26 New Coating Modules Change the Face of SEM and Thin Film Sputter Coating


The choice of sputter coater has often been a compromise between either fine grain coating for SEM or the ability to rapidly deposit a wide range of materials for thin film and advanced EM applications.


Safematic has cleverly resolved this by developing two unique (patented) sputtering modules that quickly plug in to the CCU-010 HV turbo pumped coater base unit. The standard SP-010 compact sputtering module is ideal for many SEM applications, but if very rapid deposition is required, and/or more challenging sputtering metals are needed, then the SP-011 fast sputtering rate module offers additional advantages.


The SP-011 uses a special sputtering magnetron geometry and power supply and is optimised for sputtering metals such as ferromagnetic material or indium tin oxide (ITO), which has recently emerged as an ideal coating material for correlative microscopy (CLEM) applications.


Safematic sputtering modules pack a lot into a very small space. Comprising a magnetron, target, shutter, process pressure regulator and compact power electronics in a unique plug-and-go format. There is a simple user interface to access the coating recipes and settings for power and gas supplies located in the CCU-010 sputter coater. Exchanging modules on the base unit takes seconds. Both sputtering modules include unique sputtering head cooling and monitoring to ensure high quality coating and allow very long process runs which alleviates the need for rest periods which are required with many other coating systems. Added functionality can be obtained with the CT-010 carbon coating module for TEM and SEM, featuring a patented automatic carbon fibre spooling system that allows up to 50 sequential carbon evaporation runs.


The Safematic compact coating unit CCU-010 HV has an integrated oil-free pumping system helping to give a class-leading vacuum performance (to 2 x10- 6mbar) with the added advantage of a very small footprint (35 x 55cm).


Sussex-based Labtech International represent the full range of Safematic coaters in the UK and Ireland. 44232pr@reply-direct.com


Autoclave Controller Software Meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Guidelines Introduced


Astell Scientific is pleased to announce the launch of a new software option that enables its full range of autoclaves to meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature regulations.


The software is targeted towards customers operating in the pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing industries, but can bring benefits to a much wider range of applications should traceability be of key importance when specifying a steriliser.


The basic requirement of the Electronic Records; Electronic Signature final rule (21 CFR 11) legislation is to ensure that any computerised system used for regulatory purposes produces electronic records that have integrity and reliability, and that electronic signatures are trustworthy and equivalent to handwritten signatures executed on paper records. Astell’s latest software combined with its advanced touchscreen controller positions the company as one of few autoclave manufacturers able to provide a solution that complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11.


Available across both circular and square section sterilisers, the specially developed 21 CFR 11 controller software captures any change made to a cycle, option, or device parameter, which will require an electronic signature authorisation. All device changes and signatures will be electronically logged and can be recalled to provide a clear picture of user input for any given point in time. All audit trails are saved in a file format that cannot be altered in any way.


Astell spokesperson Dave Thomas commented: “The introduction of FDA compliant autoclave software offers our customers the transparency and record management required by tightly regulated industries. It’s another good reason to choose Astell Scientific, and demonstrates why we remain the leaders in sterilisation.”


For more information on Astell’s FDA 21 CFR Part 11 software option, its applications or capabilities please visit www.astell.com/21cfr11. 44229pr@reply-direct.com


Mass Flow Controllers Powers MDC’s XpressStick Gas Delivery Module


Alicat Scientific’s MCE mass flow controllers have been integrated into MDC Vacuum Products’ XpressStick™ MFC Gas Stick. With precision control of gas flows of up to 20SLPM and onboard display, Alicat’s MCE provides gas programming functionality to the gas connection module, which links pressurised gas inputs to vacuum chambers.


The all-in-one design of the XpressStick MFC gas stick eliminates complex hardware specification in processes which include a combination of specialty gases, pressure, precise regulation, and vacuum. Its easy programming and precise gas control system allows users to go from bottle to process in one simple step. Designed to meet ultra-high purity process requirements, the XpressStick is also offered in a stainless steel model for corrosive environments.


“Fast response time, accuracy, and reliability were all key criteria in choosing an MFC instrument for our XpressStick,” explained James Moore, MDC Vice President, Engineering & Technology. “Based on past experience with Alicat, we knew that they could deliver all three, with an integrated display that enables our all-in-one design.”


With the MCE’s zero warm up time, the XpressStick is ready to control process flows in just one second, with real time mass flow, volumetric flow,


absolute pressure and temperature data, fully compensated for temperature and pressure. The gas module is programmed directly through the MCE’s integrated display, with easy changes to gas type using the on-board gas calibrations.


The standard gas calibration list includes 98 gases, with an additional 32 corrosive gases on the stainless steel model. Alicat’s built-in COMPOSER™ gas mixing software can be used to compose up to twenty additional custom blends using the standard gas list. Accuracy is virtually unaffected by change in gas type, and full-scale valve range is automatically recalibrated to maintain throughput ranges.


43797pr@reply-direct.com Robust IC Systems for Reliable Testing of Water Matrices, Carbohydrates and Calibration Standards


Robust, fully automated inline sample preparation, stable, reproducible results, a dependable anion suppressor that works flawlessly for years. The reasons why customers prefer Metrohm ion chromatographs for routine analysis are many.


Automated inline ultrafiltration – the key to robust carbohydrate analysis: “Inline filtration helps us speed up our sample preparation and improve the stability of retention times,” said Ramon Bouza, Director at AGQ laboratories in Burguillos in Spain. AGQ have been using their Metrohm IC instruments for two years and are very satisfied with the technical and application support they get from their local Metrohm representative.


A robust solution for testing all kinds of water samples: “I trust Metrohm instruments 100%. They help me to make my everyday work easy,” said Lledo Altava, IC Analyst at Iproma’s large contract laboratory near Valencia in Spain. She emphasises the fact that due to their two Metrohm ICs’ robust performance in routine analysis of water samples, Iproma is able to keep costs per analysis low in a highly competitive market.


A suppressor module that works for years without needing replacement; “Our customers absolutely depend on the accuracy of our standards,” said Dieter Bossmann, Laboratory Manager at Bernd Kraft, one of Germany’s leading manufacturer of calibration standards and other chemicals from Duisburg. He, too, emphasises the robust performance of his Metrohm IC system: “When our IC system is calibrated and we do not exchange the column, this calibration is stable for almost half a year,” he said. Dieter Bossmann mentions the robustness of the Metrohm Anion suppressor Module that works flawlessly for a period of several years.


43332@reply-direct.com


LABMATE UK & IRELAND - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017


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