AVS Mid-Atlantic Meeting Recap: Turbo Talks, Catalyst Kits, and Vacuum Pickles

Back in April, a few of our team members got the chance to go to Jefferson Lab where the AVS Mid-Atlantic Meeting was taking place. What a whirlwind of science, conversation, and inspiration it was! From system demos to spontaneous vacuum pickling discussions, here’s a quick recap of everything we brought, saw, and learned.

What We Brought

We didn’t come empty-handed—far from it. Our setup turned some heads and sparked a lot of good conversations. Here’s what we had at our booth:

• Our Regolith Mitigation Simulation System: Featuring SNAP, a turbo, a manifold, and the now affectionately-named valvey poo (our custom turbo isolation valve configuration). It drew quite a bit of attention, especially given it was the star of a big project we finished up last year!
  
• Catalyst Kit: Always a favorite to bring along for its portability and practical applications for anyone who works with vacuum.
  
• Fantastic Energy and Smiles: You can’t underestimate the power of good vibes and enthusiasm in a room full of science enthusiasts.
  

Who We Met

One of the best parts of going to an AVS meeting is the mix of people, from industry experts to passionate students. Here’s a snapshot of who we connected with:

• Pfeiffer, Teledyne Hastings, and MKS: Great chats with some key vendors in the vacuum and measurement space.
  
• Students: Lots of students working on everything from sputter chambers to cryogenic fabrication and even radioactive materials. So much creativity and curiosity on display!
  
• Jefferson Lab Staff & Other Vendors: A supportive, welcoming bunch who made the event truly collaborative.  We love hearing about and discussing all manner of vacuum with anyone and everyone from all points in the industry.
  
• UVA Professor Stephen McDonnell: We caught his lecture on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—very cool and surprisingly accessible. A great reminder of how advanced techniques can be explained with the right storytelling.
  

What We Talked About

There was no shortage of engaging conversations. Some highlights:

• Many students were curious about how our system simulates regolith mitigation and how it could tie into their own testing setups.
  
• We got into the weeds with some folks about sputtering, accelerators, and even how vacuum systems could be adapted for more unusual tasks—like making pickles in a vacuum (yes, really).
  
• SNAP received a lot of love—especially for its simplicity and reliability. While the manifold setup prompted a few raised eyebrows, people were intrigued once we explained its purpose. And the Catalyst Kit? A hit.
  

Altogether, the AVS Mid-Atlantic Meeting at Jefferson Lab was a blast. We left with new connections, a few new ideas, and a renewed appreciation for the vacuum science community’s enthusiasm and depth. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth—and if you’re still thinking about vacuum pickles – don’t worry, we are too.

Until next time!