Joel S. Thompson

Senior Chemist
Joel Thompson

Dr. Thompson received his Ph.D. under A. S. Borovik, at the University of Kansas (2003) where he specialized in the synthesis and characterization of organo-metallic complexes. Prior to obtaining his Ph.D., Joel had worked as a high school teacher for ten years and had spent two years working as a radiochemical technician for an environmental chemistry firm in Colorado.

While at Eltron Research Inc., Dr. Thompson has performed the following tasks:

  • The design, synthesis, and testing of various hydrogenation catalysts.

  • Screening of catalysts for the decomposition of CINCH rocket fuels.

  • Implementation of methods to bind metallic coatings to polymeric substrates.

  • The design and synthesis of photoactive materials to remediate mine drainage.

  • The development of an electrochemical sensor for nitrate/nitrite ions.

  • The synthesis and characterization of a new family of polyamide plastics.

Because of this training, he is proficient at organic synthesis and organo-metallic complexation in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In addition, he is knowledgeable in various analytical techniques used to characterize organo-metallic complexes and to measure these types of analytes in aqueous streams.