Analytica 2016 featured a wide variety of new products. Below is a list of products officially launched at the show or in recent months. The list is not all inclusive.

Atomic Spectroscopy

Agilent Technologies introduced the 5110 ICP-OES spectrometer. The 5110 features a dichroic spectral combiner that integrates light from both the axial and radial views, allowing for a simultaneous measurement of both views. This enables faster measurements of all elements present in the sample and, consequently, conserves argon gas. The system also features improved software, including early diagnostic warnings. The system debuted two weeks ago at an undisclosed price.

Analytik Jena launched the contrAA 800 series, the next generation of the company’s novel continuous light source atomic absorption spectrometers. The more compact system provides fast multielement analysis, and can be configured for both flame and graphite furnace techniques, as well as hydride generation.

Bruker unveiled the S4 TStar total reflectance XRF system intended primarily for QA/QC applications, potentially in production environments. The S4 TStar provides sub-ppb detection of elements in a wide variety of samples, has relatively simple preparation requirements and accommodates a variety of sample holders. The system has 2 x-ray tubes and as many as 3 monochromators, as well as internal standards for calibration. It is not yet shipping. Prices will range from €96,000 ($105,000 = €0.91 = $1) up to about €150,000 ($165,000).

Electrochemisty

Metrohm introduced the OMNIS titrator platform, which will eventually replace the Titrando platform. The system emphasizes modularity and automation, featuring an XYZ autosampler and robotic arm for processing up to 175 samples. Up to four workstations can be connected. New features include the 3S Adapter, which allows for changing of reagent bottles without having to open the new bottle. Prices are expected to be comparable to the Titrando.

Informatics

BioSistemika launched a dedicated informatics product, the sciNote ELN. The free (up to 1 GB cloud storage) open source platform utilizes a workflow display, enabling the management of large experiments.

Lab Automation

Shimadzu Deutschland displayed the new CLAM-2000 (Clinical Lab Automated Sample Preparation Module) for fully automated pretreatment of up to 60 blood samples in tubes prior to clinical LC/MS. It can be used with the LCMS 8040, 8050 or 8060. It performs dispensing of samples and reagents, stirring, suction filtration, incubation and transfer to the SIL-30AC autosampler. Sample pretreatment of multiple assays can be performed in one batch. The system is being released in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. An IVD version is scheduled for release in 2017.

Lab Equipment

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced a new member of its TSX family of ultra–low temperature freezers. The TSX400 has a capacity of 400 boxes and shares many of the advanced features of the TSX600 introduced last year. These include the use of natural hydrocarbon refrigerants, reducing the freezer’s environmental impact. Another improvement is the variable speed compressor, which helps the system produce substantial energy savings compared to competitive products without compromising performance.

LC

Agilent Technologies unveiled a new LC platform, the 1260 Infinity II LC and announced the release of the 1220 Infinity II LC in August. The new system incorporates the advancements of Agilent’s 1290 Infinity II LC, including its pump, autosampler and column compartment technology. The 1260 Infinity II LC can be used with four columns and operates at a backpressure of up to 600 bar. The system is designed for use with Agilent’s A-Line Quick Connect Fittings, which require no tools, and RFID-tagged columns. According to Agilent, the 1260 Infinity II LC will be offered at “classic 1260 prices.”

Postnova Analytics introduced two additional detectors for its Field-Flow Fractionation system (FFF). The SC2000 Modular SEC Detector combines FFF and SEC in one instrument, allowing for the separation of particles as well as molecules. Also launched was the PN3310 Viscometer Detector.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Shimadzu Deutschland debuted the AIM-9000 IR Microscope System for failure analysis, which seeks to expand the technique to new users through ease of use via automation. It succeeds the AIM-8800. Features include sensitivity down to 10 µM and up to 330x magnification. It is compatible with Shimadzu’s IRAffinity-1S FT-IR and IRTracer-100 spectrometers.

Materials Characterization

Anton Paar debuted new models in its modular compact rheometer series. The MCR 72 and MCR 92 systems provide robust analysis, Peltier temperature control and TruRay for lighting the measurement surface. The MCR 92 is distinguished by an air bearing system for sensitive and oscillating measurements. The system has been available for about one month at a price ranging from €20,000 ($22,000) to €40,000 ($44,000).

Beckman Coulter introduced a new Analytical Ultra Centrifuge (AUC). The Optima AUC is designed for protein and particle analysis. Sample types include proteins, nanoparticles and viral vectors. New features include a faster scan speed, enabling use with larger particle sizes. The number of wavelengths has been increased to 20, allowing greater precision and repeatability.

LAUDA Scientific showed off its new easy.Visc viscometer system, with a pleasing cubical design and attached angled control tablet. While oil applications are the most likely end-market, there are other QC and incoming materials applications in printing, ink and other industries. The system will likely begin shipments by the fourth quarter at a price of about €15,000 ($16,000).

Surface Science

Bruker’s Senterra II confocal Raman microscope provides improvements in both speed and resolution. The system can generate 100 spectra per second, and resolution for demanding applications has been reduced to 1.5 wave numbers. Software improvements and automation also provide additional ease-of-use benefits. The system will soon begin shipping at a price range of €80,000–€120,000 ($88,000–$132,000).

LaVision BioTec unveiled the Ultramicroscope II, representing a significant advance over the Ultramicroscope, released in 2009. The new system uses light sheet spectroscopy to provide fluorescent images of macroscopic cleared samples. The light sheet illuminates a thin plane of the sample, and successive slices build up a complete 3-D image of the sample. The system produces images at 100 frames per second and can rapidly zoom from a macroscopic image of the entire sample to the microscopic view. The Ultramicroscope II began shipping late last year at a price range of about €180,000–€280,000 ($198,000–$308,000).