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PIKE Technologies is releasing VeeMAX III, the new version of its popular multipurpose variable angle FT-IR accessory. VeeMAX III is available in specular reflection and/or ATR configurations that cover incidence ranges from 30 to 75 degrees. Single reflection ZnSe, ZnS, Ge, and Si crystal plates are offered for ATR applications, and all can be equipped with an optional electrochemical cell. The new accessory features high quality diamond-turned optics and simplified design resulting in improved performance with up to 20% throughput improvements in selected modes. VeeMAX III can be equipped with a polarizer and the combined system can be fully automated for repeatable measurements at preprogrammed incidence angles and varying degrees of polarization. Typical VeeMAX III applications include depth profiling, analysis of monolayers and ultra-thin films, determination of polymer orientation and spectroelectrochemistry. VeeMAX III is fully purgeable and it is compatible with a wide range of FT-IR spectrometers. PIKE Technologies, 6125 Cottonwood Drive, Madison, Wl 53719, Ph: 608-274-2721, www.piketech.com.
Ultra-Wideband 190–2500nm Spectrometer
BaySpec's SuperGamut™ series bench-top spectrometers incorporate multiple spectrographs and detectors, optional light source(s), and sampling optics into one turn-key system designed to meet real-world challenges for high speed response, long term reliability, compact size and low cost of ownership. Utilizing BaySpec's unique VPG grating technology, customers can chose any wavelength range from 190–2500 nm combining 1, 2, or 3, or multiple spectral engines depending upon wavelength range and resolution requirements. Ideal for custom light source measurement, pulsed radiometry, and hyperspectral imager characterization, among others. Bay-Spec, Inc., 1101 McKay Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, Ph: 408-512-5928, www.bayspec.com.
New Low Dark-Current Deep-Depletion CCD (LDC-DD) for low-light NIR Spectroscopy
Andor Technology announced the launch of its new back-illuminated, deep-depletion CCD technology on the industry-standard iDus platform. This new technology offers a combination of sensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) and resolution, opening new possibilities for faster, higher resolution Raman, photoluminescence, plasmonics, or broadband absorption without the inconvenient need for Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) use. Andor's iDus 416 Low Dark-Current, Deep-Depletion (LDC-DD) technology offers superb dark current performance, and up to 95% quantum efficiency. Thermo-Electric cooling to −95 °C ensures that the best signal-to-noise can always be achieved (it is not only dark current that matters for NIR CCD detectors). Andor's UltravacTM vacuum technology's superb track record ensures that the best performance can be extracted from the CCD sensor year-after-year. The iDus 416 also boasts a unique combination of 15 μm pixel for high resolution spectroscopy, and a 30 mm wide sensor for superior simultaneous spectral bandpass collection. The fringe-suppression process, ensuring very low optical etaloning, also comes as standard. Its plug-and-play USB2.0 connectivity offers convenient and rapid set up, as well as transportability when connecting to laptops and running in parallel with Andor's Shamrock spectrograph series. Andor Technology, 7 Millenium Way, Springvale Business Park, Belfast, BT127A1, Northern Ireland, Ph: 44 28 9023 7126, www.andor.com.
New Compact Spectrometer
Avantes, Inc. is proud to announce the introduction of their smallest instrument ever, the AvaSpec-Micro. It measures only 38.5 ml, about the size of a matchbox. This newest addition to the CompactLine family of spectrometers comes very recently after the launch of the AvaSpec-Mini. The new AvaSpec-Micro is only 30% of the size of the Mini. It boasts a resolution of up to 0.8 nm with a 2500 pixel detector. Available wavelength ranges are 370–750 nm for visible light and 225–850 nm for UV/VIS measurements. The AvaSpec-Micro is ideal for OEM applications and is powered by a standard USB 2.0 connection, which is also used for data transfer. For industry applications, four configurable digital I/O ports are available. It weighs only 58 grams, and comes standard with a 20 micrometer entrance slit. The AvaSpec-Micro is an ideal companion in areas of color measurement, chemical analysis and environmental analysis. Integrating into OEM applications is easy, with its four I/O channels that can be configured as trigger input, shutter and light source control or as general-purpose input/output. Available trigger modes are software, interval, and external. A low-jitter mode is available, for easy and precise synchronization. Of course, the AvaSpec-Micro works seamlessly with Avantes spectroscopy software and libraries. Avantes Inc., 9769 W. 119th Dr, STE 4, Broomfield, CO 80021, Ph: 1-303-410-8668, www.avantes.com.
Enhanced NanoRam Handheld Raman Spectrometer
B&W Tek, Inc. is proud to announce major enhancements to their NanoRam handheld Raman spectrometer. The NanoRam is already an award winning analyzer for material identification and verification within cGMP compliant facilities with high-brightness OLED touch screen display and intuitive software for both technical and non-technical users. Now, the NanoRam is enhanced with new features to make sampling and detection even easier. The next generation of NanoRams offer numerous enhancements including an embedded 2D barcode scanner, batch scanning capabilities, IP-64 rated (dust-tight and splash-proof) housing, Ethernet connectivity and many other software enhancements based on user feedback to better facilitate tracking and reporting. B&W Tek has also introduced two new sampling accessories, a 12 inch immersion shaft for sampling out of large drums and a tablet holder to easily measure finished products with uniformity in order to further their mission to enable fast and convenient measurements in almost any environment. B&W Tek, Inc., 19 Shea Way, Newark, DE 19713, Ph: 855-692-9835, www.bwtek.com.
Monitoring Trace H2O in Liquid Product on Process
Capitalizing on the large absorbance bands that give water its unique spectral fingerprint, AAI offers the MCP-200, an online IR (infrared) based solution for a wide range of applications. The compact analyzer uses a non-dispersive infrared detector and a proprietary optical path design for accuracy and rugged performance, and fully automated measurement. The unit offers: Instant response with streaming moisture in liquid data ranging from % concentration levels to ppm; no consumables required for reaction; and one time calibration with a Zero-offset technique to provide flexibility when choosing a proper zeroing medium. The MCP-200 has been used in applications such as trace moisture in vinyl chloride monomer, fiber spinning efficiency, moisture in hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals. Applied Analytics, Inc., 15 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, Ph: 888-461-0080, www.a-a-inc.com.
FT-IR Chemical Identifier for Extreme Environments
Smiths Detection's new HazMatID Elite is certified to the strictest military standards for high temperature/solar exposure. It has the ability to operate in extreme weather conditions, with temperatures ranging from −20 °C to 50 °C (–4 °F to 122 °F). The HazMatID Elite uses FT-IR technology to identify chemical warfare agents, explosives, toxic industrial chemicals, narcotics, suspicious powders, and other dangerous chemicals. Its intuitive interface and self-guided software reduces the training burden. HazMatID Elite features include: Automated analysis of mixtures with priority alerts for explosives, CWAs, narcotics, proteins and TICs; MIL-STD-810G certified for ruggedness and environmental resistance; industry leading solids press—the only reliable way to measure solid samples; touch-to-sample side mounted diamond ATR for surface analysis and robotics integration; and long-range, encrypted RF wireless transmission. Smiths Detection Inc., 21 Commerce Drive, Danbury, CT 06810, Ph: 203-207-9700, www.smithsdetection.com.
Steam Jacketed Probe for Demanding Near-IR Process Analysis Applications
Axiom Analytical, Inc. has announced its FPT-850SJ “Steam Jacketed” Near-Infrared Transmission Probe. The new probe facilitates chemical composition monitoring of process streams containing materials that might otherwise coat out on the optical windows or other probe surfaces. The space between the probe body itself and the outer jacket can be continuously flushed with steam or other hot fluid to prevent condensation. In addition, the metal surfaces of the probe are highly polished to further discourage sample adhesion. In common with the Company's existing FPT-850N Near-IR and FPT-850V Visible Transmission Probes, the Steam Jacketed probe has been developed to provide maximum long term reliability under the extreme conditions of high temperature, thermal shock, and aggressive chemistries encountered in many on-line process applications. The probe design has two key elements. The first is a proprietary sealing technique involving a direct sapphire to metal welded pressure seal (U.S. Patent 6,587,195 B1). This approach provides significant advantages over other sealing techniques. A high degree of chemical resistance is assured by the fact that the only materials in contact with the process are sapphire, high nickel alloys, and a thin flash of either gold or PTFE (application dependent). The compliance required to withstand extreme temperature cycling is provided by the high nickel alloy seal which is compressed at high pressure prior to welding. This approach eliminates fatigue and stress failures common with brazed seals as well as the limited lifetime characteristic of elastomeric seals. The second key element of the FPT-850 design is the elimination of optical fibers within the probe (U.S. Patent 5,418,615). This insures excellent optical stability and long term reliability. The elimination of both internal optical fibers and elastomeric seals provides for reliable long term operation at temperatures as high as to 400 °C. FPT-850N near-infrared transmission probes are widely used for on-line process analysis in the chemical, petroleum, and pharmaceutical industries as well as in process development and related PAT (Process Analytical Technology) applications. Axiom Analytical, Inc., 1451 Edinger Ave, Suite A, Tustin, CA 92780, Ph: 949-757-9300, www.goaxiom.com.
Spectrometer for Process and OEM Applications
EMBED, from Ocean Optics, is a small-footprint spectrometer that is bideal for industrial process control and OEM optical measurement systems. Designed around a next-generation optical bench, EMBED provides excellent thermal stability and measurement reliability. EMBED is packaged with a minimal set of essential electronics that reduces the total footprint and simplifies integration. EMBED's onboard electronics provide fundamental spectral preprocessing and multi-channel capability, as well as native SPI communication support that establishes a direct, stable and fast interface with microcontrollers and industrial control systems. Like all Ocean Optics spectrometers, EMBED's design allows for extensive optical component customization to support a wide variety of applications, while maintaining quality in high volume production. The standard EMBED configuration has selectable optical bench components - including entrance apertures, gratings, order sorting filters and more – that make it possible to support low light and high-throughput measurements. Its design provides the EMBED thermal and environmental stability – attractive features for process and other applications where temperature and environmental factors can affect measurements. In addition, the EMBED design supports multichannel functionality, which enables users to make simultaneous or timed-gated measurements from multiple EMBED spectrometers within a single system. This is essential to applications such as reference monitoring, dissolution testing, multiple point sampling and process end-point detection. EMBED has a high performance optical bench anchored by 2048-element CCD-array detector and has wavelength range options from 200–1100 nm. Ocean Optics, 830 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, Ph: 727-733-2447, www.oceanoptics.com.
Chemical Storage Cabinets
The new Safestore™ Vented Chemical Storage Cabinets from Air Science are ideal for the storage of noxious or odorous chemicals. These cabinets minimize health and environmental risks in handling chemical vapors and residues. VOCs, and general laboratory functions. The Air Science Multiplex™ filtration system protects the safety of personnel during use, maintenance and decontamination. Advanced carbon filtration technology offers a safe, high performance alternative to ducted cabinets for a broad range of applications. Safestore cabinets isolate and trap biological and chemical vapors to prevent operator exposure, to prevent cross contamination, and to eliminate ecological impact through chemical or particulate release into the environment. The Safestore cabinets are available in three capacities: 25 liters, 1,000 liters and 2,000 liters. Air Science USA, PO Box 62296, Fort Myers, FL 33906, Ph: 800-306-0656, www.airscience.com.
