Name:
Francis J Schwende
Country:
USA
City:
Fort Collins
State/Province:
CO
ACS Member:
Member
Local Section:
L558,Colorado
International Chapter:
Technical Division Membership:
Technical Division Membership Emeritus:
Subdivision Member:
ACS Activities:
Company/Institution Name:
Career Stage:
Professional
Research and Special Interests:
Most recently, while working for the EPA: Implementing and maintaining ASTM SFC methods D5186 and D6550. Nothing is simple if you are starting from scratch. The diesel method finally runs fine, but I had to learn how to de-tune the FID to shift the response curve to accommodate the sample load. D6550 in our lab uses another instrument with a very tweaky autosampler. The devil is in the details!
While at the EPA I became familiar with the JEOL AccuTOF and applied this instrument to the resolution of a problem with a DNPH derivative based ketone/aldehyde emissions assay. I also struggled with optimizing the APCI source to provide useful spectra for hydrocarbons - not the way to go!
Area of Expertise:
Semi-retired, actually!
I have broad experience and knowledge of analytical chromatography. Nothing beats the joy of developing a robust analytical method to generate quality data that informs decision making at the project level! I still get excited watching chromatographic peaks being traced out in real time on a monitor (or red ink on a strip chart - remember those?). GC, HPLC, SFC with all the hyphenations for dectectors (UV, FID, MS, TOFMS, etc.).
After 23 years in bioanalytical chemistry, acquiring a knowledge of pharmacokintetics through OJT and formal courses, including some NONMEM and PD, I branched out to performing SFC for fuel analyses, and particulate matter extraction assay development for high mw residues using exact mass determinations on a TOF MS (JEOL AccuTOF).
Just to shake things up, I left fuel analysis and the Midwest and moved to Fort Collins, CO, where I'm hoping to find a way to put my knowledge base and experience to good use.
Years of Expertise:
26 or more