GASG UPDATE - May 2018

The Gas Analysis and Sensing Group (GASG) is a UK-based technology association that acts as a forum for all those interested in gas detection. We bring together sensor, instrumentation and component manufacturers, industrial users, consultants and academics active in the field. GASG’s purpose is to stimulate research and further the development and application of gas sensing techniques. We have been doing this successfully for over 25 years; an achievement based on topical meetings, great speakers and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

We hold three one-day meetings (colloquia) each year at various venues with 6-7 talks on a given topic. They occur in March/April, June/July and early December. Our Early Career Forum, occurring approximately biennially, provides an opportunity for students, graduates, post-docs and career-changers to give short talks or posters on their work. Around a dozen speakers provide an excellent opportunity to catch up on the latest research, together with plenty of networking time and opportunities for members to use this event for recruitment. Members receive a significant discount on meeting registration fees and gain access to our extensive archive of past talks, via the website.

Our previous two meetings were:
• “GASG – the next generation”, an Early Career Forum,  on 15th March 2018 at Chicheley Hall, home of the Kavli Royal Society International  Centre and several peacocks, and our 70th meeting in our 25th year. The meeting attracted a wide range of speakers and had a record attendance. Thirteen speakers presented (including the plenary) which gave the meeting a fast pace with 4 posters on display during lunch. A feature of this forum is that prizes are awarded for the best three presentations. The winners, who received gift vouchers for £100, £75 and £50, were:
    o 1st – Tanya Hutter (Cambridge University), “Miniature optical pathlength technology for Volatile Organic Compounds (MOP-VOC) sensing”.
    o 2nd - Stefanie Kreft (Smiths Detection), “Ion modification for enhanced detection selectivity and reduced false alarm            rates in IMS”.
    o 3rd - Rachel Hough (Liverpool University), “Equine faecal VOCs: methods to extract and biomarkers for tapeworm infection”.
• “Gaseous in the underworld – Gas Detection under Land and Sea” on 7th December 2017 at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), London with seven speakers presenting on subjects relating to mining, tunnelling, London underground, below our streets, submarines, confined space and radon. The Christmas colloquium is our flagship event, always well attended and lively. This topic had a great mix of a variety of applications and technologies and again was extremely well-attended.
Our forthcoming two meetings are:
• “New ideas in gas detection”, 21st June 2018 at The Open University, Milton Keynes. Seven presentations will cover new technologies, space applications and health; there will also be a lunchtime tour around a selection of TOU laboratories.
• “Detectable Me(thane)” (working theme),  6th December 2018 at IET London. This topic is stimulated by the changing supplies of natural gas with alternative fuels proposed for the national grid, the flammable and environmental hazards associated with methane and other hydrocarbons, and renewed interest in tackling industrial leaks as a result of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Details of all our meetings are at http://www.gasg.info. You’ll be most welcome…indeed why not become a member! Please email us for details (see below).