Spectroscopy Focus


Simultaneous Testing for the Drug and Plastic Industries


PerkinElmer (UK) Ltd has emerged as a leader in hyphenated scientific instrumentation with the launch of its exclusive Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)-Raman spectroscopy hyphenated system.


The DSC-Raman system combines the strengths of thermal analysis with Raman spectroscopy. When combined, these two complementary techniques provide greater insight into material changes at a molecular level.


“Out of the leading instrument manufacturers, PerkinElmer is the only company that has scientific expertise in the development of both thermal analysis and Raman spectroscopy. We have employed this expertise to develop an exclusive hyphenated technique that allows researchers to look directly at the sample as material changes occur, and not at the evolved gases as other techniques do,” explained Martin Long, Vice President, Spectroscopy, PerkinElmer. “This capability provides numerous analytical advantages. As a result, the instrument is generating considerable interest in several key technology areas, including pharmaceuticals and polymers.”


The DSC-Raman system combines the double-furnace DSC 8500 with the RamanStation™ 400 spectrometer. The method consists of simultaneously analysing chemical and structural information from the Raman spectrometer, and correlating it with the calorimetric data of the DSC. Several large pharmaceutical companies and universities have test driven hyphenated techniques, and have found they give greater insight into polymer crystallisations, drug-carrier interactions, curing, and polymorphic changes. These innovations will allow customers to reduce R&D time and rapidly bring to market new materials and drugs with improved performance.


The DSC-Raman is available globally for purchase through PerkinElmer sales.


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Spectrometer Confirms Water on the Moon


Spectrographic data taken from an Ocean Optics spectrometer has helped NASA confirm the presence of water ice on the moon. The spectrometer, custom re-engineered for space duty by Aurora Design & Technology and dubbed ‘ALICE’, was part of the scientific payload on NASA’s Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission.


The LCROSS shepherding spacecraft (S-S/C) carrying ALICE made spectroscopic measurement of the permanently shadowed crater Cabeus, near the lunar south pole, as the spacecraft’s Centaur upper rocket stage impacted the floor of Cabeus. The instruments on board the S-S/C monitored the emission caused by the Centaur impact, as well as the resulting two-part debris plume created by the impact.


Portable XRF for Soil and Waste Screening


The new xSORT hand-held XRF spectrometer from Spectro Analytical Instruments can achieve laboratory-quality analysis on soil and waste samples. Laboratory analysis by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry has been an accepted technique for the analysis of such materials for many years and was given official approval by European Standard EN 15309:2007. Using the simple sampling procedures described in EN 15309, this small, hand-held instrument gave good agreement with inter-laboratory ‘round robin’ results on samples like contaminated soil, fly ash and E-waste. The calibration procedure used by the xSORT is based on the successful calibration models utilised in Spectro’s laboratory instruments and can be applied with confidence to the analysis of completely unknown samples.


The xSORT is exceptionally convenient to use for on-site screening measurements. Complete with battery pack, the Spectro x-SORT weighs less than 4 pounds (1.7kg) and has an ergonomically designed handle and grip. All that is necessary to carry out an analysis is to point the instrument in contact with the surface of the test sample and press the trigger. Results are typically available in 30 seconds. The user interface and results are displayed on an optimally integrated PDA. The


instrument is robust, with a shock-resistant ABS plastic housing. For enhanced analytical accuracy, samples may be prepared in the traditional way for XRF analysis (as pressed pellets), thereby reducing packing density issues. In this case, the xSORT can be coupled with its Docking Station, effectively converting the instrument into a compact, transportable benchtop XRF system. Its battery powered convenience makes it the ideal tool for “On the Spot” field analysis.


A miniaturised low power (40kV) X-ray tube, and an advanced Silicon Drift Detector combine to give exceptional stability, precision and speed of analysis for a hand-held XRF. Simple controls and careful attention to operator safety mean that the xSORT can be used by non-specialist personnel.


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NASA scientists announced that the signature of water was seen in both near-infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements taken during the mission. Ocean Optics’ ALICE provided the ultraviolet measurements, confirming the findings of the near-infrared spectroscopic measurements. From the data gathered, NASA scientists were able to estimate that roughly 220 pounds of water were found by the instruments in the material excavated from the 20-30m wide crater form by the Centaur impact. It is hoped that water on the moon could set the stage for further space exploration by providing drinking water or even rocket fuel derived from its hydrogen and oxygen molecules.


Ocean Optics’ highly-sensitive QE65000 Spectrometer was adapted to withstand the rigors of space – extreme temperature ranges, radiation, shock and vibration. With a wavelength range of 270-650nm and an optical resolution of less than 1.0nm, ALICE was designed to identify, with a high degree of accuracy, ionised water (visible at 619nm), OH radicals (visible at 308nm) and other organic molecules containing carbon. Though the measurements were made from the ejecta reflecting sunlight scattered off of the crater walls, the unit’s back-thinned detector was able to make the most of the available light.


Ocean Optics and Aurora Design & Technology have collaborated on other NASA space projects, including the ChemCam Mars mission. A unit designed around Ocean Optics’ HR-Series spectrometers will be part of the mission to study rock and soil composition on the red planet, scheduled to launch in fall 2011.


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Fiftieth Issue Milestone of Mass Spectrometry e-Newsletter


Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc celebrates the 50th issue of its popular mass spectrometry e-newsletter – Critical Mass. The e-newsletter is aimed at keeping the scientific community informed of the latest mass spectrometry developments, applications, events and expert advice.


Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Critical Mass e-newsletter was introduced in 2004 and has more than 26,000 readers worldwide. The free monthly publication includes regular sections on new topics for mass spectrometry applications ranging from proteomics, drug discovery and toxicology to bioanalysis, food safety and environmental analysis.


Critical Mass contains the latest general industry news, up-to-date information on Thermo Scientific instrumentation and a dedicated feature entitled Trap Talk, with articles and application notes focused on ion trap technology. In addition to providing a comprehensive information resource for the mass spectrometry industry, the Critical Mass e-newsletter also offers readers the opportunity to make contributions by submitting articles and feedback.


Critical Mass also promotes a comprehensive online technical support section with advice from industry experts. This section includes troubleshooting or problem-resolving guidelines, as well as a Tip of the Month focusing on a particular aspect of mass spectrometry. The latest application notes, articles and case studies, as well as information on upcoming seminars, workshops, webinars and conferences, are also available for download through the e-newsletter. The 50th issue of Critical Mass also sees the launch of two new features, resulting in a more subscriber-focused and interactive e-newsletter. The new ‘Share’ button will enable readers to share content via social media websites and the ‘Ask-n-Learn’ section offers subscribers the opportunity to contribute questions and receive ‘Thank you’ messages.


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