When a scientist needs to concentrate a sample that’s in a volatile liquid—like acetone, acetonitrile, or methanol—a nitrogen evaporator can do the job. As a result, scientists use this technology in sample preparation in environmental, polymer science, quality control, and toxicology labs, plus others.

For David Hemmig, director of equipment sales at Matheson Tri-Gas (Basking Ridge, NJ), the key word in on-site gas generation is reliability. He explains that a major problem with gas generators that incorporate some sort of compressor is that eventually that component fails.

Increased nitrogen-use efficiency of plants and an associated reduced need for nitrogen-based fertilizers may be a step closer following University of Adelaide research on legumes.

Helium is commonly used as the makeup gas for flame ionization detection in gas chromatography;
however, dramatic increases in cost and limited availability in recent years have led many chromatographers to use nitrogen in its place.

The overuse of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture can wreak havoc on waterways, health and the environment. An international team of scientists aims to lessen the reliance on these fertilizers by helping beans and similar plants boost their nitrogen production, even in areas with traditionally poor soil quality.