Atomic Spectroscopy

The Q4 Tasman is Bruker AXS’s latest introduction into the arc-spark spectrometer market. The system features a high-resolution CCD detector, making it fast and suitable for a wide range of general applications. The system should begin shipping by the end of March and is priced at approximately $90,000–$130,000.

The S1 Tracer from Bruker AXS incorporates the technology obtained in the acquisition of Keymaster Technologies (see IBO 7/31/06) into a more unified line of Bruker-branded products. While Keymaster focused on more exotic applications, the S1 has been designed with typical handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) applications for the metals industry in mind. The base model is priced at about $30,000, while options such as vacuum for light element analysis can increase the price into the low $40,000s. The Bruker-branded S1 should be available within six months.

Following the acquisition of Juwe (see IBO 1/15/08), Bruker AXS has announced the release of the G8 Galileo ONH combustion analyzer for metals analysis. The system should be ready for shipment within six months at a competitive price low enough to help Bruker make a strong entrance into this market.

Elementar Americas introduced the Vario TOC (total organic carbon) cube, a high-temperature TOC analyzer with total nitrogen capabilities. The analysis time of the system is approximately two to three minutes. The Vario TOC system is a fully automated TOC with applications ranging from ultrapure to wastewater analyses.

Jobin Yvon Horiba released a lower-resolution, lower-cost model of its Activa Series inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. The Activa S is available now at a price of $10,000–$15,000 less than the Activa M.

Oxford Instruments displayed an updated member of its Xstrata line of X-ray instruments. The Xstrata 980 has a 25 sq mm detector, providing it with excellent performance for coating thickness and compositional analysis. Launched last month, the instrument will begin shipping within the next few months at a price of $45,000 for the fixed-stage version and up to $70,000 for a movable stage.

Rigaku unveiled the Supermini, a benchtop wavelength dispersive XRF spectrometer (WDXRF) with a 200 W X-ray source, four times the power of Rigaku’s Primini WDXRF. Released six months ago in Japan, Pittcon is the Supermini’s American debut. Pricing was unavailable.

The FORMACS HT is a new high-temperature TOC instrument from skalar. The instrument is ready for shipment at a price under $30,000.

UIC displayed its newest coulometric carbon analyzer, the CM5015, which will begin shipping in May at a price of $23,000.

Electrochemistry

The PC-BOD launched by Man-Tech is a BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) analyzer for environmental applications. It is a PC-controlled system capable of BOD and CBOD (carbonaceous BOD) analyses in the same run. The PC-BOD uses Man-Tech’s newly released large autosampler capable of handling 24 x 300 mL bottles. Configurations include the integrative capability of DO (dissolved oxygen) meters, multiple BOD sensing and a variety of pumps.

Metrohm introduced the 875 ProcessLab at-line process analyzer, which is capable of monitoring a variety of parameters including pH, conductivity, ammonia, chlorine, acids, bases and others. The system features a peristaltic pump, overflow pipet and a measuring cell with a magnetic stirrer.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Orion Dual Star benchtop meter capable of simultaneously measuring both pH and conductivity. It is designed to be used by wastewater labs for quick pH and ammonia determination and by food labs, which routinely measure pH and sodium levels.

Lab Automation

Hanson Research introduced the Vision Classic 6 dissolution tester and the automation-ready Vision Elite 8 dissolution tester. The design emphasizes ergonomic and labor saving features and includes a touchscreen interface, TCP/IP protocol and digital temperature probe. Shipping is expected to begin in June with the Vision 6 priced under $10,000 and Vision 8 priced at $12,500.

Laboratory Equipment

In November 2007, Büchi launched two new extraction systems, the E-812 and E-816. The systems are available in either hot extraction or soxhlet formats. The E-812 is a two-position system, which retails for $12,000–$14,000, while the E-816 is a six-position system with a price range of $20,000–$30,000.

Hettich Instruments’ Universal 320 Model centrifuge comes in two configurations, the classic 320 and its refrigerated version, the 320R. They feature various interchangeable tube capacities ranging up to 85 mL. By utilizing the microliter tubes, the system is capable of a relative centrifugal force in excess of 21,000 rpm. The 320R model has a cooling range of 20° C to 40° C. The classic 320 model is priced at approximately $4,000.

Mettler-Toledo introduced its XP56 microbalance, which has a maximum capacity of 56 g and 0.001 mg readability. Mettler-Toledo’s proFACT technology allows fully automated time and temperature adjustments. LevelControl notifies the end-user of any leveling issues and guidance on how to correct it. The XP56 has a price tag of approximately $17,000.

Nuaire’s NU line of centrifuges comes in a variety of configurations with speed ranges of 200 rpm–10,000 rpm and 20 rpm accuracy. The maximum relative centrifugal force of these systems vary by model and range from 13,860 to 27,000. The price is approximately $6,000.

Mass Spectrometry and LC/MS

DANI introduced a time-of-flight (TOF) MS for its Master GC, which has been on the market for several years. The Master-TOF was developed in house, and was first shown at a show in Milan, Italy, in October.

The MS is not expected to begin shipping until late this year, and pricing has not yet been established. The company also introduced a new dynamic headspace system for the Master, which will also begin shipping later this year.

Ion Applications demonstrated the EASYTEC-XP handheld ion mobility spectrometer for homeland security applications. The 4 lb instrument is designed for explosives detection and is priced at about $20,000. Systems are in beta testing, and the company hopes to begin commercial shipments soon.

Life Science

Bio-Rad Laboratories introduced the Gene Pulser MXcell high-throughput electroporation system, which can integrate 96-well plates. The system has preset protocols and programs, and an analysis time of less than two minutes.

Liquid Chromatography

Hitachi High-Technologies entered the fast LC market with the introduction of its LaChromUltra Ultra High-Speed LC. The system can run both conventional and ultra-high resolution LC analyses on a single system. The system is capable of delivering a maximum of 60 MPa (8700 psi) of pressure and is optimized for 2.0 µm particle size columns. According to Hitachi, the system’s technical specifications rival currently available systems, but is priced significantly lower at under $40,000 for a complete system.

PerkinElmer introduced the Series 275 HRes LC. The system features the new Series 275 Micro Pump, which delivers pressures of up to 10,000 psi, and a new dedicated Series 275 Autosampler for increased flexibility. The system was designed to support quality assurance and quality control in the food and beverage, environmental, pharmaceutical and materials testing markets.

Shanghai Spectrum introduced the SP-1600 Series HPLC system, which features an operating pressure range of up to 42 MPa. The modular design provides flexibility to meet various application requirements.

Varian introduced the 380-LC and 385-LC evaporative light scattering detectors. The 380-LC ELSD was designed for use with semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds, providing operation temperatures from ambient to 120˚ C. The 385-LC ELSD is for highly volatile compounds and features a Peltier-cooled evaporation tube that delivers temperatures from ambient down to 10˚ C. For maximum sensitivity, the 385-LC offers real-time control during injections. Both detectors are compatible with Varian’s 920-LC analytical HPLC system.

Waters introduced the 2545Q Quaternary Gradient Module (0–150 mL/min, 6000 psi), which allows scientists to blend four solvents during gradient formation. It is part of the Waters’ AutoPurification System.

Materials Characterization

Horiba debuted the PSA300 particle analyzer, developed in coordination with Clemex. Based on the Clemex PS3 particle image analyzer, the PSA300 is ready to ship at a price of about $85,000–$115,000.

The latest version of Malvern Instrument’s Morphologi series of particle image analyzers, the G3, began shipping last August at a price of about $100,000.

Particle Sizing Systems showed off the NanoNPS particle sizer. The new system should begin shipping well before the end of the year at a price of about $30,000.

The STA 6000 from PerkinElmer is a top loading system that provides differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) measurements of samples, along with the option of an interface to an FT-IR or MS system. The instrument began shipping late last year at a price in the mid-$30,000s.

SII Nanotechnology debuted its DSC 7020 in the US market through its distributor, RT Instruments. Released in Japan less than a year ago, the DSC 7020 will soon begin shipping in the US at a price of less than $50,000.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Aspectrics introduced the BQA 1000 biodiesel quality analyzer, which has been shipping for two months and has more than a dozen installations. Based on Aspectrics’ EP-NIR (encoded photometric-NIR) technology, the BQA 1000 starts at $42,500. It is an at-line instrument that, as the name implies, is designed for analysis of biodiesel blends, feedstocks and finished product, but is also capable of analyzing bioethanol and edible oils.

Aspectrics also announced its impending launch of the Specialty Gas Analyzer (SGA), which is a rack-mounted process analyzer based on its EP-NIR technology. The SGA is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter and will be priced starting at around $40,000.

Avir Sensors introduced the ChemSight hazardous gas detection system, which is based on open-path dispersive IR technology and does not require cryogenic cooling gases. Avir is initially targeting environmental health and safety applications, but plans to expand into security and military applications. The ChemSight is expected to begin shipping in March or April. Prices start at $30,000.

Bruker Optics rolled out its own portable FT-IR instrument, the Mobile-AR, which includes both flow-cell and ATR sampling accessories and a two wavenumber resolution. The Mobile-AR weights about 20 lb and is targeted at HazMat and industrial customers. Prices range from $30,000 to $50,000 and it is already shipping.

Bruker Optics’ Vertex 70v is a research-grade vacuum FT-IR system that excludes all the options of the 80v, making it more price competitive with an $85,000 starting price.

Bruker Optics’ EM 27 and Hawk FR are open-path FT-IR systems. The EM 27 can operate as either a passive or active system, and is designed for environmental monitoring and research applications with a starting price of $115,000. The Hawk FR is a civilian version of Bruker’s military system, but is targeted at first responders and has a starting price of $150,000, which is far lower than the military version.

DeltaNu, a subsidiary of Intevac, introduced the ReportR portable Raman analyzer. The ReportR is a very compact handheld instrument that is designed with industrial applications in mind. The system has a memory card slot for transferring data to a PC. It is now shipping and is priced at around $12,000. A standoff version of the ReportR for military and HazMat applications is expected to be released later this year and should be priced at around $20,000.

GE Life Sciences introduced the NanoVue spectrophotometer designed to measure nucleic acid and protein samples. The system can run up to 27 standards for protein quantification and measures a variety of parameters for nucleic acids, including concentration, purity and Tm values. The instrument can assay volumes of 0.5 µL–5 µL and its drop-and-read platform eliminates the need for cuvettes and capillaries. The NanoVue is priced at around $9,000.

Ocean Optics introduced the Jaz line of modular spectrometers, which can be configured in multiple ways to form an autonomous sensor system for laboratory and in-field applications. The Jaz product line can be powered by battery, and includes SD card storage and Ethernet connectivity. Price and availability information were unavailable.

PerkinElmer introduced the high-end Lamda 1050 UV/Vis/NIR system. The 1050 incorporates a lead sulfide detector, which better suits it to applications involving thin layer electronic coatings, such as photovoltaic cells. The system is priced at $65,000–$70,000 and began shipping in February.

Specac, a subsidiary of Smiths Detection, introduced the Portable Liquids Analyzer, a high-resolution NIR analyzer that is capable of quantitation. It includes a handheld wireless controller and is priced from $60,000 to $80,000, depending on options, and is now shipping.

Spectro launched the FluidScan handheld IR fuel analyzer. The highly portable system provides fast measurement of lubrication degradation or contamination. The device began shipping in February at a price of $15,000.

Zeiss Spectral Sensors introduced the Corona Plus, an upgrade of its Corona line of industrial UV, Vis and NIR analyzers. Upgrades include wireless communication, Ethernet capability and a wider spectral range.

The Corona Plus, like its predecessor, will be sold to both end-users and process equipment vendors. It is priced at $18,000–$60,000.

NMR

Bruker BioSpin introduced the Avance III NanoBay NMR, which boasts a more compact footprint and software for Chinese and Japanese language interfaces. The 300 MHz and 400 MHz magnet versions of the system start at $195,000 and $275,000, respectively.

JEOL introduced ECS and ECA NMR systems. The ECS-400 comes with a 400 MHz magnet, and is a compact digital system that can be controlled via the Internet. It has low helium consumption rates on par with other systems on the market. The ECA Series of NMR instruments are high-end research systems and are available with magnets from 300 MHz to 930 MHz. The ECS-400 starts at $290,000, while ECA system prices vary depending on the magnet selected.

Surface Science

JEOL displayed the JIB-4500 scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam (SEM/FIB) system, which provides 2.5 nm resolution and can perform simultaneous ion milling and imaging through the use of backscatter imaging. The system can also perform “bit map” milling, by which a user-generated digital milling program can be carried out with extreme accuracy. The JIB-4500 began shipping two months ago at prices of $600,000–$750,000.

Intellection launched the R-series of QEMSCAN mineralogical analyzers. The R-series is a rugged field version of its system (based on a Zeiss scope with Bruker detectors) for automated analysis of mineralogical samples. The system is ready for shipment at a price of $500,000–$700,000.

Hitachi High-Technologies debuted two new SEMs in its booth at Pittcon. The compact SU-1500 SEM offers magnifications up to 300,000x at a price of a little more than $100,000. The SU-6600 is a field emission SEM priced at roughly half a million dollars. Neither model has begun shipping in Japan, but the first installations are expected soon.

Synthesis

Milestone showed three new models of its microwave synthesis line. The MicroSYNTH is designed to process single or multiple simultaneous reactions, while the BatchSYNTH is for large volumes of polar and nonpolar solvents. The FlowSYNTH is a continuous flow microwave synthesizer featuring flow rates from 12 mL to 100 mL per minute.