The Materials Technology for Environment Laboratory (MTE lab) focuses on research and development of basic knowledge, technological innovations, and commercialized products via small scale for sustainable environment.
• Waste utilization
• Bio-based products
• Water treatment
• Water test kits for heavy metals
1. Lightweight aggregate (Dr. Pakamard Saewong and Ms.Umaporn Sanewirush):
The material has a closed pore structure for use in place of natural aggregate in light weight concrete members and also in decorative works. It is made from wastes containing oxides of Al, Si and Ca.
2. Hortimedia (Dr. Pakamard Saewong and Ms. Umaporn Sanewirush):
The planting media with high water absorption, low electrical conductivity and excellent strength, are suitable for either soilless culture or for mixing with other media retaining ventilation and hence promoting growth throughout crop cycle.
3. Bio-Filter Media (Dr. Pakamard Saewong and Ms. Umaporn Sanewirush):
The media for biological water treatment, have high porosity and high surface area for functional micro-organisms to live and duplicate sufficiently for the treatment. The media are derived from rice husk ash, bagasse ash and coal ash.
4. Pectin from pomelo peel (Dr. Pawadee Methacanon):
Pectin extracted from pomelo albedo can be used as a gelling agent, thickener, and stabilizer in foods, cosmetics and medical applications. Its properties are equivalent to pectin that Thailand imports in large amounts for use in food industry to manufacture products such as jam, jelly, and yogurt.
5. Environmentally-friendly wood adhesive (Dr. Pawadee Methacanon):
The adhesive is composed of lignin derived from black liquor which is a waste from paper pulp manufacturing. It can be used as a binder to produce fiberboard with adequate strength and low formaldehyde content.
6. Simple water test kits (Dr. Supamas Danwittayakul):
• Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) test kit is used to determine the Cr(VI) concentration in water ranging 10-100 microgram/liter using the reaction of Cr(VI) contaminated in water with the chemical coated on membrane, forming pink-violet color. The concentration of Cr(VI) is then evaluated by comparing the resulted pink-violet color to a color chart. The test kit comes with (1) tested membrane, (2) bottle for water sample, and (3) pre-mix reagent.
• Nickel ion (Ni(II)) test kit used to determine the Ni(II) concentration in water within a 0.5-5.0 milligram/liter via the formation of Ni-complex pink-violet particles. The formed particles are then collected through a filter paper. For evaluation of Ni(II) concentration, the color appeared on the filter paper is compared to a color chart. The test kit contains (1) bottle for water sample, (2) pre-mix reagent, (3) filter paper, (4) filter holder, and (5) syringe.
• Copper ion (Cu(II)) test kit is used to determine the Cu(II) concentration contaminated in water within 0.5-2 milligram/liter by the reaction of Cu(II) with chemical coated on a membrane, forming light blue color. The evaluation of the Cu(II) concentration is achieved by comparing the color appeared with a color chart. The test kit consists of (1) bottle for water sample, (2) pre-mix reagent, (3) membrane, (4) filter holder, and (5) syringe.
1. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) is an instrumental technique, comprising a gas chromatograph (GC) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS), by which complex mixtures of chemicals may be separated, identified and quantified. This makes it ideal for the analysis of relatively low molecular weight compounds found in environmental materials. In order for a compound to be analyzed by GC/MS it must be sufficiently volatile and thermally stable.
1.1 GC-MS/TMD: GC-MS coupled with Thermal desorption unit
1.2 GC-MS-FID/ECD: GC-MS with Flame ionization detector and Electron capture detector
In addition, specific GC-MS techniques such as headspace and SPME (solid phase microextraction) used to identify and/or quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also available.
2. HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) applies to a wide range of applications, such as pharmaceuticals and food analysis. It is especially useful in cases with low or non-volatile organic compounds, which cannot be handled with gas chromatography.
2.1 LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry)
2.2 HPLC with photodiode array detector
3. IC (Ion Chromatography) is a form of liquid chromatography for separating ions based upon their interactions with resin (stationary phase) and the eluent (mobile phase). We have the capability to analyze for a large range of anions (e.g., Fluoride F-, Chloride Cl-, Nitrate NO3-) and cations (Magnesium Mg2+, Calcium Ca2+).
4. FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) covers a wide range of chemical applications, especially for polymers and organic compounds.
5. UV-VIS-NIR (Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared spectroscopy) measures sample’s reflection or transmission by measuring light intensity/absorbency at a specific wavelength that can span 200–2500 nm. The extreme versatility of this instrument permits the acquisition of spectra from almost any type of sample such as clear solution, film, paper.
6. ED-XRF (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence) is the elemental analysis tool for many applications. Our instrument can be used to analyze sodium (Na) through uranium (U). As it also permits the non-destructive analysis of solid, powder, and liquid samples as well as rapid, non-destructive testing for harmful elements in printed circuit boards and other electronic devices.
7. GDS (Glow Discharge Spectroscopy) is an analytical technique used to measure the elemental concentrations (50 elements) of solid materials. This type of analysis is beneficial for studying a material’s composition without changing the chemistry of the sample being analyzed.
8. EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analyzer) is a non-destructive technique to determine chemical composition of small amounts of solid materials.
9. ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) is a popular technique used in trace and ultra-trace elemental analysis. It is an excellent technique for identifying and quantifying elemental constituents in various sample matrices including polymers/plastics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metals, and consumer products.
9.1 Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
9.2 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Materials Technology for Environment Laboratory (MTE Lab)
Phone : 0 2564 6500 Ext. 4369-4370
Fax : 0 2564 6402
