IBO’s Industrial Design Awards for Portable Analytical Instruments recognize instruments whose design addresses the special challenges of transportability, including small size, light weight, ruggedness and, in some cases, difficult operating conditions. Portable instruments are defined as instruments that run on batteries and are intended to be easily transported, often for use outside of a lab.

Gold Award

The 2013 IBO Gold Award for Portable Analytical Instrument Industrial Design goes to Lasersec Systems’ LEA Laser Elemental Analyzer, a portable laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) system. This portable LIBS system is a first as it is a handheld configuration. The LEA measures 226 x 90 x 293 mm (8.9 x 3.5 x 11.5 in) and weighs 1.75 kg (3.86 lb). Utilizing a diode pumped solid state Q-switched laser, the LEA is capable of low ppm measurements of all elements. It is priced at $36,000.

The LEA’s sleek, modern design and colorful exterior communicate ease of use and approachability. Balanced against the orange exterior are black areas, indicating interaction points, intuitively guiding the operator’s use of the system.

Scott Buchter, PhD, CEO of Lasersec, told IBO that priorities for the LEA’s design were “comfortable use for extended periods, lightweight [and] simple to operate.” The industrial design serves these priorities, as well as emphasizes them, most notably simplicity and accessibility. “The simplicity is key. The operator simply points and shoots with one pull of the trigger, then the result is displayed. This is in contrast to previous laser-based devices, regardless of the size,” he explained. “The display is positioned on the unit such that it is aimed directly at the user while making a measurement. The display is also readable in bright sunlight and can be used with gloves on.”

Silver Award

The winner of IBO’s 2013 Silver Award for Portable Analytical Instrument Industrial Design is Smith Detection’s HazMatID Elite handheld FTIR chemical identifier. Designed to be used in hazardous conditions and operated by users wearing HazMat suits, the industrial design enables fast and easy operation, as well as testing options for different types of sample. Nexus Design and Bressler Group worked with Smiths Detection on the industrial design. The HazMatID Elite measures 26.9 x 14.3 x 7.9 cm (10.59 x 5.63 x 3.11 in) and weighs 2.29 kg (5.05 lb). The system costs $45,000–$50,000.

Although compact, the balanced features and tightly integrated user interface of the system enable versatile functionality and intuitive operation. Other design elements allow for withstanding vibration and high temperatures. The system is designed for desktop or handheld use.

A design priority was to be able to use the system in the field. “Durability and miniaturization is a critical component for our customers,” said Tim Kirk, product manager for FTIR Systems at Smiths Detection. “We have incorporated simplified color-coded screens, easily manipulated buttons, and logical and graphical illustrations. Our easy-to-use sample interface does not need sample prep; the system can be decontaminated, and its small scale is easily transportable.”

Bronze Award

Spectro Analytical Instruments’ SPECTROSCOUT portable energy dispersive–X-ray fluorescence analyzer (ED-XRF) is the winner of IBO’s 2013 Bronze Award for Portable Analytical Instrument Industrial Design. Weighing 12.75 kg (28.11 lb) (with battery pack), the SPECTROSCOUT measures 270 (closed) x 306 x 306 mm (10.7 x 12.1 x 12.1 in) and is priced at $32,000–$65,000. An outside design firm was involved in the design.

The case’s material and ridges indicate sturdiness and emphasize portability. “The steel housing is not only robust, but closed to prevent contamination from dirt or dust. Rubber bumper banding around the corners protects the instrument further,” said Tom Milner, director of Marketing at Spectro Analytical Instruments. To conserve space, the computer touchscreen folds down and out when the case is opened.