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MASS SPECTROMETRY & SPECTROSCOPY
High-Performance Spectrometer Offers Simplified Operation, Greater Stability and Lower Cost
Spectro Analytical Instruments has introduced the SPECTROBLUE, an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) that sets new benchmarks among compact, mid-range spectrometers for simplified operation, low maintenance and affordability.
“SPECTROBLUE ICP-OES is the ideal system for environmental laboratories that require a low-cost, high-throughput spectrometry solution. SPECTROBLUE was designed to establish new levels of performance for common laboratory analysis where stability, uninterrupted operation and throughput are as important as sensitivity and resolution. It couples an ultra-reliable design with no-compromise technical innovation to achieve the lowest cost of ownership in its class,” commented Olaf Schulz, Product Manager ICP-OES.
A robust generator design packs an ample power reserve that can handle the most extreme plasma loads. The heat from the generator’s high-power ceramic tube is eliminated through the use of innovative air-cooled technology that alleviates the need for an expensive external water-based cooling system.
“By simplifying the design of the SPECTROBLUE, we have reduced the instrument’s initial purchase price along with its operating cost,” explained Olaf Schulz. “Developed specifically to meet the demands of high-throughput laboratories, the SPECTROBLUE’s field-proven generator provides the exceptional uptime, stability, and reliability. Its unique OPIAir optical plasma interface makes SPECTROBLUE the first ICP-OES without purchase and energy costs for external cooling.”
SPECTROBLUE’s optic system and unique full-transparency UV-PLUS approach eliminate consumable purge gases and ensure excellent long-term stability. The instrument’s sealed optic system abolishes gas purging for a lifetime savings totalling up to one-third of the instrument’s purchase price. Additionally, Spectro’s innovative Paschen-Runge optic technology permits a direct, high-luminance path for maximised light throughput, allowing the system to more easily process line-rich spectra, improve measurement accuracy and reduce expensive rework.
Along with these features, the SPECTROBLUE ICP-OES system comes equipped with Spectro’s proprietary SMART ANALYSER VISION software. With its highly adaptable interface, the software makes it easy for users of all experience levels to take full advantage of the instrument’s simplified operation and unique analytical capabilities.
Circle no. 314 Circle no. 315
University Optimises Chemical Analyses Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
The Mettler Toledo FlowIR™ flow chemistry monitoring system is providing a valuable insight into the synthesis projects performed by the Ley Group at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. FlowIR™ is a dedicated Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) instrument for real-time continuous flow chemistry monitoring. Fast, real-time information has enabled them to gain a greater reaction understanding and consequently allowed processes to be optimised far more quickly, which has meant fewer experiments and the time savings that result - critical in the highly-competitive academic landscape.
Using the system’s intuitive software, quick calibration curves can be generated from which the team has gained valuable quantitative information about reactions such as conversation rates and concentrations. And, because the FlowIR™ does not require an expert operator, it has become an integral part of each students flow chemistry setup. The very small footprint of the plug-and-play, FlowIR™ has enabled the university team to easily integrate it into multiple flow set-ups where space is often at a premium.
FlowIR™ has allowed the Ley Group to solve the universal and long-standing dispersion problem (caused by the chromatographic effects of resins for example) when performing multi-step flow synthesis. By controlling the flow rate of a third reagent stream, using the live read-out facility, to the dispersion curve mapped by the FlowIR™ a significant simplification of the work-up and purification steps can be achieved along with a greater yield.
The team has also benefitted from its robust sensors, which are suitable for a wide range of chemical species including azides, organometallics and boronic acids. This has offered the researchers a great deal of flexibility when looking at different chemistries and allowed them to investigate chemistries or intermediates that may not have been quite challenging or impossible previously.
Circle no. 316 Free Spectrometer Operating Software
Ocean Optics has expanded its software offerings with the launch of Overture, a free spectrometer operating platform for simple data and spectral collection. This more basic software is geared to users new to spectroscopy or those who do not require the more advanced features of Ocean Optics’ sophisticated SpectraSuite software.
For use with most all Ocean Optics spectrometers, Overture’s standard functions include absorbance, transmission and intensity modes. Integration time and other spectrometer operating parameters are controlled via an intuitive user interface with icons and setup wizards. The 32-/64-bit Windows compatible system allows users to manipulate how data is displayed using tools such as smoothing, snapshot and zoom, and permits simultaneous viewing of two graphs for comparison.
A concentration wizard guides users through the process of measuring solutions absorbance at different concentrations, plotting a calibration curve and applying Beer-Lambert law to determine unknown concentrations.
Overture now comes standard with most Ocean Optics spectrometer purchases.
Circle no. 317
To maintain thermal stability of spectrometers operating in variable environments, Ocean Optics has released the USB-TC small-footprint heating device. Compatible with the company’s USB2000+ and USB4000 miniature spectrometers, the unit attaches directly to the spectrometer and maintains wavelength thermal stability to within +/-0.025 pixels/ºC. This temperature control ensures accuracy in industrial and other settings where temperature variations can affect spectral performance.
The USB-TC is available with pre-selected setpoint temperatures between 25-55ºC and comes with a 12 VDC, 3A power supply. With constant ambient temperature, the USB- TC stabilises to within 0.1ºC of the final temperature within 30 minutes of power-up. The system will operate in temperatures ranging from 5-40ºC below the setpoint temperature. The USB2000+ and USB4000 are among the most popular miniature spectrometers in the world. Their small-footprint, high-speed CCD-array design is ideal for a wide range of applications. Modular optical bench accessories (entrance apertures, order sorting filters and more) make it possible to configure the USB2000+ and USB4000 for hundreds of different applications. The USB-TC is available with new spectrometer purchases or as a retrofit option for existing owners of USB2000+ and USB4000 spectrometers.
Circle no. 318
Excellent Spectrometer Thermal Stability
LAB ASIA - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 - MASS SPECTROMETRY & SPECTROSCOPY
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