ASD Inc. Announces Measurements in Mining Program To Support Graduate Student Research Efforts

BOULDER, CO, March 04, 2011 (Press-News.org) ASD Inc., a global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation and materials measurement solutions, today announced a call for entries for the first annual Measurements in Mining Program to aid graduate students focused on mining, engineering and geoscience in their research efforts. The Measurement in Mining Program encourages a creative research environment within the global mining educational community by providing temporary use of a TerraSpec analytical spectrometer, along with conditional funding for additional expenses.

"At ASD, we are passionate about advancing the field of reflectance spectroscopy in academic settings," said Dr. Brian Curtiss, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of ASD. "We have an established history of encouraging innovation by supporting student researchers and are proud to extend this tradition to those pursuing their advanced degree in geosciences and other mining-related fields."

ASD also sponsors the Goetz Instrument Program for the field of remote sensing. This is the first year ASD has created a student award program for mining and mineral analysis.

Submissions are due by April 30 and should include a description of a novel, unconventional and fundamental research program that can be applied to mining exploration, mining production, or mineral analysis. ASD Inc. encourages students to contact ASD directly to discuss their application prior to submission. Special consideration will be given to projects that bridge boundaries between traditional disciplines. Only graduate students pursuing a master's or Ph.D. within an accredited college or university program in the United States or all countries where Carnet documentation for shipment is accepted, are eligible. Up to 10 winners will be announced in May.

For student researchers, access to the most advanced spectroscopy tools is essential. The Measurements in Mining Program provides a TerraSpec Explorer qualitative spectrometer (6 nm NIR resolution) or a TerraSpec Examiner portable mineral analyzer (10 nm NIR resolution) for temporary use during the selected research projects. For students chosen to use the TerraSpec Examiner, the award also includes a single $500 travel stipend to attend a one-day feasibility and modeling training session at ASD Inc.'s headquarters in Boulder, Colo.

Each recipient will also be eligible to receive up to a total of $500 to cover publication charges if the resulting research paper is published in an approved publication. That money can also be applied to travel expenses for oral or poster presentations at a relevant mining conference.

Program information and an online application can be found here: http://discover.asdi.com/measurements-in-mining-program/

Interested students can also find information at the ASD Inc. booth #1628 at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Conference occurring now through March 2 in Denver.

About ASD
Established in 1990 in Boulder, ASD Inc. is the global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, solving some of the most challenging real-world materials measurement problems. ASD spectrometers — unparalleled in providing laboratory-grade results in the field or on-site — are the instruments of choice for remote sensing, environmental sciences, agricultural, mining, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry applications, where results drive paradigm-changing insights, efficiency and profit. ASD's collaborative culture and world-class customer service put the best, fastest and most accurate spectroscopic instruments to work for industry and science in more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.asdi.com.

CONTACT: Marie Rotter, Metzger Associates, 720-833-5925 mrotter@metzger.com