Michelle Lau

Senior Materials Technologist.
Laboratory & Testing Services
Melbourne

Professional Background

With over two decades of experience in the analysis and identification of foreign objects, Michelle boasts a wealth of knowledge spanning various industries, including glass manufacturing, food, and beverage. Her expertise extends to the identification of glass defects, such as stones and inclusions near fracture origins, serving both quality assurance and manufacturing purposes. In addition to her specialisation in these areas, Michelle has a strong background in R&D projects centred around composite materials, showcasing her profound understanding of process and manufacturing requirements. This diverse skill set enables her to efficiently deliver results to customers while specialising in metals, polymers, ceramics, and other materials, making her a versatile and valuable expert in her field.

Areas of Expertise

Over 20 years’ experience in the Glass Industry and foreign objects analysis
Over 15 years’ experience in identifying stones and inclusions in glass.
Additional 5 years’ experience in R&D projects on composite materials involving private industries, tertiary institutions, and government sectors.
Glass and plastic fragment identification
Identification of other foreign objects including metals, ceramics, etc.
Troubleshooting and analysis of contaminants in both raw materials and finished products
Elemental analysis of unknowns using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/EDX)
Molecular analysis of unknowns using Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Identification of stones, and other inclusions in glass by in situ or SEM/EDX analysis
Cord grading in glass ring sections
Developed and facilitated in situ stone identification and cord grading training courses for personnel in the Glass Industry throughout Australia and Asia.