Atomic Spectroscopy

HORIBA updated its XRF-based sulfur-in-oil analyzer with the SLFA-6800, available in a single-sample arrangement or with an eight-position carousel. One improvement is the removal of lead from the circuit board. The system will begin shipping in May priced at about $38,000.

JEOL’s benchtop JSX-1000S ElementEye for ED-XRF measurements was introduced late last year. It is touch-screen controlled and can focus the analysis spot down to 1 mm. Options include a 12-position autosampler and a vacuum for lighter elements. The system is priced at $75,000–$90,000, depending on options.

LECO released the SC832 combustion analyzer for sulfur and carbon. The touch screen–controlled system can be configured to measure either or both elements, and has a two-sulfur-cell option for an expanded measurement range. The new efficient resistance furnace provides energy savings of up to 60%, and the heating element is stable, providing longer life. The system is expected to ship in May.

Shimadzu’s ICPE-9800 series ICP-OES has been shipping for two months. The ICPE-9800 provides simultaneous analysis with a million-pixel CCD detector, and the redesign offers substantial reductions in argon usage. The system can be configured for radial-only view or dual view and is priced starting at about $87,000.

Rigaku introduced the QuantEZ software for its NEX QC ED-XRF instrument, which allows the system to use fundamental parameters for analysis. This makes the system a full-function spectrometer suited for applications beyond QC. The system is now ready for shipment with the new software package.

GC

DANI Instruments launched the PeakBlade 77 GC x GC modulator. The system is able to reach cryofocusing temperatures down to 77 K without using liquid nitrogen and allows fast chromatography and sharp peaks. It is available as part of the DANI Master GC x GC/TOF MS or other GC and GC/MS systems.

Shimadzu introduced the ECD 2010 Exceed electron capture detector (ECD), featuring a capillary ECD cell. Contact-free technology protects the source from contamination, resulting in a longer service life and improved productivity. According to the company, the system is for use in environmental applications, food and organochlorine pesticides. The detector began shipping internationally this month, with a June shipping date in the US. It is priced at about $6,000.

Informatics

ACD/Labs introduced the Open Access solution, the first in a series of applications of the web-based ACD/Spectrus Portal. The thin-client web browser is designed for open-access laboratory settings. Chemists are able to review vendor-neutral NMR and LC/UV/MS results.

Lab Products

OI Analytical (Xylem) released its 3700 continuous-flow, automated chemistry analyzer. The system can run both flow-injection– and segmented-flow–analysis methods. The 3700 is equipped with in-line heating/UV digestion, mounted on the underside of the chemistry cartridges, and photometric and amperometric detectors. The system costs between $30,000 and $40,000 depending on configuration. It began shipping in September 2014.

LC

Malvern Instruments showcased its OMNISEC GPC/SEC system featuring a three-component design that includes an integrated separations module, multidetector module and OMNISEC software. The multidetector module can incorporate refractive-index, UV-Vis-absorbance, light-scattering and intrinsic-viscosity detectors. The integrated column oven in the OMNISEC RESOLVE module maintains a stable separation temperature to 65 °C. The system is used for characterizing synthetic and natural polymers, and proteins. It will begin shipping in April at a comparable price to that of the TDAmax, which it is replacing.

MS

Shimadzu launched the iMLayer Matrix Vapor Deposition System, a sample preparation device for MALDI TOF MS. The iMLayer uses vaporization to deposit matrix to tissue slices using a dry-coat method that heats the matrix powder under vacuum to the boiling point of the matrix crystals. A laser is utilized to control the thickness of the matrix layer, resulting in reproducible matrix deposition. The iMLayer is initially targeted to drug-localization studies in tissues. The system will be available in May for a price of about $100,000.

Materials Characterization

Fungilab unveiled its new viscometry system for the premium market. It connects via Bluetooth to a tablet, allowing precise control of parameters. The system’s head and spindle can be switched out easily. Shipment is planned for April.

Quantachrome is replacing the NOVA e series with the new NOVAtouch surface-area and pore-size analyzer. Improvements include touch-screen control, faster system speed and an extended dewar lifetime. The product started shipping at the beginning of the year for a price of about $40,000 for a fully outfitted system.

Spectradyne has developed the nCS1 for particle size and count based on a variation of the Coulter principle. The new system provides analysis of particles under 0.5 µm and is well suited for polydisperse samples. Priced at about $12,000, the nCS1 is shipping as of March at a price of about $60,000.

Molecular Spectroscopy

The i-Raman pro from B&W Tek is a portable Raman spectrometer that comes with a -25 °C–cooled high quantum efficiency CCD array detector, a dynamic range of 50,000:1 and a spectral range from 65 cm-1 to 3,200 cm-1, with resolution of about 4.5 cm-1 at 912 nm. The unit will begin shipping soon at a starting price of approximately $40,000, and is targeted to the general public safety industries.

Bellingham + Stanley (Xylem) introduced its temperature-controlled RFM960C refractometer. The instrument features a refractive-index range of 1.30–1.70 RI and RFID swipe technology. It now includes USB ports. Priced at about $12,000, the RFM960C will begin shipping this month.

DetectaChem released a new version of its Seeker explosives-detection instrument. The SEEKERe is a 197 g handheld system that uses a swipe card and consumable reagents combined with colorimetric measurement to detect the chemical groups indicative of explosives. The military version launched in October 2014, and the product became available commercially in January. The explosives version of the SEEKERe is priced at $15,500, while a version that can also detect illicit drugs is priced at $18,500. Each system comes as a complete kit.

Ocean Optics presented two new UV-Vis spectrometry platforms. The Flame covers a wavelength range of 190–1,100 nm and has two options for the CCD detector. The entire system weighs 265 g and is now shipping at a price of $3,500. The Spark is a Vis-only spectral sensor with a wavelength range of 380–700 nm. The system has been out for a few months at a price of $500.

PerkinElmer expanded its Lambda line of UV-Vis spectrophotometers with the 265, 365 and 465 models, which emphasize materials-science applications. The 365 is a double-beam system, and the 465 has a photodiode array. The systems will begin shipping in six to eight weeks post conference.

Shimadzu announced the RF-6000 fluorescence system, which offers many advantages over the company’s previous system, including a doubled signal-to-noise ratio, optional extended wavelength range and a lamp with a much longer life. The system will begin shipping soon at a price of $18,500.

Shimadzu launched several new UV-Vis spectrometers. The UV-1280 series is an introductory range of compact spectrometers spanning 190–1100 nm. The system began shipping at the end of last year, starting at $5,600. The UV-3600 Plus UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer is a higher-performance system, with a double monochromator and three detectors to provide better coverage over 185–3,300 nm. The system began shipping at the beginning of the year at a price of about $50,000.

SpectroClick’s AAH-200 is a visible absorption spectrometer targeted to the handheld market. The instrument covers the 430–720 nm range, can be configured to work autonomously for process control, and is appropriate for student and nontechnical use. The AAH-200 costs approximately $1,000–$2,000 and is available as of March.

Sample Preparation

The iFlash system by CEM uses an accelerated dry-ashing method with a flash photometer to directly measure the sodium, potassium and calcium in all types of food products in under 10 minutes. The system can distinguish sodium and potassium independently, which was not previously possible with chloride titration methodology. The iFlash will begin shipping in May, priced lower than comparable systems.

Surface Science

Released in Japan last October, Hitachi High Technologies’ AFM5100N AFM system made its American debut at Pittcon. The system is a compact, general-purpose AFM, with many available modes, accessories and configurations. A basic tabletop version starts at a price of $70,000–$80,000.

Phenom-World and Delmic have cooperated to integrate fluorescence microscopy with tabletop SEM. The DELPHI system provides automated image overlay between the two microscopy modes, with fluorescence providing biological and molecular information, and SEM providing more detailed structural information. The DELPHI is not expected to ship commercially for another six to nine months.

Synthesis

CEM’s Liberty XL is a midscale microwave peptide-synthesis system that enables the production of 30-residue peptides in two hours. The Liberty XL features a 2.5 L reaction vessel, allowing a synthesis scale range of up to 100 mmol and as low as 10 mmol. The unit features an amino acid–reagent capacity of up to 20, with 1 L capacity. CEM announced the availability of the Liberty XL in June, starting at a price of approximately $150,000.