Atomic Spectroscopy

LECO introduced new configurations for its latest generation of inorganic and organic elemental analysis systems. Late last year, sulfur and oxygen analyzers were released for the CHN628 analyzer. Each option has a price of about $8,000 to $10,000. In May, a sulfur option will become available for the TruMac series at an additional price of about $8,000.

NIC (Rigaku) introduced the RA-4500 mercury analyzer at Pittcon. The highly automated system includes an integrated digestion system on a rotating heating block. A color sensor also automatically checks whether further potassium permanganate reagent must be added, adhering to the method specifications. The system will be available in the US in June at a price of about $40,000.

Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the iCAP Q inductively coupled plasma–MS (ICP-MS), which is almost a total redesign of the X Series. The iCAP Q reduces analysis time by 50%, according to Thermo. The improved ion focusing, collision cell and kinetic-energy filter helps to eliminate background noise and maintain sensitivity for lighter elements. The three models are the Q, the QC with collision cell, and the QS for semiconductor applications. Shipments began in February, with prices ranging from $120,000 to about $170,000.

Earlier in March, XOS introduced the handheld HD Mobile X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, incorporating the HD XRF technology that is in its benchtop HD Prime system. The HD Mobile is intended for similar applications in consumer product safety and hazardous substance compliance and is priced at about $55,000. XOS expects to begin shipping in May.

GC

Alpha MOS introduced the GC-based Heracles II “electronic nose” system. Faster and more sensitive than the previous model, it also provides greater adaptability for use in production environments. The Heracles II has a dual-channel flame ionization detector and incorporates a purge and trap system. The list price for the stand-alone system is $56,000, but most customers purchase the CTC autosampler, which adds around $30,000 to the price.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Trace 1300 GC Series, which includes the 1300 and 1310 models. Its modular design allows users to swap out injectors and detectors in a few minutes. The 1300 is the base model, which has a simplified user interface that requires minimal user interaction. The 1310 offers more user control and is intended for quality control and methods development.

General Lab

The Optima X series of ultracentrifuges from Beckman Coulter were introduced in November 2011. These preparative-scale units integrate real-time speed and temperature analysis. The Optima X series has a maximum speed of 100,000 rpm and is capable of generating forces of up to 802,000 x g. The XE model is the base unit, while the XPN also integrates networking capability and on-board simulation tools, among many other features.

The 2900 biochemistry analyzer from YSI (Xylem) succeeds the 2300 and 2700 models and features a smaller footprint. The system can measure up to 15 parameters, each in under one minute. It is shipping, with a price of $16,000 to $19,000.

Informatics

Shimadzu introduced the LabSolutions DB for LC and GC data management. As many as four instruments can work with the software at the same time, and parameters for each project can be set on an individual basis. The software is designed for labs that lack the resources for full client/server installations. The software will begin shipping in May. An enterprise-level solution, currently available in Japan, will likely soon be available in the US and Europe.

Waters unveiled its NuGenesis 8 scientific data management software, featuring Laboratory Execution (LE) technology that guides the user through operating procedures. The software allows scientific information from laboratories to be immediately shared with business systems. The software will begin shipping in May.

Life Science

EMD Millipore’s Direct Detect uses FT-IR and a new PTFE membrane for protein quantitation. IR provides benefits over UV-Vis or colorimetric assays, which are used in the Lowry, amino acid analysis and Bradford methods. The Direct Detect system measures the amide bonds in protein chains and does not rely on amino acid composition. Protein concentrations from 0.2 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL can be measured. Nucleic acid, lipids and carbohydrates can also be detected with an approximate analysis time of two minutes. The average price per sample is approximately $0.55. The Direct Detect has a price tag of $22,000.

Taiwan-based BiOptic’s Qsep100 is an automated capillary electrophoresis system. The unit can process a 96-well plate in two to seven minutes, with a sensitivity of 0.1 ng/µL and a resolution of 1–4 bps. The Qsep100 uses a disposable cartridge that can achieve 200 sample runs with a cost of about $0.10–$0.20 per run. The software allows both qualitative and quantitative DNA analysis. The system costs around $18,000 and began shipping in January.

LC

Eksigent (AB SCIEX) showcased its ekspert ultraLC 100 and 100-XL analytical UHPLCs, which are made to pair with AB SCIEX’s MS systems and are the result of an OEM agreement with Spark Holland. The systems operate at pressures as high as 18,000 psi and at flow rates from 1 µL to 5 mL per minute. The 100-XL system utilizes an autosampler designed to reduce carryover. Depending on configuration, the systems are priced from $49,000 to $55,000. Both will start shipping in April.

The Envision Nano 2000 is the most recent LC system from CVC Technologies. It is a nano-scale UHPLC system with a flow-rate range of 0.05–100 µL/min., a maximum operating pressure of 12,000 psi, flow accuracy of 3% at 300 nL/min. and precision of <0.2% relative standard deviation at 300 nL/min. Expected to start shipping in April, the product will have a price of around $90,000. Thermo Fisher Scientific unveiled its Dionex ICS-4000 and ICS-5000 capillary high pressure ion chromatography (HPIC) systems. The ICS-5000 can utilize new capillary columns packed with 4 µm particles, which allow higher throughput with minimal water usage and reduced waste. Priced at around $40,000, the ICS-5000 is now shipping. The ICS-4000 HPIC system incorporates multiple detectors, including a new QD charge detector for weakly dissociated ions. The system is priced at around $30,000 and will begin shipping in mid-2012. MS Advion introduced the expression CMS (compact MS) single quadrupole system. The system is designed to fit in a fume hood and, at under $50,000, is intended to be a “personal” MS for synthetic organic chemists. The system can be connected to any number of LC systems or can accept direct liquid injections. It is now shipping, and Advion has announced an expansion of its manufacturing facility to accommodate strong initial OEM orders. Bruker introduced its ionBooster electrospray ionization source. The source is maintained at an elevated temperature. It is designed primarily for Bruker’s high-performance Q-TOF models. Bruker claims that the ionBooster can improve the sensitivity for many compounds by 5 to 100 times, greatly improving the quantitative capabilities. Materials Characterization Cilas introduced the Nano DS particle sizing instrument that combines both static and dynamic light scattering technology on the same optical platform. The instrument covers the particle-size range of 0.3 nm to 10 µm. Prototypes have been released in Europe, and the system should be shipping in the US in June at a price of about $45,000. JASCO entered the particle characterization market with the release of two closely related products. The IF-400 nano and CF-400 nano are flow particle-image analyzers designed for injection flow and continuous flow, respectively. The systems cover the particle sizes from nanometers to millimeters and are now being introduced at prices from $20,000 to $150,000, depending on the measurement range. Psylotech introduced the 3D-DMA dynamic mechanical analyzer. The system measures the effects of temperature and mechanical force on materials, such as polymers and plastics. Direct measurements of various elastic moduli and other physical properties of the material provide complete information about material behavior that can be used in finite element analysis software. Priced at about $120,000, the system is available for sale. Xylem’s Bellingham+Stanley Pro-Juice refractometer is designed for the challenges presented by orange juice analysis due to pulp and solids. The Pro-Juice conditions the sample prior to analysis and was created in response to customer needs for quality analysis and production control. The $40,000 price includes on-site training and commissioning. Molecular Spectroscopy Block Engineering, which specializes in Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology, introduced the LaserBench FT-IR spectrometer. The instrument is designed as a conventional FT-IR spectrometer and can accommodate standard FT-IR sampling accessories, but replaces the conventional radiation sources with the QCL, which is a tunable source that provides far higher sensitivity. The system is now shipping and is priced around $90,000 to $95,000. JASCO introduced the MSV-5000 Series of UV/Vis/NIR microscopes. The platforms integrate the microscope and spectroscopy system into a single unit and allow for one scan, instead of three, to perform a single analysis. The 5100 model is UV/Vis only, with a wavelength range of 200 nm to 900 nm. The 5200 model includes a peltier-cooled lead sulfide detector, extending its wavelength range to 2,700 nm. The 5300 model has a range up to 1,600 nm and uses an indium gallium arsenide detector to achieve optimal measurements in the NIR region. The series’ prices range from $80,000 to $100,000. Systems are expected to begin shipping in May. Shimadzu introduced the UV-2600 and UV-2700 UV/Vis spectrophotometers, which are single- and dual- monochromator designs, respectively. Both models have a smaller footprint and lower energy usage than Shimadzu’s previous generation instruments. The single monochromator design of the 2600 allows for the use of an integrating sphere accessory and an extension of the wavelength into the NIR. Pricing for the UV-2600 starts at over $10,000, while the UV-2700 will be priced around $13,000 to $14,000. Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the NanoDrop Lite spectrophotometer, which is small enough to fit in a drawer, for quick measurements of nucleic acids and protein concentrations. It uses the same sample-retention technology as the larger NanoDrop 2000 and 8000 but with a narrower wavelength range. It can analyze sample volumes between 1 µL and 2 µL and is priced at $6,500. It is now shipping. Sample Preparation CEM launched the MARS 6, its sixth-generation microwave digester, which is intended primarily as a sample preparation tool for ICP and ICP-MS. The system allows users to select the sample type, and it will set all the options. It also automatically recognizes vessel types and counts the number of vessels being used. More than 80 methods are preinstalled. The price is about 5% to 10% greater than the previous generation. The MARS 6 begins shipping in April. Surface Science In January, EDAX (AMETEK) introduced the TEAM Pegasus integrated energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) analyzer for use with electron microscopes. EDS provides elemental microanalysis, while EBSD provides crystallographic diffraction data. The user can examine the sample in either mode or in a blended mode. The price is about $150,000 to $200,000.