Anthony W. Thornton

Anthony W. Thornton

Senior Product Scientist Director, Product Integrity and Performance

Anthony W. Thornton received both his B.S. degree in Chemistry (cum laude) and his M.S. degree in Analytical Chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta, in 1980. Tony’s research at Emory involved liquid chromatography, specifically the use of ion-pair chromatography and isocratic separation of catecholamines and metabolites. His work supported early research into potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease between Emory and the Veterans Administration hospital in Atlanta.

By 1983, Tony’s work with liquid chromatography evolved into the study of particle sizing using liquid chromatography, specifically using a technique known as Hydrodynamic Chromatography. His work involved the packing of columns where separation occurs and the co-development of Micromeritics’ first use of the Non-negative Least Squares deconvolution method, later used with Laser Light Scattering and Non-Local Density Functional Theory (NLDFT). As Micromeritics developed its suite of particle size analysis instrumentation (the SediGraph^® 5000ET, 5100, and 5120) over the next several years, Tony worked with sample cell and fluid handling design to improve repeatability and reproducibility of results.  He participated in performance testing, final testing, and then test development, and he now assumes responsibility for all phases of the testing process.
During the development of the Saturn DigiSizer^®, Tony became involved with its applications and sample dispersion, both in its later development stages and in assuming responsibility for training users in the field of laser particle size analysis.

With the development of the Elzone™ II 5390, Tony assumed responsibility for ensuring the compatibility of results with earlier versions of this instrumentation and the smooth conversion of its user interface to align with that of the entire Micromeritics line of instruments. Similarly, with the introduction of the Particle Insight instrument, Tony was responsible for evaluating its operation and reliability as an offering in the Particulate Systems line of products.

For many years, due to his background in chemistry and his intimate understanding of the Micromeritics product line, Tony has assumed the responsibility for technical training of both customers and Micromeritics personnel, covering all aspects of education from theory of operation to report generation. In his current role as the Director of Product Integrity and Performance, as well as in his prior roles as Senior Product Scientist and Laboratory Manager, he has provided ongoing applications support to customers for particle size instrumentation as well as for other product lines, including the physisorption and chemisorption instrumentation and pycnometer instrumentation

Publications: 

 

• Anthony W. Thornton, Jack Saad, Jamie Clayton. Measuring the critical attributes of AM powders. Metal Powder Report February 2019
• Anthony W. Thornton, J. P. Olivier, C. G. Smart and L. B. Gilman Particle size distribution analysis of colloidal latices using hydrodynamic chromatography. ACS Symposium Series 332, 256(1987)
• A. Thornton, S. Yunes, J. Bienemann and B. Conklin. Mercury Porosimetry Analysis Performed with Combined High Sample Throughput and Ensured Pore Volume Resolution. Partikle Technologie, Nurnberg. Federal Republic of Germany, April 19-21, 1989
• Anthony Thornton, Ensuring Quality in Particle Size Distribution Analysis, Ceramic Industry, Vol. 153, No. 4, pp 45-50 (2003).
• Anthony Thornton and John Guerin, Measuring Sensitivity in Particle Size Distribution Analysis, Ceramic Industry, Vol. 157, No. 5, pp 20-22 (2007).

Professional Organizations:

• ASTM International, an international standards development organization, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials

• ASTM Board of Directors Member
• Fellow of the Society
• ASTMAward of Merit recipient

• Chairman, Committee B09, Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products

o        Chairman, Subcommittee B09.01, Nomenclature and Technical Data

• Chairman, Subcommittee C21.04, Raw Materials of Committee C21, Ceramic Whiteware and Related Products
• Chairman, Subcommittee E29.02, Non-Sieving Methods

o        Past Chairman, ASTMCommittee E29, Particle and Spray Characterization

• Membership Secretary, Committee E56, Nanotechnology (as of January 1, 2010)
• Member, Committee C01, Cement
• Member, Committee C07, Lime
• Member, Committee C28, Advanced Ceramics
• Member, Committee D11, Rubber
• Member, Committee D18, Soil and Rock
• Member, Committee D20, Plastics
• Member, Committee D24, Carbon Black
• Former Member, Committee on Standards, to oversee the standards process and to ensure that due process is followed with respect to ballot actions on standards and the resolution of negative ballots.

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
• Chairman, ISO/TC24/SC4

o        Technical Committee 24, Particle Characterization, including Sieving

• Subcommittee 4, Particle Characterization
• Member, US Technical Advisory Group to ISO/TC 119, Powder Metallurgy
• Member, US Technical Advisory Group to ISO/TC 206, Fine Ceramics

• American Chemical Society
• Member, Analytical Division