Thurston Laboratories, LLC


Research


Thurston Laboratories believes in furthering the knowledge and capabilities of mankind through a robust research program. We seek to deliver meaningful results with real-world impacts through research into materials, processes, and instruments that improve the quality and safety of our lives and the understanding of the world around us. The TL Research Program is the brainchild of Dr. Thurston who envisions it as a way to merge the purity of academic research with the necessity of practical implementation.



POSSM Technology

Positionally Opposed Schottky Semi-Metal (POSSM) technology is an extension of Dr. Thurston's dissertation research. This novel technology uses inner transition metals and semi-conducting diamond to produce a Schottky barrier diode particularly well suited to particle detection and charge conversion. The prototype POSSM device has been tested at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Thurston Laboratories is continuing development of the technology and is in talks with the Army Research Lab to modify the technology for use in alpha charge conversion. more information can be found here.



Improvement to the Material Properties of Concrete through Exotic Admixtures

Ever since serving as project manager for Gonzaga University's ASCE Concrete Canoe team, Dr. Thurston has been fascinated by improving the material properties of concrete - be it lighter, stronger, or more durable, through the use of non-standard aggregates and admixtures. Aided by Dr. Thurston's expertise in exotic materials, Thurston Laboratories conducts in silico mix design and analysis using a variety of novel and highly specialized materials to optimize desired characteristics before performing trial batches. The ease of placement of concrete makes it a desirable building material, and extending the capabilities of concrete will allow for cheaper, safer, and more environmentally friendly construction for years to come.

Currently under investigation are carbon allotrope admixtures and carbon-compound aggregates to reduce unit-weight while increasing flexural strength in concrete decks and slabs. We look forward to sharing experimental results with the construction industry as research continues.



Astronomy and Public Outreach

Thurston Laboratories Mobile Observatory, Elko City Park, Eclipse October 2023

During undergraduate work to measure the Hubble Constant, Dr. Thurston fell in love with amateur astronomy. As a student at Gonzaga he established a mobile observatory which he would regularly use to host public astronomy nights. He continued to do so as a lecturer at Hillsdale College. Functioning under Thurston Laboratories, Dr. Thurston looks forward to hosting public astronomy nights and contributing the beauty of visual astronomy to community events. Contact us for more information.

The mobile observatory consists of:

  • 10" f/5 Newtonian Reflector Telescope

  • 6" f/5 Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Solar Filter

  • EQ-6 German Equatorial Mount

  • Various Astrophotography cameras and live viewing devices

  • Independent scope and camera control automation