RJ Lee Group

In the early 1980s, several employees of the U.S. Steel Technical Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania formed a company that developed techniques to assess air quality. The company, Energy Technology Consultants (ETC), rented time on the electron microscopes at the U.S. Steel facility and eventually developed a technique to identify specific air quality patterns.[http://www.pghtech.org/news-and-publications/teq/article.aspx?Article=1426 Unknown]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 | fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.astoriacomm.com/PDF/esbspring.pdf | title=Leasing Activity | page=4 | access-date=2012-10-16 | archive-date=2016-03-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235213/http://www.astoriacomm.com/PDF/esbspring.pdf | url-status=dead}} In 1985, Dr. Lee bought out one of the ETC founders and rented space for the company at the Bituminous Coal Research facility in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.{{cite web |url=http://www.innovators.net/innovators/public_html/about_the_center/innovator_year.html |title=Center for Innovation |accessdate=2011-02-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512061124/http://www.innovators.net/innovators/public_html/about_the_center/innovator_year.html |archivedate=2011-05-12 }} In 1986, Dr. Lee formed RJ Lee Group, Inc., and within six months, the company accepted its first litigation project, which used transmission electron microscopy for the analysis of asbestos in the air.

In the late 1980s, the company developed a new technique for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing air particulate called computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM).{{cite web |url=http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/287191|title=DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (CCSEM)… - SBIR.gov|accessdate=March 2, 2012}} Today, RJ Lee Group is a full-service industrial forensic{{Cite web |url=http://www.waynesburg.edu/web/forensicscience/rj-lee-partnership |title=RJ Lee Partnership - Waynesburg University |access-date=2012-08-03 |archive-date=2013-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426121144/http://www.waynesburg.edu/web/forensicscience/rj-lee-partnership |url-status=dead }} laboratory and consulting firm with broad industry expertise. The company is also expanding into software development{{Cite web |url=http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/themis/index.html |title=THEMIS Barcode System and Database Implemented at the NHRTR |access-date=2012-08-03 |archive-date=2012-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707053846/http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/themis/index.html |url-status=dead }} and is working on current environmental issues, such as those associated with nanotechnology.[http://www.techburgher.com/uncategorized/rj-lee-group-completes-unbound-nanoparticles-study-president-coo-alex-sciulli-invited-to-join-pra-private-sector-partnership-committee/ Unknown]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 | fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web |date=2013-01-28 |title=The Evaluation of Nanomaterials for Theranostics Applications |url=https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=3180 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=AZoNano.com |language=en}}

RJ Lee Group created the CCSEM (computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy) by combining a scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray analyzer (EDS) and intelligent software.{{cite web |url=http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/287191|title=Development of Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy (CCSEM) Techniques for Determining Mineral-Maceral Association|accessdate=June 12, 2012}} In collaboration with Iowa State University, RJ Lee Group also developed the WebSEM that provides teachers and students in K-12 classrooms with the ability to conduct on-line investigations.{{cite web |url=http://www.jee.org/2002/april/665.pdf|title=Project ExCEL: Web-based Scanning Electron Microscopy for K-12 Education|accessdate=June 12, 2012}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CbVirRDTBBwC&q=personal+sem+PSEM+RJ+Lee+Group&pg=PA454|title=Proceedings: Microscopy and Microanalysis 2002|accessdate=June 12, 2012|isbn=9780521824057|date=2002-12-16|publisher=Cambridge University Press }} RJ Lee Group invented a low energy method of pyrolysis of hydrocarbon material to be heated under vacuum conditions, using a clay and metal catalyst.{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6835861|title=Low Energy Method of Pyrolysis of Hydrocarbon Materials Such As Rubber|access-date=June 12, 2012}} RJ Lee Group in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University and US Steel, with a grant from the US Department of Energy, developed an Automated Steel Cleanliness Analysis Tool (ASCAT).{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2010/08/02/story6.html?page=all|title=U.S. Steel works to stay on cutting edge with innovations team - Pittsburgh Business Times|accessdate=June 12, 2012}}{{cite web |title=Automated Steel Cleanliness Analysis Tool (ASCAT)|year = 2005|doi = 10.2172/861927|osti = 861927|last1 = Gary Casuccio|last2 = Michael Potter|last3 = Fred Schwerer|last4 = Dr. Richard j. Fruehan|last5 = Dr. Scott Story|url = https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc793637/|doi-access = free}} The tool was designed around a computer-controlled scanning electron microscope (CCSEM) which is capable of taking metal samples and analyzing up to several hundred inclusions in less than one hour.{{cite web |url=http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=200310511756MD&q=rj+lee+ascat&uid=791798338&setcookie=yes|title=Inclusions In Aluminum-Killed Steel with Varying Calcium Additions|accessdate=June 12, 2012}}

RJ Lee Group actively consulted with and supported EPA Region 2 in evaluating air quality in Lower Manhattan{{cite web |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_88/afterdemolitionbegins.html|title=After demolition begins, Deutsche presents 4 Albany St. plan|accessdate=February 24, 2012}} buildings impacted by the events of 9/11.{{cite web |url=http://www.nycpba.org/releases/pr120212-cancer.html|title=PBA Press Releases|accessdate=March 2, 2012}}{{Cite web |last=Schooley |first=Tim |date=2011-09-09 |title=Post-9/11 work still affects R.J. Lee Group |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/print-edition/2011/09/09/post-911-work-still-affects-rj-lee-group.html |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} RJ Lee Group designed, implemented, and conducted sampling and laboratory analyses for building remediation while also conducting health, safety, and community air quality monitoring programs in and around the impacted areas.

The firm assessed damage and environmental controls after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco, California.{{cite web |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_758837.html|title=R.J. Lee's expertise at work in analysis of 9/11 material|accessdate=February 24, 2012}}{{cite journal|last=Vanorden|first=D.R.|author2=Lee, R.J. |author3=Bishop, K.M. |author4=Kahane, D. |author5=Morse, R. |title=Evaluation of Ambient Asbestos Concentrations in Buildings Following the Loma Prieta Earthquake|journal=Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology|volume=21|issue=1|pages=117–122|doi=10.1006/rtph.1995.1016|pmid=7784624|year=1995}}

RJ Lee Group supported the EPA's investigation of potential emissions of tremolite asbestos from the Southdown Quarry in northwestern New Jersey.{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/sparta/final%20report.pdf|title=Sparta Township Environmental Asbestos Study|accessdate=March 2, 2012}} The firm provided air quality monitoring for the EPA related to the East Palestine, OH train derailment. {{Cite web | title=Photos {{!}} US EPA | url=https://www.epa.gov/east-palestine-oh-train-derailment/photos | access-date=2025-02-23 | website=www.epa.gov}}

• Failure analysis
• Forensic engineering
• Characterization
• Electron microscopy
• Nanotechnology
• Regulatory compliance
• Quality control
• Materials science
• Industrial forensics

{{Reflist}}

Category:Companies based in Pittsburgh

Category:Engineering consulting firms of the United States