Company Announcements

ASD created the SummitCAL Solutions Team, a professional services group for materials measurement solutions and advanced calibrations.

B&W Tek opened a new European office in Lübeck, Germany, in January.

Renishaw appointed Nitech SRL as its Romanian distributor for spectroscopy and metrology systems.

Ibsen Phototonics named Henrik Skov Andersen, former CEO of Netgroup Holding, CEO on February 1.

Avacta named Cold Spring Biotech as its exclusive distributor for mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In March, BaySpec signed an exclusive distribution agreement for North America, Japan and Asia-Pacific with Rigaku for its FirstGuard and Xantus series of handheld Raman devices.

Product Introductions

A2 Technologies, now part of Agilent (see IBO 1/31/11) introduced an integrated FT-IR analyzer for the rapid analysis of liquids. Occupying eight inches on a lab bench, it features a tumbler-like optical head that can be rotated into position to provide one of three factory-set, selectable sample path lengths of 30–250 µm.

BaySpec launched the MovingLab Portable Raman Microscope, available in 532 nm, 785 nm, 1064 nm or custom wavelengths and featuring a single 5 V power supply.

Jenway introduced the 73 series entry-level spectrophotometer with a spectral bandwidth of 5 nm and an absorbance range of -0.3–2.5 A. Models 7300 and 7310 cover the visible region, and models 7305 and 7315 extend the wavelength range into the UV region.

WITec launched the True Surface Microscopy imaging mode for its alpha500 series confocal Raman atomic force microscope. It allows for confocal Raman imaging guided by surface topography, enabling rough or inclined samples to always stay in focus. It features an integrated sensor for optical profilometry.

In February, PerkinElmer introduced the Frontier Infrared Spectrometer, an upgradable FT-IR system featuring optimized sampling options and an optical system permitting the addition of microscopy or imaging systems.

PerkinElmer launched the compact Spectrum Two FT-IR spectrometer for unknown substance identification, material qualification or concentration determination. It is designed for nonexpert users and features dedicated systems utilizing its Spectrum Touch user interface.

Sales/Orders of Note

Earth Networks and Scripps Institute of Oceanography launched a global greenhouse gas (GHG) observation network, which will initially deploy 100 GHG emissions systems. The network will utilize Picarro’s GHG analyzers to measure carbon dioxide and methane. SFGate.com reported that the deal is worth $5 million to Picarro.