April 2010 Technology News

ANALYTICAL

FT-NIR Spectrometer
MB3600-PH

• Can be operated without any scheduled maintenance for ten years
• Features a simple and robust interface for data acquisition and routine analysis
• Universal sampling compartment accommodates accessories like liquid vial holders and probes
• Includes a user-friendly software interface enabling operations in a 21 CFR Part 11-compliant mode

ABB
www.abb.com

Raman Plate Reader
IDENTITY

• Enables high-throughput measurement of multiple samples in microtiter plates or slides
• Compatible with 96- or 384-well microtiter plates, glass slides or optional tablet holder
• Measures and analyzes samples in a 96-well plate in less than five minutes
• Configurable with either a 532 nm or 785 nm laser

Digilab
www.digilabglobal.com

Product Spotlight

QUATERNARY UPLC SYSTEM
HPLC SIMPLICITY WITH UPLC PERFORMANCE

The new ACQUITY UPLC® H-Class system from Waters incorporates the proven, robust and reliable performance of ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC® (UPLC) with the operational familiarity of traditional HPLC. The system combines the flexibility of ternary or quaternary solvent blending with the simplicity of flow-through needle injections, allowing for HPLC and UPLC analyses with easy method transferability.

The H-Class’ new quaternary solvent manager (QSM) and sample manager (SM-FTN), with flow-through needle design, together mimic traditional HPLC system workflows. The system allows a user to continue running HPLC methods and make a seamless transition to UPLC separations when the user is ready.

Bill Foley, Director of Product Management at Waters, says that UPLC in general will make labs more productive. “The inherent separation power enables you to have shorter run times and use much less solvent,” he said. “[It] takes the place of multiple HPLCs, so cost per analysis comes down, increasing data integrity.”

To manage dwell volume, the H-Class’ SmartStart Technology automatically manages gradient start time and pre-injection steps in parallel, to shorten cycle time. “People have taken a 10-12 minute process to less than 2 minutes from HPLC to UPLC,” said Foley.

For more information, visit www.waters.com. Bill Foley, Director of Product Management, can be reached at William_foley@waters.com, or by phone at 508-482-4019.

Radio-HPLC Flow-through Detector
BetaRAM 5

• Active Counting Mode (ACM™) provides better signal-to-noise ratios for low-level samples than currently possible with standard HPLC
• On-board stop-flow capability eliminates costly liquid scintillation counting
• Improved cell design reduces dead volume

IN/US Systems
www.inus.com

Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer
DART SVP Source and iDART Automation

• AccuTOF-DART SVP allows for off-axis analyses of surfaces
• Direct interfacing prevents chemical interferences from altering analytes before analysis
• DART SVP is easier to use than previous version; conserves gas and uses less energy
• Traditionally operated with a PC; can be remotely controlled via wireless or Ethernet connection

JEOL
www.jeol.com

GC Gas Station
GCGS-7890NA

• Provides carrier, fuel gas and support air for 1-3 FIDs and 1-3 capillary columns
• Hydrogen gas is produced from deionized water using a proton exchange membrane cell
• Hydrogen cell produces up to 500 cc/min of 99.99999+% pure hydrogen gas
• Zero air compartment produces up to 3500 cc/min of zero grade air

Parker Balston
www.labgasgenerators.com

UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
BioSpec-nano

• Ideal for quantitation of nucleic acids or fluorescentlabeled nucleic acids and protein analysis
• Sample mounting, measurement and cleaning are all performed by the device
• Analysis can be performed with 1 μl or 2 μl samples
• Analysis results can be converted to PDF or CSV files

Shimadzu
www.shimadzu.com

Gas Chromatography Flow-rate Probe
GFM Pro Flowmeter

• Measures both positive and negative vacuum flows from 0.5 to 500 ml/min and -0.5 to -500 ml/min
• Measures the volumetric flow of any gas with an accuracy of ± 2 percent
• Device protects itself from excessive flow rates by shutting off when flow exceeds 600 ml/min
• Compatible with any gas, even those that are flammable or explosive

Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermo.com/columns

Fluorescence Spectrometer
Lumina™

• Delivers 0.5 nm spectral bandwidth, high sensitivity and fast scanning speed
• Accurate monochromator drive mechanism enables slewing at 20,000 nm/min and wavelength scanning as speeds of up to 6,000 nm/min
• Photomultiplier detector offers extended measurement of near-infrared wavelength (190 nm to 900 nm)

Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermo.com/glows

HPLC Column Heater
EchoTherm™ CO20

• Features a temperature range from room temperature to 90°C settable to 0.1°C
• PID temperature control software regulates temperatures to ±0.1°C
• Includes a stable temperature indicator lamp on front panel
• UL, CSA and CE compliant

Torrey Pines Scientific
www.torreypinesscientific.com

Gas Purifiers
P100 to P600 Series

• Remove contaminants from analytical gases prior to entering GC
• Decrease baseline noise and increase GC/MS sensitivity
• Replace three traps with one gas purifier
• Not to be used for purification of oxygen

VICI Metronics
www.vicimetronics.com

BASIC LAB

Calibration Kit for Viscometers/ Rheometers
VisCal Kit

• Designed for “glass free” laboratory environments
• Provides all necessary items to verify viscometer/rheometer calibration
• Helpful for obtaining regulatory compliance with health and safety requirements
• Special viscosity values and temperature calibrations are available upon request

Brookfield Engineering
www.brookfieldengineering.com

Liquid/Spill alarm
3420

• Detects when drums, tanks, flasks or beakers are close to overfilling
• When a solution touches the sensor, the alarm sounds until the liquid no longer touches the sensor
• Constantly alarms for more than 30 hours

Control Company
www.control3.com

Anemometer/Thermometer
Traceable®

• Measures air velocity in five user-selectable values: m/s, ft/s, mph, km/h and knots
• Displays: maximum airflow measured, temperature in °F and °C and wind chill temperature in °F and °C
• Features fast measurements with reading updates 2 times per second

Control Company
www.control3.com

Microcentrifuge
5430 R

• Spins tubes from 0.2 ml to 50 ml as well as microplates
• Features a maximum speed of 17,500 rpm
• Small footprint – requires only 15 inches of bench space
• A refrigerated model is also available

Eppendorf North America
www.eppendorfna.com

Probeless MP Meters
MP-4, MP-6 and MP-6p

• Take reliable readings without the need for repetitious calibration
• To calibrate, simply press one button and adjust the instrument to the standard’s value
• Feature advanced four-electrode conductivity cell technology
• Include three pre-programmed common salt profiles

Hach Company
www.hach.com

Coulometric Karl Fischer Titrator
AQUACOUNTER® AQ-300

• Features six built-in calculation modes to accommodate solid, liquid and gas samples
• Includes a statistics package with one-touch calculations
• Allows instant recall of data for up to 20 samples
• Includes balance and computer interfaces for GLP and ISO documentation

JM Science
www.jmscience.com

Product Spotlight

POWDER FLOW TESTER
ACCURATE POWDER CHARACTERIZATION

A recurring issue with powders is their failure to discharge reliably from bins, hoppers and silos, leading to interruptions in the production process. The “flow function test,” a proven scientific method, can analyze powders for flow behavior. ASTM D6128 describes this procedure for compressing and shearing powder samples in a defined annular shear cell.

The Powder Flow Tester from Brookfield Engineering makes use of this method efficiently. Delivering quick and easy analysis of powder flow behavior in industrial processing equipment, it’s ideal for manufacturers who want to minimize or eliminate the downtime and expense that can occur when hoppers/silos fail to discharge.

“Plant managers who process powders now have an alternative to living with unpredictable powder jams in their hoppers,” said Bob McGregor, Sales and Marketing Manager at Brookfield. “This proven scientific method using shear cell analysis gives them early warning that arching and/or ratholing will occur and corrective measures are in order.”

The Powder Flow Tester allows users to conduct QC checks on incoming materials and predict flow behavior for new formulations before scale-up. Offering a choice of tests including Flow Function, Wall Friction, Time Consolidation and Bulk Density, the Powder Flow Tester provides accurate test results in minutes.

For more information, visit www.brookfieldengineering.com. Bob McGregor can be reached at r_mcgregor@brookfieldengineering.com or by phone at 1-800-628-8139.

Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry System
ASAP 2420

• Updated to include a 1-torr transducer option
• Allows enhanced performance for characterizing microporous minerals
• Samples may be added or removed from degas ports without disturbing other samples
• Increases pressure resolution in the range necessary for micropore analysis

Micromeritics
www.micromeritics.com

Class II Biological Safety Cabinet
CellGard™ ES NU-480

• DC/ECM motor technology reduces energy costs, increases filter life and maintains laminar airflow
• intelliflow™ airflow sensor technology maintains optimal airflow performance
• Automated nitecare™ system turns off lights and decreases fan/motor speed
• Constructed of 16 gauge, type 304 stainless steel for long product life

NuAire
www.nuaire.com

Handheld Optical O2 Sensor
NeoFox Sport

• Sol-gel coating embedded with oxygen indicator can be applied to probes or patches
• Comprised of a probe- or patch-based oxygen sensor plus a phase fluorometer
• Includes an onboard microprocessor with low-power OLED display
• Immune to environmental changes in pH, salinity and ionic strength

Ocean Optics
www.oceanoptics.com

Turbidity Analyzer
TRCN440 Series

• TRCN441 is designed for medium to high turbidity ranges
• TRCN442 is ideal for applications in the beverage industry, mining and water treatment
• TRCN443 is designed for ultra low turbidity readings below 10 NTU
• All models include local indication, transmitter outputs and control outputs

Omega
www.omega.com

Heavy-Duty Cutting Mill
SM 300

• Features a powerful, high-torque 3 kW (4.02 horsepower) motor
• Fold-back housing and removable, push-fit rotor allow for quick and easy cleaning
• Capable of processing power cords, batteries, circuit boards and LCD screens to a fineness of
• Available in a heavy-metal free version for contamination-free results

Retsch
www.retsch-us.com

Automated Analytical Syringe
eVol®

• Dispenses from 2 nl up to 500 μL with three different syringes that can be changed in seconds
• XCHANGE® coupling system prevents cross-contamination between reagents
• Features a touch wheel interface and full color screen
• Calibrations can be applied to up to ten different syringes

SGE Analytical Science
www.sge.com

Thermoelectric Recirculating Chiller
ThermoCube™

• Energy-efficient; boasts 80% savings over compressor-based models
• Available in 200-, 300- or 400-watt capacities
• Features quiet operation; quietest model runs at 48 dBA
• Compact size at 1 cubic foot, and weighs 28 lbs

Solid State Cooling Systems
www.sscooling.com

LAB AUTOMATION

DNA Library System
SPRIWorks Fragment Library System I

• Designed for the Illumina® Genome Analyzer
• Uses Solid Phase Reversible Immobilization (SPRI) paramagnetic bead-based technology
• Automated benchtop system prepares up to 10 DNA libraries in five hours
• Eliminates column purification and gel electrophoresisbased size-selection steps for reliable automation

Beckman Coulter Genomics
www.beckmangenomics.com

Automated Liquid Handler
Sciclone® G3

• Easily manages and processes 96 blood tubes with an innovative rack system
• Uses on-deck sensors and integrated bar code reader to identify and track samples
• Features non-contact liquid level and clog detection
• Pipetting approach eliminates the need for electrostatic tips

Caliper Life Sciences
www.caliperLS.com

Liquid Handling Workstation
NIMBUS iProbe

• Features up to four independent channels configurable with any combination of 1 ml or 5 ml pipetting heads
• Performs tube-to-tube, tube-to-plate and plate-to-plate transfers as well as pipetting from non-standard labware
• Features a high-density deck layout in a footprint small enough to fit inside a laminar flow hood
• Independently spaced channels are ideal for hit picking and sample prep from tubes

Hamilton Robotics
www.hamiltonrobotics.com

Product Spotlight

RAPID SYSTEM FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT SAMPLE PROCESSING
EASILY INTEGRATED WITH AUTOMATED LIQUID HANDLING

The Capit-All™ IS Automated Capper/Decapper, a joint venture by Thermo Fisher Scientific and The Automation Partnership, can cap or de-cap an entire rack of samples in less than 10 seconds. Each tube is individually sealed by its own separate clutch mechanism to the optimal torque, while all 96 caps are secured simultaneously for fast, quality capping. The incorporation of an automated drip tray and a vacuum extraction port reduce the risk of contamination.

The compact benchtop system is easily integrated with automated liquid handling instrumentation, and its simple four-button interface allows it to be operated by users of all skill levels.

“Capping tubes by hand is very labor-intensive and not very ergonomic,” said Kacey Wiley Pouliot, Product Manager, Sample Storage and Microplates at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The IS allows walk-away capability for customers to have their process running while they’re working on something else.”

Compatible with Thermo Scientific Matrix or Nunc labware, the IS has been tested to process one million samples before service is needed.

“A lot of testing has been done to ensure tightness of the caps,” said Pouliot. “This protects the integrity of the samples.”

For more information, visit www.thermo.com/matrix. Kacey Wiley Pouliot, Product Manager, Sample Storage and Microplates, can be reached at Kacey.wiley.pouliot@thermofisher.com or by phone at 800-345-0206 ext. 1221.

Integration Robot
Rack Runner

• Enables scalable integration of multiple Hamilton and third-party systems including readers, washers and shakers
• Moves on a linear drive that is extendable from 80 cm to 8 m
• Gripper features force sensors to guarantee secure gripping, delivery and positioning
• Features a Plexiglas housing with locked access doors for user safety

Hamilton Storage Technologies
www.hamilton-storage.com

Pre-calibrated Liquid Class Packages
Echo Screening and Echo Omnics

• For Echo® acoustic dispensers and POD™ 810 plate assemblers
• Feature a “touchless” dispensing capability; eliminate the need for disposable tips
• Address applications in drug discovery, genomics and proteomics including compound screening, siRNA screening, PCR and protein-based assays
• Allow users to instantly change fluid types without the need for custom calibrations

Labcyte
www.labcyte.com

Workflow Automation
QIAsymphony AS

• Provides fully automated setup of QIAGEN assays and PCR kits
• Features continuous sample loading and bar code reading for full sample tracking
• Pipetting of master mix and sample transfer for 96 samples takes less than 25 minutes
• Provides active cooling of reagents, eluates and assays, enabling safe and reproducible assay setup

QIAGEN
www.qiagen.com

Automated Sample Management
Tube Auditor

• Can audit a full 96-way SBS tube rack in less than 2 minutes
• Uses vision technology to “see” the volume of a sample and the presence of precipitate in a tube
• Accurate to better than ±10 μl
• Compatible with most industry standard labware

RTS Life Science
www.rtslifescience.com

LIFE SCIENCE

Plate Reader
Chameleon V

• Both radiometric and non-radiometric assays can be carried out with ease
• Seven measurement technologies are available, such as fluorescence intensity
• Capable of reading Microtiter plates from 6 to 384 wells
• Includes MikroWin Lite 2000 instrument control software

LabLogic Systems
www.lablogic.com

UV Imaging accessory
ProcUV for ProtoCOL 2

• Permits instant imaging of fluorescent colonies and plaques
• Features a cabinet with a sliding, auto-locking door, preventing accidental UV exposure
• Cabinet contains a hi-res camera and internal UV and white lighting
• High-quality images can be transferred into ProtoCOL 2 in seconds

Synbiosis
www.synbiosis.com

Product Spotlight

HANDHELD AUTOMATED CELL COUNTER
CELL COUNTING IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

The Scepter handheld cell counter from Millipore provides researchers with the means to simply and effectively count cells and monitor the health of their cultures. The handheld cytometer miniaturizes Coulter cell counting technology found in much larger instruments into a portable device the size of a pipette.

Cells are typically counted manually under a microscope using a hemocytometer. This process is tedious and variability in user technique can impact the accuracy of results. Automated benchtop cell counters are available, but are considerably more expensive than Scepter and do not offer the benefit of portability.

Ten times faster than hemocytometry, Scepter can produce accurate counts in 20 seconds. Containing sophisticated electronics for cell sensing and signal processing, its precision is comparable to traditional Coulter counting and far more reliable than hemocytometry.

Grace Johnston, Product Manager at Millipore, says the goal with Scepter was to create a handheld device that wouldn’t disrupt a researcher’s workflow. “We wanted to bring [cell counting] to the palm of their hand,” she said. “Customers can monitor their cells as they’re moving through their workflow.”

A graphical display reports the cell count and average cell volume, as well as a histogram of cell distribution by volume or diameter, providing an instant snapshot of the health of the culture.

For more information, visit www.millipore.com/scepter. Product manager Grace Johnston can be reached at grace_johnston@millipore.com or by phone at 978-239-8934.

Multi-Color Flow Cytometry Analysis Preparation
Antibody Cocktail Preparation Workstation

• Antibodies can be aliquoted into single 12x75 mm sample tubes in 96-tube racks
• Features built-in temperature control and light and evaporation protection
• Enables tracking of antibody stock volumes and reagent use, preventing manual processing errors
• Antibody names, lot numbers and consumption levels are automatically tracked and stored

Beckman Coulter
www.beckmancoulter.com

Integrated Fluidic Chip (IFC)
Access Array™

• For 454 FLX™ users active in Amplicon Tagging
• When combined with a 454 FLX sequencer, captures up to 12 kb of sequence data per sample, or 576 kb per array
• First IFC to harvest the sample from the chip
• Once sample processing is complete in the chip, sample is automatically returned to inlets

Fluidigm
www.fluidigm.com

Contract Screening Service
Acumen® Microplate Cytometer

• Offers clients high-content data using cell-based assays for investigation of biological phenomena
• Run from TTP LabTech’s UK headquarters, the service is available in two forms: standard and full
• Standard includes scanning and analysis of pre-prepared experimental plates
• Full incorporates entire process from cell culture

TTP LabTech
www.ttplabtech.com

LIMS & SOFTWARE

Automated Pipetting PC Software
epBlue ID™

• Designed for the epMotion automated pipetting system
• Incorporates a new barcode management function for secure sample tracking
• Features pipetting pattern recognition and a pre-defined labware database
• Features intuitive menus and a tab-based structure to guide the user through functions

Eppendorf North America
www.eppendorfna.com

ADME LIMS for Drug Metabolism Studies
Debra™ 5

• Eliminates the need to use Microsoft Excel
• Dosing module allows for interactive weighing and dosing of subjects
• Software does calculations required to prepare pooled samples, and tracks activity
• HPLC report can be used for both in vivo and in vitro data

LabLogic Systems
www.lablogic.com

GPC/SeC Software
OmniSEC

• Designed for instrument control, data acquisition, analysis and reporting
• Features a built-in, intuitive report designer
• Boasts automatic determination of dn/dc, UV extinction coefficient and A2
• Choice of manual or fully automatic baseline setting

Malvern Instruments
www.malvern.com

Product Spotlight

IMAGE LAB SOFTWARE
MAKES GENERATING HIGH-QUALITY IMAGES SIMPLE

Traditionally when using gel documentation systems, users are required to manipulate multiple parameters in order to achieve optimal image quality. Also, the algorithms used for automating analyses have not proven very reliable, leaving researchers with little confidence in the results.

Bio-Rad’s new Image Lab Software provides a fully automated image capture and analysis system that delivers high-quality images in an easy-to-use format. Made specifically for Bio-Rad’s Molecular Imager® Gel Doc™ XR+ or ChemiDoc™ XRS+ systems, the automated software requires no special training to operate.

Users can set up imaging protocols with the click of a mouse and the system will remember the entire workflow—from image capture to result—in a protocol file, eliminating the need to reset the imager each time a new gel or blot is loaded.

“Gel documentation doesn’t have to be difficult,” said Ryan Short, Imaging Marketing Manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories. “Often [researchers] use the same settings every time and would like to collect the data the exact same way every time. This eliminates bias from sample to sample, or user to user.”

Flat fielding makes up for variances in uniformity due to lens curvature, and ensures uniform lighting across the sample. Images and reports can be exported to various programs including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com/imaging. Ryan Short, Imaging Marketing Manager, can be reached at ryan_short@bio-rad.com, or by phone at 510-741-3926.

Sample Management System
Track-IT™

• Fully compatible with most commercial barcode readers and scanners
• Features a fully customizable database
• Data can be accessed over intranet from any connected computer in the network
• Compliant with CFR 21 Part 11 protocols

Micronic
www.micronic.com

Saas-based LIMS
SciLIMS

• Three new versions of the popular SciLIMS
• Lab Group Edition is designed for labs with up to 5 users
• Samples Edition is designed for labs with simple storage and container management requirements
• Samples Edition Lite is similar to the Samples Edition, made for labs with up to 3 users

Sciformatix
www.sciformatix.com

SUPPLIES & CONSUMABLES

Container Closures
BioClosure Systems

• Manufactured and packaged in a Class 7, ISO-certified cleanroom
• Biologically safe; can withstand autoclaving and gamma irridation
• May be used with temperatures ranging from -100°F to 400°F
• When used as a single use component, they reduce cross-contamination risks, cleaning requirements and validation time and costs

AdvantaPure
www.advantapure.com

Microtubes
ErgoTubes

• Designed with a patented flip cap to reduce strain and effort during use
• They are RNase-, DNase- and Pyrogen-free
• Available sizes include 0.5 ml, 1.5 ml and 2.0 ml
• Ideal for OEM, private label and custom kit applications

Biohit
www.biohit.com

Color-coded Folders and Boxes
Micro-Slide Mailers

• Designed for safely cataloging, storing and shipping specimen slides
• Boxes hold up to 100 slides each; can be custom imprinted and labeled
• Designed for standard 3”x1” slides; also ideal for storing microscope optic

Mason Box Company
www.masonbox.com

pH Sensing Cuvettes
Smart Cuvettes

• Inner walls are coated with a sol gel-embedded Bromocresol Green pH indicator dye
• Provide full spectral analysis to help eliminate errors from changes in turbidity, temperature and ionic strength
• Can be used for monitoring low conductivity samples such as boiler water
• Available in plastic Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and quartz

Ocean Optics
www.oceanoptics.com

Polypropylene Plate
Sterile Shallow Well Plate

• 96 wells with a capacity of 150 μL per well, reducing reagent costs
• Manufactured from natural ultra-pure grade polypropylene under cleanroom conditions
• Ideal for undertaking bacterial, yeast or cell growth work
• Shallow design positions samples closer to analyzer detectors, for increased counting efficiencies

Porvair Sciences
www.porvair-sciences.com

Chromatography Pipette Tips
Aspire™ Proteomic Tips

• 1 ml pipette tips embedded with various Thermo Scientific Pierce resins
• Allow accelerated sample preparation without compromising yield or purity
• Up to eight samples can be processed in parallel in 20 minutes without the need for centrifugation
• Feature customized, color-coded purification workflow

Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermofisher.com