RJ Lee Group

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RJ Lee Group, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryMaterials characterization, industrial forensics, software
FoundedMonroeville, Pennsylvania,
United States (1980 (1980))
FounderRichard J. Lee
Headquarters
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Key people
Richard J. Lee (CEO)

Casey Bunker (COO)
ProductsCCSM
WebSEM
ASCAT
Number of employees
300
Websitewww.rjlg.com Edit this on Wikidata

RJ Lee Group, Inc. is a materials characterization laboratory[1] and industrial forensics consulting firm [2][3] employing more than 300 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff at locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and Pasco, Washington. The company specializes in scientific support of four areas of interest: analytical laboratory testing,[4][5] industrial forensics consultation and failure analysis,[6][7] litigation support,[8][9] and laboratory informatics.[10] RJ Lee Group also offers software for criminal forensics and law enforcement agencies.[11]

History[edit]

In the early 1980s, several employees of the U.S. Steel Technical Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania formed a company that developed techniques to assess air quality. The company, Energy Technology Consultants (ETC), rented time on the electron microscopes at the U.S. Steel facility and eventually developed a technique to identify specific air quality patterns.[12][13] In 1985, Dr. Lee bought out one of the ETC founders and rented space for the company at the Bituminous Coal Research facility in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.[14] In 1986, Dr. Lee formed RJ Lee Group, Inc., and within six months, the company accepted its first litigation project, which used transmission electron microscopy for the analysis of asbestos in the air.

In the late 1980s, the company developed a new technique for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing air particulate called computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM).[15] Today, RJ Lee Group is a full-service industrial forensic[16] laboratory and consulting firm with broad industry expertise. The company is also expanding into software development[17] and is working on current environmental issues, such as those associated with nanotechnology.[18][19]

Scientific firsts[edit]

RJ Lee Group created the CCSEM (computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy) by combining a scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray analyzer (EDS) and intelligent software.[20] In collaboration with Iowa State University, RJ Lee Group also developed the WebSEM that provides teachers and students in K-12 classrooms with the ability to conduct on-line investigations.[21][22] RJ Lee Group invented a low energy method of pyrolysis of hydrocarbon material to be heated under vacuum conditions, using a clay and metal catalyst.[23] RJ Lee Group in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University and US Steel, with a grant from the US Department of Energy, developed an Automated Steel Cleanliness Analysis Tool (ASCAT).[24][25] The tool was designed around a computer-controlled scanning electron microscope (CCSEM) which is capable of taking metal samples and analyzing up to several hundred inclusions in less than one hour.[26]

Notable work[edit]

RJ Lee Group actively consulted with and supported EPA Region 2 in evaluating air quality in Lower Manhattan[27] buildings impacted by the events of 9/11.[28][29] RJ Lee Group designed, implemented, and conducted sampling and laboratory analyses for building remediation while also conducting health, safety, and community air quality monitoring programs in and around the impacted areas.

The firm assessed damage and environmental controls after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco, California.[30][31]

RJ Lee Group supported the EPA's investigation of potential emissions of tremolite asbestos from the Southdown Quarry in northwestern New Jersey.[32]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Center For Research & Economic Development".
  2. ^ "RJ Lee Group Donates SEM to Community College".
  3. ^ "Centers of Research Excellence at NDSU".
  4. ^ "Wadsworth Center Certified Commercial Labs". 3 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Laboratory, Air & Bulk Sample Analysis Licenses".
  6. ^ "DoD SBIR FY05.2 - SOLICITATION SELECTIONS w/ ABSTRACTS".
  7. ^ "National Coalition for School Bus Safety".
  8. ^ http://pubs.healtheffects.org/getfile.php?u=701
  9. ^ "Chinese Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Contract to Purchase Laboratory Information Management System".
  11. ^ "Home - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  12. ^ http://www.pghtech.org/news-and-publications/teq/article.aspx?Article=1426 [dead link]
  13. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-10-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "Center for Innovation". Archived from the original on 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  15. ^ "DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (CCSEM)… - SBIR.gov". Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  16. ^ "RJ Lee Partnership - Waynesburg University". Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  17. ^ "THEMIS Barcode System and Database Implemented at the NHRTR". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  18. ^ http://www.techburgher.com/uncategorized/rj-lee-group-completes-unbound-nanoparticles-study-president-coo-alex-sciulli-invited-to-join-pra-private-sector-partnership-committee/ [dead link]
  19. ^ "The Evaluation of Nanomaterials for Theranostics Applications". AZoNano.com. 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  20. ^ "Development of Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy (CCSEM) Techniques for Determining Mineral-Maceral Association". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  21. ^ "Project ExCEL: Web-based Scanning Electron Microscopy for K-12 Education" (PDF). Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  22. ^ Proceedings: Microscopy and Microanalysis 2002. Cambridge University Press. 2002-12-16. ISBN 9780521824057. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  23. ^ "Low Energy Method of Pyrolysis of Hydrocarbon Materials Such As Rubber". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  24. ^ "U.S. Steel works to stay on cutting edge with innovations team - Pittsburgh Business Times". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  25. ^ Gary Casuccio; Michael Potter; Fred Schwerer; Dr. Richard j. Fruehan; Dr. Scott Story (2005). "Automated Steel Cleanliness Analysis Tool (ASCAT)". doi:10.2172/861927. OSTI 861927. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  26. ^ "Inclusions In Aluminum-Killed Steel with Varying Calcium Additions". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  27. ^ "After demolition begins, Deutsche presents 4 Albany St. plan". Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  28. ^ "PBA Press Releases". Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  29. ^ Schooley, Tim (2011-09-09). "Post-9/11 work still affects R.J. Lee Group". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  30. ^ "R.J. Lee's expertise at work in analysis of 9/11 material". Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  31. ^ Vanorden, D.R.; Lee, R.J.; Bishop, K.M.; Kahane, D.; Morse, R. (1995). "Evaluation of Ambient Asbestos Concentrations in Buildings Following the Loma Prieta Earthquake". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 21 (1): 117–122. doi:10.1006/rtph.1995.1016. PMID 7784624.
  32. ^ "Sparta Township Environmental Asbestos Study" (PDF). Retrieved March 2, 2012.
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