Atomic Spectrometry

LECO introduced two elemental analyzers for applications involving metals, alloys and other inorganic samples: the CS844 for carbon/sulfur measurements and the ONH836 for measuring oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Improvements in the combustion furnace, detector systems and cleaning automation have been combined with touch-screen control. The CS844 is priced at $65,000 and began shipment in March. The price of the ONH836 has not been firmly determined but should be in the range of $90,000–$95,000.

PANalytical (Spectris) unveiled the Epsilon 3 and Epsilon 3-XL energy dispersive XRF spectrometers. These compact benchtop systems provide analysis for the elements from fluorine to uranium, with performance that rivals that of some non-benchtop XRF systems. The systems are now available at prices ranging from $70,000 to $100,000.

The Shimadzu EDX-LE is a compact benchtop XRF analyzer intended primarily for hazardous substance screening. The instrument can detect elements as light as aluminum and does not require liquid nitrogen cooling. It began shipping a few months ago at a price of about $55,000.

The Thermo Fisher Scientific ARL PERFORM’X is Thermo’s next-generation wavelength-dispersive XRF spectrometer. The system has rapid throughput capabilities, as well as the ability to perform mapping with a spot size of 0.5 mm. It can measure all elements from boron to uranium and is priced from $160,000 to $200,000. Orders are now being taken, with the first deliveries to follow in two months.

Electrochemistry

ITT Analytics’ SI Analytics business launched its TitroLine series of titrators, which are designed for dosing applications. The TitroLine 6000 and 7000 models feature a PC-based interface and an integrated display that tracks titration curve and data. The TitroLine 7000 can also perform complex nonaqueous titrations, including perchloric acid titrations. The TITRONIC 500 is a manual piston burette and can be used in lieu of bottle-top and classical glass burettes. Released in March, the prices of the TitroLine 6000, 7000 and TITRONIC 500 are priced approximately $6,300, $8,300 and $4,700, respectively.

LC

The XPLC HPLC series from CVC consists of two models. The XPLC 2800, a fully integrated system, features a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min., injection volume of 5 µL and a column temperature of 40°C. The system’s maximum pressure is around 12,000 psi. The Nano model features flow rates of 10 nL/min. and 20 nL/min. under isocratic and gradient conditions, respectively. It has an operating pressure of up to 20,000 psi and can integrate sub-2 µm columns. The XPLC 2800 and XPLC Nano systems are priced respectively at $65,000 and $70,000.

Waters introduced the Waters PATROL UPLC Laboratory Analyzer, which is designed specifically for process development labs. The system addresses early-stage manufacturing, enabling full characterization of reaction kinetics and optimization of the chemical synthesis processes by monitoring critical quality attributes through scale-up, pilot production and full-scale manufacturing. The system is available at a list price of $150,000.

Materials Characterization

Grabner Instruments (AMETEK) introduced the Miniflash Touch, the next generation of its flashpoint petroleum analyzer. The compact system features automated rinsing and cleaning routines, requires very little sample, and offers software and intuitive visualizations with its touchscreen interface. It began shipments last month at a price of €15,000 ($21,300 = €0.76 = $1) in Europe.

HORIBA and Retsch debuted the CAMSIZER XT, a particle image analysis system based on the previous CAMSIZER product, late last year. The system extends the CAMSIZER’s image analysis to smaller particles, down to a micron in size. The system can also measure both dry samples and wet dispersions.

Quantachrome introduced the Porometer 3G, a capillary flow porometer that complements Quantachrome’s other porosimetry products. The 3G is intended for measuring pores through 2D samples, such as textiles, filters, battery components or ceramics. Depending on the required pressure, the price of the system ranges from roughly $35,000 to $50,000.

RheoSense has incorporated its MEMS microfluidic viscometer technology into the µVISC portable viscometer, which weighs less than 2 lb. The system uses a sample syringe that eliminates the need for elaborate cleaning. The product was released in January at a price of $10,000.

The AG-Xplus line of physical testing instruments from Shimadzu provides increased rigidity, improved energy efficiency and a sampling rate of 5,000 Hz. The product line ranges from benchtop to floor-standing units, which are now available at prices from about $20,000 to $65,000.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Active Spectrum’s Benchtop Micro-ESR was first announced last May but did not start shipping until recently. Far smaller than other electron spin resonance systems in the market, the Micro-ESR is also less expensive, with a starting price of $15,000. Active Spectrum is currently developing a higher-resolution benchtop model that is expected to be available by the end of the year and will sell for $25,000.

Enwave Optronics displayed two new products. Already shipping is the EZRaman-I9, which is a briefcase-contained portable Raman system that is more sensitive than smaller handheld Raman analyzers and has a starting price of $40,000. Also new was the EZRaman-H handheld Raman system. The EZRaman-H offers an improvement in sensitivity over previous-generation handheld Raman analyzers and is expected to begin shipping in two to three months with a starting price of $45,000.

HunterLab displayed its ColorFlex EZ color spectrophotometer, which is more compact than the previous-generation model. The system features USB capabilities, a simplified user interface and other connectivity options. It has a starting price of $10,000.

MicrOptix exhibited the NIR version of its i-Lab handheld spectrometer, which is based on the same MEMS technology used in its i-Lab UV-Vis model. The company hopes to have the NIR instrument on the market by June.

Shanghai Mapada Instrument Company, which specializes in UV-Vis instruments, expanded its range to higher-end systems with the introduction of its 6000 series of double-beam instruments, which feature a USB interface. The 6000 series models range in price between $500 and $4,000 and are expected to begin shipping in May.

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s TruScan RM handheld Raman analyzer is smaller, lighter (less than 2 lb.) and faster than the previous-generation TruScan. It is intended for inspection of raw materials and finished product in the pharmaceutical industry.

MS

Ionicon introduced its new PTR-QMS-300, a quadrupole-based protron transfer reaction MS designed to be a mobile VOC monitor. It replaces the Compact-PTR-MS model. The PTR-QMS-300 began shipping in January and is priced starting at around €100,000 ($132,000 = €0.76 = $1).

First announced in January, Waters showed the Xevo G2 TOF benchtop LC-TOF MS, which replaces the LCT line of instruments and features 22,000 FWHM resolution. The system is priced slightly above the LCT model, putting it in the low- to mid-$300,000 range. The system is also upgradable to a Q-TOF configuration, providing MS/MS capabilities.

Sample Preparation

Agilent’s 7696A automated sample preparation unit was introduced at the end of 2010. It is designed to perform automated dilutions, additions, heating, mixing and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). With a 50-position vial sample tray, the 7696A sample prep WorkBench costs around $22,000.

The AutoSolv from Microfluidica is an automated LLE system that was introduced in March. It uses less than 5 mL of solvent and sample and has an extraction time of under five minutes. The AutoSolv can be interfaced with an LC or a GC system through USB or RS-232 connectivity. The total system costs less than $20,000 without an autosampler.

Surface Science

Bruker introduced the e-FlashHR electron backscatter diffraction detector for use in electron microscopy. The detector provides 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution and analysis that is fast and flexible. The e-Flash has already begun shipping at a base price of $70,000.

WITec showed its True Surface Microscopy system, which combines its alpha 300 confocal Raman microscope with a detector system that measures sample topography, allowing complete Raman imaging of rough or tilted samples. The additional sensor adds approximately €50,000 ($65,790) to the price of the alpha 300. The product was launched in Germany in December 2010.