…Wherein we’ll learn about the LISST-Portable, and the first Particles in Europe (PiE) conference.

(Part VII can be found here: https://www.sequoiasci.com/article/the-history-of-sequoia-part-vii/)

Way back in the early 2000’s Chuck had an idea for a laboratory particle sizer based on the LISST-100X technology – the LISST-LAB. It looked – different… (Chuck looks the same!)

Chuck and the LISST-LAB

It never made it past the prototype stage, but the experience gained led to the very first LISST-Portable – a portable and battery-powered laser particle sizer that could be used in the field as well as in the lab.

The first LISST-Portable

The original LISST-Portable sold a bit but was never popular, as it required an external computer for real-time displays. Then Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007. That gave Chuck the idea to add a touch panel to the LISST-Portable. This made it a lot more user friendly – and it also made it look cooler! It was a hit when it was introduced in 2008.

The LISST-Portable with touchpanel

In 2012 the LISST-Portable|XR was introduced. It featured a larger display as well as an ultrasonic probe for particle sonification and dispersion. The Portable was the world’s first – and still the only – fully portable and completely self-contained laser particle sizer. The LISST-Portable|XR is today one of Sequoia’s most popular instruments, primarily used in environmental monitoring and oil & gas drilling applications.

The LISST-Portable|XR

In October 2008 the Ocean Optics conference was organized in Tuscany, Italy. Yogi and Ole decided that it would be a good idea to try and get some of the European LISST users together and discuss their data and applications. Ole had contacts with CNR in Bologna, and they were happy to host together with Sequoia’s Italian distributor, Communication Technology srl. The first Particles in Europe – PiE – conference took place 13-14 October 2008 with 36 attendees in total. Unfortunately, no photos of the attendees or of the conference dinner in the evening exists, so we can’t show you what a great time was had by everybody at the first ever PiE – but we do have a picture and pdf of the programme!!

PiE has since become an established conference, happening every two years. It has been organized in Villefranche-sur-Mer (France), Barcelona (Spain), Esbjerg (Denmark), Budapest (Hungary), and Lisbon (Portugal). In addition to the scientific content, participants normally enjoy a fun icebreaker the night before the conference, a delicious conference dinner on the 2nd evening, as well as a 1/2 day excursion. Due to Covid there was no PiE in 2020, and the next PiE has been postponed until October 2023 on the island of Crete (Greece). Below are some pictures from various PiE’s over the years.