Editors' Column Eastern Analytical Symposium Convenes in New York City Attendance at the 22nd Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), held Nov. 16-18 in New York City, surpassed even the hopeful expectations of symposium officers. The number of conferees and exhibitors registered at this year's meeting was 4509, fully 34% above the 1982 attendance figure. EAS officials were pleased with the news of well-attended technical sessions, some with standing room only. Over 200 scientific papers were presented. Award winners at the meeting included Abraham Savitzky, senior scientist in the spectroscopy division of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation, who received the New York Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS) Medal for his contributions in IR spectrometry, data processing, and computerized analysis. In addition, Louis Meites of Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, N.Y., received the Benedetti-Pichler Memorial Award of the American Microchemical Society, honoring his contributions in the field of electrochemistry. Meites has 204
John D. Johnson of SAS (left) presents the 1983 SAS New York section award to Abraham Savitzky
publications in the field to his credit, including 14 books. Instruments making their world debuts at EAS included two Fourier transform infrared spectrometers (FT-IRs) and a new gas chromatograph. Perkin-Elmer's new Model 1800 is the industry's first FT-IR with double-beam capability, a feature that makes it possible for the analyst to do real-time background corrections. According to the company, the precision and accuracy of the instrument are superior to higher priced single-beam FT-IR systems. Janos Technologies Model 1000 FT-IR contains a rotating optical element, a component that makes it possible for the interferometer to be much smaller than conventional Michelson interferometers. According to Janos, the instrument is also quite insensitive to shock. The moderate-resolution (5 cm - 1 ) instrument can be used for process control and product quality monitoring in industrial settings or in situations where a transportable analyzer is needed. Hewlett-Packard's new HP 5890A gas chromatograph represents a more efficient manufacturing concept that has enabled the company to offer the instrument at a price it claims is 25% lower than comparable models from other manufacturers. Hewlett-Packard is also offering an optional service contract guaranteeing the user 99% uptime on the instrument. The EAS committee is looking forward to an expanded meeting in a completely renovated facility in 1984. The New York Penta Hotel (formerly the New York Statler), where the meeting has been held since 1980, was recently acquired by new owners. The Penta management is conducting a major hotel renovation, including redecoration of guest rooms and public areas, an exterior face-lift, and a completely new lobby. That all this will be substantially complete by next November is hard to believe, but that, in fact, is what Penta has promised EAS officers. According to EAS general chairperson Concetta Paralusz of Permacel/ Avery International, the meeting will
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Hercules Felder (left), chairman of the American Microchemical Society, presents the 1983 Benedetti-Pichler award to Louis Meites be extended to four days next year to satisfy a growing demand for exhibit space caused, at least in part, by the departure of the Pittsburgh Conference from the New York-New Jersey area. The largest analytical chemistry meeting in the U.S., the Pittsburgh Conference has been held in Atlantic City, N.J., for the past few years, but will move to New Orleans in 1985. The longer EAS meeting format will free a ballroom formerly used for technical symposia. The number of technical symposia at the 1984 EAS will remain about the same as this year, but the extra day will make it possible to spread them out so there are fewer simultaneous sessions. Paralusz said she thought that this year's EAS was the best ever—until next year. With registration figures and the number of exhibit booths increasing at a healthy clip, Paralusz's enthusiasm does not seem unfounded. Stuart A. Borman
