Laboratory Products 17 Cambridge enhances research facilities with advanced laboratory press


The University of Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy is celebrated for its ground-breaking research and extensive educational offerings. With a team of over 240 researchers and an impressive annual research income surpassing £10 million, the department is a hub of innovation in fields such as ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites. A recent addition to their research suite is the LabManual 50 laboratory press from Fontijne Presses, supplied by Intelicare, which promises to significantly enhance the department’s research capabilities.


The LabManual 50 will be utilised in research focused on caloric materials - substances that exhibit reversible thermal changes under various external fields, including mechanical stresses, magnetic, and electric fields. These materials hold the potential to transform energy- efficient and eco-friendly heat pump technologies, advancing the development of next-generation cooling devices. The LabManual 50 press is crucial in offering the precise control and reliable results necessary for the advancement of these advanced materials.


The LabManual 50 series from Fontijne Presses is engineered for precision, consistency, and user-friendliness, making it an ideal tool for advanced research endeavours. The press features manual operation of press force, allowing for meticulous control over the pressing process, which is essential for achieving experimental accuracy. It includes electrically heated platens that ensure uniform temperature distribution, a critical factor for materials research. The 2-column frame design enhances accessibility to the press area, promoting an efficient workflow, while its rigid construction guarantees accurate temperature and force distribution, ensuring reproducibility in research outcomes. Additionally, the compact and ergonomic design of the press makes it well-suited for laboratory settings.


The department’s research efforts have experienced significant growth, supported by strong industrial partnerships and international collaborations. The inclusion of the LabManual 50 press reinforces these collaborative efforts by providing a dependable and advanced tool for experimental research. This investment highlights the department’s ongoing commitment to preserving its position as a global leader in materials science research.


Intelicare serves as the exclusive partner for Fontijne Presses in the UK and Ireland. By investing in a Fontijne press, you are benefiting from over a century of expertise, supported by UK-based project management and aftercare services.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Yjko and ilmt.co/PL/odLw 63262pr@reply-direct.com


Airflow controller and monitors with integrated gas sensor promote lab safety


Fume cupboard manufacturers now have access to a new airflow controller and monitors with integrated gas sensor, enabling laboratory managers to efficiently monitor carbon filter saturation status and protect operatives against chemical contaminates.


UK-based specialist electronic airflow control and monitor manufacturer and consultant, TEL, has upgraded its energy-efficient AFA4000/E VAV (variable airflow volume) airflow controller and AFA4000/1 and AFA4000/2 CAV (constant airflow volume) airflow monitors to incorporate an organic vapour type gas sensor.


Carbon filters absorb gaseous chemical contaminates and TEL’s integrated AFA4000/E/GS VAV, AFA4000/1/GS and AFA4000/2/GS CAV solutions enable laboratory managers using filtrated


type recirculating fume cupboards, hoods and cabinets to monitor filter saturation status via a dynamic graph.


When saturation occurs, filtration is compromised and gas escapes. The sensor detects breakthrough, triggering an alarm to highlight the urgent need for filter replacement to ensure the respiratory protection of users.


The integrated units also count the filter’s time-run, sounding an alarm when it has fulfilled its manufacturer-designated hours and is due for replacement.


In addition to incorporating the units into cupboards, hoods and cabinets at initial construction stage, manufacturers may retrofit them into any existing equipment, allowing laboratory managers to improve the safety and efficiency of their facilities cost-effectively.


TEL’s Director, Richard Eady, said: “Our AFA4000/E/GS airflow controller and AFA4000/1/GS and AFA4000/2/GS CAV airflow monitors with integrated gas sensors enable laboratory managers to efficiently ensure the respiratory protection of users against dangerous chemical contaminates.”


TEL was established in 1969 and its energy-efficient products are available globally via an international network of distributors. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/xwnZ and ilmt.co/PL/OkG6


63641pr@reply-direct.com Pharma sector drives demand for custom hygienic equipment


Hygienic furniture specialist Teknomek has announced a 56% increase in bespoke orders, reflecting growing investment by pharmaceutical and cleanroom sectors in customised hygienic equipment to meet stringent GMP requirements.


The surge in orders has been fuelled by demand from pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, and engineering partners. Many clients are upgrading from 304-grade to 316-grade stainless steel, prized for its enhanced corrosion resistance and durability, particularly in environments adhering to ISO14644 cleanroom standards. Common upgrades include tables, sinks, storage solutions, and changing room equipment.


Michelle Locke, Teknomek’s Product and Marketing Manager, emphasised the importance of precision in high-risk industries. “In ultra-hygienic sectors, ‘perfect for purpose’ is the standard. We’re seeing a significant rise in customisation requests for our in-house manufactured products, alongside bespoke designs tailored to unique challenges,” she explained.


Teknomek’s in-house design and manufacturing capabilities enable it to deliver innovative solutions. Recent projects include a wheelchair-accessible changing room bench, a stainless-steel cabinet integrated with a marble anti-vibration weighing table, and ergonomic furniture to maximise space efficiency in cleanrooms.


One notable project involved creating 64 height-adjustable tables for a Middle Eastern client. The design required 316-grade stainless steel and customisation to precise dimensions, showcasing Teknomek’s ability to adapt to specific needs.


“Stringent regulations, rising production costs, and client demands push our customers to work smarter,” added Locke. “Customised hygienic furniture offers multiple advantages: ensuring compliance, enhancing contamination control, optimising workflow, and improving staff safety. Moreover, investing in durable, easy-to-clean equipment reduces long-term costs.”


Teknomek’s growing portfolio of bespoke and customised solutions underlines its commitment to supporting hygiene-critical industries with innovative, tailored designs.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/65AY 63604pr@reply-direct.com


A new technical study from Testa Analytical demonstrates the importance of continuous monitoring of current flow rate in GPC/SEC experiments.


Flow rate is one of the most important parameters in any liquid chromatography system, it determines retention time or volume and therefore has a major influence on reproducibility. In this new study, the Testa Analytical Liquid Chromatography Flowmeter is shown to provide a valuable tool for continuous, non-invasive measurement of flow rate in GPC/SEC systems.


The popularity of using GPC/SEC to characterise natural and synthetic polymers is inherently connected to its simplicity. A pump to push the solvent through the instrument, an injection port to introduce the test sample onto the column, a column to hold the stationary phase, and one or more detectors to detect the components as they leave the column. Results obtained rely on a calibration curve obtained by running a set of reference standards with known molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. In GPC/SEC experiments - the determination of molecular weight of an unknown sample is based on the determination of its elution volume and then obtaining the corresponding value from the calibration curve.


In the study, researchers investigated the effect of a +/- 1% deviation in flow rate on results for an unknown sample determined with both a standard calibration and a universal calibration. This small variation in flow rate was selected as it might arise due to backpressure in a typical GPC/SEC system which is often below the detection limit of the pump pressure transducer and is thus undetectable with on-board means. The investigation was conducted by running a sample right after calibration, performing calculations and subsequently manually changing the flow rate parameter used for calculation. This was then repeated for a second sample using a viscosity detection and universal calibration.


The reported results from the study showed that a 1% deviation in flow rate resulted in a change of over 20% in calculated molecular weight results. These simple experiments underline the necessity for a suitable method of constant monitoring of current GPC/SEC flow rates and correction of running chromatogram.


The HPLC flowmeter range from Testa Analytical sets the benchmark for continuous non-invasive monitoring of the performance of pumps serving liquid chromatography systems. Compatible with all common solvents, the compact liquid chromatography flowmeter powers itself from a USB connection. At the heart of this flowmeter is a high-resolution thermal flow sensor that is both extremely accurate and sensitive. This non-invasive sensor enables the device to operate over a wide dynamic range. Each Testa flowmeter is supplied with an easy-to-use PC based App that allows users to continuously record, and store measured flow rate data from a liquid chromatography system. Current flow rate is displayed on the devices integral high-resolution OLED display.


To request a copy of the technical study please contact Testa Analytical.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/n3We 63760pr@reply-direct.com


Realtime monitoring of GPC/SEC flow rate


WWW.LABMATE-ONLINE.COM


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  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36