39 The Smart Way to Determine the Refractive Index of Glass Trace Evidence
Craic Technologies, Inc joins with Laboratory Imaging, s.r.o. to introduce rIQ™: the intelligent solution for the analysis of glass trace evidence. rIQ™, which stands for Refractive Index Quantification, is the result of a collaboration between Craic Technologies and Laboratory Imaging.
rIQ™ combines sophisticated image analysis software, advanced optical design and electronics to enable criminalists in modern forensic laboratories to measure the refractive index of multiple glass fragments simultaneously, quickly and with the highest accuracy.
“The partnership between Craic Technologies and Laboratory Imaging is yielding great success. Craic Technologies expertise in optics combined with Laboratory Imaging's decades of experience with microscope imaging software is advancing the state-of-the-art in several fields. rIQ™ is the first result of this partnership and it promises to take the technique of forensic refractive index determination to the next level," stated Dr Paul Martin, President of Craic Technologies. “Glass fragments are common at crimes scenes. rIQ™ enables the forensic scientist to measure and compare the refractive index of the smallest fragments of glass with an incredibly high degree of accuracy. And when combined with Craic Technologies microscope spectrophotometers and microcolorimeters, the transmission and fluorescence spectral characteristics of glass evidence can also be determined quickly, accurately and all with the same instrument."
rIQ™ is an automated system that uses the thermal immersion method, as defined by the standard ASTM E1967-98, to measure the refractive index of microscopic glass fragments. The system, which incorporates many years of experience with the analysis of glass, allows the user to analyse the refractive index of multiple glass fragments simultaneously and with sophisticated analytical techniques. Statistical analysis methods can also be applied but the instrument is also designed to be user friendly with a short learning curve.
rIQ™ is offered as a standalone package, as an add-on package to Craic Technologies microspectrophotometers and as an upgrade package for older units already in the field. A standalone package consists of a phase contrast microscope, a high resolution digital camera, the optical interface, a thermal stage, the controlling electronics and the rIQ™ software. The add-on package can be integrated with many Craic Technologies microspectrophotometers models, both past and present, to allow them to measure the color, absorbance microspectra™, fluorescence microspectra™ and the refractive index of the smallest of glass fragments.
Circle no. 426
The Compact all-in-one Live Cell Imaging Solution
The new CellVoyager CV1000 desktop imaging system from Image Solutions (UK) Ltd, is an all-in-one live cell imaging solution that is perfect for mass screening as it is semi-automatic. It is so easy to install and at 58cm x 84cm x 53cm it slides easily onto the bench and only needs aligning before it is ready to give results. Remarkably it can record experiments for up to 60 hours, imaging every 15 minutes. This remarkable fully-integrated desktop imaging system, uses microlens enhanced dual Nipkow disc scanning technology to reduce drastically phototoxicity and photobleaching – making it ideal for use in observing highly delicate life processes such as induced pluripotent stem cell/embryonic stem cell (iPS/ES) generation and embryogenesis. The desktop imaging system starts with the push of a button while custom-designed, easy-to-use software does all the hard work.
For example, the autofocus automatically focuses on the glass-side surface of the specimen, and its settings can be changed at any time – even during time-lapse imaging. In addition, X-Y map view images covering a wide area are automatically generated for easy comprehension of sample distributions. The map view function allows users to view specific image areas with the same ease of use as a web-based search function. A recorded data viewer makes it easy to confirm previously recorded images while capturing time-lapse images. An area view means that as well as being able to view individual recoding fields, it is more possible to see all the fields – facilitating quick comprehension of movements occurring over a wide area.
A stage incubator that includes high-precision temperature and carbon dioxide control ensures reliable environmental control. This enables the specimen to keep healthy and so live cell imaging can be conducted for longer
In terms of applications, the CV1000 is ideal for long-term 4D time-lapse imaging, wide-area imaging of primordial germ cells, high-speed 4D imaging, and high-speed multi-field imaging. Overall, the observation procedure follows six simple and quick steps, even for complicated multi-point time lapse imaging: insert sample, capture a map view image, adjust the z-stroke, click on the map view area to set the recording area, select the time lapse settings, and push the REC button to begin recording. Note that while recording time-lapse images, you can view and compare previously recorded images as well as current images – a very useful function for long-term time lapse experiments.
Circle no. 427
pE-Combiner for LED illumination
The success of the pE-100 LED fluorescence light source for clinical screening in hospitals and laboratories has led to requests from users to fit several pE-100 units to their microscope. This is desirable where the microscope is used for a range of fluorescence screening tests that require illumination by different wavelengths of light. The pE-Combiner fits directly onto the microscope’s existing epi-fluorescent port and can accept two pE-100 LED light sources. This allows fluorescence microscope users to select the LED colours they require for their particular tests.
A typical combination would be for testing with Auramine, Acridine, FITC and Calcofluor. CoolLED can provide advice to users on which LED colour is required for their fluorescent stain and test. The illumination is very homogeneous and LEDs offer intense, incredibly stable, and repeatable illumination.
The benefits of LEDs are now being recognised as they offer instant on/off, no warm-up or cool-down time, and do not use hazardous mercury lamps. With an incredibly long lifetime, LEDs save money and provide illumination which does not fade like a bulb during its life. CoolLED, a leading supplier of high-performance LED products, builds its LED products using bare LED die and is not limited by the availability of packaged LEDs. This means that LED colours can be optimised for specific tests. The company is based in Andover, UK where all manufacturing takes place.
Circle no. 429
New Accreditation Strengthens Position
Lovibond Tintometer has recently been awarded two new ISO/IEC 17025 accreditations. This extends the company’s unique position with accreditation now formally including the Gardner Colour Scale and the Platinum-Cobalt Colour Scale.
With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, customers can be confident that the Lovibond® range
of instruments, liquid reference standards and glass reference standards enable them to ensure conformance with these internationally accepted standards. Guaranteed conformance with standards is critical to the success of any business.
The Platinum-Cobalt and Gardner Colour scales are both commonly utilised across a wide range of industries, often in conjunction. The lower resolution of the Gardner Scale is ideal for use in the petrochemical and paints and varnishes industries. It is complemented by the Platinum Cobalt Scale when higher resolution is required or very lightly coloured liquids are being analysed such as in the Environmental Water industry.
Circle no. 428
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