Mixing in milliseconds 
Micronit Microfluidics of Enschede, the Netherlands, have introduced new glass microfluidic mixers enabling mixing of micro or nanolitres down to millisecond mixing times. The mixers enable fast and effective mixing even at low pressures. They are based on two mixing principles developed by Micronit and the University of Sheffield, UK: the 'tear-drop' mixer, for use with low Reynolds number mixing, and the 'swirl' mixer, for use with high Reynolds number mixing. The micromixers are available in four options and can be combined with a lab-on-a-chip kit. 
marketing@micronit.com 

Shaken not stirred 
Asynt of Cambridge, UK, have launched the Heidolph Synthesis 1, which allows both solid and liquid phase reactions to be run and evaporated on one piece of equipment. All the transparent reaction vessels are mounted around the circumference of the heating block, giving good sample visibility and access. Mixing is achieved by frequency-controlled shaking at speeds from 100 to 1000 rpm. Up to 24 PTFE or PFA reaction vessels are accommodated in four heating zones, each with its own independent temperature control - ideal for evaporating or refluxing solvents with different boiling points. Reaction volumes range from 8ml to 50ml. A central connection for vacuum and inert gas supply facilitates running reaction under inert atmosphere. Direct, in-vessel sample temperature feedback for each zone ensures accurate temperature control to  ± 1ºC, and up to four programmable temperature ramps can be applied to each zone over the unit's temperature range, from -80ºC (with external chiller) to +160ºC. 
sales@asynt.com 

Analysing on the move 
A2 Technologies of Danbury, Connecticut, US, have launched the portable, rugged Mobility series of Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers, developed for use in the field. They are real-time process monitoring tools for the petrochemical industry, lubrication condition monitoring, food analysis and mining applications. These spectrometers incorporate two new diamond-based sampling systems, one utilising the principle of internal reflection and the other featuring a new type of transmission cell. Between these two systems, a broad range of liquids, solids, oils, gels and pastes can be analysed. 
vlopez@a2technologies.net 

Taking your temperature 
Calex Electronics of Leighton Buzzard, UK, have introduced the Convir FTK 60 fixed temperature calibration checker for infrared sensors. The device provides calibration checks at 60ºC, reaching and stabilising at that temperature in approximately 12 minutes. The checker offers high stability, with less than  ± 0.2ºC drift at an ambient temperature of 20ºC. 
info@calex.co.uk 

Versatile and sensitive  
Thermo-Fisher of San Jose, California, US, have launched the ultra-sensitive TSQ Quantum GC gas chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for use in environmental, food toxicology, pharmaceutical and clinical research laboratories. The system uses quantitation-enhanced data-dependent MS/MS (QED MS/MS) at the lowest limits of quantitation and offers the ability to switch between GC and LC modes. Highly selective reaction monitoring capability allows the quantitation of hundreds of compounds in a single run for multi-residue screening, while the zero cross-talk collision cell helps eliminate false positives. The system consists of a TSQ Quantum triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, TRACE GC Ultra and TriPlus autosampler, and is configured with Xcalibur software. It contains a built-in audit trail to ensure compliance with laboratory standard operating procedures and quality programs. 
analyze@thermofisher.com 

Sample pooling 
Genevac of Ipswich, UK, have introduced SampleGenie, which pools and concentrates large volume fractions for high-throughput applications including compound storage, drug development and environmental analysis. Available in three sizes (50ml, 125ml and 300ml), SampleGenie enables centrifugal evaporators to accelerate the pooling of multiple large-volume fractions into a single small sample vial. Constructed in a choice of glass or 316L stainless steel, the SampleGenie can cope with most solvent types. Using SampleGenie, a Genevac HT-4X evaporator can dry 24 samples in parallel, each containing 50ml of water, in less than nine hours. Used in conjunction with Genevac's LyoSpeed methods, 24 samples, each containing 25ml of water / acetonitrile (60:40), were fast lyophilised in only 6 hr 45 mins.
salesinfo@genevac.co.uk 

For the freezer 
Micronic BV of Lelystad, the Netherlands, have introduced a new range of screw top tubes (0.5, 1.1 and 1.4ml) for sample storage in vapour phase liquid nitrogen and freezers below -80ºC.  96 of these tubes can be stored in a Micronic Lobo Rack or Robo Rack. The internal V-shape of the 0.5ml screw top tubes ensures the lowest possible dead volume and maximum recovery of scarce samples. 
sales@micronic.com