24 17th Confocal Raman Imaging Symposium Achieves Record Attendance


WITec’s 2021 Confocal Raman Imaging Symposium, held in virtual format, attained record numbers of participants globally. Over 500 registrants signed up to view and discuss a field of 55 posters grouped under the topics: Advanced Materials Analysis; Environmental and Geo Science; and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Pharma Research.


Delegates were treated to five featured talks presented by esteemed researchers, everyone was encouraged to offer feedback to determine the winner of the 2021 Best Poster Award, and more than 80 researchers registered to take part in virtual equipment demonstration sessions.


During the one-week virtual Symposium, participants were invited to explore the conference platform and on-demand oral presentations. A good starting point was the thorough introduction to Raman spectroscopy and microscopy provided by Professor Sebastian Schlücker (University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany). Professor Barbara Cavalazzi (University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy) described how she uses 3D Raman imaging in her work on microbial paleontology, including the detection of the oldest fossilised methanogens ever found. Professor Dominique Lunter (Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany) shared details of her investigations of skin penetration by pharmaceutical ingredients and the impact of penetration enhancers. WITec’s own Dr Ute Schmidt covered recent developments in studies of transition metal dichalcogenides and Professor Laurene Tetard (University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA) presented 3D Raman analyses of thermal barrier coatings in jet engines.


Along with the featured speakers, the 55 contributed posters provided a wealth of scientific content. In the end, one poster received the highest rating from fellow attendees and that honour belongs to Jessica Caldwell from the Adolphe Merkle Institute at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. She won the Best Poster Award for her contribution: Detection of Various Nanoplastics via Gold Nanoparticle-Based Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrates. Together with Patricia Taladriz-Blanco, Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser and Alke Petri-Fink, she explored one of the most resonant topics in contemporary science: the detection of micro- and nanoplastic particles.


WITec had previously offered equipment demonstrations onsite in their laboratories on the final day of the Symposium. This year morning and afternoon sessions were hosted online every day of the conference to accommodate over 80 registrants. WITec application scientists showed the instruments in action with demos of confocal Raman imaging, Raman-AFM, topographic Raman imaging, and Raman-based particle analysis coupled to a spectral database.


The 17th Confocal Raman Imaging Symposium flourished in its transition to a virtual event. Given recent disruptions, it was reassuring to see the spectroscopic imaging community persist in convening to share, discuss and celebrate new techniques and discoveries. WITec look forward to seeing everyone in person again when possible.


The 18th Confocal Raman Imaging Symposium will take place from 26th - 28th September 2022. Details including the list of invited speakers and reviews of previous symposia can be found on the Confocal Raman Imaging Symposium homepage.


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Bigneat offers a specialised range of Laboratory Automation Enclosures for use with liquid handling platforms/robotics, capable of meeting high-throughput requirements. The LAC2 Class II type enclosure, is designed and constructed following years of experience and provides for Operator and Sample/Process protection (sterility) with doors in closed or open conditions.


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Laboratory and Biosafety Cabinet Decontamination


A study published in the Applied Biosafety Journal of ABSA International concluded that Saniswiss Ahp would probably become the method of choice for room and biosafety decontamination in the near future.


Formaldehyde, ethylene oxide and chloride dioxide are sometimes used for fumigation and although highly efficient and reliable are potentially harmful to users. At best they act as respiratory and mucosal irritant, while at worst they are highly toxic.


Hydrogen peroxide is also used for decontamination and is currently delivered as VHP (Vapourised Hydrogen Peroxide ) or HPV (Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour) normally at a 35% concentration which is delivered as a wet vapour and although effective at inactivating spores but, as a powerful oxidant, there is of course a risk of exposing sensitive instruments and electrical equipment to this high concentration which can cause corrosion and damage.


Saniswiss developed aHP - Aerosolised hydrogen peroxide - which proved a safer, more consistent and highly effective way to disinfect potentially contaminated areas. aHP is a 12% plasma boosted hydrogen peroxide which is delivered as a dry mist so avoids the problems associated with the high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide delivered as a wet vapour. The plasma boosted Hydrogen peroxide is subjected to a pulsated discharge process and contains no silver ions. This is generated by subjecting hydrogen peroxide to a pulsed discharge process and the plasma is formed by an avalanche of electrons reacting with the air and water surface.


The Saniswiss Automate machine is much less costly than the HPV or VHP generators, it is quick to set up, environmentally friendly and because of the low concentration of hydrogen peroxide and it is well tolerated by standard laboratory equipment including electronics.


For more details, ask for a copy of the study published in Applied Biosafety Journal or arrange an on site demonstration. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/gOne


Entry Level Semi-automated Microplate Sealer


The new Ultraseal LITE semi-automatic microplate sealer from Porvair Sciences is designed for simple operation and is the perfect device for labs with low to medium throughput (6 plates/minute) processing needs. Lightweight and compact in design, the Ultraseal LITE will fit just about anywhere you need to use it - be it on a lab bench or inside a fumehood.


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A typical sealing time for most polypropylene plates using Porvair seals is less than 3 seconds each. Seal times and seal temperatures are fully adjustable using the Ultraseal LITE control touch screen. Sealed plates are automatically ejected from the Ultraseal LITE. The Ultraseal LITE has dual voltage capability, allowing it to operate on both 120 and 240 volt alternating current, 50/60 Hz mains supplies without the need for a power transformer. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/JQdP


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LABMATE UK & IRELAND - NOVEMBER 2021


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