Each year, IBO provides a summary of new products (defined as having begun shipping in the last six months) at Pittcon. The list is not designed to be comprehensive—it provides an overview of many of the new products introduced at Pittcon, mostly those introduced since the beginning of 2018, and that will be officially launched in coming months. Part 2 will appear in the March 31 issue.

Atomic Spectroscopy

Elvatech showed off its newest handheld XRF instrument, the ProSpector 3, which it characterizes as being the lightest and fastest system available. Improved detector sensitivity and signal analysis allows for a very high count rate, and the total weight is just over 1 kg. The control display is on a hinge, allowing for ease of viewing, with an optional benchtop stand still under development. The system is expected to ship in about three months, but the price is still being determined. The company also displayed the Elvax 3 benchtop ED-XRF system with a powerful 60 kV source, which debuted about six months ago.

The new Atlas N model in iXRF’s Atlas line of microspot XRF systems provides options for as many as 4 separate detectors and boasts a small spot size of just 5 µm. A few of the newer versions have already shipped earlier this year, at a price ranging from roughly $150,000–$300,000 depending on the number of detectors and other options.

LECO displayed two new carbon/nitrogen analyzers. The 928 Series was released a few months ago for larger “macro” samples up to 3 g of soils, coal and other solids. The system is based on combustion and features a 100-position autoloader and extended reagent lifetimes. The 928 is priced at about $50,000-$60,000. LECO had a preview showing of the 828 Series, which is expected to begin shipping in the second or third quarter of this year at a price likely in the high $30,000s. This system is designed for samples under half a gram, generally for food, feed and other agricultural samples, and shares some of the technological advantages of the 928 Series.

Malvern PANalytical introduced a new version of its benchtop Epsilon EDXRF instrument. The new Epsilon 4 has an improved SDD detector and detector electronics, making measurement faster. It is designed to handle large samples individually or smaller samples in a carousel, and can perform measurements in ambient air or a helium purge. The system began shipping at the end of January at a price of $65,000–$120,000.

Electrochemistry

Hanna Instruments launched a new generation of titrators with a 50% smaller footprint. The HI931 and HI932 feature an exchangeable Clip Lock burette system which makes it easier to switch between reagents and prevent cross contamination. These instruments are aimed at food and beverage analysis, chemical process and academic research. The HI932 has a double burette for multiple analysis, while the HI931 is designed for single analysis. The price for the HI932 and HI931 is estimated to be around $9,500 and $4,500, respectively. Both titrators will be ready for shipment this summer.

IKA introduced the ElectraSyn 2.0, which combines three instruments in one. This new system is designed as a potentiometer, an analytical device and a stirring plate in one complete system. The instrument is aimed at discovery-scale synthetic organic chemistry, which includes medicines, materials, agrochemicals and natural products. The ElectraSyn 2.0 is ready for shipment with a price tag between $1,400 to $2,000.

United Scientific Supplies introduced the Emerald, an ISO certified electronic burette that features three different dispensing speeds, including high-accuracy drop-wise dispensing. The device is equipped with an easy-to-use interface, which controls the dispensing, and also a recirculation system that enables quick purging without loss of the reagent. Available in three different sizes, the Emerald has a price tag around $1,255 and is currently available on the market.

Gas Chromatography

MOCON, a division of AMETEK, launched a new addition to its PetroAlert product line. The Series 9200 combines GC with a total hydrocarbon analyzer in one compact instrument. This system is designed particularly for the oil and gas industry, especially to analyze hydrocarbon in the well logging process. It is also equipped with 4 columns that can run 4 different analyses simultaneously. The Series 9200 is ready for shipment with a price range of $33,000–$42,000.

Nanova Environmental introduced a portable GC with a focus in environmental testing, particularly air and water quality analysis. The Novatest P100 is a two-dimensional mobile GC system with 8 hours battery life and 2.5 minutes average run time for each analysis.

Omniscent actively promoted its OMNI-2000 VOC analyzer, based on MEMS technology. The micro-GC system is designed as a fixed-site gas detector for monitoring the perimeters of refineries. An important application relates to a new EPA rule that requires monitoring of benzene emissions. The system is expected to begin installations next quarter, and the business model is a lease arrangement for $1,500 per month per system.

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments introduced the Nexis GC-2030, which emphasizes a user friendly interface and easy column installations, with a ClickTek connection and nut. The Nexis GC-2030 is a multiple-channel system with 3 inlets and 4 detectors. The new system also includes an “Eco mode” which optimizes the use of carrier gas such as helium, and reduces electricity use when idle. The Nexis GC-2030 has been commercially available in Japan since May 2017, and shipment to the US began last August with a $20,000-$25,000 price tag.

Zebra Analytix showcased its latest product, a miniature GC system equipped with a MEMS chip as an “electronic nose.” As the smallest GC system on market, it offers an order-of-magnitude lower price alternative to a regular GC system, according to the company. The Zebra-GC Model L comes with a complete system, including Bluetooth communication to a PC or smartphone, while Model M is a versatile modular mini GC system. Zebra GC is still in development and not yet available for commercial purchase.

General Analytical Techniques

A&D Weighing introduced the new Apollo Series with its GX-A/GF-A model. This multi-functional balance system is equipped with three new features that enhance weighing results even under challenging conditions. The new features are: electronically controlled load, impact shock detection and flow rate display. Typically, these types of balances are used heavily in the food and beverage industry, but with A&D Weighing’s new improvements, the system will also be a good fit for academic and pharma sectors. The Apollo Series will be ready for shipment in April, with a price range of $25,000­–$46,000.

Adam Equipment unveiled two new balance series, the Equinox and Solis Series. The Equinox Series features an easy to use touch screen display that is equipped with a formulation/recipe function and a three thousand item database. The Solis Series is designed for simpler measurements, with 99 formulations stored within the system. These balances are mainly applied in food testing, forensics analysis and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The balances will be ready for shipment in May with a price range of $1,000–$5,000.

Lab Automation

Scinomix showcased its new automation capper that will officially launch in the US in the fourth quarter of 2018. It can cap up to 48 vials in 6 minutes and uncap them in 4 minutes, and is particularly well suited for working with cryovials. The system can be used standalone or integrated with a robotic arm.

Sirius Automation introduced its MiniTasker for everyday lab tasks, such as analytical weighing, sample ID, sorting, dilutions, standard preparation and aliquoting. With times of 3 sec/sample for sorting and 6 sec/sample for weighing, this small footprint system can host up to 20 microplate racks. The system costs between $37,000 and $70,000 depending on the configuration.

Teledyne Cetac launched its SimPrep automated system for preparing samples, diluting standards and dispensing. It features a wide range of syringes from 20 µL to 50 mL to serve multiple applications. It is designed to serve environmental, mining, pharmaceutical and soil laboratories.

Lab Equipment

In January, Corning launched its LSE Microcentrifuge that operates at a fixed speed of 6,000 rpm and is designed for quick spin downs of micro-samples. This product can be used worldwide, as it comes with universal power adaptors, and is calibrated to comply with ISO 8655 (international pipette standards). The price tag is $259.

Edstrom Industries launched its PICO water purification system, which is manufactured in the UK. The $5,000 system can be customized as a type II or type III unit. The system has a user friendly design, what with its ease of use and cartridges that can be changed once a year by the user. This small footprint instrument has a 35 L reservoir tank and is sold online through the company’s website, as well as Amazon.

Eppendorf launched its Centrifuge 5425, which features a variety of optional rotors (from tubes to PCR strips) as well as high-throughput operation, all while keeping a small footprint. This model includes an innovative system for passive heat removal that prevents contamination risk and lowers noise levels, as the cooling air does not need to get into the bowl. The system is sold in the US starting from $2,200.

Eppendorf introduced in January its refrigerated centrifuge 5910 R with universal adaptors that can hold containers from spin tubes to plates. The innovative technology allows more accurate temperature control to preserve sample temperature fluctuations, and its compact footprint allows cell culture customers in academia and industry flexibility in regards to bench placement. The low-noise system starts at $12,000 in the US.

Gate Scientific launched in February its innovative Precision HotPlate series with smartSENSE technology, a wireless temperature sensing stir bar. The stirrer can be controlled from any internet-connected device. The system is designed to be used in GMP environments, and each bar has a unique identification number. The temperature sensing bar allows the user to determine the actual temperature of the sample as opposed to the temperature on the hotplate. The price in the US is $2,275 for the system and $49 for each individual stir bar purchased separately.

Liquid Chromatography

A recently established company, Axcend, introduced a new portable nanoLC system. The Focus LC is the culmination of research by Dr. Milton Lee and his research team at Brigham Young University. The compact system has a flow rate of 100 nL–10 µL per minute, which generates negligible waste and consumes less solvent. Equipped with a UV detector, the portable system offers a comparable result with benchtop instruments, according to the company. The Focus LC is directed towards forensics applications and also industrial in-line QC. The price of this system, available later this year, is estimated to be around $30,000.

Kromasil introduced its SFC XT columns, featuring improved separation power and additional interactions between analytes and the stationary phase surface. They provide orthogonality for the regular SFC 2EP phase, which results in alternative selectivity. Typical applications of this product include small molecules analysis, chemicals and natural product extraction.

PolyLC, an HPLC aftermarket manufacturer, introduced its first HPLC system with the SMART HPLC and SMART LifeLC. Both systems offer a compact portable HPLC system with nine hours battery life, which is rechargeable even with a car power outlet. The mobile system is intended for on-site environmental and diabetes testing. Both systems are ready for shipment with a price range of $9,000–$15,000.

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments introduced the Nexera Mikros Microflow LC-MS/MS. It incorporates the high sensitivity one would expect from a low-flow system with the ruggedness of HPLC, covering the complete range from micro to semi-micro. Its enhanced sensitivity is the result of the reduced diameter of the column. The instrument also allows for reduced mobile phase consumption and less waste. Useful for quantitative protein assays, the MS is best coupled with the Shimadzu LC-MS 8060.

Thermo Fisher Scientific debuted a new addition to the Vanquish HPLC series. The Vanquish Duo UHPLC system is designed to improve throughput with a dual LC system that allows two different samples to run simultaneously. The system is dedicated to fulfill high throughput demand, especially in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors.

Waters introduced the Acquity Arc Bio system, a new addition to its Acquity Arc product line. The system is designed specifically for efficient transfer and improvement of biomolecule separation. It utilizes iron-free bio-inert and non-stainless steel materials for its flow path, which minimizes undesirable protein interactions and improves operation under extreme salt and pH levels. The Arc Multi-flow path technology is compatible with both HPLC and UHPLC methods. The system also includes the new BioResolve column with smaller particle size, which improves sensitivity, resolution and speed of analysis, particularly for monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. The Acquity Arc Bio will have a price tag of around $60,000.

Materials Characterization

Earlier this year, Anton Paar began shipping its RapidOxy 100 oxidation stability tester. The system provides elevated temperature and oxygen pressures to accelerate the testing of the stability of materials in the presence of oxygen. Commonly used to test edible oils, other foodstuffs, cosmetics, fragrances and other consumer products, the system has an upper temperature range of 180°C and pressure range of 1,800 kPa, and is priced under $10,000.

TA Instruments, a Waters company, introduced three new products. The high-pressure TGA system, HP TGA 750, is equipped with patented top loading magnetic suspension balance, which promotes weight stability over wide range of pressures and temperatures. It also has a user friendly interface with its One-Touch-Away functionality. High-pressure TGA is typically used in fuel/biomass classification and catalysis process.

TA Instruments also introduced new additions to its DMA product line. The DMA 850 has higher sensitivity than its predecessor and is able to measure smaller displacements. The DMA 3200 is a new product developed based on Electroforce technology, which provides 10 times higher force than other DMA instruments, according to the company. The DMA 3200 can perform both DMA and fatigue testing for physically larger and stiffer samples. All new products are ready for shipment with a price point of around $100,000 for the DMAs and $150,000–$200,000 for the HP TGA 750.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Bruker introduced the next generation model of its MPA Multipurpose Analyzer, the MPA II, which employs FT-NIR spectroscopy for quantitative analysis in pharmaceutical QC labs. It is also optimized for use in agriculture and food, cosmetics and chemical applications. Attached to the instrument are two fiber optic probes that can be used to measure solid or liquid samples directly from the container. The cost of the unit ranges from $70,000 to $200,000, depending on how it is customized.

HORIBA introduced its new Duetta two-in-one spectrometer, which is able to simultaneously analyze a sample using both fluorescence emission and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. The instrument is able to create a molecular fingerprint by collecting emissions spectra and producing a 3D Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) with a wide dynamic range in less than one second, much faster than traditional spectrofluorometers. For a variety of sample types, there are also numerous sample trays available that can easily slide into the unit. Ideal for analysis in pharmaceuticals and foods, the Duetta has begun shipping for a price of $23,500.

HunterLab displayed its new Aeros spectrophotometer, designed to overcome the challenge of color measurement for inconsistent or heavily textured samples. Featuring a large rotating sample platform, the unit collects the average color of a sample through a series of fast, noncontact measurements. It features automatic height positioning between sensor and sample, a high-resolution touch screen and on-board software that does not require connection to a PC. The Aeros sells for less than $20,000 and became available for sale with its launch at Pittcon.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced a new range of GENESYS UV/Vis spectrophotometers, which replaces earlier GENESYS models. The GENESYS 50 UV/Vis spectrophotometer uses a single cell and is designed for low-throughput laboratories. The GENESYS 150 adds to the capabilities of the GENESYS 50 by incorporating automation and room-light resistance, while the GENESYS 180 enhances the GENESYS 150 with an eight-cell carousel for high-throughput applications and resistance from room lighting. The prices of these models range from $5,500 to $6,800. Thermo Fisher also introduced the BioMate 160 UV/Vis spectrometer, which adds to the capabilities of the GENEYS 150 model by providing pre-programmed methods for life science researchers.