Webinar Description
Hosted by: ACerS Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia Section
Friday, May 30, 2025; 12p.m. – 1p.m. Eastern US time
Sponsored by the ACerS Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia Section, the April webinar will feature one speaker: Microanalytical Approaches Analyzing Ceramics and Glass in Cultural Heritage
DESCRIPTION
Microanalytical Approaches Analyzing Ceramics and Glass in Cultural Heritage
In cultural heritage, two common research challenges are “the need to tell the most from limited sample size” or “the need communicate microanalysis in relation to non-destructive techniques (like X-ray Fluorescence, XRF)”. The first part of the lecture will show how valuable information can still be gained from limited sample sizes. Examples of this have been applied to ceramic/glass projects of Muybridge glass intrapositives plates, Egyptian Blue, and early European porcelain that will be presented. The second part of the lecture, I will share how at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute we have done research to apply the use of micro-XRF within an scanning electron microscope (SEM) to provenance obsidian mirror tablets, study an iron age glass, and how the application of micro-XRF within an SEM helps us as scientists in the museum world complement data collected by non-destructive technique like XRF.
BIOGRAPHIES
Thomas Lam, Physical Scientist, Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
Thomas has B.S and M.S. in ceramic engineering and a Ph.D in ceramics from Alfred University. During his PhD, Thomas also worked at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (2008-2011). After his PhD, Thomas completed a postdoc at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). At NIST, Thomas worked on projects developing methodologies to visualize and characterize 3D nanostructures. Thomas was a Sr. Research Specialist at the Electron Microscopy Core Facility at the University of Missouri from 2014-2015. At the University of Missouri, he worked with the students and faculty to apply electron microscopy research to their projects. Thomas joined the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) in 2016. Thomas is in the Technical Studies group at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI). As a Physical Scientist, Thomas specializes in materials characterization on materials in cultural heritage field. Specifically, Thomas works on projects revolving around applying scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), cathodoluminescence (CL), X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF or portable XRF), or microfade testing (MFT) and color measurements.
REGISTRATION
Register here.
ACerS member: no cost; ACerS GGRN and Material Advantage student member: no cost
Non-member: $30; Non-member student: $15
If you have any questions, please contact Vicki Evans.
This webinar is brought to you by the ACerS Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia Section.
