Atomic Spectroscopy

Bruker’s N8 Horizon instrument was introduced in November 2012. The N8 has a brilliant microspot source with a 0.5 mm spot size, and a sample holder that can be configured for small-angle and grazing incidence XRD. The standard Vantec area detector can also be augmented by an optional linear detector to provide wide-angle data. The typical price for a complete system is in the range of $200,000–$300,000.

The last quarter of 2012 ushered in the first shipments of Rigaku’s supermini 200. The wavelength-dispersive XRF analyzer has a smaller footprint than the previous version, and can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. The system is priced at $110,000.

TSI debuted the ChemLogix benchtop laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument, the result of its technology acquisition from Photon Machines (see IBO 6/15/12). The improved instrument incorporates a second camera for easier navigation and positioning on the sample, and has a smaller footprint. The new system is now available at a price of $100,000–$180,000.

Electrochemistry

In January, HORIBA began shipping its LAQUAtwin compact water quality testing meters with flat sensor technology. The meters measure seven parameters: pH, conductivity, salt content, as well as sodium, potassium, nitrate and calcium ion content. Excluding the conductivity meter, all meters can also test solid samples, powders, paper, textiles and films.

General Lab

In January, A&D Weighing started shipping its new Galaxy HR-A family of laboratory balances. The series is extremely compact and comes in three basic models with maximum masses of 100 g, 150 g, and 250 g. The series is priced from $1,700 to $2,400.

Differential Mobility Spectroscopy

Chemring Detection Systems released a commercial version of its JUNO military/security product for detection of chemical, biological and explosive threats. Based on differential mobility spectroscopy, it reduces the problem of false positives with ion mobility spectroscopy. It is available to first-responder customers at a price of $17,250.

Informatics

Accelrys debuted the Accelrys LIMS for its Process Management Compliance Suite, whose Accelrys Enterprise Platform provides a workflow encompassing electronic lab notebooks, laboratory execution systems and electronic batch records software. The LIMS is designed with a focus on scale-up and manufacturing. The LIMS’s six application areas are metrology management, stability management, sample management, work request management, inventory management and environmental monitoring.

Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) introduced the ACD/Spectrus DB, a database that completes the company’s next-generation cheminformatics platform, which also includes the ACD/Spectrus Processor and the ACD/Labs Spectrus Workbooks. The Spectrus platform combines chemical and analytical data from several analytical instruments and stores it along with the user’s interpretation of the data.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Sample­Manager LIMS 11, which features enhancements to improve process mapping, management and automation. The system makes it easier for users to build workflows that reflect their laboratory processes without the expertise of an IT specialist. Other enhancements include a user-intuitive multiple sample login, point-and-click extensibility, data mining and tracking capabilities to the aliquot level for finer control over samples.

Waters launched the Paradigm Scientific Search laboratory informatics platform that provides users with access to information across enterprise-wide data repositories. It gives users the ability to mine for chemical structures, spectra, chromatograms, images, biological sequences and biological structures. Users can also paste science objects into the search box. The system provides cross-repository access that combines all information in a single index.

Lab Automation

Andrew Alliance introduced the Andrew automated pipetting system. Extended from a central tower, the stationary left arm holds up to five standard single-head manual pipettes, and the right arm chooses one of the pipettes and does the pipetting, including pre-wetting, pre- and post-mixing and forward/reverse pipetting. Volumes range from 0.2–1000 µL. The vision-based system uses embedded cameras to monitor volume level and dispensing. The compact system, easily installed and transported, can be used in a flow hood or refrigerator. Introduced last year, the system is priced at $24,000.

LC

Shimadzu introduced the Nexera X2 Series UHPLC system that is capable of performing HPLC and UHPLC applications. The Nexera X2 Series features a modular design and a pump design capable of pressures up to 130 MPa (1300 bar). The system is currently shipping and is available for about $60,000.

Wyatt Technology launched the Optilab UT-rEX (UHPLC refractometer with EXtended range) refractive index detector, which was designed specifically for use with UHPLC systems. It features a 4 µL mixing volume. Because of its dynamic range, no gain settings are needed. It can be programmed for operation at 4°–50° C. The UT-rEX began shipping in March and is priced at $20,000.

MS

Microsaic demonstrated its Microsaic 4000 MiD benchtop MS, the successor to the 3500 MiD. The 4000 has a smaller footprint and can fit in a standard lab fume hood, despite having its own internal vacuum system. The system has a mass range of 80–800 Da, and is designed with an ESI source for use with LCs. The system is expected to start shipping soon at a price of $50,000.

Materials Characterization

Cordouan Technologies presented two new products. The Wallis zeta potential analyzer provides high-resolution analysis of electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential, and incorporates an easy-to-clean measurement cell that is resistant to corrosion. The system began shipping at the end of last year at a price of €25,000 ($32,895 = €0.76 = $1). The Magellan is a novel nanoparticle analyzer that uses an acoustic sensor to detect the signal from a pulsed laser hitting particles in the fluid, creating a momentary plasma. According to the firm, the system detects both particle-size distribution and concentration more sensitively than traditional light scattering systems. The Magellan will begin shipping later this year at a price that has not yet been determined.

Mettler-Toledo launched the Excellence DMA 1 Dynamical Mechanical Analyzer in December 2012. Its features include optional moisture control or an immersion bath for carrying out measurements in oil and other fluids. The system is now shipping at a price of approximately $75,000.

At the end of last year, Particle Sizing Systems launched the Accusizer 780 APS system, which is priced at $30,000–$40,000. The 780 APS solves the challenging problem of particle analysis in viscous samples, such as hydraulic or lubrication oils. The system uses a two-stage calibrated dilution system to dilute samples before presentation to the particle counting system.

Shimadzu announced the SALD 7500 Nano instrument for particle characterization. The new member of the SALD laser diffraction product line offers measurement of particles ranging in size from 7 nm to 800 µm. The product is expected to ship by this summer; price has not yet been determined.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Chemring Detection introduced the THOR 1064, a handheld Raman spectrometer with a 1064 nm laser. THOR 1064 weighs about 2 lb and is designed for detecting explosives. It is priced at about $32,000.

LAXCO introduced the DSM series of visible photometers designed specifically for cell density measurement. They utilize a 600 nm LED light source. Both single- and dual-sample models are available, and are priced at $800 and $1,200, respectively.

Magritek showed off its Spinsolve desktop NMR spectrometer, which it deems the “fastest compact NMR spectrometer” and claims is the most sensitive benchtop NMR on the market. The system incorporates a 42.5 MHz permanent magnet, uses standard NMR sample tubes and can acquire a spectrum in about 10 seconds. The system has just launched at a price of about $75,000.

RIGOL, which is a Chinese company that now has operations in the US, introduced the Ultra-6000 UV-Vis, which is based on a dual-monochromator design. It has a 0.3 nm wavelength accuracy and 0.1 nm optical resolution. Pricing is $6,000–$8,000.