF is metals analysis. Many metals have high values in the market today, leading to unscrupulous aspects of buying and selling these materials. XRF is a valued tool in quickly determining the true makeup and composition of metals in seconds, helping to avoid issues like counterfeiting.
Q: What do you like about your job?
Alex: Being able to say “Yeah, we can do that.” That statement covers a lot, from tough analysis applications, to being able to use ANI instruments in a multitude of working environments.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
Alex: Traveling with my family, cooking, and music-related activities.
Q: Do you have any tips for Vanta XRF users?
Alex: Keep your windows clean, your batteries charged, and the instrument close to the sample!
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