Authors
Latest:
Current Advances in the Miniaturization of Analytical Instruments—Applications in Cosmochemistry, Geochemistry, Exploration, and Environmental SciencesMiniaturization of analytical instruments of various forms of spectroscopy has improved dramatically in recent years mainly because of the requirements in certain areas such as space, industrial, and environmental research. Research into miniaturization is primarily driven by the need to reduce the instrumental space and costs by reducing the consumption of expensive reagents and by increasing throughput and automation. Like other fields, analytical systems have also been affected by novel ideas and unprecedented advances in the microelectronics leading to miniaturization of different components in recent years. This article presents an overview of the current developments in the miniaturization of analytical instruments for mainly detecting metals at extremely low concentration levels, with some important examples from areas such as space, mineral exploration, the environment, and pharmaceuticals, focusing primarily on advancements as well as the challenges that have impacted from some of the major international manufacturers.
Latest:
Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
Latest:
Analysis for Lead in Laundered Shop Towels Using Handheld X-ray Fluorescence SpectroscopyMany automotive shops use a laundry service to clean their soiled shop towels. Previous studies have shown the towels can retain metals even after laundering and long-term exposure to certain metals such as lead could potentially result in health issues to employees using the towels. Laundered shop towels were collected from local automotive shops and analyzed to assess the ability of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy using a handheld system to measure harmful metal contaminants such as lead in the towels.
Latest:
Analysis for Lead in Laundered Shop Towels Using Handheld X-ray Fluorescence SpectroscopyMany automotive shops use a laundry service to clean their soiled shop towels. Previous studies have shown the towels can retain metals even after laundering and long-term exposure to certain metals such as lead could potentially result in health issues to employees using the towels. Laundered shop towels were collected from local automotive shops and analyzed to assess the ability of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy using a handheld system to measure harmful metal contaminants such as lead in the towels.
Latest:
Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
Latest:
Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
Latest:
Identifying Contaminants in Synthetic Polymers and Rubbers Using Micro Ge ATR FT-IR ImagingManufacturing downtime hurts your bottom line - and any downtime caused by unintentional contamination during materials processing is especially painful. With regular adherence to impurity standards and cleanliness specifications it can be significantly reduced.
Latest:
Spectroscopy of Sports DrinksIn this application note, we demonstrate the power of the modular spectroscopy to measure the UV-Vis absorbance of natural and artificial colorants used in sports drinks.
Latest:
Food Metabolomics: Fact or Fiction?The different aspects of food metabolomics are described using tomato taste as an example.
Latest:
Probing Aqueous Surfaces by TOF-SIMSA breakthrough using a microfluidic interface to conduct sensitive time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis and study liquid surfaces in situ under vacuum conditions is described here.
Latest:
Testing the Limits of Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry to Compare a Nonbiological Complex Drug Product and Purported Generics—A Case Study with CopaxoneIon mobility mass spectrometry (IMMS) is a two-dimensional technique that allows separation of ionized molecules based on molecular size, shape, and mass‑to‑charge ratio (m/z). It has rapidly become a valuable application for analyzing isomeric compounds in a complex matrix (e.g., proteomic and lipidomic samples) or complex mixtures of structurally related and isobaric analytes (e.g., oil samples or polymer blends). IMMS was investigated as a possible technique to compare purported generic products with Copaxone®, a drug for treating relapsing‑remitting multiple sclerosis, which contains a very complex mixture of synthetic peptides. The analysis was performed on 15 randomly chosen batches of Copaxone® and 5 batches of purported generics that are marketed drugs in their country of origin. All samples were compared to a reference batch of Copaxone® (P53961) using Waters HDMS Compare software. The analysis produced heat maps that highlighted significant intensity differences in peptides at various m/z and drift times. A quantitative assessment of these heat maps was also performed by summing all the pixel values to produce a total pixel value (TPV). While the average TPV for the Copaxone® batches was 510811, the TPVs of the purported generics were 8-13 fold higher (2301682 to 4276572).
Latest:
Gas Analysis with the Nicolet iS50 FT-IR SpectrometerCombining a high precision FT-IR spectrometer with a long pathlength gas cell provides a powerful tool for analyzing trace levels of contaminants in air and other gas mixtures.
Latest:
Using Headspace Gas Chromatography for the Measurement of Water in Sugar and Sugar-Free Sweeteners and ProductsThis fast, automated method was shown to be accurate and precise for 16 liquid sweeteners, and is likely more accurate than Karl Fischer titration.
Latest:
Determination of _α-Dicarbonyls in Wines Using Salting-Out Assisted Liquid–Liquid ExtractionA new methodology for the analysis of three important -dicarbonyls (methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and pentane-2,3-dione) in wines was developed.
Latest:
Vibration-Resistant FT-IR for In-Process Monitoring of an Industrial Fermentation ProcessA vibration-resistant FT-IR spectrometer is used to monitor an industrially relevant fermentation process.
Latest:
Determination of _α-Dicarbonyls in Wines Using Salting-Out Assisted Liquid–Liquid ExtractionA new methodology for the analysis of three important -dicarbonyls (methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and pentane-2,3-dione) in wines was developed.
Latest:
Vibration-Resistant FT-IR for In-Process Monitoring of an Industrial Fermentation ProcessA novel FTIR spectrometer is used to monitor in real time an industrial fermentation process and fitted to HPLC data.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
Latest:
Analyze Samples with Uneven, Curved, or Rough SurfacesFind out how Renishaw’s new inVia Qontor confocal Raman microscope can be used to acquire accurate and repeatable spectra from samples with extensive topographic variations.
Latest:
Chemically Characterize Coatings with Renishaw’s inViaLearn why Renishaw’s inVia confocal Raman microscope is the ultimate system for studies ranging from fundamental research on the materials involved through to final product quality control and failure analysis.
