Company Announcements

The US Federal Trade Commission approved in October 2018 Agilent Technologies’ application for the cross license with Analytik Jena of certain intellectual property connected to ICP-MS (see IBO 3/31/18).

In January, Fraunhofer IISB and Rigaku Europe entered into a strategic partnership in order to support the European semiconductor industry in improving and better understanding its wafer quality and yield by employing the Rigaku XRTmicron advanced x-ray topography tool. Fraunhofer IISB will act as a demo center for the XRTmicron system in Europe.

In February, Heuresis, which supplies handheld XRF systems, changed its name to Viken Detection.

Product Introductions

In January, Advion, a Beijing Bohui Innovation Biotechnology company, introduced the SOLATION ICP-MS, featuring a 90° quadrupole deflector for lower interference and improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Bruker launched in January the G6 LEONARDO inert gas fusion analyzer for oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen concentration measurements in inorganic samples. The system introduces Bruker SampleCare features into IGF-analysis for metals and ceramics. It features pre-calibrated standard methods and the use of argon carrier gas instead of helium.

In January, Analytik Jena released the PlasmaQuant MS Q, which is optimized for high-throughput applications, and the PlasmaQuant MS Elite S for routine analysis of ultratraces. Depending on the matrix load of the samples and the individual performance requirements for sensitivity and throughput, analysis of more than 80 samples per hour is possible.

In February, SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, an AMETEK company, debuted the SPECTROGREEN ICP-OES analyzers, featuring the new Dual Side-On Interface and stating that the Interface achieves twice the sensitivity of conventional radial plasma-view instruments at an affordable price/performance ratio.

XOS, a Danaher company, launched in February the portable Cadence, an HRXRF-based multi-element analyzer for detection for heavy metals in soil and powder matrices. Applications include environmental remediation.

Sales and Orders of Note

In February, Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science announced a supply agreement with Wilhelmsen Ships Service to supply its X-MET8000 handheld XRF systems for testing the sulphur content of ship fuel.