Atomic Spectroscopy

SciAps revealed its handheld laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, which is available in two models, the Z 500 and the Z 100. The system is comparable to handheld XRF for heavier elements, but LIBS can also detect lighter elements that are difficult or impossible for XRF to detect. The laser is an eye-safe nanosecond pulsed laser. An array detector provides coverage from 180 nm to 670 nm, while an argon purge system improves sensitivity by an order of magnitude. A camera in the nose aids in aiming the laser, and an autofocus system helps to correct both the image and the laser focus depth. The Android software offers flexibility, with the possibility to raster the laser across multiple locations on the sample surface. The Z 500 is priced in the low to mid-$50,000 range. The Z 100 is a more basic model that will be released later, at a price range of about $30,000.

A few weeks ago, Spectro Analytical (AMETEK) began shipments of a specialized version of its Spectro Genesis inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP), which is intended for particular petrochemical applications in condition monitoring and wear of metals in lubricating oils. The system is loaded with the appropriate methods and is priced from $50,000 to $60,000. Spectro has also introduced a twin interface for its SpectroBlue ICP, allowing both axial and radial views.

IXRF debuted two new standalone instruments for portable and lab X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The Compass is a large portable XRF system that provides lab quality data. It has a 12-position sample holder and is controlled through a tablet. The system will begin shipping in the third quarter at a price range of about $30,000–$60,000. The iXRF Atlas is a lab system for microXRF. The system can be outfitted with polycapillary optics to reduce the spot size to 10 µm. It will be available by year end.

PANalytical (Spectris) debuted its Epsilon 1 XRF spectrometer. Considerably more compact than the existing members of the Epsilon product line, the system is available in a number of specific packages for mining, sulfur in oil, milk powder, lubricating oils and general/academic applications. It is now shipping at a price of $40,000–$50,000.

Skalar introduced a new version of its SNC nitrogen and carbon analyzer for solids. The system includes automated acid sample preparation and larger crucibles, and can be outfitted with an autosampler with the capacity for 100 samples. The system is now available at a price of $50,000.

GC

Markes International introduced the Select-eV ion source technology, a soft electron ionization technique for its BenchTOF GC/MS. According to the company, unlike other GC chemical ionization techniques, it does not result in a loss in sensitivity. Select-eV does not require reagent gases or the changing of sources. As part of method setup, users can select ionization energies from 70 eV down to 10 eV, with lower energies providing full fragmentation information. The technology was introduced in January.

Informatics

Accelrys introduced Accelrys Capture software, part of its mobile strategy for labs. Using a tablet or smart phone, lab staff can directly input data, which is instantly transferred to a server or PC, including the Accelrys Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN). Accelrys Capture is now part of the ELN and will be available soon for Accelrys’s LIMS and Lab Execution System. The interface shows the procedure or method and a field for the user’s notes and observations. Depending on the device, voice recordings and pictures can also be captured and converted to text.

Bio-Rad Laboratories released the KnowItAll ATR/IR ID Expert and Raman ID Expert software and databases for identifying unknown compounds. The software utilizes a new interface designed for both expert and novice users, and includes visual prompts. The software automates searches for single and multiple components. It begins shipping in April.

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Chromeleon 7.2 Service Release 1 (SR1) is an upgrade to the Chromeleon chromatography data system that integrates GC, ion chromatography, LC and MS into a single enterprise platform. It allows control of a vendor-neutral workflow from chromatography to MS quantification. SR 1 extends the Chromeleon 7.2 CDS one-click workflow capabilities, which can be utilized for quantitation and compliance functionality, particularly in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical labs. It also includes built-in customizable eWorkflow functionality.

Lab Products

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s VersaCool Refrigerated Circulating Bath has a removable head that can be attached its the top. The temperature ranges from -20º C to 150º C, with a flow rate of 14.6 L/min. and a cooling capacity of 425 W. Additionally, the VersaCool has Ethernet ports and an integrated Bluetooth system. The system is priced at approximately $6,000, with an optional adjustable sample rack for $700. VersaCool is available for purchase as of this month.

LC

Waters’s ACQUITY UPLC M-Class system was designed to analyze compounds with a limited amount or availability on a nano- to microscale level. The M-Class boasts 15 k max-psi columns for analyzing particles at or under 2 µm. The system streamlines 2D-LC procedures and extends pressure range to detect protein conformational changes. The ACQUITY UPLC M-Class was released in January.

MS

TSI introduced the MacroIMS system, which was developed from its condensation particle counting technology. The system is an ion mobility spectrometer designed to analyze extremely large molecules with a range of 8 kDa to 100 MDa. It will have applications with proteins, viruses and other biomolecules.

Waters showcased the QDa MS detector, a compact and easy-to-use device for obtaining mass spectral information. It compliments optical detection to confirm compound identity in samples that do not have a UV signature or are otherwise undetectable. The instrument requires no prepping or maintenance. It is compatible with all of Waters’s LCs, supercritical fluid chromatographs and Empower software. Released in October 2013, it is priced at $40,000.

Materials Characterization

Beckman Coulter (Danaher) introduced the Multisizer 4e, which provides improved performance compared to the Multisizer 4, which was introduced in 2008. The main difference is the extended range of particle size, which has been enabled by the introduction of a smaller aperture in the Coulter counter. The 10 µm aperture allows the instrument to measure particles down to about 0.2 µm, making it more suitable for use with protein aggregates, cells and subcellular components. The system is priced at about $50,000 and is shipping.

Fritsch announced its entry into the dynamic image analysis market for particle characterization with the introduction of the Analysette 28. Currently configured for dry samples, the instrument provides image information on particles from 20 µm to 20 mm. The system began shipping at the beginning of the year at a price of about $40,000.

Linseis showed off its new DSC PT 1000 and DSC PT 1000 Hires differential scanning calorimeters (DSCs). This second generation instrument includes an improved sensor with 60 or 120 thermocouples for greater sensitivity. The instrument will officially launch later this month at a price ranging from $20,000 to $60,000.

Microtrac presented the Microtrac Stabino, which provides particle charge titration analysis. Building on zeta potential analysis, the system provides fast measurements of even concentrated samples without any sample preparation. It can also be mated with an optional system for particle sizing. The Stabino began shipping in November 2013, and a complete system with particle sizing is priced at about $55,000.

NETZSCH introduced a DSC for the polymer industry, the DSC 214 Polyma. The system is relatively compact and incorporates a number of improvements and customized details. A new Sample Cutter tool helps polymer labs to easily produce samples with good thermal contact. The new concavus pans provide better reproducibility. The low mass silver furnace can provide heating rates up to 500 K per minute. The unit is now available at a price of $30,000 and up.

Shimadzu introduced a number of new materials characterization products. The SALD-7500nano is a laser diffraction particle size analyzer. The system has increased its measurement range down to 7 nm and has 10 times the sensitivity of the previous generation of analyzers. The Aggregates Sizer is a specialized version of the SALD-7500 optimized for the analysis of protein aggregation.

Teledyne Leeman Labs released an updated version of its Prodigy ICP spectrometer. The Prodigy 7 will begin shipping at the end of March, with a number of advances, including a twist-and-lock torch, a CMOS sensor and a smaller footprint. A full-featured model with dual view will be priced above $80,000.

Molecular Spectroscopy

The TacticID from B&W Tek is a compact handheld Raman system for use by first responders. The system launched in February at a price of about $45,000–$50,000.

Drop Technology’s TLDAµv (transmitted light drop analyzer) is a standalone spectrophotometer designed for sessile droplets (in lieu of a cuvette) 1–4 µL in size. Each pipetted drop is held in place on a Quartz plinth by leveraging a Laplace pressure of several atmospheres, ensuring each drop has identical shape. The system has an optical resolution of 1.5 nm FWHM, a wavelength range of 200–750 nm, and takes only 10 seconds to prep, read and clean. The drops give average path length values, increasing the dynamic range of measurement and removing the need for dilutions. It is priced at €8,000 ($10,667) for distributors and includes an integrated computer. The company also introduced accessories for the system for Ocean Optics’ spectrometers, at price of $3,500, and Agilent’s Cary 50/60 spectrophotometer, at a price of $3,600.

At the end of 2013, JASCO began shipping the J-1500 and J-1100 circular dichroism spectrometers. The J-1100 is intended more for routine measurements, while the J-1500 has more advanced functionality, including numerous standard and optional measurement modes. The systems are priced from about $70,000 to $130,000.

Rigaku Raman unveiled its next generation Progeny handheld Raman analyzer. The system uses a 1064 nm laser to reduce background fluorescence and weighs in at just 3.5 lb. The angled shape allows for barrel inspection, while the operator can still read and use the interface. The 512 pixel InGaAs detector provides resolution of 10 cm-1 in a range of 200–2500 cm-1. The system can interface with a docking station that not only charges the handheld device and syncs data, but also allows the instrument to be used as a benchtop system with optional sample stages. The Progeny handheld is now available at a price of about $45,000–$55,000. Rigaku also introduced the Progeny X2, a very compact dual-wavelength benchtop Raman system.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the DXRxi Raman microscope, which can provide real-time chemical imagery. The system is designed to be easy to use, with software that allows a microscopist to use the system without any particular expertise in spectroscopy. It is now shipping at a price of about $200,000.

Xylem exhibited the Bellingham + Stanley ADP600 polarimeter. The system offers both single and multiple wavelength measurements in a range from 589 nm to 305 nm with a four decimal place readout. The touchscreen controlled system features Peltier temperature control. It will begin shipping in about four weeks at a price to be determined.

NMR

Bruker had a new benchtop NMR system on display in its booth, the Fourier 60. The fixed magnet 60 MHz system uses the standard Bruker NMR software, making it powerful for a compact system. The system will be available in models for hydrogen only, and hydrogen and carbon. The line will be available by mid-year at a price ranging from about $70,000 to $100,000, depending on the specific model and options.

Sample Preparation

CEM’s Discover SP-X is a microwave sample preparation system utilizing a sequential, as opposed to batch, approach to microwave digestion for solid-liquid solvent extraction. Designed as an alternate to sonication, Soxhlet and other techniques, the Discover SP-X has a 10–20 minute extraction time, including cooldown, and reduces solvent usage. It comes with the option for an automation deck and vessel sizes of 35 mL and 80 mL. It began shipping in October 2013.

Surface Science

HORIBA introduced the Micos microscope optical spectrometer. The system has been designed from the ground up. The sensor provides coverage over wavelengths from 200 nm to 1600 nm, spanning UV, visible and NIR spectra. It uses laser illumination to provide a variety of luminescence measurements. The microscopic assembly was introduced around the beginning of the year. Mated with a HORIBA spectrometer, a complete package is priced at about $50,000.

Building on the design of its previous InTouch scope, JEOL introduced the JSM IT300 scanning electron microscope (SEM), a more powerful and full-featured SEM with a larger sample chamber and improved software. The system is wireless but can also be run from the included tablet. The system provides excellent low voltage imaging, improved scanning generation to remove artifacts and can accommodate two energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) detectors. Launched in October 2013, the system is priced at about $214,000 for the base model without EDS.