October 26,2002

Dispersion Staining: Fundamentals Revisited
Gary Laughlin

Dispersion Staining (DS) is an inexpensive technique for identifying particles or fibers by light microscopy. With a simple attachment for the conventional microscope and by making use of the Christiansen effect, it becomes possible to impart colors on the borders of colorless microscopic particles. This workshop will explore the advantages of DS and its use as an analytical tool.

Bio Sketch

Dr. Laughlin received his B.S. in Criminalistics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is currently Senior Research Microscopist and Instructor at McCrone Research Institute where, since 1987, he has personally taught over 200 one-week courses in microscopy to nearly 3000 students.

He is a Life Member and former President of SMSI, a Fellow in the Royal Microscopical Society, and a Member of the American Chemical Society. He is also a Visiting Professor at Cornell University where he teaches Chemical Microscopy for the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Human Ecology, Textiles and Apparel, and the Cornell Architectural Conservation Group.