Products
Products from April 2010.
Knife mill
Retsch's GM 300 knife mill is designed for the sample preparation of foodstuffs. The mill has a 4.5-L capacity and a 1.1-kW motor. According to the company, the mill can be used with samples having high water, oil, or fat content, including frozen french fries, pizza, and gummy candies. The mill's grinding chamber and knife can be removed without tools, and all components that come in contact with the sample can be removed and autoclaved. The mill's speed can be adjusted for preliminary or fine size reduction throughout the 500–5000 min-1 range. A digital display can store as many as 10 parameter combinations. Retsch, Inc., Newtown, PA;
Cameras
InstaSpec X cameras from Oriel Instruments include a 1 × 256 pixel InGaAs array-based scientific camera and a 122 × 124 CCD camera. According to the company, both feature TE cooling and USB and ethernet connectivity. The cameras are designed to interface with the company's spectrographs and are controlled by the company's InstaSpec Pro software, which is designed to seamlessly integrate the output from both cameras into a single spectrum. Oriel Instruments, a Newport Corporation Brand, Stratford, CT;
NIR long-wave Raman systems
BaySpec's RamSpec NIR long-wave Raman systems are designed to provide long-term reliability, compact size, and ultralow fluorescence interference for Raman analysis of biological samples such as tissue and skin. The instruments' Volume Phase Grating (VPG) serves as the spectral dispersion element and an InGaAs array detector serves as the detection element. The devices use a fiber-optic bundle or slit optics as an input, based on customer preferences. Wavelength ranges from 1064 to 1720 nm, and optimization for a 1064-nm excitation laser reportedly provides reduced fluorescence with biological samples. BaySpec, Inc., Fremont, CA;
FT-NIR analyzer
The MB3600-PH FT-NIR analyzer from ABB Analytical is designed for QA/QC, research and development, and at-line process analytical technologies applications in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. According to the company, the instrument is maintenance-free and includes software that enables operation in a 21 CFR Part 11-compliant mode. The instrument reportedly analyzes solid and liquid samples in a nondestructive manner and without specific sample preparation. ABB Analytical, Quebec, Canada;
Si-PIN detector
The XPIN Si-PIN detector from MOXTEK is intended for use in benchtop and handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence instrumentation. The detector reportedly is optimized to provide maximized resolution, count rate, energy absorption, and peak-to-background for industrial and scientific applications. According to the company, the detector has a 625-μm-thick Si-PIN diode, an ultralow-noise JFET, a multilayer collimator, a preamplifier, and a two-stage thermoelectric cooler. The detector's 8-μm windows are coated to resist corrosion and harsh environments. The detector is available with a 6-mm2 or 13-mm2 active area. MOXTEK, Inc., Orem, UT;
Cuvette holder
The CUV-DHC-XE-LED-DA cuvette holder with attenuator from Avantes is designed for use with the company's xenon and LED light sources. By attaching the cuvette holder directly to the light source, users reportedly eliminate the need for an extra fiber. According to the company, the holder improves the light throughput by a factor of 200 in the UV range and 60 in the NIR-vis range. The holder is intended for use with 10 × 10 mm cuvettes and is equipped with a 5-mm slot for filters. Avantes, Inc., Broomfield, CO;
Raman system for inverted microscopy
The XploRA INV compact analytical Ramam chemical imaging microscope from HORIBA Scientific reportedly combines the automatization features and small footprint of a standard confocal Raman microscope with the capabilities of an inverted microscope for biological applications such as cell research, cancer detection, pharmaceutical verification of intercellular activities, inclusion of microreactors, and incorporation of AFM units for tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. According to the company, the microscope's open structure permits the use of options and add-ons for inverted microscopes, such as micromanipulators, "optical tweezers," and specific enclosures for cell applications. HORIBA Scientific, Edison, NJ;
FT-IR software
CAMO Unscrambler software from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments is designed for multivariate analysis of FT-IR data. The software includes methods for PCA, multivariate curve resolution, PLS regression, three-way PLS regression, clustering (K-Means), SIMCA, and PLSDA classification. According to the company, multivariate quantitation and other statistical data analyses are required in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and food technology. Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc., Columbia, MD;
XRF sample cups
Chemplex's 2100 XRF sample cups with integrated overflow reservoirs are designed with sizes to accommodate all X-ray instruments. According to the company, an internal overflow reservoir collects over-pours and prevents accidental spillage during handling or in the spectrometer. A vented snap-on cap is designed to eliminate pressure differentials within the sample cup and sample chamber to avert a convoluted thin-film sample support plane. The cups' sleeve component reportedly maintains the thin-film's planar surface during assembly for a leak-resistant seal. The cell body integrates an outer flange that serves as a mechanical stop for the sleeve to ensure the same excitation source-to-sample plane distances from one preparation to another. Chemplex Industries, Inc., Palm City, FL;
SFC system
Agilent's model 1200 analytical supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system combines the company's model 1200 Rapid Resolution LC system with the Aurora SFC Fusion A5 system. The SFC system is designed to provide a 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared with existing SFC systems. The system reportedly provides pulseless carbon dioxide flow and a dynamic range of greater than 20,000 for measuring enantiomeric excess and quantifying impurities that are 0.05% of the main peak. Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA;
Handheld trace detector
Morpho Detection's Hardened Mobile Trace handheld trace detection system is designed to detect and identify chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals that can be weaponized. The instrument reportedly is engineered to meet the U.S. Department of Defense's MIL-STD-810-G standard for temperature, dust, impact, and humidity. The device incorporates the company's ion-trap mobility detector. Morpho Detection, Inc., Newark, CA;
UV-vis spectrophotometer
The Evolution Array UV-vis spectrophotometer from Thermo Fisher Scientific is designed with a photodiode array for fast acquisition of full-spectrum UV-vis data in QA/QC, pharmaceutical, life science, materials science, and educational laboratories. The spectrophotometer reportedly provides simultaneous detection of all UV-vis wavelengths in the 190–1100 nm region. According to the company, users can create standard curves, plot 3D graphical displays, and examine samples at any wavelength at any time. A mechanical shutter reportedly is the only moving part. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA;
Back-thinned CCD
Hamamatsu's model S11071 back-thinned CCD is designed to provide low etaloning, strong antiblooming, and fast readout speed for use in UV and Raman applications. The CCD reportedly has a maximum readout speed of 10 MHz, and an array readout reportedly can be performed in less than 1 ms. The CCD has a pixel size of 14 × 14 mm and is available in four configurations: 1024 × 16, 1024 × 64, 2048 × 16, and 2048 × 64 active pixels. Hamamatsu Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ;
Bandpass interference filters
Hard-coated bandpass interference filters from Edmund Optics are designed for use in biotech, biomedical, and quantitative chemical applications. Reportedly, the filters selectively transmit a narrow range of wavelengths while transmitting others. According to the company, the filters are fabricated with a plasma reactive sputtering process that produces single-substrate filters with deeper blocking, higher transmission, and steeper slopes than soft coated filters. The filters are available in UV, vis, and IR center wavelengths with 10–80 nm bandwidths. Edmund Optics, Inc., Barrington, NJ;
ICP-MS standards
The Claritas PPT standards for ICP-MS and trace ICP-AES/OES analysis are available from SPEX CertiPrep. The standards include single-element calibration and internal solutions and multi-element solutions for environmental, semiconductor, and clinical applications. Each standard reportedly is supplied with a certificate of analysis that provides information about up to 68 trace impurities measured at parts-per-trillion levels. According to the company, its certified reference materials are manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality assurance system. SPEX CertiPrep, Inc., Metuchen, NJ;
Silicon drift detector
The Super SDD silicon drift detector from Amptek is designed for high count rate applications in handheld systems and bench-top analyzers. The X-ray detector, preamplifier, and cooler system reportedly are thermoelectrically cooled. The input FET and a feedback circuit are mounted on the detector's two-stage cooler and are kept at approximately -55 °C. According to the company, the 25 mm2 × 500 μm detector provides an FWHM resolution of 127 eV, a peaking time of 11.2 μs, and a peak-to-background ratio of 8000. Amptek Inc., Bedford, MA;
Explosives trace detection system
The Itemiser DX portable explosives trace detection system from Morpho Detection is designed for use at security checkpoints and departure gates to screen passengers' hands and carry-on luggage. The system reportedly detects positive and negative ions simultaneously. Officers swab luggage or passengers' hands and then place the swab inside the system for analysis. According to the company, the system delivers simultaneous narcotics and explosives detection. Morpho Detection, Inc., Newark, CA;
Confocal mapping FLIM system
HORIBA Scientific's DynaMyc microfluorescence dynamics mapping system is designed to provide information about molecular motion, sizes, local environment, interaction, and binding, with discrimination to microscopic locations in the sample. According to the company, the system generates lifetime images more than 20 times faster and can capture complete fluorescence lifetime images in minutes. The system reportedly offers a range of interchangeable excitation wavelengths to match user labels. HORIBA Scientific, Edison, NJ;
Handheld XRF analyzers
The DELTA handheld XRF analyzers from Innov-X Systems are ruggedized for industrial use and include no PDA or movable display. According to the company, the weatherproof instruments are designed for high throughput with a rubberized grip, a rear-facing touchscreen, an external heat-sink, and hot-swap battery capability. The analyzers are used with an autocalibrating, autocharging docking station that charges the analyzer battery and a spare and periodically performs a calibration check. Innov-X Systems, Inc., Woburn, MA;
Mid-IR hollow waveguide accessory
The FlexIR mid-IR hollow waveguide accessory from PIKE Technologies is designed for remote FT-IR sampling. According to the company, the benefits of the hollow waveguides include flexibility, durability, and the capability to cover the mid-IR spectral range with a single probe. ATR, specular, and diffuse reflectance probes are available. Applications include the FT-IR measurement of samples that are not conducive to in-compartment sampling due to physical size or chemical properties and for in-situ IR testing. According to the company, the accessory is compatible with most FT-IR spectrometers. PIKE Technologies, Madison, WI;
Dual-wavelength Raman microscope
The BAC151A portable dual-wavelength Raman microscope from B&W Tek features the ability to perform micro-Raman analysis with the company's 785-nm or 532-nm fiber probe-based Raman systems. The microscope reportedly holds as many as four objectives, an integrated camera for targeting, and LED illumination of samples with precision XYZ positioning. According to the company, a universal mounting bracket allows the microscope head to be detached and mounted on a standard tripod. B&W Tek, Inc., Newark, DE;
Ratio beam spectrophotometer
The U-5100 ratio beam spectrophotometer from Hitachi is designed for applications ranging from teaching to routine QC, biotech, and environmental testing. The system has a wavelength range of 190–1100 nm, a spectral bandwidth of 5 nm, and LCD screen dimensions of 120 mm × 90 mm. According to the company, it can perform photometry, wavelength scan, time scan, and absorbance ratio measurements. The spectrophotometer includes a six-position automatic cell changer. Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc., Pleasanton, CA;
www.hitachi-hta.com/spectroscopy
Raman systems
The ProRaman-L systems from Enwave Optronics are designed for high-sensitivity industrial and laboratory Raman applications. The systems feature a 785-nm frequency-stabilized laser, a spectrograph with cooled CCD options from -50 °C to -70 °C, and a high-throughput laboratory fiber-optic probe. The systems reportedly achieve approximately 4.5 cm-1 average optical resolution with various ranges of spectral coverage: ~250–2350 cm-1, ~100–2200 cm-1, and ~100–3300 cm-1. The systems' laser power is ~300–400 mW, with higher output power available upon request. Enwave Optronics, Inc., Irvine, CA;
ICP-MS system
The PerkinElmer Sciex NexION 300 ICP-MS system provides standard, collision, and reaction modes of operation. In standard mode, the system's cell reportedly is turned off for use with elements that require no interference correction. In collision mode, the system can be used for semiquantitative analyses, environmental sample monitoring, and the testing of unknown samples. According to the company, the instrument's reaction mode removes interferences without loss of analyte sensitivity and features a scanning quadrupole that allows only the element of interest to pass to the analyzing quadrupole. PerkinElmer Inc., Waltham, MA;
Handheld radiation detector
The Abacus digital radiation detector is designed to provide sensitivity to low levels of alpha, gamma, and X-rays and can be used with Windows Mobile, Palm Pilot, or Windows computers. The wireless, handheld detector reportedly performs gamma subtraction for beta sensitivity. According to the company, the instrument's software displays a variety of units along with timed counts, controls audio, and saves surveys for analysis and sharing with Bluetooth. SE International, Inc., Summertown, TN;
Cell cleaning agent
HELLMANEX II alkaline concentrate from Hellma is intended for use in cleaning cells and optical components. The concentrate is used at a maximum dilution of 2%, and the ingredients reportedly include no corrosive substances. The phosphate-based cleaning agent is available in 0.5- and 1-L bottles. According to the company, the cleaning agent provides optimum wetting of all surfaces. Hellma USA, Inc., Plainview, NY;
Raman microscope with AFM
WITec's alpha500 confocal Raman microscope is designed to combine 3-D chemical imaging and atomic force microscopy for structural imaging in an automated system. The system includes a motorized sample stage that allows multiarea, multipoint measurements or overview scans on a user-defined number of points. The system's automated functions include integrated autofocus and an AFM-tip approach. WITec Instruments Corp., Savoy, IL;
Mercury analyzer
The model RA-3000 Gold+AFS mercury analyzer from Nippon Instruments is designed for EPA Method 1631E. According to the company, the analyzer simplifies low- to sub-parts-per-million mercury analysis and reduces reagent consumption and wastes. Nippon Instruments North America, College Station, TX;
