World Congress on Biosensors 2014

World Congress on Biosensors 2014
Biosensors 2014

Monday 28 February 2011

Just Published: Sensors & Actuators A: Physical

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

Leading Genomic Services Provider Selects Fluidigm Access Array™ System for Targeted Re-Sequencing Applications

IMGM Laboratories GMBH has purchased a Fluidigm Access Array™ System to use in its development and validation of targeted re-sequencing applications services.  IMGM is the first Genomic Services Provider to offer the combination of the Fluidigm Access Array technology in conjunction with Roche's 454 Next-Generation Sequencing Systems to its customers in Germany.

The Fluidigm Access Array System is an advanced and widely used automated sample preparation system for next-generation sequencing. The Access Array technology provides parallel amplification of 48 unique samples, in effect preparing 48 sequencing libraries, in just a few hours. Every reaction combines both an amplicon tagging and a barcoding (identification) step that enables all 48 amplicons to be multiplexed in a sequencing run. The Access Array technology simplifies the labor-intensive up-front preparation, minimizes preparation error, and allows for the maximum utility of next generation sequencers.

"We believed that the Fluidigm Access Array System combined with the 454 Sequencing System would provide a perfect match when it came to amplicon-based targeted re-sequencing," said Ralph Oehlmann, Director Business Development for IMGM Laboratories GmbH. "So IMGM implemented the Fluidigm Access Array System into its amplicon-based targeted re-sequencing workflow using the Roche 454 NGS sequencing technology and we are offering our customers complete assay development solutions for Fluidigm-based target enrichment and library generation."

"Fluidigm is very excited about the dramatic early market acceptance of our unique amplicon tagging approach for next generation sequencing. Harnessing and applying the power of NGS to targeted resequencing of multiple sample sets fills an important application need. Having excellent service providers, such as IMGM, to help spread the use of these capabilities will allow more customers to take advantage of these combined tools," said Fred Walder, Chief Business Officer for Fluidigm.

IMGM, one of Europe's leading outsourcing companies, offers advanced genomic services tailored to the needs of customers from pharma, diagnostics, academia, and biotech. IMGM gained wide acceptance for its excellent genome-wide gene expression analyses (microarrays) and focused gene expression studies (quantitative real-time PCR). Expert bioinformatics and understandable reports adding further value to these services. IMGM is accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 with a full accreditation for gene expression analysis based on microarrays and qPCR. For more information on IMGM's service portfolio, please visit http://www.imgm.com/ .

Friday 25 February 2011

Just Published:Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

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

Versatile Filter Plate Vacuum Manifold

The Universal Robotic Manifold from Porvair Sciences has been designed to operate with all brands of filter plate and waste collection reservoir tray. 

Adaptable to work with three different lengths of drip director (short, medium and long) the Universal Robotic Manifold is able to accommodate collection plates from 14mm - 44mm in height.  Supplied with an integral vacuum gauge - the Universal Robotic Manifold provides precise and complete control of vacuum pressure ensuring Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) or Protein Precipitation plates may be processed with high reproducibility.  Constructed from acetal and acrylic polymers the Universal Robotic Manifold is chemically resistant to most common solvents.

Easily assembled and disassembled by robotic manipulators the Universal Robotic Manifold facilitates productive automation of SPE or DNA clean-up procedures. The Universal Robotic Manifold is fully compatible with most commercial robotic liquid handling systems.

For further information please watch the demonstration video at www.porvair-sciences.com/video_item_robotic.php or contact Porvair Sciences on +44-1932-824290 / int.sales@porvair-sciences.com  

Thursday 24 February 2011

Just Published: Analytica Chimica Acta

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

Online Resource for Food & Beverage Sample Preparation

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

Quality and safety testing of food and beverages is an area of growing importance, be that for exporters, importers or government bodies, accurate analytical results are critical.  In common with many other applications, careful sample preparation is critical, especially when the analyte of interest is volatile.
Genevac evaporator systems find application in a wide array of food and beverage applications from testing constituents of beverages and gluten levels in Whisky, to pesticide analysis of fruit and vegetables as well as determining vitamin levels in cereals.

In nutritional studies, the HCl resistant version of the EZ-2 Evaporator has established itself as a system of choice for protein analysis.  Protein digests often require digestion with 6N HCl which is highly corrosive to traditional evaporation systems, however HCl resistant Genevac systems are designed to withstand daily use of concentrated HCl.

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.

For further information please contact Genevac on +44-1473-240000 / +1-845-255-5000 or email salesinfo@genevac.co.uk.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

HPLC 2011 Dalian Symposium

The HPLC 2011 Dalian Symposium will be held at the Dalian World Expo Center in China from Oct. 8 to 11, 2011. 18th NSEC is almost overlapped with HPLC2011 Dalian. Two conferences will be held in the same building-- the Dalian World Expo Center. You are kindly requested to visit the web site of the symposium http://www.hplc2011.dicp.ac.cn/ where you are able to read relevant information about the meeting all the time. The deadlines for abstract submission are,
31 May 2011
abstract deadline for oral presentations
30 June 2011
abstract deadline for poster presentations
We strongly encourage you to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentation at your earliest convenient time. For more details, please take a look at the call for papers at: http://www.hplc2011.dicp.ac.cn/Abstract_submission.html

The online registration system will be open in March 2011. Then you can also visit the website http://www.hplc2011.dicp.ac.cn/registration.html to complete the online registration. The deadline for early registration is August 15, 2011.

Companies and organizations intending to support the HPLC 2011 Dalian Symposium or to participate in the exhibition are encouraged to download the sponsoring and exhibition form at: http://www.hplc2011.dicp.ac.cn/files/Call%20for%20exhibition%20and%20sponsorship.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact us at hplc_dalian@dicp.ac.cn.
Thank you for your attention, and looking forward to welcoming you personally in Dalian, China in Oct., 2011.

The Organizing and Scientific Committee HPLC 2011 Dalian

(Chairman:
Prof. Yukui Zhang, Prof.Peter Schoenmakers
Co-Chairman:
Prof. Guowang Xu, Prof. Koji Otsuka)

Just Published: Journal of Chromatography A

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

KF Coulometric Titrator for Trace Water in Battery Materials

JMScience announces their new AQUACOUNTER® Karl Fischer Coulometric Titrator (AQ-2200S). This new high-end titrator with its excellent capability and upgraded performance is ideal for the trace level water content determination in lithium-ion battery materials with high accuracy using coulometric Karl Fischer titration. Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most popular for portable electronics due to their good energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Elevated levels of water content in three primary functional components (anode, cathode, electrolyte) may cause degradation in capacity and may reduce the overall lifetime of batteries.

It will be of interest for users who: 1) have many kinds of samples to be analyzed; 2) exchange KF reagents frequently or after each measurement; 3) are eco-minded and budget-conscious.

This titrator allows two titration stations to run parallel with various coulometric/volumetric combinations. With both a volumetric and coulometric channel, one can measure moisture over the entire range from 1 ppm to 100% or double your sample throughput with 2 identical KF stations. The new design is economical and ecological because it reduces the use of expensive KFreagents. Three types of electrolytic cells are available including small volume, standard, and one-room cell. There is an ultra-trace moisture measurement mode equipped in this titrator with an accuracy of ≤10µgH20.   The new cell design allows for easy assembly and maintenance. The new 7.5-inch color touch screen is easy to read and operate. It has enhanced memory capacity and user may store results on a USBmemory stick. The stored data can be read out on the color display. Result data with curves may be viewed on a PC internet browsing program with optional software. This titrator comes equipped with a built-in thermal printer with easy paper loading and high resolution printouts. It can be used with peripherals of previous versions.

For more information contact us at 1-800-495-1678 or visit us at http://www.jmscience.com/

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Just Published: Biosensors & Bioelectronics

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

Safe Elemental Analysis Using Schöniger Flask Method

The Oxygen Flask Combustion Unit from Exeter Analytical Inc. provides a highly safe tool for preparing samples for elemental analysis of Halogens, Sulfur, Phosphorus and a number of metals using the Schöniger flask method.
 
The Schöniger flask method is a well proven technique for combusting samples prior to elemental analysis by ion chromatography or titration.  The Schöniger flask method using the attractively priced OFCU-1 is capable of being used for repeatable determination of elemental composition from percentage levels to parts per million.



The durably constructed Oxygen Flask Combustion Unit (OFCU-1) copes easily with a wide range of sample types and is very simple to set up, use and maintain.  Built with operator safety in mind, the OFCU-1 remotely ignites samples inside a safety interlocked chamber using focused infrared heat from two tungsten-halogen lamps. Integral pressure vents ensure safe release of excess reaction pressure.  A thick black acrylic observation window is provided on the OFCU-1 to allow users to visually check ignition has taken place.

As a company dedicated to elemental microanalysis, Exeter Analytical's nearly 30 years of involvement with instruments, consumables and supplies has allowed them to better understand the whole problem facing microanalysts.  As a consequence whether you are a regular or an occasional purchaser - experienced and knowledgeable staff are always available to provide free informed advice.

For further information on the OFCU-1 contact Exeter Analytical on +1-978-251-1411 (+44-2476-323223 in Europe) or email sales@eai1.com.  

Just Published: Journal of Chromatography B


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

Collaboration agreement announced between ITRI, Taiwan and Oxford Instruments

Oxford Instruments and the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan (ITRI) are delighted to announce that they have just signed a research-based collaboration agreement. The agreement is based on Oxford Instruments providing an HBLED related process research centre staffed by Oxford Instruments’ process engineers at ITRI, benefitting both ITRI and Oxford Instruments’ extensive Far Eastern customer base. ITRI is an applied research organisation working across multiple industrial technology fields, and since its inception in 1973, ITRI has been focussed on R&D related to industry, in order to improve domestic industrial technologies.
Leaders in etch, deposition and growth systems, Oxford Instruments will soon be installing several more systems in ITRI’s state-of the-art cleanroom facility. Oxford Instruments’ process engineers will have use of this and selected other equipment at the Institute, to provide process demonstrations and to support customers in the Far East in the performance of their tools.
This will in effect expand Oxford Instruments’ research capabilities so that the company can now provide its extensive process offering more effectively to customers in Asia. Oxford Instruments already has a number of systems installed at ITRI including a PlasmaProâ System100 multi-chamber cluster tool incorporating PECVD, RIE and ALD, a PlasmaPro System100 ICP380 plasma etch tool and a PlasmaPro System80Plus PECVD plasma deposition tool, all used for advancing research at the facility.
Three further systems have been installed in the dedicated Oxford Instruments Optoelectronics Laboratory, and these are a PlasmaProâ NGPâ1000 PECVD system, a PlasmaProâ NGPâ1000 Etch system, and a PlasmaPro System133 ICP380, with additional tools to follow in the next phase.
Vice president of ITRI, Dr. Shing-Yuan Tsai comments: “In the materials chemical technology and nano technology fields, amongst others, ITRI collaborates with prominent industries in Taiwan and worldwide to develop and to promote the establishment of high-value industries and application of nanotechnology by traditional industries. Our collaboration with Oxford Instruments clearly shows that our research expertise and facilities are among the best in the world, and we are certain the relationship between our two organisations will be mutually beneficial.”
Jeffrey Seah, Head of Asia Sales at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, is extremely positive about the collaboration: “As a global leader in systems and processes for etch, deposition and growth, Oxford Instruments has an established relationship with ITRI, with equipment already installed in their cleanroom. One of Oxford Instruments’ key objectives is to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of the world through science and technology, and this collaboration with such a prestigious research institute is precisely the type of activity that will achieve this goal.”

Monday 21 February 2011

Just Published: Analytica Chimica Acta


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

Microplate Chemical Compatibility Reference Guide

Porvair Sciences has announced a reference guide for scientists that details the chemical compatibility of materials used in microplates to a wide range of common laboratory chemicals.

Downloadable direct from the Porvair Sciences website* the easy-to-use reference guide describes the compatibility of different microplate matrices and membranes to a wide range of acids, alcohols, bases, esters, hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones and other chemicals.  Chemical compatibility data for each material, based upon tests performed at room temperature is listed as 'suitable', 'ok for medium term use' or 'unsuitable'.

Since 1992 - Porvair Sciences has specialised in the manufacture and supply of high quality microplate products that serve Life Sciences, Biotechnology, R&D and Molecular Biology organisations around the world.  The company's range of products includes vacuum manifolds, sealers, evaporators and an extensive range of microplates in all popular styles; deep well, shallow well, storage, assay, SPE, protein precipitation and filtration.  Porvair Sciences is a subsidiary of Porvair plc, a world leader in microporous materials.
* Web link to download Chemical Compatibility Reference Guide - www.porvair-sciences.com/downloads.php?showFrom=6&nR=18  

Friday 18 February 2011

Highly Sensitive & Specific Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Assay Kit

Porvair Filtration Group, a leading innovator in the fields of filtration and separation, has developed a new technology that has particular relevance to the rapidly expanding Epigenetics market and will be unveiling it at the Epigenetics World Congress in Boston in April 2011.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is the key experimental technique used to investigate the interaction between proteins and DNA in the cell. It aims to determine whether specific proteins are associated with specific genomic regions. ChIP is a core enabling technique that is being widely adopted in the rapidly growing field of Epigenetics.

Using a new approach, based on a rigid porous polymer matrix rather than the traditional sepharose or magnetic beads, Porvair has developed a novel Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation (ChIP) assay kit called Chromatrap™.

Results from third party field trials, to be presented at the Epigenetics World Congress, demonstrate that Chromatrap™ is able to routinely deliver greater ChIP specificity, higher ChIP sensitivity and faster separations than traditional sepharose or magnetic bead approaches.

For further information or to discuss evaluating the new Chromatrap™ ChIP assay technique please contact Porvair Filtration Group on +44-1489-864330 / Kevin.Quinlan@porvairfiltration.com or visit Stand 10 at the Epigenetics World Congress.

Just Published: Vibrational Spectroscopy


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

A Highly Versatile Workflow Solution for Quantitative Protein Analysis

Agilent Automation Solutions has announced a new white paper entitled 'An introduction to High-throughput Microchromatography' which introduces a highly versatile quantitative sample preparation technique for protein analysis.

The biotherapeutic industry is driving an ever-increasing demand for protein analysis. Liquid chromatography is a well proven, highly robust and versatile general technique for protein purification from complex samples, for both analytical and preparative applications. A significant challenge has been to adapt liquid chromatography to the requirements of high throughput analysis. To accomplish this, a number of critical technical requirements for scale, throughput, quantitative binding and elution, controlled flow rate, air entrainment, and microplate format must be met.

The new white paper describes how the Agilent Bravo for Protein Purification Liquid Handling Platform together with AssayMAP high throughput microchromatography system was designed specifically to meet all of the technical requirements for quantitative sample preparation for protein analysis. The AssayMAP system is comprised of a microchromatography cartridge, special associated labware, and a liquid handling device designed to interface with the cartridge and provide precise flow control in a 96-channel microplate format.

The authors describe how applications of high throughput microchromatography for protein analysis are designed to purify, quantitate and react. In purification, the goal is to separate the target protein from all or most of the impurities present in the sample, isolating the target for further operations. In quantitation, the goal is to measure the amount of the target protein present in the sample. In reaction, the goal is to modify the target protein chemically by either enzymes or other reactants. Sample preparation protocols may involve any or all of these types of steps.

A protein purification information kit including the white paper is available on request from the Agilent Automation website** or by contacting your local Agilent sales office.

From stand-alone units to fully integrated systems, Agilent Automation Solutions teams key sample preparation and creative walk-away automation approaches with personalized customer service to provide complete solutions for your laboratory.  Combining innovative engineering with high standards of quality, Agilent designs and manufactures high-performance equipment for processes that are revolutionizing pharmaceutical, biotech, and genomic research.
**  Weblink for download: www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Products/Instruments/automation/Pages/AAS_AssayMAP.aspx

Thursday 17 February 2011

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology Co-Hosts Successful Seminars Worldwide

Following the success of last year’s seminar and workshop programme, Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology will again hold several similar events this year in conjunction with key research institutes & universities globally. Speakers will come from the host universities and from a number of other institutes and industry, in addition to process and applications experts from Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, providing their in-depth knowledge of the chosen topic.

March 11-12th 2011 - Nan electronics: Growth, deposition, etching
Hosted by the Institute of Semiconductors Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOS) & Oxford Instruments in Beijing

June 30th 2011 - Knowledge creation partnership - from funding to results
Workshop hosted by the University of Southampton & Oxford Instruments at the University of Southampton       
July 14-15th 2011 - New Frontiers in Plasma Nano patterning
Hosted by the Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA, USA

The company also plans to hold a Seminar/Workshop in France, date to be confirmed.

Programmes are available, and for more information about each seminar and/or to register for a place email: plasma@oxinst.com

Oxford Instruments' etch, deposition and growth systems provide process solutions for the micro- and nanometre engineering of materials for semiconductor, optoelectronics, MEMS & microfluidics, high quality optical coating and many other applications in micro- and nanotechnology.

Just Published: Journal of Chromatography A


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

ARYx Therapeutics Laboratory Equipment Liquidation Auction

Preview this Wed - Friday, 9AM-4PM,  Feb 16-18, 2011

BioSurplus announces the auction of over 800 items of laboratory equipment, from HPLC's and Mass Spec's, to hot plates and pipettes.

All items and the preview are located at:

Aryx Therapeutics,
6300 Dumbarton Circle,
Fremont CA  94555
(San Francisco Bay area)

The Auction is a timed on-line auction, starting February 23 and ending March 1, 2011.  Please visit the auction website at www.BioSurplusBid.com to view the items.  To bid you must sign up and register with a credit card, but to simply view the items does not require a sign up.

ARYx Therapeutics is liquidating their R&D equipment, over 20,000 square feet of items are coming directly from the ARYx laboratory.

To answer any auction questions please call (858) 550-0800 x222

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Just Published: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis


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

Versatile Handheld FTIR for QA/QC Applications

A2 Technologies, a leading supplier of FTIR analyzers for QA/QC applications in the lab, in the field or at the production line, has expanded the sampling capability of its Exoscan handheld FTIR system.  

A new Spherical ATR Sampling interface enables the Exoscan to quickly and accurately analyze a wide range of materials typically encountered in the QA/QC lab, or at the production line.  These materials include powders and granules as well as large samples such as polymer, composite and plastic sheets. 

The new design makes ATR measurements using the Exoscan easy and minimizes the need for pressure devices to achieve high quality reproducible spectra.  Two versions of the Spherical ATR are available.  Exoscan's diamond ATR is an ideal universal interface for a broad range of solid materials, while the germanium ATR is well suited to the analysis of carbon black filled rubber or samples for which measurement of thin layers on the surface is critical.

The Exoscan adds the spherical ATR capability to its other sampling technologies which include diffuse reflectance for absorbing or scattering samples, specular reflectance for coatings on reflectance surfaces and grazing angle reflectance for the measurement of very thin layers on metal surfaces.  These sampling interfaces can be interchanged in seconds, making Exoscan an ideal QA/QC analyzer for industries that must analyze measure a wide assortment of materials either in the lab, in the field or at the production line.

Graham Miller, president of A2 Technology comments:  "FTIR's role in QA/QC has been traditionally a lab based effort where sample sets are brought to the instrument.  With the development of the Exoscan, FTIR can take a role in quality assurance and quality control of products that are too large to be brought to the lab or otherwise cannot be effectively sampled.  The development the spherical ATR enables Exoscan to quickly and reliably provide high quality measurements on a broad array of materials and surfaces."

For more information on Exoscan's expanded sampling capability for lab and field use, please contact contact A2 Technologies on +1-203-312-1100 (Headquarters) / +44-7765-970-210 (Europe / Asia) or email info@a2technologies.net.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Just Published: Sensors & Actuators B: Chemical


Just Published: Trends in Analytical Chemistry


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

Advanced High Definition Genomic Analysis System

Fluidigm has introduced the new BioMark™ HD Real-time PCR System, the company's most advanced instrument for genomic analysis ever. The BioMark HD System is designed for researchers who require the sensitivity and throughput needed to study gene expression down to the single-cell level -- especially those who have limited amounts of sample or study rare populations of cells.

The BioMark HD System is the newest member of the BioMark family, which has delivered significant scientific insights to over 200 customers around the world.  In addition to the sizeable throughput advances, the new BioMark HD System features a number of other important design changes incorporated to improve performance, lower operating costs and provide an expanded applications suite.

"We expect our customers to embrace the improved capabilities of the new BioMark HD platform, as it is designed to provide them with even greater efficiencies," said Gajus Worthington, president and chief executive officer of Fluidigm. "The BioMark HD System is designed to provide exceptional data quality, extraordinary flexibility, and faster time-to-results that collectively allow researchers to analyze their experimental outcomes rapidly and publish their results sooner."

The BioMark HD System relies on the same Fluidigm nanofluidic technology that delivers savings in cost and time by providing massive parallelism of experiments and an easy-to-use workflow.  By incorporating a new fast thermal cycling protocol, the BioMark HD System reduces time-to-result by increasing the throughput of the original system two-fold. Users now have the ability to generate over 50,000 data points in one day with only one technician. The fast thermal cycling protocol is compatible with commercially available assays and yields data that is equal in quality to standard cycling protocol data.
 
The BioMark HD platform continues to support all the applications of the original BioMark System, including gene expression, single-cell gene expression, and genotyping. Using Digital Array chips, the BioMark HD System performs common digital PCR applications, such as mutation detection, copy number variation, and absolute quantitation of nucleic acid sequences.

For further information please visit http://www.fluidigm.com/biomark-system.html or contact your local Fluidigm office or distribution outlet.

Monday 14 February 2011

Just Published: Talanta


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

Determination of organic carbon and nitrogen in marine sediments

Exeter Analytical has published an optimised technique for direct determination of organic carbon and nitrogen in marine sediments.

The filter based technique, using an Exeter Analytical Model 440 CHN Elemental Analyser, provides rapid and routine analysis of marine sediments, results are expressed in micrograms of Carbon and Nitrogen detected simplifying the calculation process. Analytical sensitivity is less than 1 microgram.

The Exeter Analytical Model 440 is a static combustion system, with a unique horizontal furnace design, which enables easy removal of filter and sample ash between each sediment analysis.  Consequently one combustion tube will analyse in excess of 1000 sediment samples without the need for removal and cleaning.  In addition the Model 440 provides the capacity to process filters up to 47 mm in diameter in one analytical cycle.  By comparison other elemental analysers, employing vertical furnace designs, need cleaning after as little as 20 samples and larger filters have to be sub sampled several times and then corrective calculations made to enable analysis.  Effectively eliminating troublesome residue build-up the gas flow characteristics of the Model 440 analyser are superior to other elemental analysers thereby providing longer-term calibration stability as well as enhanced accuracy and precision for measured sample data.

As the Exeter Analytical Model 440 provides complete control over combustion parameters it is able to reproducibly achieve 100% combustion with the widest range of sediment samples. For sediment samples with low levels of Nitrogen in the 0.1-0.2% range, proprietary Nitrogen analysis software uniquely enables accurate measurement at these levels with a high degree of accuracy.

For further information please contact Exeter Analytical on +44-2476-323223 / +1-978-251-1411 or email info@exeteranalytical.co.uk.

Friday 11 February 2011

PhD Student Position Available

A PhD Student position available in 'Surface Modification of Diamond Particles for Sensing of Toxins' A position has just open for a dedicated student with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology

Deadline to apply = 11 March 2011

This genuinely interested person would:
(1) be a citizen in good standing from a country of the European Union;
(2) be interested and willing to work in Lille-Paris, France;
(3) have already a Master degree, or going to finish his/her Master in the next 2months;
(4) be dedicated to advance her/his career by working for 3(three) years towards a PhD;

The PhD work topic is 'The Surface Modification of Diamond Particles for Sensing of Toxins'.

Other details:
(6) Tentative compensation: 1500 Euros/month;
(7) Approx. cost for accommodation: student room (250 Euros/month) or other room sharing (400 Euros/month);
(8) Food is not very expensive, approximately 5 Euros at the student facility, more expensive options always available.

Please address a Resume (biography; curriculum vitae) with name, address and email of 2 professionals for reference letters and any pertinent questions to either

Sabine SZUNERITS
Sabine.Szunerits<at>iri.univ-lille1.fr

Interdisciplinary Research Institute
59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cédex
France

Just Published: Journal of Chromatography A


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

Thursday 10 February 2011

Just Published: Sensors & Actuators A: Physical


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

Fundamentals of Freeze Drying

SP Scientific, a world leader in freeze drying technology, has announced a new 4-part series of LyoLearn webinars during February 2011 designed to help participants better understand the basic theory and fundamentals of freeze drying.

Chaired by Dr Jeff Schwegmann, director of AB Biotechnologies - the scope of the first webinar, to be held on February 4th, will be to provide an introduction to freeze drying theory and the components of freeze drying, temperature and vacuum monitoring systems.

The second webinar, to be held on February 11th, will focus on the physical properties of different types of materials (eutectic melting, glass transition, collapse temperatures, etc.) and discuss applications of thermal characterisation techniques for solutions and solids.

To be held on February 18th, the third webinar will look at the latest freezing, annealing, primary and secondary drying techniques and the theory behind them.  Reflecting the importance of freeze drying in the production environment the fourth webinar, to be held on February 25th, will discuss strategies for optimizing freeze drying scale-up, cycle transfer and maximising your throughput capability.

http://www.spscientific.com/

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Introducing the KNAUER Explorer Club for children in Berlin

It smells the same, it tastes the same, it looks the same!...but it's really not the same!?
In the newly opened KNAUER Explorer Club (KEC for short) children can discover through HPLC how things can smell the same, taste the same and look the same, but still contain different substances... see more at:


http://www.knauer.net/cgi-bin/e_showtopic.pl?file=../e/topic/e_knauer_explorer_club.prm&acro=0&k=21021-1

Sample preparation for residue analysis of pesticides

Sample preparation for residue analysis of pesticides
Sample cleanup with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a commonly used method in environmental and food analysis. It is a powerful way to increase the limit of detection to levels required for analysis of pesticide residues and other trace impurities. Well-established GPC sample cleaning methods such EN 12393, EN 1528, and US EPA SW-846 Method 3640A are quite time-consuming and solvent-intensive procedures. In this application note, the often used Bio-Beads SX-3 stationary phase is compared with the new EuroClean GPC material regarding performance and suitability for environmental and food laboratories. KNAUER's EuroClean GPC is shown to provide a significantly improved performance over Bio-Beads, allowing for a 30% increase in speed and solvent savings in the range of 30% ...  see more at:
http://www.knauer.net/dwnld_fls/a_e_vfd16_pesticide_residues_sample_cleanup.pdf?k=21021-1

Tuesday 8 February 2011

SFT - HPR Series - High Pressure Chemical Reactors

Supercritical Fluid Technologies introduces a new series of stirred reactors for high pressure chemistry. The HPRSeries Reactors have been designed for researchers who are interested in performing pressurized chemical reactions in their laboratories. Whether it is high pressure chemical synthesis or process development, the HPR Series is an excellent unit for those applications.


The reactors range in size from 50 ml to 4 liters and may be operated up to 10,000 psi and 350°C. The reactors have a magnetically coupled impeller for optimal mixing. All high pressure components are ASME rated and protected by a rupture disc for safe operation. These laboratory bench top models are ideal for applications where repetitive use makes convenience a necessity, such as catalytic studies, polymerization, hydrogenation, oxidation, isomerization, and dehydrogenation. All sizes are supplied as ready-to-use instruments requiring only utility connections prior to operation. The reactors are compact instruments that fit easily into a fume hood. Their modular design makes it simple and cost-effective to alter the unit’s basic configuration to adapt to new or evolving application needs.

All functions for the HPR Series Reactor are controlled by choices of two integrated processors (RxTrol Jr. or RxTrol Sr.) with a full color touch screen.  RxTrol Jr. consists of (2) temperature sensors (wall/interior mounting), and fuzzy logic PID temperature controls and mixing controls in a table top assembly.  RxTrol Sr. offers many more advanced features utilizing a microcontroller to perform all PID, ramp/soak, process trending, and interlock functions. 

Additional options include vessel windows (<150 degrees Celsius operation only), additional ports, cooling coils, sample loops, stand alone pressure transducers, supercritical fluids pumps and reagent addition modules.

For more information, please call us at 302-738-3420 or visit us on-line at www.supercriticalfluids.com.

Monday 7 February 2011

Alternative Method for Chromatography Invented to Measure Medical Doses

Iranian researchers at the University of Kashan used carbon paste electrodes modified by gold nanoparticles to measure the atenolol medicine doses. This method can be an alternative for the complicated and expensive chromatography methods.

Atenolol is an effective drug for the treatment of blood pressure, angina pectoris and cardiac attacks and arrest. Excessive use of atenolol causes toxicity within the patient's body. Therefore, the determination of the dose of atenolol is of great importance in medical and clinical researches.

"Among the advantages of the electrode products in this research, mention can be made of its relatively low price in comparison with other electrodes, non-toxicity, ease of production, extensive potential range of application, low background flow, quick response, resistance against mechanical damage, perfect modifiability and sustainable surface," Mohsen Behpour, member of the Scientific Board of University of Kashan, told the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council.

"Those electrodes are used to determine atenolol in anti blood pressure tablets and biological liquids (urinate sample and blood serum)."

"In order to produce modified carbon paste electrodes, we first mixed some graphite powder with the colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles, and then dried it. Next, we added some paraffin oil to the mixture and loaded the obtained paste into polyethylene syringe. At the end, we made an electric connection to the paste by putting a copper wire inside the syringe," Dr Behpour said, elaborating on the procedure of the research.

Non-modified electrodes that were produced through this method have a much lower sensitivity.

"The results of this research can provide the laboratories with a simple and cost-effective method to be replaced with complicated and expensive chromatography methods," Behpour concluded.

Found at: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8911170548

Just Published: Analytica Chimica Acta


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

Just Published: Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy


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

Biomedical Researcher wins Microplate Catalogue prize draw

A scientist at the Genomics CoreLab of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge, UK) has won Porvair Sciences' latest free prize draw for people registering online for the company's 2010-2011 Microplate Catalogue.

Interest in Porvair Sciences' latest free draw to win a Cannon EOS 1000D DSLR camera was intense, but the lucky winner was Dr Ian McFarlane, a biomedical researcher in the Genomics CoreLab based in the University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories. Ian is responsible for leading a microarray and genomics service and is a regular contributor to the European chapter of the Laboratory Robotics Information Group.

Presenting the prize  - Porvair Sales Manager, Steve Knight, commented "The Genomics CoreLab are moving to new laboratories with a high degree of automation in sample preparation using new liquid handling robotics together with more efficient microarray techniques with ever-higher levels of automation, consequently their use of robot-compatible plates and reservoirs will increase. Integrating a high-specification microplate reader into their workflow will eventually require detection plates of superior quality too. As a major supplier of quality reservoirs and plates for this application we are pleased that one of the Addenbrookes team has won the sought-after DSLR camera."

Reflecting Porvair's commitment to continuous technological innovation - the 2010/2011 microplate catalogue introduces a suite of exciting new products. An addition to Porvair's specialist microplate range is the new Glass Vial Storage plate - 96 high quality glass vials in a 48mm storage block - ideal for UHPLC applications. Porvair Sciences instrument range boasts two new thermal plate sealers. MicroSeal is a budget priced heat sealer with great performance, whilst the popular MiniSeal gets a makeover to become MiniSeal Plus - quicker, quieter, safer and more economical than before. Add to this new PCR plates, more sterile plate options and a new range of seals and you will see that the 2010/2011 catalogue remains an indispensable reference guide to any laboratory using or interested in using microplates.

Established in 1992, Porvair Sciences Ltd. expertise in microplate technology and manufacturing covers scientific fields including Life Sciences, Drug Discovery, Combinatorial Chemistry, Solid Phase Extraction, Protein Purification, High Throughput Screening, Proteomics and Genomics.  Porvair Sciences Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Porvair plc.

To receive a copy of the 2010-2011 Microplate Specialist Catalogue register online at http://www.porvair-sciences.com/download_cat.php or contact Porvair Sciences Ltd. on telephone +44-1372-824290 / email int.sales@porvair-sciences.com.