Particle sizing methods range from simple sieving to microscopy, imaging, and laser-based techniques that measure and characterize down to molecular scale. Approaches to particle sizing differ as widely, technologically, as the sample types, but in many instances the approaches are orthogonal or complementary
Chromatography data systems (CDSs)— the data “back end” for gas, liquid, ion, and supercritical fluid analytic chromatography—have evolved over the decades from simple chart recorders to onboard processors with minimal storage and analysis to personal computer-based and, finally, to connectivity with “peer” instruments and supervisory software systems.
Mobile technology is finally picking up steam in laboratory information markets, says Colin Thurston, director of product strategy, process industries, at Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA). “We’ve observed the trend, throughout informatics, to support different platforms, particularly in the LIMS space.” The sweet spots for mobile access are sample collections occurring outside the lab, for example, taking health and safety samples throughout a pharmaceutical facility, in collecting environmental samples in the field, or when testing labs become too cramped to house stand-alone data systems and hardware. On one hand developers of mobile applications strive to be platform-agnostic, but many are now developing dedicated “apps” as well.
Portable instrumentation and analyzers are a booming business if recent announcements are any guide. Rigaku’s handheld Raman spectrometer, Thermo Fisher’s handheld X-ray and Raman analyzers, Centice Corp.’s Raman-based narcotics
