(openPR) - Woburn, MA, July 30, 2008 -- Congratulations to Forensic Science Program Graduate Research Student, Lindsay Carbone, and her Faculty Advisor, Assistant Professor Brian J Gestring, in the Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, on receiving an Innov-X Systems Academic & Research Relations Grant Award. Ms. Carbone’s research project, Evaluating the Presence and Dangers Associated with Heavy Metals in Commonly Encountered Consumer Products, is being carried out in Allentown, Pennsylvania. According to Ms. Carbone, “this study will evaluate the presence of lead as well as cadmium and cobalt on the surfaces of numerous consumer products.” Her research team will accomplish this through a two step process. “The items will first be screened for the presence of lead with Portable XRF. Samples will then be collected from positively screened samples and allowed to sit in human saliva for a fixed period of time.” Ms. Carbone then plans to use atomic absorption spectroscopy to quantify the heavy metals that actually leach into saliva, as those results are likely to be in concentrations lower than parts per million.

Portable XRF provides fast and simple in-situ elemental analysis of Mg through U, from PPM to high percentage levels. In a matter of seconds, it allows simultaneous measurements of up to 25 elements. The Innov-X Academic Relations Program encourages and supports research into applications where in-situ XRF measurements expand or enhance a knowledge base. It puts the power of portable XRF in researchers’ hands allowing them to take it to the field, where it really counts. Innov-X Academic Research Grants include the loan of an analyzer, technical training and/or consultation, and sponsorship at a technical conference to present the research findings. To learn more or to apply for a grant, visit our website at www.innovxsys.com/en/company/academic.

Media/PR Contact:
e-mail: pr@innovxsys.com
Carrie-Ann Doucette, Dir Corp MarCom

Academic Relations Contact:
e-mail: academic_relations@innovxsys.com
Kimberley Russell, Dir Academic Relations

About Innov-X Systems
Innov-X Systems, founded in 2001, is the global leader in rapid, in-situ XRF measurements. Innov-X takes the solution right to the source, providing real-time, non-destructive analysis where the answer is needed the most. This full suite of on-site XRF products from Innov-X provides high performance elemental analysis. Innov-X Systems has the breadth of XRF experience and range of product offerings to provide field-hardened, high performance XRF systems for virtually any location and elemental measurement. Innov-X Systems is a first class global service organization with worldwide operations, sales, and service. Headquartered in the U.S. with R&D and manufacturing facilities, they have offices in Europe and Asia. In addition, sales and service (including installation & training) is available in over 100 countries.

Working today – a vision toward tomorrow.

More company information is available at www.innovxsys.com/copr.
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