Christmas Holidays

Just a quick note to inform readers that I will be taking a break to spend some time with my family over the festive season. I will endeavour to post news items from time to time, but please forgive me if they become somewhat irregular.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of this blog's readers a good holiday if you are celebrating Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011 whoever and wherever you are.

Analytical Technology’s Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Sensors Selected by Bioquell to Eradicate Hospital ‘Superbugs’

Specialist electrochemical sensor manufacturer Analytical Technology Inc. has announced that its electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) gas sensors have been chosen by Bioquell to form part of its hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) bio-decontamination system, the Bioquell Q-10. The system effectively and safely bio-decontaminates rooms, equipment and electronic devices in hospital environments, eradicating problematic bacteria, fungi and viruses. The Bioquell Q-10 is a portable HPV system which uses H₂O₂ vapour to disinfect potentially contaminated areas in the fight against ‘superbugs’. Analytical Technology’s electrochemical gas sensors are fundamental to help optimise the HPV concentration to achieve surface sterilisation in the target area during the bio-decontamination process and for ensuring Bioquell’s Q-10 system has returned the target area to a safe HPV level prior to re-entry.

Germs or ‘superbugs’ can be easily spread in hospitals through human contact and on inanimate surfaces like telephone receivers and blood pressure cuffs. Every year, seven per cent of hospital patients contract a healthcare associated infection, making the eradication of ‘superbugs’ in the healthcare environment extremely important to patient safety.

Bioquell’s system, which integrates Analytical Technology’s electrochemical gas sensor technology, provides safe and repeatable sterilisation of hospital environments making HPV an effective replacement to traditional decontaminants such as formaldehyde, which has been banned for use in a number of European countries due to its carcinogenic nature. One of the benefits of this new treatment is that it can be safely used on sensitive equipment and electronics that are incompatible with chlorine-based products such as bleach. Moreover, the process is 'residue-free', breaking down to water vapour and oxygen, representing an extremely environmentally friendly biocide and leaving no residual odour. As a result, Bioquell’s system can be used on a daily basis in fully functioning hospitals to decontaminate patient rooms and other units in less than two hours depending on the room size, materials and starting environmental conditions.

Due to the commercial constraints on the healthcare industry, Bioquell worked together with Analytical Technology to integrate a replaceable sensor into the Bioquell Q-10, removing the need for more expensive sensors that require regular checks and maintenance. They also developed a unique protocol for calibrating the sensors using H₂O_2, giving Bioquell a huge technical advantage over other solution providers.

Oliver Cumberlege, Head of Research and Development at Bioquell, comments: “Bioquell was looking for a cost effective H₂O₂ measurement cell to integrate into our sensor package. Working with Analytical Technology allowed us to add features to increase its sensitivity and response time and develop a package to a price whereby it is more cost-effective to replace the complete unit rather than re-calibrate”.

Since its development, Bioquell’s HPV system containing the Analytical Technology electrochemical H₂O₂ sensor has been adopted by the NHS in the UK and used across the globe in many hospitals to date.

For more information on Analytical Technology, please call +44(0)1457 873 318, e-mail sales@atiuk.com or visit www.analyticaltechnology.com.

NEW Quick-Processing Humidity Test Chamber

Sheldon Manufacturing, Inc. announces the release of their latest offering to the Life Sciences, University, and Clinical Research labs with the HC6 Environmental Humidity Chamber (http://www.shellab.com/store/lab-products/HC6-Environmental-Humidity-Chamber) for multiple industrial and biotechnology testing applications.

The New HC6 floor model incorporates an air-jacket design that evenly disperses air within the walls to maintain uniformity and ensure proper insulation. The expert design replicates natural conditions to determine potential limitations a sample would experience when exposed to various temperature and moisture fluctuations.

The HC6 environmental chamber also offers a wide temperature and humidity range that allows users to process samples in minutes, as opposed to days in some conventional models, making life easier for lab professionals. Specifically, the HC6 is ideal for running the common 80ºC and 80% humidity test, continuing Shel lab's concentration on the current demands and trends within the industry.

Some of the other important features of the HC6 include microprocessor based PID controllers, a stainless steel chamber, a steam generator that adds heat while humidifying, dual display of temperature and humidity which allows instant access to set point and operating conditions, and a digital countdown timer that displays the time remaining in a test procedure.

Sheldon Manufacturing has been heavily focusing on new product development this year with the release of three major additions to their already extensive line of equipment for industrial, clinical, and laboratory applications (http://www.shellab.com/store/home.php ). The latest HC6 Environmental Chamber (also called Humidity Cabinet) rounds out the list of new equipment from the OEM for 2010; a list that also includes the popular BacBASIC Anaerobic Workstation (http://www.shellab.com/store/lab-products/bacBasic ) and SI2 Mini Shaking Incubator(http://www.shellab.com/store/lab-products/SI2-Shellab-Mini-Shaker ).

Just published: Trends in Analytical Chemistry

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5787

Thermo Fisher Scientific Hosts Educational Webinar Series for Water and Environmental Testing Laboratories

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., has announced a new series of free educational webinars designed for professionals working in water and environmental testing laboratories. The series of five webinars, presented by industry experts from EM2 Solutions, Pilgrim Software and the Winvale Group as well as Thermo Fisher, will introduce topics relevant to today’s environmental and waste testing industries including how to deliver accurate, consistent and defensible laboratory test results that meet the compliance requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The webinar series begins Jan. 4, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. EST and registration is available at www.thermoscientific.com/waterandwastewater.

Water and environmental testing laboratories face unique challenges as they strive to deliver consistent and traceable results. In the current economic environment, it is critical that labs standardize workflows and processes that facilitate regulatory compliance, ensure public safety and monitor quality throughout the entire sampling, testing and reporting process. This educational webinar series will introduce topics to help industry professionals:

-       Establish protocols and documentation methods that meet NELAC compliance requirements and ISO 17025 guidelines

-       Automate reports and records to ensure full traceability

-       Improve lab and workflow efficiencies

The webinar series takes place on five consecutive Tuesdays from Jan. 4 through Feb. 1 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST, delivering attendees the information they need to help manage laboratory processes and respond to the most current regulatory and business demands. The complete schedule is below:

·         Jan. 4:  Introduction to the Benefits of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

·         Jan. 11: How to Meet NELAC, ISO 17025 and other Industry, State and Federal Requirements

·         Jan. 18: Connecting the Lab and Integrating it Across the Field

·         Jan. 25: Don’t Risk It!  Ensure You Have the Right Document at the Right Time in Your Lab Environment

·         Feb. 1: Best Practices for Obtaining Federal Funding and Using Existing Budgets to Optimize Laboratory Investments

More information about the water and environmental webinar series, including detailed abstracts and speaker bios, can be found at www.thermoscientific.com/waterandwastewater.

“The pace of regulatory change in the water and environmental industry is often faster than the adoption of new technologies to meet those new requirements,” said Dave Champagne, vice president and general manager for the Informatics business at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With the EPA establishing compliance parameters for five new contaminants every year, the cycle of certification for state, municipal and privately owned water supplies is in a constant state of oversight.  By developing this webinar series with our industry and technical partners, we are able to deliver an overview of the key industry issues and contribute to the adoption of newer technologies that enable easier and more cost-effective regulatory compliance.”

For more information about Thermo Scientific Informatics solutions, please call +1866-463-6522 (US), +44 161 942 3000 (Intl), e-mail marketing.informatics@thermofisher.com or visit file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Sarah%20Evans/Documents%20and%20Settings/patricia.mcdermott/Local%20Settings/Sarah%20Evans/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKB3/www.thermoscientific.com/informatics.

Porvair Sciences Announces International Sales Growth...

Porvair Sciences Ltd, an established specialist manufacturer of microplates and microplate products, has reported 9% growth in international sales for the fiscal year ending November 30th 2010.

Reflecting upon the positive year - Steve Knight (Sales & Marketing Director) commented "The growth in 2010 reflects our continuing investment in new innovative products, striving to maintain top product quality and a commitment to informed product support".  He added "In 2010 we saw particular growth in demand for our growing range of high quality, high performance deep well and assay plates".

Looking into 2011 the company is planning to introduce further new products and product upgrades to facilitate its targeted market growth in Asia, Europe and North America.

Porvair Sciences Ltd has specialised in the manufacture of microplates and microplate equipment since its formation in 1992. Via its global distributor network, Porvair Sciences serves Life Sciences, Biotechnology, R&D and Molecular Biology with microplate solutions for all applications, from sample preparation to high throughput screening.  Porvair Sciences is a subsidiary of Porvair plc, a world leader in microporous materials.

For further information please contact Porvair Sciences on telephone +44-1372-824290, email int.sales@porvair-sciences.com or visit the website at http://www.porvair-sciences.com/.

Just Published: Analytica Chimica Acta

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5216

Just Published: Microchemical Journal

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/6599

Innovative products for healthcare labs

INTEGRA has announced that it will be displaying a broad range of its latest liquid handling and media preparation products at Arab Health 2011 - one of the world's largest healthcare tradeshows and congresses.

Visitors to Stand MF10, Sheikh Maktoum Hall, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, UAE (24-27th January 2011), will have the chance to see and discuss INTEGRA's complete range of handheld pipetting systems offering accurate liquid handling from 0.5µl to 100ml.

Proven in nearly two hundred thousand installations worldwide the PIPETBOY pipettor range sets a high benchmark for ease-of-use, reliability, build quality, performance and operational safety.  Each PIPETBOY pipettor can be used with plastic or glass pipettes with volumes of 1-100 ml. Offering accurate high productivity parallel pipetting from 0.5µl to 1250µl - Voyager multi-channel pipettors are the perfect liquid handling tool for applications including sample reformatting, PCR Reaction set-up, ELISA sample transfers and Taqman Assay set-up.  Using a proprietary motorised adjustable spacing mechanism - Voyager pipettors eliminate cross contamination and ensure consistent, accurate and extraordinary fast delivery of liquids.

At this important event INTEGRA will also be displaying its industry leading MEDIAJET Automated Petri Dish Filling systems.  High quality media for the cultivation of bacteria is at the core of numerous medical and microbiological laboratory applications.  As a consequence, many downstream tasks and results directly depend on ensuring a reliable and efficient process for preparing high quality media. 

Perfectly complimenting the MEDIACLAVE - which enables laboratories to prepare high quality culture media - the excellent reliability and true walk-away automation provided by the MEDIAJET significantly reduces operational downtime and labour costs associated with traditional Petri dish filling systems.  The extensive capabilities of the MEDIAJET includes high throughput filling of Petri dishes of various sizes, Petri dishes with two compartments, test tubes and an integrated shaker function that provides a convenient solution for pour plate applications.

Just Published: Vibrational Spectroscopy

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5293

Just Published: Talanta

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5288

Just Published: Biosensors & Bioelectronics

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5223

Methods for Evaluating Lyophilized Product

SP Scientific, a world leader in freeze drying technology, has announced a new LyoLearn webinar that will discuss standard methods for evaluating lyophilized products.

The physical appearance of a lyophilized product can provide significant insight into the attributes of a product and relative effects of processing. Developing a detailed cake description during the development of a lyophilized product is important in order to discern subtle differences with regards to formulation variations, product designs, processing variables, and the impact of scale?up activities on product appearance. Cake descriptions also present an opportunity to compare physical characteristics, which can provide determination of vial to vial and batch to batch uniformity during the product development process.

Chaired by Wendy Sunderland (Lyophilization Technology) - the scope of the 15th December 2010 webinar will be to discuss how development of a standard method for evaluating lyophilized product in a laboratory setting requires uniformity in cake descriptions. Examples will be presented of how a thorough cake description including colour, macroscopic and microscopic structure, and texture of the lyophilized product is required by organisations looking to develop a reliable manufacturing inspection standard.

SP Scientific's program of free educational webinars delivered by industry experts are devoted to freeze-drying topics, and follow a 30-minute format for the presentations with a Q&A session immediately afterwards.  To register for the December 15, 2010 webinar please visit the SP Scientific website** or contact the company on +1-845-255-5000 (+44-1473-240000 in Europe).

BioElectronics Introduces Its New Disposable Device to the US Market

BioElectronics Corp. has announced the introduction of its new, inexpensive and ultra-thin medical device to the US Market.
"Our new ultra-thin microchip provides clinically proven pain relief in a 7-day easy-to-wear medical device," said Arnon Horev, VP Sales and Marketing at BioElectronics Corporation. "The new model provides drug-free pain relief that is highly price competitive with pain medications or hot & cold therapies, with its only side effect being healing. This lighter, thinner and disposable new version is tailored to consumer needs, including treatment of menstrual pain, acute musculoskeletal pain and wound healing."
The new product is being presented by the Company's veterinary products distributor this week at the annual conference of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in Baltimore.
About BioElectronics Corporation BioElectronics Corporation is the award winning medical device developer and manufacturer of advanced medical devices. Its products are ActiPatch® Therapy, for over-the-counter treatment of back pain and other musculoskeletal complaints, the Allay™ menstrual cycle pain therapy, and RecoveryRx for surgical procedures and wound care. The unique therapy delivery system, using patented technology, provides a cost-effective home care to reduce soft tissue pain and swelling. For more information, please see www.bielcorp.com.

Students win award for plant biosensors work

A team of 10 students from the University of Nevada, Reno received a silver medal at the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGem) in November for their work on plant biosensors.

The event is the premiere undergraduate synthetic biology competition and this is the second team from Nevada to participate in the 6-year-old competition, which includes schools, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT and UC-Berkeley.

Just Published: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5247

New Downflow Workstations

The New DWS range of Downflow Workstations from Air Science give the operator safety where routine work is being carried out.

These units operate at low noise levels and because they recirculate, they do not exhaust expensive conditioned and/or heated air into the atmosphere.

The DWS Workstations have been specifically designed to provide a small bench mounted unit with unrestricted access for those operations that are difficult to perform in a conventional fume hood.

To provide protection, the downflow action takes the contaminated air away from the operator and an alarm will sound when the airflow falls to an unacceptable level.

The main filter can be chosen from 14 different types of carbon, which include specialty media for vapors of organics, solvents, acids, mercury and formaldehyde. HEPA filters for particulate filtration are also available to suit the application.

For additional information on Downflow Workstations, call, visit the website, or email Air Science.

Air Science USAPO Box 62296
Fort Myers, Florida 33906 USA

Toll Free: 800-306-0656
Phone: 239-489-0024
Fax: 800-306-0677

E-mail: info@airscience.com
Web: http://www.airscience.com/

Efficient & Reliable Automated Filling of 2-Compartment Petri Dishes

Using a MEDIAJET vario Automatic Media Preparation System from INTEGRA - leading Danish healthcare provider - Herlev Hospital has drastically increased the efficiency and reliability of preparing its 2-compartment agar plates.

For many applications, the amount of required agar can be reduced by using two-compartment Petri dishes. However, pouring biplates by hand is time-consuming and inefficient. The MEDIAJET fitted with biplate filling option is proven to offer an efficient and reliable solution for preparing 2-compartment Petri dishes automatically.

Located in Herlev, close to Copenhagen - Herlev Hospital (www.herlevhospital.dk/) is engaged in providing a range of health care and hospital services to diverse patients. It is principally focused on providing emergency treatment services for acute diseases. The hospital caters to more than 700,000 people across the Ballerup, Gladsaxe, Herlev, Egedal, Lyngby, Rudersdal and capital region areas of Denmark.

Anette Banke, Senior Pharmaconomist at Herlev Hospital commented "We have had our MEDIAJET vario with biplate option up and running for two years filling over 70,000 biplates annually. We also use the MEDIAJET to fill standard 90mm Petri dishes.  Our system is running from morning until evening almost every day. We have never experienced any problems with the MEDIAJET and it is by far the most reliable instrument we have ever had for Petri dish filling. You could almost say: it takes care of itself! This of course gives us the chance to fulfil other tasks in the laboratory while it's running increasing our laboratory productivity". We only have one wish: We would like to have an additional MEDIAJET system such that we can expand our service to supply other hospitals with top quality agar plates".

The MEDIAJET vario with biplate option offers the unique flexibility of high throughput filling of Petri dishes of various sizes, Petri dishes with 2 compartments and test tubes of various diameters and length.

Using a proven mechanical dish guidance system, monitored by a set of sensors throughout the filling process, the compact MEDIAJET vario provides truly reliable, walk-away operation.  Operational downtime and media loss due to 'dish jams' resulting from variations in the diameter, shape and rim profile of the disposable plastic Petri dishes are completely eliminated.

For further information please contact INTEGRA Biosciences AG on telephone +41-81-286-9530 / email info@integra-biosciences.com. In the USA please contact Viaflo Corporation on telephone +1-603-578-5800 or by email loneil@viaflo.com.

Natural Product Sample Preparation Web Page

Genevac has announced a new web page (www.genevac.com/naturalproducts) that brings together the latest technological innovations, applications advances and references for evaporation and sample concentration techniques relating to natural products research.

Genevac evaporator systems are also widely used by researchers seeking to extract functional molecules from natural sources.  Typically investigations involve a primary solvent extraction of natural products that result in a large volume of crude extract.  The crude extract is then often concentrated before being fractionated to isolate each component. The time consuming concentration task has been revolutionised by the unique large volume parallel processing capabilities of the ROCKET evaporator. The process of natural product fractionation typically produces many samples from a single extract.  These samples need then to be evaporated before storage or analysis.  Examples of high throughput evaporation and lyophilisation techniques using Genevac HT Series evaporators for this purpose are detailed.
Web links are provided to a bibliography of scientific publications in peer review journals that offer further insight into how modern evaporative sample preparation methods are enabling laboratories accelerate and improve the process of obtaining new compounds from a range of natural product sources.

Genevac, part of the SP Scientific group, was founded in 1990.  Today the company employs around 85 people, with manufacturing, R&D and marketing headquartered in Ipswich, UK. Genevac today offers a comprehensive portfolio of evaporators to suit almost any solvent removal application, purchasing budget or productivity requirement.

Automated Sample Preparation of Peptides Designated for MALDI

A new application note from Agilent Automation Solutions describes a protocol for automated sample preparation and MALDI spotting developed with the protein analytics group of Dr. Lottspeich at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany.

The new protocol automates the sample preparation steps (cleansing and desalting) of peptides designated for mass spectrometry and the subsequent spotting onto a MALDI target plate using the Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform and C18 filled VeloTips from Glygen.

In order to get high quality peptide mass fingerprints in MALDI mass spectrometry, peptides must be concentrated and cleansed from impurities of previous steps. In particular, salts and buffer components originating from the protein digests should be removed. There are several manual cleansing tools available.  All are based on various chromatography media and require multiple aspiration/dispensing or mixing steps. While manual sample handling remains a tedious procedure and extremely difficult to standardize, automation of the routine has never been truly feasible on any automation platform due to several technical limitations.

In the application note the authors compare automated sample preparation for MALDI-MS analysis on the Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform with a traditional manual cleansing process using Millipore ZipTips. A protocol for the binding, washing, elution, and direct spotting onto MALDI targets was created using Agilent VWorks Automation Control software is described which can be adapted to various MALDI target plates, labware, and pipetting tasks. Results show that peptide mass fingerprints produced by the automatic workflow performed equally well or better than the manual process regarding signal intensity and protein sequence coverage. As an additional benefit, the whole process is carried out in a reproducible and timesaving manner. The outcome of the experimentation shows that the automatic workup results in a better sequence coverage and Mascot score than both the tested manual workups.

The authors conclude that the Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform has been proven to be an effective tool for fully automated sample preparation with C18 VeloTips and subsequent MALDI target spotting processes.

For a copy of the application note please visit http://www.chem.agilent.com/Library/applications/5990-6241en_lo%20CMS.pdf or contact your local Agilent Automation sales office.

Rapid Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)

A rapid gradient HPLC method for simultaneous determination of 16 PAH according to US EPA 610 method is presented. A baseline resolution for all 16 target analytes in less than 2.50 minutes could be achieved by using a KNAUER BlueOrchid PAH 50 x 2 mm column...

see more at: http://www.knauer.net/e/e_index.html?cf='http://www.knauer.net/cgi-bin/e_showtopic.pl?file=../e/topic/e_separation_pah_uhplc.prm&acro=1'

Highly Flexible Device for Presenting and Storing SBS-format Labware

The Agilent Labware MiniHub from Agilent Automation Solutions is a rotating random-access device for presenting and storing SBS-format labware in laboratory automation systems.

An efficient modular unit, the Labware MiniHub features user-configurable shelf spacing that easily accommodates a mix of microplates, tube racks, deep-well microplates, and pipette tip boxes while maintaining a compact footprint. The Agilent Labware MiniHub is designed with your applications in mind. Small but flexible, and safer than other alternatives, the Labware MiniHub solves all your room-temperature storage needs.

A novel concept in labware storage, stackable spacers in the Agilent Labware MiniHub allow the height between shelves to be adjustable, thus permitting different labware types in the same carousel and easily creating multiple locations for storage of any given labware. Unique shelf design permits both portrait and landscape access for most robots. In addition, the size of cutouts in the shelves fits popular filter plates, preventing contamination issues.

The Labware MiniHub uses the same direct-drive technology as employed by the Agilent Direct Drive Robot (DDR) thereby delivering top reliability with the highest levels of safety. With infinite bi-directional rotation, the Labware MiniHub never needs to unwind and always takes the shortest route to its target position. With a brushless motor and the bearing as the only moving parts, the mechanical design is simple, efficient and maintenance-free, thus ensuring high levels of dependability and a reduced cost of ownership. Positional accuracy is guaranteed by combining a high resolution optical encoder with the stepper motor.

For a technical datasheet describing the Agilent Labware MiniHub please visit http://www.chem.agilent.com/Library/datasheets/Public/5990-6670en_lo%20CMS.pdf or contact your local Agilent Automation sales office.

Just Published: Journal of Chromatography A

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5248

Efficient & Reliable Automated Filling of 2-Compartment Petri Dishes

Using a MEDIAJET vario Automatic Media Preparation System from INTEGRA - leading Danish healthcare provider - Herlev Hospital has drastically increased the efficiency and reliability of preparing its 2-compartment agar plates.

For many applications, the amount of required agar can be reduced by using two-compartment Petri dishes. However, pouring biplates by hand is time-consuming and inefficient. The MEDIAJET fitted with biplate filling option is proven to offer an efficient and reliable solution for preparing 2-compartment Petri dishes automatically.

Located in Herlev, close to Copenhagen - Herlev Hospital (www.herlevhospital.dk/) is engaged in providing a range of health care and hospital services to diverse patients. It is principally focused on providing emergency treatment services for acute diseases. The hospital caters to more than 700,000 people across the Ballerup, Gladsaxe, Herlev, Egedal, Lyngby, Rudersdal and capital region areas of Denmark.

Anette Banke, Senior Pharmaconomist at Herlev Hospital commented "We have had our MEDIAJET vario with biplate option up and running for two years filling over 70,000 biplates annually. We also use the MEDIAJET to fill standard 90mm Petri dishes.  Our system is running from morning until evening almost every day. We have never experienced any problems with the MEDIAJET and it is by far the most reliable instrument we have ever had for Petri dish filling. You could almost say: it takes care of itself! This of course gives us the chance to fulfil other tasks in the laboratory while it's running increasing our laboratory productivity". We only have one wish: We would like to have an additional MEDIAJET system such that we can expand our service to supply other hospitals with top quality agar plates".

The MEDIAJET vario with biplate option offers the unique flexibility of high throughput filling of Petri dishes of various sizes, Petri dishes with 2 compartments and test tubes of various diameters and length.

Using a proven mechanical dish guidance system, monitored by a set of sensors throughout the filling process, the compact MEDIAJET vario provides truly reliable, walk-away operation.  Operational downtime and media loss due to 'dish jams' resulting from variations in the diameter, shape and rim profile of the disposable plastic Petri dishes are completely eliminated.

For further information please contact INTEGRA Biosciences AG on telephone +41-81-286-9530 / email info@integra-biosciences.com. In the USA please contact Viaflo Corporation on telephone +1-603-578-5800 or by email loneil@viaflo.com.

JUST PUBLISHED: Journal of Chromatography B

A new issue of the above journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/7220

NEW C100A Variable Speed Controller

The NEW C100A Variable Speed Controller from Fluid Metering, Inc. provides an ideal control interface for FMI’s Variable Speed Pumps.  

The C100A features both manual speed adjustment using a front panel mounted rotary dial, as well as electronic speed control via a 4-20mA  signal from an external source (sensor, flow meter, analyzer, process controller.. etc).

The C100A features include IR compensation, current limiting circuit, minimum and maximum speed adjustment, which are all factory preset to best meet specific application parameters.  It also incorporates transient voltage protection and an AC fuse.

The C100A is ideal for controlling FMI’s patented Chloritrol® Valveless Hypochlorite Injection System and FMI’s CTS Chemical Treatment System, both of which provide maintenance-free fluid control in the water and wastewater treatment industries.  It is especially well suited for these applications which are typically 24/7/365 operations in remote locations.  The C100A will retain settings and resume operation following a power interruption or failure without the need for manual restart by an operator.

This versatile unit is also an economical control for FMI’s “QV” and “RHV” Series variable speed process and laboratory pumps.

The electronics are housed in a spave-saving NEMA 4/12 enclosure suitable for wall mounting.

The C100A is pictured with FMI’s CTS Valveless Chemical Treatment System.

With over 50 years of valveless fluid control experience, Fluid Metering, Inc. manufactures metering systems for a variety of critical laboratory, process and OEM applications.

For additional information, Call toll free 1-800-223-3388 or 1-516-922-6050, FAX 1-516-624-8261, email: pumps@fmipump.com or visit our website at http://www.fmipump.com/ which now features “Live Help”, an online direct connection to FMI’s application experts.

Computer Controlled Generator for PPT Gas Standards

The FlexStream™/SD Automated Permeation System dynamically blends parts-per-trillion (ppt) gas standards directly from pure analytes. The first dilution stage combines the flow of analyte vapor from a Trace Source™ permeation tube with a precisely controlled dilution gas flow to form a parts-per-billion (ppb) concentration primary mixture. In the second stage an aliquot of the primary mixture is further diluted to form the ppt mixture. Permeation tube parameters and concentration requirements are entered into the system through a front panel touch screen. The FlexStream™ computer controls dilution and aliquot flows to create the required mixture using the lowest total flow of dilution gas. Trace Source™ permeation tubes are available for over 500 compounds.

Common challenges including storage instability of ppt standards are circumvented. For most compounds, ppt and even ppb gas standards are not stable in storage. The FlexStream™ avoids this problem by dynamically blending flowing mixtures for immediate use. But for ppt mixtures typical direct blending requires very high dilution flow and analyte flow that is too low for accurate measurement even using permeation tubes. By incorporating two integrated, automated dilution stages the FlexStream™/SD easily blends single digit ppt mixtures using standard permeation tubes and total dilution flow of 10 l/min or less.

For more information, please write or call:  KIN-TEK Laboratories, Inc., 504 Laurel, La Marque, TX  77568, Phone:  (409) 938-3627, Fax: (409) 938-3710, www.kin-tek.com, email:  sales@kin-tek.com

Gaschromatographic analysis of biodiesel

Diesel – in recent times also biodiesel – are fuels for combustion engines, which operate according to the process of auto ignition, discovered from Rudolf Diesel in 1892. Due to the favourable efficiency and the low fuel consumption diesel engines are used in cars, trucks, ships, locomotives or electric generators.

Diesel, bio-synthesized from plants, is called biodiesel. It is determined by diverse analytical methods according to DIN EN 14214 / ASTM D 6751. Below, gas chromatographic determinations of methanol, glycerol and glycerides, as well as fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are presented.

See the full article here: http://www.mn-net.com/chroma/ChromatographyServices/Service/ChromaNews/tabid/11049/language/en-US/Default.aspx#news

Rhonda Jiggetts-Nolan joins as Mid-Atlantic Account Manager at FOSS NIRSystems

FOSS NIRSystems, Inc. is pleased to announce that Rhonda Jiggetts-Nolan has joined as our Mid-Atlantic Account Manager. In this position, Rhonda will have sales responsibility for 6 eastern states in the US, the Metropolitan New York area and the Canadian Provinces of Quebec and those eastward. Rhonda will be based in the state of Pennsylvania.

Rhonda comes to us with a long and distinguished career in the analytical instrument business. Dr. Philip Irving, President of FOSS NIRSystems Inc., said “FOSS NIRSystems continues to grow and Rhonda is another great addition to our sales force.”