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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T171500
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SUMMARY:Saints Talk -- Dr Graham Bruce
DESCRIPTION:Development is delighted to invite you to the next instalment in the Saints Talk series from Dr Graham Bruce, on 'Drink, drugs and toxic books - recent adventures in spectroscopic sensing'.    Graham Bruce is a senior researcher and laboratory manager in the University's Optical Manipulation Group. A graduate of St Andrews (MPhys 2007, PhD 2012) his main expertise lies in harnessing light for measurement applications. Over the past two decades, he has applied this to a variety of topics, including developing techniques for Quantum Technologies, in Biophotonics investigations such as assessing the health of developing embryos, and applied spectroscopy projects including whisky authentication and detecting toxic pigments in historical books. Graham's work has been recognised by major awards including STEM for Britain and the Museums and Heritage Awards.    By measuring the light scattered by everyday objects, we can uncover hidden details about their composition, and assess whether they are safe to consume, use or even touch. In this talk, Graham will discuss how spectroscopic sensing is helping tackle three different challenges.    First, he'll look at how whisky and other alcoholic drinks can be authenticated through sealed packaging, addressing a counterfeiting problem that costs EU governments an estimated €1.2 billion annually in lost revenue. Next, he'll travel to Ghana, where portable spectroscopy is being used to detect substandard and falsified medicines, an issue affecting 10.5% of pharmaceuticals in low and middle-income countries, and up to 80% in parts of West Africa.    Finally, he'll delve into the world of Victorian bookbinding, where vivid green book covers can be revealed to contain toxic pigments. Hundreds of thousands of these books have been withdrawn from public access as a precaution, but new portable instruments now allow safe volumes to be screened and returned to circulation. Through these examples, Graham explores how light-based sensing techniques can illuminate hidden risks and help protect public health, heritage and consumer trust.    Following the talk, attendees can ask questions in a live Q&A session. https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/saints-talk-dr-graham-bruce/
LOCATION:Online
URL:https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/saints-talk-dr-graham-bruce/
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