New on the market
On the surface
Thermo Electron of Waltham, Massachusetts, US, has launched K-Alpha, an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer for characterisation of surfaces. The surface chemical composition of the top few nanometers of solid materials, including insulators, semiconductors and metals, can be quantitatively analysed using the K-Alpha in a multi-user environment.
The instrument is designed for high-throughput sample analysis and incorporates data processing algorithms, offering full automation from acquisition to data interpretation and reporting.
The electron optics of the K-Alpha give high selectivity, permitting insight into the most complex surface chemistries in traditional materials and emerging biotechnology, nanotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
An integral ion source provides a high-resolution depth and profiling capability, thus facilitating true three-dimensional analysis.
Solvent removal
Genevac from Ipswich, UK, has introduced the HT-24 ultra-high throughput centrifugal evaporator, targeted at organic synthesis, HPLC and compound purification laboratories, where high throughput of samples in a wide range of formats is critical to efficient operation.
The HT-24 is designed around two HT-12 Series II evaporators mounted on a small trolley, allowing chemists to evaporate simultaneously two sets of samples made up in different solvents, significantly speeding up the drying process. Ninety six shallow-well microplates can be dried down at the same time, and there is capacity for 576 standard 16x100mm fraction collector tubes per run.
The HT-24 includes the facility for rapid defrosting, and pullout sample shelves for easy loading and unloading.
Flashing in pulses
Glen Spectra of Stanmore, UK, has introduced the OL 700-22 pulsed xenon flash source, a high pressure, short arc xenon flash lamp operating at 100Hz rate. It is designed for applications such as ultraviolet (UV) reflection and transmission measurements which require a higher UV to visible light ratio, and hence lower stray light, than can be achieved with a tungsten halogen source.
The OL 700-22 comes with an SMA 905 connector that couples the source through a miniature fibre optic probe to accessories, including integrating spheres and transmittance and reflectance attachments. The ability to cascade two OL 700-22 sources enables the user to perform near simultaneous reflectance and transmittance sample analysis.
Because it produces a pulsed signal, the OL 700-22 is less likely than continuous sources to contribute to solarisation in optical fibre assemblies. This frequently occurs when fibres are illuminated with wavelengths below 260nm.
Separation workhorse
Alfa Laval of Lund, Sweden, has launched the P2 decanter centrifuge range for a variety of separation processes in the steel, oil and gas, pigments, polymers, and pulp and paper industries. The P2 is ideal for continuous dewatering of crystalline materials, fibrous and amorphous solids, and tough industrial sludges and slurries.
The robust welded box beam frame that supports the main rotating assembly ensures smooth operation even at maximum rotation speeds of up to 4000 rpm and g forces in excess of 3000. The direct drive system enables the operator to maintain an optimum balance between solid dryness and liquid clarity.
Particles by size and shape
The Sysmex FPIA-3000 automated particle shape and size analyser from Malvern Instruments of Malvern, UK, includes the facility to measure particles in non-aqueous solvents, including acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, xylene and toluene.
The analyser measures particles in the range 0.8 to 300 µm. Using a CCD camera that captures 60 images per second, the system produces images of each particle and provides a scattergram of shape index versus particle size in two and a half minutes.
Keeping the right temperature
The Unistat Nuevo range of thermoregulators from Radleys, Saffron Walden, UK, precisely controls the temperature of small laboratory reactions right up to production scale processes.
Fabricated in stainless steel, the Unistat Nuevo range offers mechanical cooling of processes from -120ºC up to 400ºC, using environmentally-friendly refrigerants and an energy management system to keep electrical power consumption to a minimum.
By measuring the temperature of outflowing and returning thermal fluid, the units alter their temperature control values to heat rapidly while minimising temperature overshoot for better process control.
