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A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers. A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.


Laboratory Robotics Club
The Laboratory Robotics Club was formed last year by representatives from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, industrial laboratories, universities and polytechnics.
The club will sponsor R & D studies on the use of small robots in laboratories and will also support the exchange of information about the application of robotics in a lab. environment. The research and development activities that will be supported by the Club are of two types: Short-term projects, mainly applications-orientated, that are designed to make maximum use of existing technology. Mediumor long-term projects aimed at developing novel technology, both hardware and software. Ultimately such work will reach a state where it is suitable for commercial exploitation.
Other Club activities will include: Comparative evaluations of robotics hardware, control software and applications techniques. Setting up of standards related to the activities of the Club.
The organization of courses in robotics technology and applications (for which fees may be charged to cover running costs). A regular newsletter. Participation in an information interchange scheme, including the production of occasional state-ofthe-art reports.
Visits and meetings.
The maintenance of a register of consultants in robotics technology and applications, the cost of these services being a matter for negotiation between the member and the consultant. 104 The Club's activities are financed by the subscriptions of members who are drawn from industrial bodies and public institutions. The Department of Trade and Industry also provides financial support for the R & D objectives of the Club.
The Club has a single grade of membership. Members are subscribing companies or organizations who each have a single vote. Members pay a fee of 400 per annum. Members joining within three years of the Club's formation will pay an entry fee equivalent to the amount that they would have paid in subscriptions had they been members of the Club ab initio, i.e. members joining in the second and third years of the Club's life will pay entrance fees of 400 and 800 respectively. This will entitle them to access to all previously published Club publications and R & D reports. New members joining the Club after the passage of three years will pay an entrance fee at a rate to be determined by the Graphics and kinetics software Perkin-Elmer's Lambda 7 spectrophotometer has two new software packages: graphics and kinetics. The Lambda 7's high-resolution monitor provides good representation of graphics data in both scanning and fixed wavelength modes. With the graphics software, spectra can be stored in up to six different memory files, each of which can be addressed independently for automatic viewing on screen, or copying on to a highspeed printer/plotter. Spectra can be added or subtracted, and multiplication factors applied for comparison of data. Derivative spectra from stored absorbance or transmittance data can also be calculated. A cursor is used to display wavelength and photometric values, and small portions of a spectrum can be expanded to full scale with a zoom feature.
Using the enzyme kinetics facility, lag times, number of data points and intervals between data points (which can be as small as 0"01 min) can all be selected. An enzyme factor allows units of enzyme activity to be calculated. In addition, the software calculates the delta absorbance value. Standard deviation of the data points from a straight line is included, and a linearity factor, based on the slope of the reaction, aids validation of results.
Both graphics and kinetics software are compatible with the six cell programmer of the instrument for automated analysis. Data from each cell can be output to the monitor and printer/plotter. The Corning Gilford Response range of UV/ Vis spectrophotometers has now been expanded to encompass three separate models. Common to all models is an autoranging photometer: transverse sample compartment; high-resolution graphics; data storage facilities and a 16-bit resident computer. The basic Response is supplied co,mplete with a single cell holder and programs for: wavelength scanning; kinetics; time scanning; multi-wavelength analysis; standard curves and sample read. The second unit has an automatic six-position cell holder and has the capability of adding gel scanning, rapid sampling and a.six-position thermoset cuvette holder for electronic control of sample temperature. The most advanced Response has two disk drives for achival date storage and recall, together with extended software applications. Details from Corning Ltd, Halstead, Essex C09 2DX, UK. A low-cost computing-integrator system for use in gas and liquid chromatography has been introduced by Quadrant Scientific.
Based on the Apricot micro, the system works in conjunction with any GC or LC detector through a specially-designed plug-in-and-run interface module. The dedicated software package, written by Quadrant Scientific, provides user-friendly operating techniques; the system can be handled by staff without previous computer experience.
By matching integrator operation with a standard computer like the Apricot in this way, the company is offering a system with the control and flexibility that an integrator alone could not provide.
The software performs a wide range of functions allowing both area and height to be reported, as % area/ height, together with normalization, internal or external standard, with linear or non-linear multi-level calibration, calibration/analysis sequencing and bracketing. Screen chromatograms are displayed using a 'split-screen' format which shows the whole run, plus current peaks at whatever size may be required.
Storage of both raw and bunched data allows either true reintegration with different parameters or simply base-line reallocation. The system also incorporates a help facility.
The complete system consists of an Apricot computer with a highresolution monitor, the laboratory software package and interface module, and a printer for hard-copy recording. Also covered by the highly competitive basic price is a range of general-purpose business software for the Apricot, including word-processing and spread-sheet analy- Rapid analysis, taking as little as 10 min, is aided by the incorporation of a high degree of automation, including automatic sample loading. The automatic magazine allows up to 49 samples to be pre-loaded. A dedicated microcomputer and interface, together with a specially developed standard program, allows the unit to be operated overnight unattended, providing a print-out of sample details, including sample numbers, weights, measured values and percentage composition. The analyser has obvious applications in the microanalysis of organic compounds. In addition, the wide range of sample sizes makes it an ideal instrument for the examination of diverse materials, from plastics and pharmaceutical products to fuels and foodstuffs. The unit offers a lower detection limit of 10 -3 mg absolute for nitrogen, 5 x 10 -4 mg for carbon and 10 -4 mg for hydrogen. It makes possible the quantitative determination of any substance which is combustible in an oxygen stream at up to 1050C. 106 The analyser is capable of the simultaneous determination of C, H and N over a range of sample sizes which until now were thought to be unattainable with equipment of this level of automation and speed of opera- optical performance. The 3840 scans and displays spectra from its 190-900 nm wavelength range within 2 s and provides spectral resolution of 0"25 nm. Stray light values of less than 0"05% ensure excellent photometric accuracy at high absorbance values. A choice of two scan modes allows the analyst to optimize speed and performance for all applications. In Survey Mode, resolution is fixed at 1"5 nm and a full range spectrum can be scanned and displayed on the colour monitor in less than 2 s; the wide scanning range is achieved through the use of deuterium and tungsten sources. In High Performance Mode, spectral resolution can be set at 0"25, 0.5, 1"0, 2"0, 4.0, or 8"0nm, and stray light is typically less than 0"02%. A 100 nm range spectrum can be displayed in under 2 s; in this mode, spectral bands separated by as little as 0"5 nm can be resolved easily and measured accurately.
Diode array spectrophotometers generally require a cell of standard path-length to be used--deviation from this causes recording errors. The optical system of the Lambda Array 3840 is unique in that it compensates for changes in pathlength. Therefore, a wide range of path length cells, from to 100mm, can be used, allowing precise analysis of difficult samples. Pump for media dispensing The DPS200-RP2 is the new high flow rate version of the Aquarius digital pump system-it has been designed for highly viscous media.
The system has a number of accessories to allow the operator to work faster: for example a pneumatic footswitch which leaves both hands free for moving bottles, flasks and tubes under the delivery point. There is total electrical safety in case of spillage. The tubing is held in a flexible arm which is easily moved to a convenient position. Alternatively, a handset is provided for tube-to-tube and petri dish dispensing. Multiple flowlines may be fitted enabling, say, three media to be dispensed in parallel. Once calibrated for the fitted tubing any dose volume may be selected (between 0" ml and 999"9ml with the standard pumphead). Aliquots may be dispensed on demand or in a fully automated cycle when speed, interval and number of steps have been selected. In either mode, Aquarius will display at any time the number of aliquots dispensed so far; a third mode allows Aquarius to pump continuously while updating the display of volume dispensed.
Aquarius is easily interfaced with a variety of other laboratory instruments; typically, a fraction collector whose turntable has moved to the next position can give a pulse to the pump to dispense the pre-set volume Single key-strokes will access colour difference formulas, measuring 'averaging', pass/fail tolerances, transmission/reflectance modes, illuminants and observer selections. Once a key is dedicated to a function, one key-strokes will bring up a full screen immediately. The Series 1500 System consists of the Macbeth Color-Eye optical sensor linked with a personal computer. Color-Eye works with several computers, including the IBM PC and XT, Olivetti M24, Compaq and DEC Rainbow 100. The latter, for example, has a 104key layout, for which Macbeth provide a dedicated key overlay or tab strip. A 'Help' key will display on screen the key identification and the next required function.
The system, which works either online, in production, or as a bench instrument in the laboratory, is normally completed with VDU, dual disk drive and the customer's selected hardware and software options.
In keeping with the Quick-Key facility, data storage capacity has recently been expanded to allow more than 2000 standards to be stored on one 5"25 in disk. The preparation of solutions with a certain concentration is a routine operation in every analytical laboratory. Often, the preparation of such solutions is diffcult, dependent on skilled operators, and extremely time consuming' Now Hamilton offer a solution: an inexpensive automatic computer-controlled system, combining the MICROLAB M Diluter with a Mettler or Sartorius balance and an EPSON HX-20 computer.

Details from
This combination allows almost anybody to prepare standard solutions very easily and quickly: the user simply puts an approximate amount of sample on the balance. The computer registers the exact weight of the sample and calculates the amount of liquid required to be added, which is automatically dispensed by the MICROLAB M. In addition, the computer produces a protocol with all the information about the desired concentration in mg/ml, mMol/l, mg% and vol%. Final volumes are available from a few microliters up to 800 ml. The program is based on a dialogue system which leads the user easily through the program. The dialogue is written in English and German on the same microcassette. Further informationfrom Hamilton Bonaduz A G, PO Box 26, CH-74502 Bonaduz, Switzerland. Output relays are included to provide high and low limit controls, for example to isolate or initiate pumping on a blending system, and a total of seven output expansion ranges it will operate at 10 bar up to 120 C and at 8 bar up to 130 C. The pump is available in sizes ranging from 32 mm to 100 mm delivery branch diameter. Weights range from 56 kg to 287 kg, making it considerably lighter than a long coupled unit. Its close-coupled design allows it to be fitted in very small spaces, as well as avoiding pump and motor alignment problems. The manual provides the analyst with a comprehensive discussion of actual emission spectra recorded on the ICP instrument. It includes recommendations applicable to the normal nebulization of aqueous solutions, and it covers the measurement of emission lines in the conventional UV-visible region of the spectrum (190-900 nm).
The stored information of the manual is complete with guidance for choosing wavelengths for up to 33 different elements. Video screen reproductions depict baseline structure and spectral interference at 2-6 wavelengths per element. Also, the information will help an analyst quickly write an analytical procedure for a new sample type.
Section One of the manual covers system variables, program variables, and element variables. Section Two includes a checklist for ensuring proper ICP performance and for verifying analytical methods. Section Three discusses sample preparation and emission wavelengths and covers the most frequently used emission lines for the elements most often determined in water and wastewater.  (DSC), and adaptation of the comprehensive evaluation programs to the latest needs of the user. The TA3000 can be used in any location requiring qualitative and quantitative material testing for product monitoring, quality control and product development. This compact system is composed of the TCIOA control instrument and a series of measuring cells. This means that for each application be it routine analysis or research the most suitable combination can be configured for each task. This not only applies to DSC, but also to Thermomechanical Analysis TMA) and Thermogravimetry TG). More information from Mettler Instrumente A G, CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland.
Circle No. 61 Reader Enquiry Card Sequential X-ray spectrometer The PW 1404 is described as having a number of significant advances in hardware and software design.
Developed from the PW 1400 Series, it can now be provided with unique multilayer 'crystals' giving enhanced sensitivity to light elements-down to C and B. The choice of sidewindow X-ray tubes has also been extended to include a dual-anode tube that allows the use of a single X-ray source without compromises over a wide range of applications.
A compact, high-efficiency generator is built into the spectrometer to give a space-saving one-cabinet system, while providing 100 kV programmable capability that is particularly valuable for heavy element determi- System operation is controlled by a microprocessorwhich also contains sufficient analytical software to permit stand-alone operation in emergencies, plus a range of selfdiagnostic testing routines.
Philips has produced a new generation of software packages for DEC's PC 350, PDP 11 and VAX computers, although the PW 1404 can be connected to any other processor preferred by the user. The standard X44 software provides sophisticated qualitative and quantitative capabilities, including the functional use of colour graphics. It nevertheless remains extremely easy to use, with simple menu and dialogue presentations, extensive help messages and built-in error protection. As a further aid, the software is available in French, German and Spanish, as well as English. Quantitative programs can be assembled using a choice of ll6 five calibration models, including Claisse-Quintin and a new Philips model that provides high accuracy over wide measuring ranges. For qualitative analysis, specially modified Garbauskas and Goehner programs are optionally available, giving broad scope for spectral manipulation and display.
Output possibilities include transmission to remote terminals or computers, with flexible report formatting and editing to suit user requirements.
A range of sample loading systems is available.
Simultaneous X-ray spectrometer The PW 1606 is a powerful system for process-control analysis in such industries as cement, steel, nonferrous metals, glass and mining. The proven optical design of the PW 1600 Series has been retained, permitting high-speed measurement of up to 28 elements. One or two of the fixed channels may alternatively be replaced by compact programmable goniometers, to give increased versatilit for qualitative analysis and the determination of non-routine elements. With compact solid-state electronics and a high-efficiency generator small enough to fit inside the spectrometer itself, the PW 1600 is now produced as a one-cabinet instrument. A 3 kW, 60 kV generator cuts power demand by up to 40%, and eliminates the need for a special cooling circuit. Operating economy is further improved by an extended range of detectors, which enable all elements above Mg to be measured without external gas supplies. Spectrometer functions are controlled and supervised by microprocessor, and the provision of a universal interface allows data reduction to be carried out using any computer selected by the user. The latter feature is inten- SEM 525 is one of the Series 500 family of microscopes. It was designed for ease-of-use in routine applications, but is equally suitable for advanced research. The large specimen capacity will be of particular interest to the semiconductor industry, general materials .and metallurgical laboratories. Improved gun geometry gives high resolution and a better signal-to-noise ratio. In a special low Kv configuration this provides a five-fold increase in brightness when compared with the standard configuration.
Microanalytical system Edax 9900, a new product from Edax International, Inc., Prairie View, Illinois, has been introduced by Philips. The system can collect, process, display, and store a host of signals from electron microscopes, either SEM or STEM. These signals include: backscattered electron (BS), secondary electron (SE), absorbed electron current(AE), cathodluminescence (CL), EDS elemental X-ray, WDS elemental X-ray and EELS (Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry). A full complement of image presentation software and the Edax Digital Scan Generator-the EDSGare part of the 9900 imaging system and are used to collect and process this data. The imaging presentation software allows collection matrices up to 1024 800 points. The specific dwell time and the area size of the scan are completely user programmable.
Quick viewing of the collected image can be obtained through a rapid scan and display mode. Available processing functions include signal thresholding, signal ratioing, background subtraction and deadtime correction.
Storing of images is done easily and routinely in a number of ways: points as they are being collected (real time), processed image after various enhancements, and displayed image. Various histogram comparisons assist the user in assessing current images and manipulating data.
A palette of 256 colours from a total of over 16 million colours allows the user unlimited area of graphics presentation. Stored images can be An entirely new feature of the SEM 525. is the opportunity to include microprocessorcontrolled automaticfocussing and astigmatism correction. Based on algorithms developed by the Philips research laboratories in Hamburg, fully automatic focussing and astigmatism correction is achievedeven in the most diffcult circumstances. manipulated mathematically for composite imaging such as addition, subtraction, ratioing and signal mixing. There are also mathematical models for smoothing with neighbourhood averaging (low pass filter), edge sharpening via discrete differentiation (high pass filter), and image restoration versus gradient interpolation.
The Edax digital scan generator provides full communication with and automation of the electron microscope. It generates remotely a computer controlled scan with a specific array size and dwell time, then rapidly digitizes a specific EM signal, and stores and displays this information within the 9900.
An ultra-high resolution colour display system is standard with the 9900. Since it is RGB compatible, it has a pixel (picture element) resolution of 512 horizontal x 400 vertical.
Each pixel is individually addressable.
A fully rational display mode is available for EDS. Standard features are elemental identification symbols, spectral labelling, horizontal energy range and the Edax magnifying glass-a new approach to highlighting a field of interest, which gives the user an indication, prior to spectrum expansion, of the next field of view. It eliminates the need for spectrum slewing and provides a means for the operator to demon-strate where, within the total spectrum, the particular magnified portion of the spectrum resides. There is also split-screen facility. The Edax 9900 uses the Digital Equipment Company (DEC)  operating system. Almost all Edax microanalytical programs use Fortran. An advanced basic language is available for user type programming.
Provided in the Edax SW 9900 software package are: full quantitative analysis for all elements from boron to uranium, a Super Quant program, which allows unmatched quantitative analysis without standards, normalization of ZAF output to 100% or to any user-defined percentage, Edax halographic peak deconvolution methoda novel technique for distinguishing peak overlaps, thereby allowing improved quantitative analysis, an advanced ZAF correction program, user-definable PEI factors, Kramer law background fit, multiple least squares fit, and the Hall and Cliff-Lorimer models for thin section analysis.
The 9900's operator console has a full standard ASCII keypad, a message display, 12 dynamic function keys and various control functions. A 96character display provides operator prompting and 12 user-definable function keys guide the operator through specific series of analytical routines. Each key is positioned near a four-character prompt, used to define the analytical choices available at that level of the program-in essence, a built-in operator's manual.
A help key brings up a display of current operation status and further operation guidance.

Total 'system-power'
Instead of adopting an uncoordinated add-on data system, the PU 4900 GC's design overcomes traditional limitations by using a single program for both manipulation of data and control of the analytical separation. It also provides a practical platform from which to explore the enormous potential of increasingly popular multidimensional techniques. PU 4900's. total 'system-power' comprises a number of special features. The instrument has been optimized for capillary columns with new capillary injectors, a newly-designed column oven and a 118 The PU 4900's satellite oven, although of the same design as the main oven with no compromise in performance characteristics, is a mirror image of the main oven. This means that the satellite oven can be stood side by side for direct transfer of sample from one oven to the other in a multi-dimensional system or can function as a second, independent analysis channel. new range of detectors providing improved separating power, increased sensitivity and reduced analysis time. Although the PU 4900 can be used without limitation for any gas chromatography method or application, it is unique in offering automatic fast capillary analysis. This has been made possible by the development of a new column oven, in which an aerodynamic air flow path ensures that the column is mounted in a thermally stable zone with minimum gradients and high control. The result is repeatability without distortion or splitting of peak shapes. The new design also means that there is an exceptionally low thermal lever (LTL), whereby the direct effect of ambient temperature on the temperature inside the oven is minimized.
The PU 4700 auto-injector gives the basis for total system automation from injection to calculation of results, and it is aided by the PU 4900's fast processing power, storage of up to 12 methods in non-volatile memory, a graphics capability via the integral visual display unit and data storage using twin floppy disks. All PU 4900 detectors flame ionization, nitrogen, thermal conductivity, electron capture and flame photometric-have been designed to provide accurate peak signal reproduction. Although they are primarily intended for operation with capillary columns, a unique interface is provided to allow packed columns to be used if required.
A 'mirror image' satellite oven design means that the systemn is an important development in multidimensional chromatography. The satellite oven is identical to the instrument's main oven" the two can stand side by side for direct transfer of sample from one to the other. Ovens are controlled independently but simultaneously and, if MDC is not required, the satellite can be used as a second, independent channel of separating power. The added advantages of comprehensive gas control, the possibility of mounting a sampling and switching valve oven, plus the capability of the PU 4900, with its satellite oven, to accept up to three detector systems operating simultaneously with full data handling facilities for each channel, make the system the first-ever non-dedicated, practical platform for exploring and exploiting the MDC technique.
Whether it is being used conventionally, as a capillary analyser or for multidimensional techniques, the PU 4900 is capable of producing analytical results of consistently high quality. Sophisticated data handling routines are combined with a menudriven user interface to provide both power and ease of use for the working chromatographer. Reliable  The Model B Hemox-Analyzer is an automatic system for plotting the blood oxygen association or dissociation curves of normal, abnormal and cord blood. Only one drop of blood and 10min recording time are required to obtain a complete curve, from which the p50 value is easily obtained.
Features of this blood oxygen equilibrium analyser include a built-in pressure vacuum pump for sample oxygenation and sample removal after plotting of the curve, as well as flushing of the sample cuvette. A Teflon valve-system provides for easy switch-over of gases and assures corrosion-free liquid delivery to the sample cuvette. The built-in electronic heater system allows for operation at 37C without the need of a water-bath.
The front-mounted control panel features a digital-meter for monitoring of temperature, oxygen partial pressure and signal level outputs. Amongst basic requirements are the use of a high temperature (350C) ECD system operating in constant frequency mode. The required column is 30 m x 0.32 mm ID, PS 255 (5 m film thickness) operating at 104C (isothermal). An important aspect is the use of a cold on-column injector with secondary cooling to prevent sample back-flow.

More information from TCS-
Carlo Erba is the only manufacturer offering a system-the AS 550-able to automate the cold on-column injector. Normally able to handle 42 samples for sequential analysis, the AS 550 has been designed to operate in conjunction with the HEC 960 laboratory computer, allowing a whole sequence of analyses to be run from a floppy disk.