In 1966, pioneering work in inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy at Iowa State University led to an analysis tool that’s standard laboratories worldwide. Developed by professor and Ames Laboratory deputy director Velmer Fassel, ICP instruments rapidly determine almost all elements to the parts per trillion level in substances such as oil, blood and soils.

In 1982, the analysis tool identified the poison in contaminated Tylenol pain medicine that caused seven deaths.