First Lifetime Results from a Systematic Study of Odd-Mass Neutron-Rich Nuclides Near A$\sim$110

Our understanding of the astrophysical r-process nucleosynthesis path relies strongly on input from nuclear models. The mass region surrounding A$\sim$110 is known to exhibit rapid structural evolution, however experimental data is lacking for nuclides away from stability making the prediction of important nuclear properties in the r-process region difficult. In this talk we report new pico-second lifetimes of excited states populated via beta decay of fission fragments produced at IGISOL in Jyv\"{a}skyl\"{a}, Finland. The measurements utilized triple coincidences ($\beta\gamma\gamma$) where two fast scinitillators (plastic for $\beta$ and LaBr$_3$ for $\gamma$) were used in conjunction with a HPGe detector. Details of the experimental technique will be highlighted along with the presentation of eight new lifetimes in $^{109}$Pd, which range between 10-1500 ps, representing the first results from a broad experimental campaign.