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November 24, 2016 / Vol. 52 No. 33 westernnews.ca PM 41195534 Western’s newspaper of record since 1972 2016 YEAR IN PHOTOS FRANK NEUFELD // WESTERN NEWS PAGES 5-9 2 westernnews.ca Western News November 24, 2016 westernnews.ca Western News November 24, 2016 3 Research Campus and Community Laboratory celebrates anniversary Neurology resident sleuths self Western News (ISSNO316- 8654), a publication of West- ern University’s Department of of looking below the surface Communications and Public Affairs, is published every Thurs- into Times column contest fame day throughout the school year BY PAUL MAYNE and operates under a reduced schedule during December, May, June, July and August. or researchers at Surface Science Western, a An award-winning weekly news- surface profilometer, a dynamic secondary ion paper and electronic news ser- mass spectrometer and a scanning electron vice, Western News serves as microscope with energy dispersive X-ray capa- the university’s newspaper of Fbilities all have been in a day’s work for the last 35 years. record. The publication traces its roots to The University of The consulting and research laboratory specializes Western Ontario Newsletter, a in the analysis and characterization of surfaces and one-page leaflet-style publica- materials. This year, the lab marks 35 years of helping tion which debuted on Sept. high-profile clients across a range of industry sectors, 23, 1965. The first issue of the including energy, mineral resources, health services, Western News, under found- automotive, aerospace, environmental and electron- ing editor Alan Johnston, was published on Nov. 16, 1972 ics, to name a few. replacing the UWO Times and “We’re about helping manufacturers solve their Western Times. Today, West- problems,” said Gary Good, Surface Science West- ern News continues to provide ern Operations Manager, who will deal with close to timely news, information and 200 different commercial companies each year. “They a forum for discussion of post- send stuff they make, such as an auto supplier, that secondary issues in the campus and broader community. could have a paint defect or a flaw, and we go about getting them answers.” Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Transporta- tion sought the expertise of Surface Science Western (SSW) and its 13 full-time staff to determine what WESTERN NEWS caused bolts holding the cable-stayed Nipigon River PAUL MAYNE // WESTERN NEWS WesternNews.ca Bridge to fail just two months after opening. That Westminster Hall, Suite 360 failure allowed the steel decking to separate and rise Surface Science Western operations manager Gary Good, left, and Research and Business Western University up. Researchers determined component design and Development manager Mark Biesinger show off an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, one of London, ON N6A 3K7 improperly tightened bolts caused the failure. the many instruments the laboratory has been using for the past 35 years in their analysis and Telephone 519 661-2045 Fax 519 661-3921 “The variety of stuff is amazing,” Good said. “It’s characterization of surfaces and materials. pretty cool the sort of things you can get involved PUBLISHER with here.” Helen Connell [email protected], Chemistry professor emeritus Stewart McIntrye, This self-sustaining setup has helped SSW renew While a large component of the work being done 519 661-2111 Ext. 85469 former director of Surface Science Western for 24 and upgrade the instrumentation needed to keep at Surface Science Western involves industry, there years, said the lab is one of the few original university/ the lab competitive. Over the last couple of years, have been few instances where a handful of odd EDITOR industry surface science labs left standing. they have spent more than $300,000 on items such items – such as cow’s teeth and mummified remains Jason Winders “In these days of transitory relationships and as an infrared spectrometer and part of a raman – have made their way into the facilities, now located [email protected], short-lived organizations, it is noteworthy that Surface spectrometer. at Western’s Research Park. 519 661-2111 Ext. 85465 Science Western has endured for 35 years, through a In the last decade, Surface Science Western “I’ve looked at bits of mummies from side shows REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER procession of academic trends and directions, as well researchers have co-authored 200 publications. in the old west and from Peru, to remains from the Paul Mayne as during economic times that were both opportune Work from the facility has led to more than 300 other Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi man (Canadian Ice Man) who [email protected], and difficult,” McIntyre said at a recent celebration papers involving SSW-trained students. was buried out in B.C.,” said Biesinger, noting he’s 519 661-2111 Ext. 85463 marking the lab’s anniversary. “We’ll discuss the problem with the client, receive looked at every part of a car in his 24 years at Surface Approximately 80 per cent of the operating capital the samples, conduct a range of surface analysis tech- Science Western. “Anything that is a material and has REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER for Surface Science Western comes from consulting niques, depending on the problem, look at the outer a surface, we’ve probably done.” Adela Talbot [email protected], and research revenue from industries across from the few nanometers of that surface to look for contamina- It is this variety that keeps Good, who has been at 519 661-2111 Ext. 85464 city and around the world, said Mark Biesinger, Sur- tion, or perhaps changes in chemistry should there SSW for almost three decades, anticipating each new face Science Western Manager of Research and Busi- be oxidation,” said Biesinger, who was introduced to day in the office. PRODUCTION DESIGNER ness Development. Other funding support comes Surface Science Western as a fourth-year Chemistry “It’s been so interesting because you never know, Frank Neufeld from government grants and contracts, as well as the student in 1991. “There are so many layers that we from one day to the next, what’s coming through the [email protected], Faculty of Science. look at. We’re problem solvers.” door,” he said. PAUL MAYNE // WESTERN NEWS 519 661-2111 Ext. 89334 Adrian Budhram has a knack for EDITORIAL SERVICES the quick diagnosis. The third- COORDINATOR year Neurology resident is a BY PAUL MAYNE real-life patient and asks them to consider their out the column last year after friends said he Angie Wiseman three-time winner of the Think story and symptoms, along with medical records, might enjoy it. He gave it a shot a few times, but [email protected], in order to come up with a diagnosis. Readers with his hectic schedule in residency, he cannot 519 661-2111 Ext. 81530 BEST BETS Like a Doctor monthly feature 63-year-old painter developed head- are provided with all the information and images tackle it every month. He has used his medical in the New York Times. He aches that have become increasingly available to the doctor who made the initial know-how about six or seven times in an attempt ADVERTISING has won back-to-back months, Chris Amyot, Campus Ad Visit the Western Events Calendar at www.events.westernu.ca for a full look at the week ahead. devastating, to the point where he diagnosis. to be the first to the diagnosis. [email protected], prompting long-time columnist becomes withdrawn, forgetful and eas- If the idea sounds familiar, Sanders column, “Once I got it but was not the first one. There 519 434-9990 Dr. Lisa Sanders to joke she may Aily angered. When struck with them, he goes from which she has written for 14 years, was the inspi- have been a couple times you’re humbled have to initiate a ‘let others play’ painting beautiful landscapes to dark images of ration for the Emmy-nominated medical drama because you think you know what’s going on and POSTAL RECOVERY NOV. 25 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Social Science Centre, Room 9420 NOV. 30 12:30 p.m., Talbot College, Paul Davenport Theatre rule when it comes to Budhram. serpents and half-destroyed houses. House. then – nope,” said the 26-year-old. “You’re really $50 Canada, $65 United States, | | Can you explain why? Adrian Budhram can. “I hope people like reading the column for the dealing with a puzzle and you’re not sure if all the $85 Other The third-year Neurology resident has a knack same reason I like writing them – because it’s cool pieces are supposed to fit or not. Then you see POST OFFICE for the quick diagnosis. A three-time winner of the to be the detective on the case to solving a mystery how others attached them together and you see Please do not forward. Think Like a Doctor monthly feature in the New – a mystery you know saved, or at least improved, what pieces matter and how you might have been Return to Western News, York Times, he has won back-to-back months, someone’s life,” said Sanders, an assistant clinical focusing on the wrong piece. Western University, London, prompting long-time columnist Dr. Lisa Sanders professor of internal medicine and education at “Just reading through some of the other ideas, Ontario N6A 3K7 with new to joke she may have to initiate a ‘let others play’ Yale School of Medicine.“ And the fact they really there are a lot of different thoughts you see, address when possible. rule when it comes to Budhram. are true cases makes it even better.” depending on what part of the world they might “It’s a matter of recognizing things and spend- Budhram also won the October diagnosis of be from.