Every year, IBO selects three new products at Pittcon that standout among the many product introductions. These three products are distinguished by their innovation, commercial potential and advanced technology. This year’s top products feature capabilities that are the first of their kind.

Hitachi High-Technologies’ AeroSurf 1500 SEM

One of the drawbacks of EM is that samples typically have to be subjected to vacuum conditions for analysis. While there are ways to mitigate the problem, Hitachi High-Technologies has introduced a new solution that allows imaging of samples under atmospheric pressure conditions. The AeroSurf 1500 uses a special membrane to separate the electron optics from the sample chamber. The electron optics operate in vacuum as usual, while the sample exists under ordinary atmospheric conditions. The electron beam penetrates the membrane and interacts with the sample in an ordinary fashion. The small distance the beam travels through atmospheric conditions prevents the signal from degrading so much that it is not useful. The system should appeal to biologists and other researchers with wet samples that may not have the need or budget for a more expensive cryo-SEM. The microscope is flexible enough that it can also be operated in a negative pressure mode, or even in a standard vacuum mode if the membrane is removed. The tabletop system provides magnifications up to 60,000X. The AeroSurf began shipping in Japan around the beginning of the year and is now entering the US market at a price of $120,000.

CEM’s SMART 6 Moisture/Solids Analyzer

In December 2015, CEM began shipping the SMART 6 Moisture/Solids Analyzer, its sixth generation SMART Moisture Analyzer. Unlike moisture analyzers of the past, which could only analyze wet products, the SMART 6 is able to analyze both wet and dry products accurately and efficiently. The new product employs CEM’s iPower technology, which utilizes two frequencies of heating. At a higher frequency, the SMART 6 creates a consistent heating environment that is able to remove bound moisture or non-polar solvents. At a lower frequency, it penetrates the sample rapidly to remove free moisture beyond just the surface. The SMART 6 saves time and expands the type of samples the system can analyze to areas such as dairy powders, snack foods and non-polar chemical solvents. The system is priced at $15,000–$20,000. Two hundred units have been sold since its introduction.

Cobalt Light Systems’ Resolve Raman System

A new handheld Raman analyzer from Cobalt Light Systems, the Resolve, can detect chemicals through nontransparent containers, a capability unavailable to conventional handheld Raman and NIR analyzers. Using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy, the Resolve enables personnel to identify hazardous or contraband materials through opaque plastics, paper wrapping and fabrics. Useful for military, Hazmat and law enforcement applications, it can scan on contact or close to contact with a container. The rechargeable battery lasts for four hours. A full commercial launch is expected in April.