Dr. Paul Iacomi, SMS Research Manager, Secures £1.2M Future Leaders Fellowship
Dr. Paul IACOMI, Research Manager at Surface Measurement Systems, has been selected for the prestigious Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF), a program designed to foster and support talented individuals across various research and innovation environments.
The FLF initiative, backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is aimed at developing the next generation of world-class leaders in academia and business. It is a highly competitive, multi-phase process. There have been only 75 future leaders fellows this year, with only 3 FLF grants awarded to researchers in private institutions. This fellowship not only provides a platform for early career researchers and innovators but also serves as an opportunity for UK academic and commercial organizations to cultivate and attract top-tier talent.
A Forward-Looking FellowshipDr. IACOMI, known for his contributions in the field of sorption, porous materials and carbon capture, will be utilizing the £1.2M fellowship to tackle an ambitious and R&D initiative over the next four years. The research project targets challenges in characterizing complex porous materials, proposing the integration of alternative technological approaches with traditional sorption techniques. Their hyphenation will provide simultaneous physicochemical and kinetic descriptors, meaning the combined instrument has the potential to revolutionize sorption instrumentation, offering insights into diffusion, pore filling, and molecular mobility. This innovative hyphenation aims to enhance material understanding, with applications spanning material characterisation, carbon capture, cement drying, polymer hydration, environmental remediation, and water harvesting. The collaboration leverages Surface Measurement Systems’ 30 years of experience in gravimetric sorption devices, making the proposed instrument a cost-effective and versatile solution for addressing critical challenges in energy, the environment, and manufacturing, together with collaborators from UK and International universities. |
Who are Surface Measurement Systems?Surface Measurement Systems specialize in the development and engineering of advanced instrumentations and innovative experimental techniques for the physicochemical characterization of complex solids. With over 30 years’ experience in the field, SMS have developed a range of groundbreaking gravimetric sorption analyzers that are favored by sorption researchers across the globe. Offering world-class technical & scientific support to our customers, we are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in sorption science. |
About Surface Measurement Systems
A quick introduction to SMS
Find out more about Surface Measurement Systems
To find out more about Surface Measurement Systems, explore our website further using the link below.
The Fellowship for 2024 will be kicked off at the FLF Annual Conference in February 2024. Find out more using the link below.
A Look at the Carbon Capture Networking Night
Unveiling Success: A Night of Collaboration and Passion for a Sustainable Future!
At this year’s AICHE Conference, SMS hosted an exclusive networking reception centered around Carbon Capture. The event seamlessly united leading researchers in carbon capture, creating an unforgettable evening marked by profound connections and collaborative exchanges with experts in the field.
Prof. Daryl Williams Toasts to Excellence in Carbon Capture Research
Professor Daryl Williams took the stage to deliver a toast during the evening. With enthusiasm, he not only celebrated the latest strides in carbon capture research but also took the moment to acknowledge and announce the prize winners!
Revolutionizing Carbon Capture: The DVS Carbon Steals the Show
The DVS Carbon, prominently featured at the event, emerged as the focal point of discussions and admiration. As a groundbreaking sorption analyzer, the DVS Carbon is tailored for cutting-edge applications in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). This advanced instrument allows precise measurements of CO2 uptake in real-world conditions, offering control over temperature and humidity across a wide range of CO2 concentrations.
IACC-SMS Awards
Early to Mid-Career Researchers
The IACC (International Association for Carbon Capture) and SMS (Surface Measurement Systems) are proud to announce the IACC-SMS Awards for early to mid-career researchers. The award is established to recognise the achievements of researchers in the area of carbon capture and their contributions to carbon neutralisation. An award will be given for each career stage. The winners will be invited to give keynote presentations at one of the IACC conferences in 2024.
International Association for Carbon Capture (IACC)
The International Association for Carbon Capture (IACC) aims to promote carbon capture research and technology development and deployment, thus contributing to reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating climate changes for a better living environment. To achieve this aim, IACC will organise carbon capture conferences, workshops and seminars; promote collaborations between academics, industries and other carbon capture organisations; support early career researchers to carry out cutting-edge research; increase public awareness of the needs of carbon capture and encourage the young generation to consider low-carbon-emissions technologies and behaviour; and contribute to international communication for carbon capture development. IACC is a registered charity in Northern Ireland.
Surface Measurement Systems
Surface Measurement Systems (SMS) is the world leader in sorption science, offering world-class technical and scientific support, and developing and engineering innovative instrumentation for the advanced physiochemical characterisation of complex solids. SMS is now the industry standard for sorption research, working with leading global companies in carbon capture, pharmaceuticals, food, fine chemicals, aerospace, energy, catalysts, filtration, fibers, packaging, and more, which is the first choice in sorption for the world’s leading laboratories.
Find out more about IACC
Sign up now to join the IACC (International Association of Carbon Capture), a global community of researchers passionate about developing innovative solutions to the world’s carbon crisis.
Meet Yassine Nagazi
SMS’ new Local Representative for France
With a background as an instrumentation engineer and a Ph.D. in physics, I’ve embarked on a unique journey to bridge the worlds of science and business. My passion for utilizing my fundamental knowledge to meet the ever-evolving demands of industry has led me to explore a diverse range of subjects and fields, spanning from general chemistry to pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, and cosmetics.
Presently, I have the privilege of serving as the Head of Sales for French-speaking Europe at SMS. In this role, I leverage my technical expertise and commercial acumen to drive innovation and forge meaningful business relationships. My approach blends smart versatility, allowing me to adapt to the complexities of the modern marketplace, with a commitment to maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between innovation and sustainable business practices.
My mission is to harness the power of science and technology to not only meet but exceed the needs of our clients, while contributing to SMS’ vision of a brighter, more sustainable future.
Join me on this exciting journey, where science meets strategy, and innovation paves the way for success.
Yassine Nagazi
Head of Sales, French-speaking Europe
Surface Measurement Systems
[email protected]
Discuss the BTA Frontier
with us at MS&T 2023
The BTA instrument employs Breakthrough Analysis to measure competitive adsorption with flow capture, using a variety of gases, vapors, and sample types. This new instrument can employ single or multi-component adsorbate streams and test breakthrough times when passed along a packed sample column.
A Look at the Carbon Capture Networking Night
Unveiling Success: A Night of Collaboration and Passion for a Sustainable Future!
At this year’s AICHE Conference, SMS hosted an exclusive networking reception centered around Carbon Capture. The event seamlessly united leading researchers in carbon capture, creating an unforgettable evening marked by profound connections and collaborative exchanges with experts in the field.
Prof. Daryl Williams Toasts to Excellence in Carbon Capture Research
Professor Daryl Williams took the stage to deliver a toast during the evening. With enthusiasm, he not only celebrated the latest strides in carbon capture research but also took the moment to acknowledge and announce the prize winners!
Revolutionizing Carbon Capture: The DVS Carbon Steals the Show
The DVS Carbon, prominently featured at the event, emerged as the focal point of discussions and admiration. As a groundbreaking sorption analyzer, the DVS Carbon is tailored for cutting-edge applications in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). This advanced instrument allows precise measurements of CO2 uptake in real-world conditions, offering control over temperature and humidity across a wide range of CO2 concentrations.
2:30pm | Thurs 28th September
Applications of DVS Technique to Study Moisture Sorption for Building Materials
Understanding how building materials perform and react to moisture is an essential part of ensuring safety and architectural integrity for construction industries all over the world.
Using DVS, we will demonstrate how our instruments have been employed to provide detailed and accurate insights that are a vital part of the research and development of new building materials.
With a hands-on demonstration of how to use a DVS instrument and a chance to engage our leading scientist with your queries, this is an unmissable opportunity to see the real-world importance of the DVS technique in action.
New starters & promotions
Changes to the SMS team in the last 6 months
It’s been a big Q1/Q2 of 2023 for Surface Measurement Systems. As well as new businesses, new products, and new opportunities, the company has seen a huge amount of new faces joining the team, in additon to a stream of promotion for internal staff.
We want to celebrate all our new & progressing staff below, and look forward to helping all members of the SMS family grow and develop in the future!
New Team members
Internal Progressions
SMS Intranet
A new tool for staff
Please watch this video on recent improvements made to the SMS Intranet (hosted by sharepoint) that will make your everyday work a little easier.
The intranet itself can be accessed at: https://smsuk.sharepoint.com/
We strongly recommend you bookmark this site.
A Message from HR
After six months as our Director of Human Resources, Mark Tagliarini wants to share with the team his thoughts on SMS and the future of his ‘people agenda’…
“It feels like just yesterday when I joined SMS, and now, six months have whisked by in the blink of an eye.
From the very beginning, I’ve been impressed by the genuine passion that people bring to their roles and the leadership team’s drive to elevate the business to new heights. Being a part of SMS during a period of such ambitious growth is an exciting opportunity for which I’m truly grateful.
This year has been filled with excitement. Whether it’s been the launch of the new PCL business in India, the introduction of new instruments, new marketing resources – everything has been executed with excellence, underpinning with one of our key values. We’ve welcomed many new faces, observed a high number of well-deserved internal promotions, and even witnessed individuals graduating with flying colours!
I’m eager to evolve the people agenda, and upon reviewing self-appraisals and talking to a good number of you, this year and various staff discussions, a few key themes stood out to me:
Effective Communication and Growth Goals:
Our shared desire for improved communication and goal-setting demonstrates our commitment to collaborative success. Let’s keep those lines open and work together even more effectively.
Balancing Wellbeing and Work:
The importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance is evident from your feedback. It’s a reminder that we’re not just colleagues; we’re individuals with lives beyond these walls. Reflecting on resources such as Medicash encourages us to consider aspects think about things like health and fitness, recreation and emotional wellbeing which are important themes in all of our lives.
Learning and Progress:
The desire for personal development is clear, and this year we’ve observed our highest ever level of internal promotions, highlighting the exceptional caliber and talent within our teams. Let’s continue to explore opportunities for learning and growth together.
As we move forward, I encourage each of you to reach out whenever you have thoughts, concerns, or suggestions. Our journey is a shared one, and your insights are invaluable in shaping our path.
Here’s to many more months of teamwork, achievements, and collective success.
Regards
Mark Tagliarini
HR Director
Surface Measurement Systems
Sorption Science Bulletin
Summer 2023
Staying up to date on the latest findings and insights is vital for researchers, allowing them to employ the best experimental practises and analytical techniques.
Below we have gathered all the relevant studie from 2023 so far to employ the DVS and iGC methods, providing key details on the use of sorption science instrumentation in a research setting.
Dynamic Vapor Sorption
Saenz Cavazos, Paola Alejandra, et al. Evaluating solid sorbents for CO2 capture: Linking material properties and process efficiency via adsorption performance. Frontiers in Energy Research 11: 1167043. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1167043
Conti, Patrick Pires, et al. MIL-101 (Cr)@ QCM and MIL-101 (Cr)@ IDE as Sorbent-Based Humidity Sensors for Indoor Air Monitoring. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c06119
Conti, Patrick P., et al. Metal–organic frameworks for the capture of α-pinene traces. Chemical Communications 59.46 (2023): 7064-7067. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC01724A
Yin, Tiantian, et al. Characterization of sodium and calcium addition on immediate aqueous interactions of binary borate glasses by dynamic vapour sorption with in-situ Raman. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 599 (2023): 121957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2022.121957
Sánchez-Ferrer, Antoni, Max Engelhardt, and Klaus Richter. Anisotropic wood–water interactions determined by gravimetric vapor sorption experiments. Cellulose 30.6 (2023): 3869-3885. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05093-z
Zhao, Xuewei, et al. Discrepancy of Effective Water Diffusivities Determined from Dynamic Vapor Sorption Measurements with Different Relative Humidity Step Sizes: Observations from Cereal Materials. Foods 12.7 (2023): 1470. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12071470
Zhu, Henry, Yasemin D. Aktas, and Dina F. D’Ayala. A Study of The Impact of Acrylic Based Surface Waterproofing on The Moisture Behaviour of Brick Masonry Through Dynamic Vapour Sorption (DVS) And Water Absorption Tests. 2nd International Conference on Moisture in Buildings 2023. ScienceOpen, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14293/ICMB230056
Kumari, Sonam, et al. Neuro‐fuzzy interface and mathematical modeling of rehydration kinetics and dynamic vapor sorption behavior of novel no‐cooking rice. Journal of Food Process Engineering 46.4 (2023): e14299. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpe.14299
Tshanga, C. Bukamba, et al. Dynamic vapour sorption isotherms and isosteric heats of sorption of two edible insects (Cirina forda and Rhyncophorus phoenicis). Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (2023): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2022.0080
Manoukian, Lori, et al. Physical and chemical changes to commercial sodium phosphate glasses after aging or dynamic vapor sorption. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 616 (2023): 122422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2023.122422
Yin, Tiantian, et al. Characterization of the anomaly in immediate aqueous interactions of sodium borate glasses by dynamic vapour sorption with in-situ Raman. Ceramics International (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.06.162
Han, Liuyang, et al. Size Effect on Hygroscopicity of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood by Simultaneous Dynamic Vapour Sorption. Forests 14.3 (2023): 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030519
Inverse Gas Chromatography
Kondor, Anett, et al. Correct specific retention volume determination in inverse gas chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A, 1700 (2023): 464009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464009
Shancita, Islam, et al. Demonstrating an altered metal oxidation reaction mechanism correlated with variations in surface energy. Thermochimica Acta, 725 (2023): 179521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2023.179521
Zellnitz-Neugebauer, Sarah, et al. Temperature cycling-induced formation of crystalline coatings. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 632 (2023): 122577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122577
Bai, Wenli, et al. The adsorption kinetics and mechanism of odorous gases onto textile fibers. RSC Sustainability 1.2 (2023): 357-367. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SU00086E
Narayanan, Pavithra, Ryan P. Lively, and Christopher W. Jones. Effect of SO2 on the CO2 Capture Performance of Self-Supported Branched Poly (ethyleneimine) Scaffolds. Energy & Fuels 37.7 (2023): 5257-5269. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c03846
Li, Jingjing, et al. Regulating Chemistry Composition on a Crystal Surface by Introducing a Cation Trapping Agent: A Novel Strategy to Tune Moisture Sensitivity of Crystals. Langmuir 39.23 (2023): 8022-8032. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00007
Hwang, Young Nam, et al. Evolution of the surface energy of BaTiO3 nanoparticles in the course of dispersant coating; An inverse gas chromatography study. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects (2023): 131888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2023.131888
Yu, Hongyao, and Zhongnan Bi. Effect of Particle Surface Roughness on the Flowability and Spreadability of Haynes 230 Powder During Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4505099
