Faculty & Staff

Dr. H. M. 'Skip' Kingston
Professor

B.S., M.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., The American University
(15 years research experience in Analytical & Environmental Chemistry at NIST)
Analytical & Environmental Chemistry

My research interests include investigation in the development of fundamental methods in environmental and analytical chemistry. The research group is currently actively involved in:

• Microwave-Enhanced Analytical Chemistry
• Speciated Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (SIDMS)
• Sample Preparation and Introduction Method Development
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Elemental and Ultra-Trace and Clean Chemical Analysis
• Environmental Analysis Method Development
• Elemental and Species Chromium and Mercury Analysis and Method Development
• Laboratory Automation, Expert Systems and Quality Assurance
 
Microwave-Enhanced Analytical Chemistry
A focused effort continues in the investigation of microwave sample decomposition and microwave-enhanced chemical reactions. The research group continues to investigate fundamental models that permit a theoretical prediction of power absorption in molecular interactions and new applications. This research has led to new laboratory instrumentation, the development standard methods in the semi-conductor industry, clinical chemistry and analytical chemistry. We received the 1987 R&D 100 Award for the development of this field of Analytical Chemistry. We have authored approximately 10 national and international standard methods and the two ACS Professional Reference books on the subject Microwave-Enhanced Chemistry, 1988 and 1997.
 
Speciation Analysis of Environmentally Important Elemental Species
Analysis of elemental species in materials including environmental samples is a focus of our research and we have developed a new national standard reference method for the EPA SIDMS. The development of this new area received a 1995 patent and the 1996 R&D 100 Award for its invention.
 
Sample Preparation for Modern Instrumental and Environmental Analysis
The area of sample preparation is a rather unique specialty in analytical chemistry. It was developed during my 15 years as a practicing research analytical chemist at the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST old NBS). Analytical instrumentation has advanced tremendously in the last five decades, however most of the sample preparation technology is over 30 to 150 years old. This reminds me of a Star Trek episode where the actors are stuck in two time separated parallel dimensions. My research interests frequently focus on the modernizing of sample preparation for instrumental analysis. Many unique research problems are addressed in this effort to develop modern answers to traditional analytical problems.
See also the SamplePrep Web™ web site on sample preparation.
 
Industry, Government Laboratory and University Research Collaborations
We actively participate in research collaborations with industry, government laboratories and universities in many of our research projects. Many of our developments are commercialized and can be purchased after their development. These efforts to date have founded two fields in analytical chemistry: Microwave-Enhanced Analytical Chemistry and Speciated Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry. Both of these areas are now nationally approved EPA standard methods and the basis for many other standard methods.
 
Courses and Educational Interests:
• CHEM 505, ESM 552, Environmental Chemistry
• CHEM 501, ESM 662, Microwave Enhanced Chemistry: General and Environmental Applications (Also an ACS sponsored professional development course through the office of continuing education)
• ESM 551 Introduction to Environmental Science
• CHEM 421, Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 560, Advanced Instrumental Analysis
• CHEM 661, Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry

Class Material

ESM 595
ESM 597
ESM 591
ESM 552
ESM 551
ESM 540
ESM 550

Awards: R&D 100 Awards, 87, 89, 96, Bronze Medal, NIST Applied Research, Duquesne University President's Award for Excellence in Scholarship, (others)
Publications: Over 100 publications, papers, chapters, books, standard methods.
Patents: 92, 93, 95, 98, 99, Others pending
National and International Standard Analysis Methods: Over 10 methods
Information, Publications, Presentations, Grants, Graduate Students, Research Interests, Committees.
Certification of Standard Reference Materials: Over 100
Professional Committee, Boards and Participation
 
Major Books: ACS Professional Reference Book:
Kingston, H. M. Skip and Haswell, Steve, Eds., Microwave Enhanced Chemistry: Fundamentals, Sample Preparation, and Applications, ACS Professional Reference Book Series, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1997.
 
Office Phone: (412) 396-5564 and 5359
Fax: 412 396-4013
Email:kingston@duq.edu