Atomic Spectroscopy

Elvatech introduced the ElvaX Mobile portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument. It is controlled by a PDA and is currently shipping.

PG Instruments released a new version of its most recent atomic absorption system, the AA500, which was released in mid-2011. The new version includes an embedded PC. The AA flame can run on either acetylene or common petroleum gas. This latter option appeals to developing countries where access to acetylene may be difficult. The new version is now available at a price of about $20,500.

Roentgenanalytik showed the Maxxi 6L XRF thickness analyzer. Introduced in Europe in December 2011, the system is now available in the US at a price ranging from €35,000 ($48,611 = €0.72 = $1) to €55,000 ($76,389).

Rigaku introduced a new version of its NEX QC energy-dispersive XRF system. The NEX QC VS is designed for spot analysis (rather than bulk analysis in the previous system). Applications are geared toward hazardous substance compliance and precious metals testing. It offers a variable spot size for analysis. The system began shipping in March at a price of $35,000–$40,000.

Rigaku introduced two X-ray diffraction (XRD) systems at the show. The MiniFlex 600 is the fifth generation of the company’s line of benchtop powder XRD instruments. The system has a 600 W X-ray source to reduce analysis time. The new platform began shipping in January at a price starting around $85,000. The MiniFlex 300 is similar but has a 300 W source.

In November 2011, Shimadzu introduced an online version of its latest generation total organic carbon analyzer. The TOC-4200 uses catalyst-aided combustion technology and is priced at $26,000.

GC

JASCO introduced its Prep-2088 preparative supercritical fluid chromatography system to the US at Pittcon. It has been available for several years in Japan. The modular design includes an optional circular dichroism detector for chiral separations. The system can be configured for a range of applications, including analytical, semipreparative and preparative. It is priced from $200,000 to $275,000.

Torion introduced the TRIDION-9 portable GC/MS, which uses a toroidal ion trap design and was first shown in October 2011. At less than 32 lb, including the battery, the system is 25% lighter than other GC/MS systems. Improvements over the GUARDION-7 include easier customer serviceability and a case that is more rugged. The list price for the basic package is in the mid-$80,000s.

Informatics

Thermo Fisher Scientific showed the CONNECTS for the Paperless Lab suite, which allows companies to access the data produced in labs by different vendors’ software. CONNECTS transfers instrument data to a single interface for immediate access with no need to utilize the original application. Cost ranges from $20,000 to $30,000.

HPLC

Eksigent (AB SCIEX) released its ekspert microLC 200 microflow UHPLC. It has a flow-rate range of 5–200 µL/min. and maximum pressure of 10,000 psi. Priced at roughly $65,000, it began shipping in March.

CVC Technologies’ Laevitas 800 UHPLC system was introduced in November 2011. The system’s maximum operating pressure is 12,000 psi, with a flow-rate range from 1 µL/min. to 2,000 µL/min. The autosampler can accommodate 1.5 or 4 mL vials, in addition to 96- and 384-well plates. The system has a UV-Vis wavelength range of 190–700 nm, accuracy of 1 nm and a precision of 0.1 nm. The price is approximately $60,000.

General Lab

A&D Weighing introduced its Ion Series of balances. The Series includes six models. The BM 20 and 22 models are micro-balances with capacities of up to 22 g. All models include a built-in ionization source with 10,000 hours of operational lifetime. The built-in fan-less ionizer is user replaceable. A&D’s AD-1688 data logger, which stores up to 5,000 weighing results, comes standard. Optional accessories include an anti-vibrational table, remote controller, table-top breeze break, electrostatic field meter and densimeter. Shipments will begin in April.

The Protector XStream laboratory hood from LabConco is expected to begin shipping in July. It has a 37.5-in. window, when measured from work surface to header panel. Its price ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.

Laboratory Automation

SCP Science’s Robotic Liquid Handling system features a three-axis robotic platform with the capability to add up to seven reagents. The system can perform sample dilutions, aliquoting and transfers. SCP offers configurations for a variety of throughputs, with volumes from microliters to liters. Introduced this year, it has a price of $18,000.

Life Science

The Auto 2D from Sharp is an automated two-dimensional electrophoresis system designed for proteomic analysis. The first dimension of isoelectric point is 0.02 pH, followed by the second-dimensional molecular weight of 2kDa. It has a total analysis time of 100 minutes and is priced at around $60,000. Introduced in Japan in December 2011, the product will be launched in the US later this year.

Molecular Spectroscopy

ABB introduced the MB-Rx in situ reaction-monitoring system based on its MB-3000 FT-IR spectrometer. It is designed for laboratory reaction monitoring in a variety of industries and is priced at around $75,000.

Centice showed the NetSenX handheld Raman, which uses Centice’s coded aperture technology. The system is designed as a simplified and more affordable analyzer. The NetSenX is expected to be priced at around $15,000 and will be officially launched in May.

COSA Xentaur showed two new NMR systems at Pittcon. The SpinPulse is a benchtop time-domain NMR that provides concentration information. It is designed specifically for the agriculture and food industry and is priced starting at $40,000. The company also introduced the Aspect Italia, which is a 60 MHz fixed-magnet NMR that is supplied via an OEM agreement with an Italian supplier. The Aspect Italia is primarily targeted at the petrochemical industry and is priced at around $85,000.

HF Scientific, a subsidiary of Watts Water Technologies, introduced the HF-38 handheld dual-wavelength fluorometer, which utilizes a DNA reagent to tag toxic heavy metals for on-site analysis. The HF-38 is designed to bring testing from the lab to the field. It is priced in the US at $2,150. Individual reagent shots cost $15 each.

JDSU introduced the fully functional MicroNIR spectrometer, which is a 45 x 42 mm NIR spectrophotometer based on linear variable filter technology. It is available in two wavelength ranges: the MicroNIR 2200 for 1,100–2,150 nm, and the MicroNIR 1,700 for 950–1,650 nm. Each is available now at a price of $5,000. It is likely that the systems primarily will be sold as OEM products.

Mustard Tree Instruments introduced the Verifier Process System 1000 (VPS-1000), a process Raman spectrometer that is intended to provide online quality control or end-point monitoring for applications in chemical and pharmaceutical processing and manufacturing. It is expected to begin shipping in June at a price of around $100,000.

Rigaku introduced the Xantus-2 handheld Raman spectrometer. The instrument incorporates two different lasers for two different wavelengths, enabling a broader range of applications. The system is expected to ship around May 1 and will be priced in the range of $40,000–$50,000.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the TruNarc handheld Raman system that is intended to help law enforcement test for potential illicit drugs in the field. In contrast to Thermo’s other handheld Raman instruments, the TruNarc is lighter and less expensive, with a price of around $20,000. It began shipping in March.

MS

This year at Pittcon, 1st Detect officially introduced its MMS-1000 miniature MS, which is now available. Based around an ion trap design, the MMS-1000 is a direct injection unit that only requires power from a conventional plug or car battery. The system weighs less than 17 lb and has a list price of around $50,000.

IONICS Mass Spectrometry introduced a new generation of its 3Q triple quadrupole LC/MS instruments. The 3Q Series 100 and 200 offer the same parallel dual-source capability and vertical floor-standing configuration but with a leap in sensitivity. The Series 100 (the 3Q 110 has a single source and the 3Q 120 has a dual source) has an extended mass range of up to 2,150 m/z and is intended for more routine applications. The Series 200 (the 3Q 210 has a single source and the 3Q 220 has a dual source) has maximum sensitivity and a scan speed of 27,000 Da/sec. The dual-source instrument versions are available with electrospray ionization (ESI)/ESI, ESI/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or APCI/APCI sources. Prices for the Series 100 range from the high $200,000s to the low $300,000s. The Series 200 is priced in the high $300,000s.

Protea Biosciences introduced the LAESI DP-1000 laser-ablation ESI system that was developed specifically for the analysis of biomolecules. It is designed to eliminate complicated sample preparation and front-end chromatography steps. The first commercial shipments are expected to begin in April, with a price of around $250,000 with installation.

Materials Characterization

In March, Fluid Imaging Technologies began shipping its new FlowCAM PV Series of imaging particle-size and particle-shape analyzers. The Series offers only a single magnification range and is intended for quality control applications. Priced at $39,000, it is touch screen controlled and self-cleaning.

Formulaction introduced a new version of its Rheolaser Lab system for the optical measurement of rheological properties. The Rheolaser Lab6 provides six stations that can carry out simultaneous measurement of samples. The new version has begun shipping, with prices ranging from $60,000 to $70,000. Later this year, the Lab6+ will be released, which will reduce the minimum viscosity measured by the system down to 30 cP.

Grabner Instruments (AMETEK) debuted the Mini­scan IRXpert, which is a fully functional FT-IR spectrometer that is optimized and calibrated for fuel analysis. It requires less than 15 mL of sample and can measure 40 parameters of gasoline and diesel fuels, including compounds analysis and predictions of physical properties. Shipments will begin in April at a price of €36,000 ($50,000), depending on the geographic market.

Micromeritics’ Particulate Systems brand introduced a new four-port version of its HPVA high-pressure volumetric analyzer. The system has just recently begun shipping at a price of about $180,000–$190,000.

NETZSCH introduced an updated thermogravimetric analyzer. The TG-209 F1 Libra extends the temperature range up to 1100 °C, and new high-temperature ceramic components prevent corrosive samples from damaging the instrument. It is now available at a price of $45,000.

Shimadzu introduced the SALD-2300 laser diffraction particle-size analyzer. The system provides a range of particle-size measurements from 17 nm to 2.5 mm. The shock-absorbing frame and automated refractive index calculator help to improve measurements and reduce analysis time. Sample cassettes for wet or dry samples can be quickly interchanged. Units should begin shipping at the end of April.

TA Instruments (Waters) showed two new product lines for the first time at Pittcon. The Discovery Hybrid Rheometer was introduced in the third quarter of 2011 at a price starting at $100,000. The system incorporates a second-generation magnetic bearing. There are three models in the new line of rheometers, and numerous accessories are available. The new Discovery Laser Flash Diffusivity instruments stem from the Anter acquisition (see IBO 7/31/11) and started shipments at the end of 2011. The price ranges from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on options.

TTP Labtech demonstrated its new ChipCAL calorimeter system. The system uses flow technology to transport samples to the thermodynamic cell. It can analyze sample volumes as small as 15 µL and has a detection limit of 30 nW. Designed for applications in enzyme kinetics and cell metabolism, the ChipCAL will begin shipping in July or August at a price of about £25,000 ($40,323 = £0.62 = $1). By year end, automation will be available to handle 96-well plates.

Sample Preparation

The Smart Prep Extractor from Horizon Technology is an automated solid phase extraction unit, which is expected to begin shipping in April. It can integrate up to 12 cartridges, with varying sizes of 1 mL, 3 mL or 6 mL. Throughput ranges from 12 to 96 samples sequentially or up to eight samples simultaneously. The system costs approximately $20,000.

Surface Science

Phenom World expanded its line of desktop electron microscopes with the Phenom proX. This new version is outfitted with an internal energy-dispersive spectroscopy detector for elemental analysis. The new model was launched March 1 at a price of about $110,000–$120,000.