HPLC and U-HPLC

Thermo Fisher Scientific has expanded its quaternary solvent delivery systems with the release of the Accela 600 HPLC and Accela 1000 U-HPLC, designed to enable rapid method development while significantly reducing solvent consumption. 

Both Accela systems feature innovative Force Feedback Control that enables the delivery of accurate and precise solvent gradients under all operating conditions. This provides the flexibility of quaternary solvent delivery with unparalleled performance for HPLC and U-HPLC applications.  

Developed specifically for use with Thermo Scientific Hypersil columns packed with 5, 3 and the new 2.4 micron particle diameter, the Accela 600 provides flow rates up to 5ml per min and a maximum operating pressure of 600 bar with only 90 m l of delay volume. The Accela 1000 has a maximum operating pressure of 1000 bar with only 65 m l of delay volume, making it ideal for U-HPLC applications using columns packed with sub 2.0 micron particles like the Hypersil Gold. The Accela 1000 is the only U-HPLC instrument on the market with a quaternary solvent delivery system and optimised gradient accuracy. This combination of features gives the user the flexibility to use the Accela 1000 as a high quality stand-alone LC or as a front-end system for applications that integrate mass spectrometry.  
analyze@thermofisher 

Proteomics 

Alpha Innotech of San Leandro, US, has launched the FluorChem Xplor, a platform designed for proteomics imaging and analysis. The FluorChem Xplor provides a single system able to perform rapid and quantitative 2D gel, chemiluminescent Western blots and 1D gel imaging. The FluorChem Xplor imaging system provides fast, quantitative imaging of large gels. It includes integrated, protocol-driven AlphaView software for image acquisition, enabling the easy imaging of multiple samples under reproducible lighting and exposure conditions, which is necessary for quantitative accuracy when comparing samples. It also includes powerful new Xpedition software for image analysis.  

The FluorChem Xplor detects a wide array of 2D detection dyes, including Coomassie blue, Sypro Ruby, and Silver stain.  

Ultrafast laser 

Newport Corporation of Irvine, US, has introduced the Mai Tai SP laser, the first fully-automated, hands-free <25fs one-box ultrafast oscillator with adjustable pulse width. The Mai Tai SP is highly stable and easy to use and is ideal for seeding the Spitfire Pro ultrafast amplifier system, which can be used for pump-probe spectroscopy, THz generation, high harmonic generation and other time-resolved spectroscopy applications. 

The Mai Tai SP bandwidth and wavelength are both computer adjustable - the bandwidth tunes from >60nm to <12nm, corresponding to near transform-limited pulse widths from <25fs to 100fs. The new Mai Tai SP features both Stabilok technology and proprietary EternAlign permanent optics mounting technology to ensure exceptional long-term environmental stability. These features make the Mai Tai SP a truly hands-off laser - it does not need to be opened to the outside environment for pulse width adjustments, wavelength tuning or realignment. 
hans.dabeesing@newport.com 

Quite a stir

Camlab of Cambridge, UK, has launched a new range of low profile, 2mag submersible magnetic stirrers and stirrer hotplates.

The high quality magnetic stirrers feature inductive drive technology that eliminates the need for traditional wire wound motors, providing smooth, jerk-free start-up, and requiring no maintenance. 

The compact inductive drive construction allows a choice of low profile stirrers with a high ratio of stirring points per platform. The range includes fully submersible designs, 15-place platforms, biological stirrers and the hotMIX 1, which has a footprint of only 120 x 140 x 80mm.

As part of the 30th birthday celebrations for Multipette, Eppendorf of Cambridge, UK, has designed a special Multipette Xstream Kary Mullis Edition. Only 1000 of these very special electronic hand dispensers are available worldwide.

Each Multipette Xstream Kary Mullis Edition is delivered in a premium presentation box containing the distinctive anthracite coloured dispenser, an exclusive stylish holder and a set of Combitips. The device, stand and box carry the signature of Kary B Mullis, marking the pioneering achievement of the 1993 Nobel laureate for chemistry who invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

In addition to high precision, contamination-free dispensing of liquids of different densities, whether viscous or volatile, the electronic Multipette Xstream is also ideal for aspirating, titrating and sequential dispensing.

Baby thermoregulator

Radleys, of Saffron Walden, UK, has launched the Huber Petite Fleur or Baby Tango, a new entry level Unistat thermoregulator for applications in the mid-range -40?C to 200°C.  

As with the larger Unistat models the Petite Fleur/Baby Tango features all the benefits in performance and safety of a hydraulically sealed system. The CC Pilot Professional Controller and display provides the unit with full functionality. The powerful variable speed pump combined with variable pressure control and microprocessor technology ensures the best possible results and at just 26cm wide the baby Tango is ideally suited to fit in any fumehood. The castors fitted at the back also allow the compact unit to be easily manoeuvred into the required position. 

The Petite Fleur is ideal for applications where regular vessel changes can often lead to residue water in hoses and reactors mixing with the thermofluid, thereby inhibiting heat transfer. To overcome this, the Petite Fleur features a unique water separation system which allows water to be removed from the thermofluid during heat/cooling cycles. 
sales@radleys.co.uk 

Intelligent titrator 

Metrohm, of Buckingham, UK, has launched the 905 Titrando intelligent titrator. 

The 905 Titrando is intended for use with Itrodes - intelligent electrodes that allow the storage of important sensor data as article and serial numbers, calibration history, working life and calibration validity period. Using this system, incorrect electrodes, electrodes whose calibration data lies outside the limits, and electrodes whose calibration period has expired can be excluded. 

Despite its new digital measuring interface and intelligent sensors, the Titrando, with combined analogue and digital measuring amplifier, also supports conventional sensors. This consists of one high impedance and one polarised measuring input, a separate reference input and an input for a Pt 1000 or NTC temperature sensor. The resolution of the inputs is 0.1mV or 0.001pH. 

The Titrando supports the titration modes DET (dynamic equivalence point titration), MET (monotonic equivalence point titration) and SET (titration to one or two pre-set endpoints), which covers all potentiometric titrations. 

With the measuring mode, pH, potential and temperature can be measured.The direct determination of the concentration with ion-sensitive electrodes is also possible. 

Basic daily laboratory operations such as pipetting, transferring, dosing, dispensing and diluting are possible with the new liquid handling functions of the Titrando. 
enquiry@metrohm.co.uk 

DIY high-purity acids 

Milestone of Shelton, US, has developed the Duopur, a sub-boiling distillation system that allows laboratories to make their own high-purity acids.  

The Duopur can produce one litre (500ml per quartz unit) of high-purity acid from reagent grade acid in about six hours. It consists of two high-purity quartz distillation units, with each unit containing two infrared heating elements, a water-cooled condenser and a reagent collection bottle. 

The distillation process is microprocessor controlled, allowing the user to set the distillation time and power level. 

Using a Duopur system, ultra-trace water and acids can be prepared from standard reagent grade, saving up to 90 per cent of the cost of purchasing ultra-pure reagents. 

The unit is programmable for efficiently distilling different acids and mixtures. 

All parts in contact with purified reagents are constructed of high-quality quartz and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials. 

The Duopur also provides the ability to re-purify acids that have become contaminated. 

Synthesis reactor 

Mettler Toledo of Leicester, UK, has launched the Easymax 102 - a synthesis reaction system designed for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. 

The heating and cooling system controls the temperature of the reaction mixture accurately and reproducibly without the need for a cryostat - ensuring good heating and cooling rates across the temperature range -28°C to 183°C. It also eliminates the need for ice or hot oil baths, making experiments simpler, safer and more reliable. 

1-Gigahertz NMR

Bruker BioSpin of Karlsruhe, Germany, has launched the one-gigahertz ultra-high field (UHF) Avance 1000 NMR spectrometer, incorporating a 23.5 Tesla standard-bore (54 mm) high homogeneity superconducting NMR magnet for UHF high-resolution and solid-state NMR experiments. 

For decades, the scientific community has had a vision to eventually perform ultra-high field (UHF) NMR at 1 GHz, but until now major technical barriers had prevented the realisation of this dream. Now, after many 
years of development, Bruker BioSpin has successfully energised and brought to its full magnetic field of 23.5 Tesla the world's first, standard-bore, high homogeneity 1 GHz NMR persistent magnet at its UHF magnet factory in Karlsruhe, Germany. 

The high field strength and high field stability in combination with the 5mm triple-resonance CryoProbe enables unique 1 GHz NMR applications in biochemistry, structural biology and other molecular research. 
thorsten.thiel@bruker.de