Lab Automation

Company Announcements

In May, HighRes Biosolutions announced that Lou Guarracina has stepped down as CEO but will remain on the Board. New CEO Peter Harris, a Board member, most recently served as vice president and managing director of Axel Johnson, HighRes’ majority owner.

BioTek Instruments announced in May the completion of a $4.5 million 22,000 ft² (2,044 m²) facility expansion and renovation, increasing manufacturing area by 33%. A new training facility was also completed.

For the epMotion 5070, 5073 and 5075 automated liquid handling systems, Eppendorf released in May the TS 10 single-channel and TM 10-8 eight-channel dispensing tools, available with epT.I.P.S. Motion in seven variations. Also new is a 10 mL reservoir consumable.

Lab Equipment

Company Announcements

MilliporeSigma announced in June that it won a false advertising lawsuit against Belgium distributor Analis concerning advertising. The advertising stated that RephiLe Biosciences’ lab water products were equivalent to MilliporeSigma’s.

Porvair reported that revenue for Seal Analytical, which makes discrete automated wet chemistry analyzers, for the half fiscal year ending May 31 grew 16%. The business also opened a new US manufacturing facility.

In July, dissolution testing maker ERWEKA announced the retirement of Werner G. Müller as CEO. His wife, Claudia Müller, replaced him.

Product Introductions

In May, Porvair Sciences launched the new Glass Vial Deep-well plate, designed to ensure that no extractables and leachates are present in the sample. The 96 mL x 1 mL glass vials are held firmly in each well of a 2 mL 96 deep-well plate.

In May, Eppendorf launched the Innova S44i biological shaker, featuring a new drive. It can be integrated with VisioNize software.

Eppendorf introduced in May the new CryoCube F740 freezer series for ultra-low-temperature sample storage. It features a capacity of 740 L/576x boxes, improved energy efficiency and noise reduction. It can be monitored with VisioNize software.

In May, Shimadzu added new high-sensitivity, semi-micro analytical balances to its AP-W series: the AP135W, AP125WD and AP225WD. They feature a minimum reading of 0.01 mg and a buffer-solution preparation function. Measurements are completed in approximately two seconds.

Panasonic Healthcare North America introduced in June the TwinGuard -86°C upright freezers, available in two sizes, for storage of biological samples. They feature next generation dual cooling systems and greater capacity. They are covered by a five-year warranty.

In June, SUEZ Water UK released the Select edi compact 60 benchtop laboratory water purification system, combining double-pass reverse osmosis and electro-deionization technologies. This eliminates the need for conditional cartridges and carbon dioxide pretreatment filters.

In June, OHAUS unveiled a new laboratory equipment portfolio for the life sciences. The products include a range of shakers, vortex mixers, dry block heaters, hotplate stirrers, clamps and lab supports.

In June, Biotage released its second generation Turbo Vap evaporation systems, consisting of the TurboVap LV, II and EH models. New features include enhanced visibility. The company also released a series of Multi-Racks offering greater flexibility for a variety of tube and vial sizes.

Electrochemistry

Product Introductions

In June, LG Sonic launched a nitrate sensor integrated with its water quality sensor package delivered with the MPC-Buoy for monitoring algal blooms.

Metrohm introduced in July a new version of the 916 Ti-Touch Titrator for potentiometric titration. New features include the ability to connect a second titration stand, do pH-STAT titration and 24-sample automation.

In July, Metrohm released the 946 Portable VA Analyzer, a compact, portable heavy metal analyzer for trace-level quantification in surface waters. It features the scTRACE Gold disposable sensor.