Biodetection

BiOptix of Boulder, CO, US, has launched the BiOptix 207B, a multiplex label-free molecular interaction analysis instrument. 

The 207B can analyse complex mixtures for multiple biomolecules in a single sample injection at very high sensitivity. 

On-chip control corrects for background effects such as non-specific binding. The 207B contains a user-customisable replaceable biochip that can be chemically modified outside the instrument and easily manipulated. 
bioptix@bioptix.com

Stratophase of Romsey, UK, has launched the Spectrosens - a robust, miniature, sensitive biological detection platform. It can detect toxins, viruses and bacteria in real time and has been developed to reduce incidences of false alarms in military and counter-terrorism applications.

A conditioned beam of light is transmitted to a chip through a fibre-optic cable, and directed at a sensor grating written into a sensing window on the chip. Tiny changes in sample composition can be detected in a liquid in real time by very precise, continuous monitoring of the wavelength of the light reflected from the sensor. An embedded reference grating is used to provide compensation for environmental effects such as changes in ambient temperature. 
enquiries@stratophase.com 

Standardless analysis

PANalytical of Almelo, the Netherlands, has launched the standardless analysis package, Omnion, designed to be used with the Axios sequential x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer.

Omnion can handle a wide range of sample types such as solids, pressed powders, fused beads, loose powders and liquids. With its problem-solving power the software deals with a variety of analytical challenges, including sample quantification, screening and failure analysis, as well as the comparison of different materials.

The system adjusts automatically to sample and matrix effects as well as sample thickness, volume and 'dark-matrix' composition. It can be fine-tuned for increased accuracy by using Adaptive Sample Characterisation (ASC). 
info@panalytical.com   

Chiral studies

BioTools Inc. of Jupiter, US, has launched a new range of spectrometers. 

The  m -ChiralRAMAN-2X combines Raman microscopy and Raman optical activity in one instrument. Applications include structural characterisation of chiral molecules and biologicals such as proteins, sugars and viruses. 

The ChiralIR-2X is a vibrational circular dichroism spectrometer with digital signal processing resulting in higher signal to noise. Uses include unambiguous determination of the absolute configuration of chiral molecules and monitoring of asymmetric reactions. 
biotoolsinfo@aol.com  

Raman software 

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its OMNIC Specta software for Raman applications. The software was developed to radically improve the quality and ease of gathering sample information in fast-paced Raman laboratories that need to analyse the molecular composition of raw materials, production processes and finished goods. 

Enhanced data presentation features for multi-component searching transforms the OMNIC Specta to a highly efficient technique for one-step identification of complex materials.  

A contaminant identification capability allows users to troubleshoot failure during product quality control (QC) verification or when unexpected components appear in known materials, thus enabling QC laboratories to simplify and accelerate their problem-solving procedures. In addition, the new OMNIC Specta enables analysts to visualise a complete workflow on a single screen, from data collection to processing and final report. The software automatically indexes all spectral information on a user's system, making it instantly accessible. 

The software includes support for the recently released Thermo Scientific DXR SmartRaman spectrometer and DXR Raman microscope. 
analyze@thermofisher.com 

iDART makes IonSense 

IonSense of Saugus, US, has launched the iPod enabled DART SVP Controller,which provides simple touch screen control for more reliable chemical analysis. IonSense is also releasing its new green technology cartridge which enables efficient DART ionisation with nitrogen, rather than helium, for lower operating cost. The touchscreen interface allows the user to view the status of the source, set up change parameters, and view experiment setups using movies in the video manual. The controller can be monitored using wireless technology to test and identify non-functional components making worldwide service more practical. The company already manufactures source interfaces for most commercial LC-MS instruments. 
info@IonSense.com

Greenhouse gases

Picarro of Sunnyvale, US, has launched the G1301-m flight-ready greenhouse gas analyser. It provides high precision and accuracy for carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour analysis in a compact instrument designed for continuous operation at altitudes up to 10,000m and with climb/descent rates as high as 1km/min. 

Developed and tested in close cooperation with scientists at NOAA, the Picarro G1301-m enables direct, real-time sampling and analysis in-flight, eliminating the time, cost and limited data sampling associated with traditional sample capture for lab-bound instruments. 

The instrument is based on Picarro's wavelength-scanned cavity ring down (WS-CRDS) technology, proven in demanding laboratory applications and challenging field locations such as Mauna Loa and CarboAfrica (Ivory Coast). 
info@picarro.com 

Plate reading 

Wyatt Technology of Santa Barbara, US, has launched the temperature-controlled high-throughput DynaPro Plate Reader which uses dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology. 

The plate reader allows scientists to carry out automatic classical thermal DLS studies on a large number of therapeutic macromolecules over a wide range of solution conditions. 

The Plate Reader controls the temperature for hundreds of samples simultaneously, capturing DLS data quickly, easily and directly from industry standard microplates (96, 384 or 1536 formats) without perturbing precious samples (as little as 5 m l of sample per well in 1536 well format). 
info@wyatt.com 

Proteomics platform

Applied Biosystems of Warrington, UK, and MDS Analytical Technologies of Sunnyvale, US, have introduced the AB SCIEX TOF/TOF 5800 System mass spectrometry proteomics platform. 

This system enables researchers to identify up to 30 per cent more proteins at a rate which is 10 times faster than any other available MALDI system, facilitating the discovery of a wider range of protein biomarkers in complex samples. 
info@appliedbiosystems.com 

Food safety testing

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the TSQ Quantum Access MAX triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometry system with TraceFinder software as a complete LC-MS/MS food safety testing solution. 

The system performs structural confirmation and library matching, enabling it to confirm and quantitate hundreds of compounds in a single experiment. It features a mass range of  m/z  10 to 3000. The system can perform 3000 highly selective reaction monitoring acquisitions, providing increased analyte selectivity, lower limits of detection and improved precision and accuracy.  

The system also has a heated electrospray ionisation probe, the HESI-II, and high-speed positive/negative switching at better than 25ms, enabling multi-residue screening in a single analytical run. 

The TraceFinder software has an extensive menu of preconfigured methods and reports, making screening for routine contaminants a simple process. 
analyze@thermo.com  

The elemental alternative

Spectro Analytical Instruments of Kleve, Germany, has launched the Spectro Genesis simultaneous ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer) as an alternative to flame atomic absorption or sequential ICP-OES for those requiring fast, reliable analysis of environmental or industrial samples.

The sample introduction system has short fluid paths, to ensure minimum stablisation and measurement times, and a pre-set, lock-in alignment mechanism for easy maintenance. A powerful free-running 27.12MHz generator means that plasma power is kept constant over a wide range of sample loads. 

An ORCA (Optimised Rowland Circle Alignment) polychromator provides excellent stability and performance. 
spectro-info@ametek.com 

Sensitive GC-TOF

Jeol of Peabody, US, has launched the AccuTOF-GCv - a GC-TOF mass spectrometer of high sensitivity. By combining rapid data acquisition speeds with high resolution and a high dynamic range, the AccuTOF-GCv delivers exact mass measurements for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. 

In addition to the standard EI source and optional CI source, a new optional EI/FI/FD combination ion source eliminates the need to exchange ion sources to switch between electron impact and field ionisation or field desorption ionisation, resulting in higher sample throughput, easier operation and longer uptime. The combination EI/FI/FD source also enables GC-FI operation that can be used to characterise samples that are difficult for traditional GC-EI or GC-CI measurements. 
info@jeol.com

Flow in the cold

Uniqsis of Cambridge, UK, has produced an interchangeable reactor tray for its FlowSyn continuous flow reactor to extend the system's working temperature range down to -40ºC. 

The Cold Tray reactor module can be fitted to all existing FlowSyn systems in a few minutes. 

Used with a heater/chiller unit and an appropriate thermal fluid the system has a validated temperature range from -40ºC to +150ºC, and will maintain stable low temperature conditions for extended periods. 

Control is via the standard FlowSyn user interface for added convenience. 

The Cold Tray can be used with the Uniqsis coiled tubing reactors, with column reactors, or a combination of both. 
info@uniqsis.com 

Atomic absorption 

PerkinElmer has introduced the AAnalyst 50, an entry-level flame atomic absorption spectrometer that offers double-beam technology to save laboratories time when analysing numerous samples. It comes with a background corrector and a complete safety interlocks system. 

The AAnalyst 50 includes PerkinElmer's dual option burner and sample introduction system, consisting of an inert polymer spray chamber which can accommodate corrosive and high solids matrices, as well as titanium burner heads. 
info@perkinelmer.com