Chemist
Chemist

Biography

Shirmir Branch, a chemist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, focuses on developing technology for remote, real-time monitoring chemicals in extreme environments. She has led efforts to measure radioactive technetium-99 in spent nuclear fuel using electrochemical and spectroscopic analysis of luminescent Re/Tc(I)-tricarbonyl complexes. Branch has also studied the characterization of optically transparent microfabricated electrodes for the purpose of spectroelectrochemical analysis for targeted analytes.

Disciplines and Skills

  • Analytical chemistry
  • Spectroscopic analysis
  • Electrochemical analysis
  • Radiation II training

Education

  • Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, University of Cincinnati
  • B.S., Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Chemical Society

Publications

2020

  • Lackey H.E., D.R. Bottenus, M. Liezers, S.D. Shen, S.D. Branch, J.A. Katalenich, and A.M. Lines. 2020. "A versatile and low-cost chip-to-world interface: enabling ICP-MS characterization of isotachophoretically separated lanthanides on a microfluidic device." Analytica Chimica Acta 1137. PNNL-SA-151307. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2020.08.049
  • Lines A.M., S.D. Branch, H.M. Felmy, J.M. Wilson, G.J. Lumetta, and S.A. Bryan. 2020. "On-line monitoring combined with spectroelectrochemistry for the characterization of uranium and fission products within molten salt environments." In International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference and TOP FUEL 2019 - Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference (Global 2019), September 22-27, 2019, Seattle, WA, 1104-1106. La Grange Park, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-SA-144352.

2019

2018

  • Branch S.D., A.D. French, A.M. Lines, B.M. Rapko, W.R. Heineman, and S.A. Bryan. 2018. "In situ quantification of [Re(CO)3]+ by fluorescence spectroscopy in simulated Hanford tank waste." Environmental Science & Technology 52, no. 3:1357-1364. PNNL-SA-128552. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b04222
  • Branch S.D., A.D. French, A.M. Lines, C.Z. Soderquist, B.M. Rapko, W.R. Heineman, and S.A. Bryan. 2018. "In situ spectroscopic analysis and quantification of [Tc(CO)3]+ in Hanford tank waste." Environmental Science & Technology 52, no. 14:7796-7804. PNNL-SA-129388. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b05840
  • Fountain M.S., S.D. Branch, and G.A. Gill. 2018. Separation and Speciation of Mercury from Hanford 241-AP-107 Tank Waste Supernatant. PNNL-28067. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Separation and Speciation of Mercury from Hanford 241-AP-107 Tank Waste Supernatant

2017

  • Branch S.D., A.M. Lines, J.A. Lynch, J.M. Bello, W.R. Heineman, and S.A. Bryan. 2017. "An Optically Transparent Thin-Film Electrode Chip for Spectroelectrochemical Sensing." Analytical Chemistry 89, no. 14:7324-7332. PNNL-SA-121883. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00258
  • Bryan S.A., B.M. Rapko, S.D. Branch, A.M. Lines, W.R. Heineman, and C.Z. Soderquist. 2017. Non-pertechnetate Technetium Sensor Research and Development. PNNL-26316. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Non-pertechnetate Technetium Sensor Research and Development

2014