About our FTIR Expert
Mrs. Allison Toms pioneered FTIR for laboratory oil analysis while serving as Chief Chemist and Physical Science Department Head at the US Military Joint Oil Analysis Program – Technical Support Center (JOAP-TSC) from 1991 to 2002.
Her work in used-oil FTIR analysis represents a milestone in condition monitoring. She developed search areas and algorithms for in-service lubricants that took the chemist out of the process and enabled automation. These methods have been extensively utilized by FTIR sensor and instrument companies to develop and expand their products. Mrs. Toms served as SBIR In-Line Infrared Sensor Development Technical Advisor to the US Air Force and as advisor for NAVSEA’s Total Oil Monitoring System (TOMS) for in-line sensor technology.
She chaired the ASTM task force for “Condition Monitoring of Used Lubricants by Trend Analysis using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometry,” that produced the ASTM E2412 Practice, and participates on other ASTM D2 committees for developing FTIR techniques.