| Analytical Chemistry is the qualitative, quantitative and structural measurement of chemical species. Such measurements are made, for example, to establish the purity of pharmaceuticals or the quality of our food, to ensure that our environment is clean and to provide forensic evidence in criminal and sporting investigations. This Master Class was be, as always, a whole day session aimed at bringing teams of science teachers up to date in science: in this case the current and future aspects of analytical chemistry. Our speakes were: • Steve Maynard from HFL Ltd. who discussed current methods and practices for the forensic analysis of ultratrace levels of drugs in the world of horseracing. HFL Ltd. is based in Newmarket and is the world-leading laboratory in this field. It provides forensic evidence for bodies worldwide in the detection of drugs used to affect sporting performance. Techniques for detection, such as gas and liquid chromatographies, and mass spectrometry, were covered along with some case histories. • Dr. Andrew Mayes (CHEM, UEA) discussed the use of holograms for the development of chemical sensors (see below), and • Dr. David Russell (CHEM, UEA) discussed the use of biological molecules for the detection of analytes in both environmental and biomedical fields (see below). Both Andrew Mayes and David Russell are developing sensors that will enable analytical measurements to be made at the point of interest – i.e where the sample is collected, rather than back in the laboratory, e.g. measuring pollution levels directly in the environment, and measurements made by Doctors in out-patient clinics or even by patients themselves when at home. All participants had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of analytical measurements, e.g. using Fourier Transform Infrared and UV-visible spectrophotometers |
The Afternoon sessions Practical sessions
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