18
LABORATORY PRODUCTS
Affordable Robot Package for Universities and Research Labs
UK automation and robotics specialist, Barr & Paatz of Totnes, is offering an affordable 5-axis articulated robot package, especially compiled for technical training at universities, quality control and sample handling in medical and research laboratories, or other applications where a compact, electrically powered robot is required. Offered at a substantial discount off list price, the Barr & Paatz academic/research bundle comprises a class-leading Mitsubishi RV-2AJ robot, a powerful 64-bit controller with PC interface, an electrical gripper, a hand-held teach pendant and connection cable set. As part of the package, Barr & Paatz is also offering a free version of its own easy-to-use programming software, plus free telephone support and technical advice.
Barr & Paatz has been in the vanguard of robotics training and application for 20 years and is an official supplier and integrator of Mitsubishi industrial robots, which are regarded as the class leaders in small-scale kinematics. It has also supplied robot packages to the Faculties of Computing at Plymouth University and the University of Ulster, to be used in their training and research work.
Notable for its slimline, compact lines and an installation footprint no larger than an A5 sheet of paper, the Mitsubishi RV-2AJ is perfect for benchtop applications in the classroom or laboratory. With a maximum payload of 2.5kg, 5 degrees of freedom, a precision repeatability of ±0.02mm and a reach of 482mm, it is ideal for component or sample handling and placement, in confined spaces. Equipped with an electrical gripper set, it has no need for a compressed air supply and all cables are routed internally, to prevent snagging. Absolute position encoders are fitted to all axis servo motors, enabling the robot to start work as soon as it is powered up.
Included with the academic/research package is a Mitsubishi CR1 controller, with an A4 footprint, PC interface and a 64-bit processor, for controlling axial, linear and 3D motions and multitasking with up to 88 programmes. There is also a hand-held teach pendant, providing multifunction control and programming for the Mitsubishi RV series robot; featuring a bright 6.5” touchscreen display, its intuitive interface makes it easy to control robot movements, programme in teach mode and perform extensive diagnostics.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 566 Circle no. 564
Instrumentation Selected for the Study of Virus and Nano Particles
NanoSight is pleased to report that the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham is using multiple NanoSight nanoparticle characterisation systems to study viruses and catalyst nanoparticles. Working in the group of Professor Kevin Kendall, Marie-Curie Research Fellow, Dr Shangfeng Du, said: “It's a very good tool for us to characterise the molecular adhesion and fracture, and interaction between particles in the research areas of catalysts and the biosciences.”
Dr Du’s research concentrates on the catalyst nanoparticles for fuel cells. An important emphasis of this effort is on the synthesis of nanoparticle catalysts of Pt, Ni and base metals, especially to produce new degrees of aggregation in their structure, characterising the nanoparticles to define the new structures, compositions and processes.
For catalyst characterisation, knowing the particle size based on number is very important as it is directly link to the catalytic performance. By knowing the size distribution of the particles in suspension, information on the molecular adhesion such as the singlet, doublet, triplet and larger aggregations can be obtained. This is very useful in the understanding of the processing of dispersions.
Before finding out about NanoSight, the group mainly used electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to measure particle size and aggregation. The main benefit of NanoSight’s nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) is that it tracks particles individually making it possible to analyse small aggregations like doublets or triplets which were not seen by DLS. Moreover, it can be used to analyse the sample using a very low concentration which is very difficult by DLS or electron microscopy techniques.
This work has already been expanded into the measurement of molecular interactions between nanoparticles and could have significant application use in a number of fields. One such area is on-line calibration of virus number concentrations which may be studied simultaneously with the interactions of viruses with polymer surfaces.
MICROSCOPY Circle no. 565
Instrument of Choice for Leading Contract Analytical Service Laboratory
Exeter Analytical has announced that it recently installed a new Model 440 CHN/O/S Elemental Analyser with leading European contract analytical service laboratory – Butterworth Laboratory Ltd.
Frank Judge, Principal Analytical Chemist at Butterworth Laboratory Ltd, commented: “We have used a manual Exeter Analytical Model 440 system for some years with excellent results. After a detailed evaluation of the commercially
available instruments we decided upon a new generation Model 440 with autosampler and linear regression plus software. We have found that the Model 440 with autosampler has given us much tighter precision on the third percentage decimal point and the linear regression plus software then takes the instrument to a new level of CHN accuracy and precision we have not experienced before. Also, importantly, the Model 440 has been designed and is proven to give accurate, reliable results with wide ranging sample types from low level screening of inorganics for Carbon right through to high levels in graphite and also confirmation of novel synthetic compounds.”
Paul Hemming, European Sales Manager for Exeter Analytical, said: “The ability of the Model 440 to routinely and simply produce accurate and precise data on wide ranging sample types without system re-optimisation has meant many commercial laboratories have chosen our system as it also saves them precious time and reduces running costs.”
Butterworth Laboratories Ltd has provided a fully independent high quality contract analytical service for over 35 years. Drawing upon wide ranging industrial sector knowledge and expertise in classical wet chemistry, spectroscopic, chromatographic and elemental microanalysis techniques - Butterworth Laboratories Ltd is able to offer a cost effective, reliable and timely solution to routine analysis, stability testing, method development, validation, verification and other customer specific requirements.
As a company dedicated to elemental microanalysis, Exeter Analytical’s nearly 30 years of involvement with instruments, consumables and supplies has allowed them to better understand the whole problem facing microanalysts. As a consequence whether you are a regular or an occasional purchaser - experienced and knowledgeable staff are always available to provide free informed advice.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 567 The Only Hand-Tight Column Protection for UHPLC
Sigma-Aldrich™ introduced a new range of OPTI-SOLV EXP Pre-Column Filters (from Optimise Technologies, Inc). The OPTI-SOLV EXP hand-tight Pre-Column Filter for extreme high-pressure applications. OPTI-SOLV EXP is ideal for protecting columns with small particle size material employing ultra high-pressure techniques such as UHPLC.
Such techniques analyse samples in the most demanding applications, which can decrease the life of these expensive columns. EXP Pre-Column Filters help extend that life and protect users column investment, without sacrificing performance. The filters are approved for use at 20,000 psi and tested up to 30,000 psi.
EXP Pre-Column Filters are available with Titanium Hybrid ferrules for easy direct connection to any UHPLC column. The filter comes as a complete package including fittings to provide repeated tube stop and zero dead volume column connections. The fittings allow them to be easily interchangeable with the OPTI-SOLV EXP guard columns and the hand-tight filter replacement means no additional tools are required.
CHROMATOGRAPHY Circle no. 568
LABMATE UK & IRELAND - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
