New products

Keysight Technologies, Inc. introduces enhancements to the company's Nemo Device Application Test Suite. This software-centric solution uses automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable wireless service providers and application developers to accelerate the assessment of smartphone users' real-world interactions with native applications.

The EI spectra can be checked against standard or custom spectral libraries for positive compound identification. Chemical ionization spectra can also be produced.
HP say that this PB LC/MS system is easier to use than any previous LC/ MS system. PB interface operation requires one simple adjustment, and little modification is required of either HPLC or MS methodology.
The HP PB LC/MS interface is derived from the original MAGIC particle-beam interface invented at Georgia Institute of Technology, which has granted HP exclusive rights to further develop and market this invention.
A complete HP PB LC/MS system consists of the particle beam interface mounted on the HP 5988A MS, an LC (either the integrated HP 1090 or the modular HP 1050) and a data system (either the HP 59970C Chem-Station for single instrument operation or the HP 1000 RTE A-series for multi-instrument, multitasking or multiuser operation). In addition, the HP PB LC/MS interface is available separately to be field-installed as a retrofit on HP 5988A and 5987A MS instruments.
The HP PB LC/MS uses the same switchable EI/CI ion source and the same software and data systems that are used for HP 5988A GC/MS. When a GC is added, creating a versatile PB LC/GC/MS, the system can be instantly switched from LC/ MS to GC/MS. In addition to GC/MS, other HP 5988A options available for the HP 44 PB LC/MS system included: thermospray, DCI, FAB, direct insertion probe, packedor capillary-column operation, and 10 to 1,000 or 10 to 2,000 amu operation.
The HP PB LC/MS greatly increases the chemist's ability to analyse environmental compounds, pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse, foods and life science processes. Potential applications include most compounds that can be analysed by either GC or LC.

Mass spectrometer uses new technology
The Spectramass PC 2000 is a high performance quadrupole mass analyser aimed at the precision end ofthe residual gas analysis market as well as providing the flexibility necessary to meet the requirements of process control applications.
The heart of the mass spectrometer is a new ion source which has a built-in independent total pressure collector. Rapid switching between partial and total pressure measurement allows software normalisation of the spectrum by ensuring that the sum of the partial pressures is always equal to that of the total pressure measurement. This technique not only greatly improves accuracy but eliminates non-linearity errors at high pressures and loss of sensitivity caused by contamination.
Software advances are much enhanced by the use of high resolution colour graphics which, together with five button keypad or mouse operation, make the comprehensive software very easy to use. For further information, contact: Spectramass Ltd, Radnor Park Industrial Estate, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4XR, UK.
Simulated distillation PC software package for Perkin-Elmer 8000 series gas chromatographs Simulated Distillation software is the latest applications software package available for Perkin-Elmer 8000 Series GCs (Models 8400 and 8500).
Designed primarily to produce boiling-point distribution data for gasolines and distillates according to ASTM D3710 and ASTM D2887, the package incorporates an easy to use menu-driven user interaction.
The integral data handling of the 8000 Series is used to carry out routine data handling calculations, while a PC running IBM PC DOS or MS DOS performs the Simulated Distillation calculations. Separate functions allow boilingpoint and response factor calibrations, sample analysis, system performance checks, the ability to download disk-stored methods for setting up the GC and data handling parameters and the facility to estab- high spectral resolution at low analyte levels.
The LC-480 can operate as a standalone detector offering multichannel detection and arithmetic signal combinations to perform purity checks or spectral suppression techniques. Spectra are acquired automatically or manually and can be plotted in various formats on a printer-plotter.
Alternatively, installation of a computer interface allows transfer of chromatograms in the form of entire UV spectra to an IBM-compatible PC for data manipulation. Chromatograms may be selected at any wavelength and spectra at any time. Spectral manipulation for overlaying, differentiation, subtraction or library functions are available for development of chromatography or for investigative trouble shooting. Similarly, chromatograms may be compared with standards and integration facilities allow quantitative analysis.
Specific data reduction/evaluation regimes may be implemented automatically with macro language to simplify use.
The LC-480 + PC therefore aids research and development in, for example, the investigation of anomalies highlighted in the routine environment by such on-line 'smart' Radiometer sees the TIM90's chief application as the brain of a Titra-Lab titration laboratory performing various routine analyses in, for instance, quality control laboratories..It is easily positioned in front, or to the side, of an autoburette and sample station. The ABU93 Triburette has three built-in burette drives and two electrode input channels. The SAC80 Sample Changer allows unattended analysis of up to 20 samples in one cycle, every beaker utilising its own titration procedure. 46 The TIM90 Titration Manager is supplied as standard with all interfaces for printer/plotter, balance, sample changer and external keyboard, thus providing facilities from mass input to results printout avoiding transcription errors, speeding-up of batch analysis and even connection of a robotic system. New balance speeds finite weighing operation Sartorius Limited has introduced a new top-loading micro-balance. The M3P electronic top-loading microbalance offers a total capacity of 3 g including the tare range which is 1.5 g. The micro-balance has three automatically selectable ranges of 0-500, 0-1000 and 0-1500 mg and can be read to an accuracy of btg when required, although other ranges include 2 and 5 lag.
As well as the simplified pan loading, the M3P eliminates the need to arrest and release the weighing system as is necessary with other micro-balances in this weighing range.

Liquid
dispensing system features 'self-teach' programming A bench-top liquid dispensing system that is easy to program and provides high speed, continuous path coverage has been introduced by Automation Unlimited of Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.
The Automation Unlimited LD 1212 Programmable Motion Controlled Positioner is a fully automatic threeaxis liquid dispensing system that features 'self-teach' digitized programming. Utilizing X, Y and Z joysticks and 10 user-assignable spot, line and pattern function keys, programmed commands include point-to-point, linear or circular motion, feed rates, dwell times, mirror image, hold, step and repeat, automatic home and floating zero.
Equipped with an RS232C interface which allows part program transfer, the liquid dispensing system operates at speeds up to 500 in/min (200 mm/s) with __+ 0.002 in (0.051 mm) repeatability and provides 12 x 12 in (305 mm x 305 mm) X-Y travel with 2 in (5.08 cm) Z travel. A syringe dispenser is standard and optional pinch or shot valves are available.
For further information, contact: Automation Unlimited, 134 New Boston St., efficiency. A complete list ofchemical compatibilities and instructions are given in a leaflet that accompanies the product.
Also available is the Polycap TF, a disposable encapsulated membrane filtration capsule that incorporates a fully hydrophobic membrane in a polypropylene housing. This combination of materials, with its large filtration area, make this capsule ideal for larger scale filtration of aggressive chemical solvents. Typically, up to 20 1/min of water may be filtered by the larger capsules at a pressure of only bar, making this capsule ideal for the rapid filtration of large amounts of solution, e.g. preparative HPLC, larger scale bio-

Disposable filtration capsules
Whatman are now marketing Polycap HD, a disposable filtration capsule which consists of a polypropylene housing and polypropylene non-woven depth filter. The capsule offers a high loading capacity, high filtration efficiency and low differential pressure, whilst also having a wide pH, pressure and temperature range and a long life. The use of a special polypropylene depth filter ensures that the loading capacity of the filter is increased without compromising the particle retention, and the differential pressure is kept to a minimum.
These features make the Polycap HD suitable for the filtration of larger volumes of liquids or gases, the filtration of liquids or gases with a high particle density and large volumes of solutions where non-specific binding must be avoided. This is a problem when filtering some biological solutions using either glass or membrane filtration. The larger par- During the manufacture of the capsule no mould-releasing agents, powdered materials or adhesives are used. This reduces contamination by material that may leach into the filtrate, and enhances the structural strength.
Because the filter media is also polypropylene, the unit has a very wide chemical compatibility range. This is an.advantage over some membrane filtration media where the chemical compatibility may be limited, and glass microfibre filtration where dissolution of the glass or ionic impurities may be a problem.
The unit can be autoclaved as many as 50 times without any significant loss in particle, retention or filtration The Polycap TF may be autoclaved and will withstand temperatures in excess of 130 C. This enables the 0.1 and 0.2 m pore size capsules to be used for filtration sterilization, the smaller pore size being used for 'ultraclean' applications. The 0.45 m pore size capsule is routinely used for filtration of large scale HPLC solvents. The largest pore size capsule, 1.0 tm, incorporates a polypropylcne monofilament pre-filter. As a result, this capsule has a much higher loading capacity, yet retains the advantages of membrane filtration. Accordingly it is ideal for the large scale filtration of solutions that are likely to block ordinary membrane filters, e.g. protein solutions.
Micro-cuvette capability for WPA colorimeters All three models in the CO200 series can now handle micro-cuvettes, allowing smaller samples to be used with consequent savings in reagents.
The new micro-cuvette capability allows the CO200 Series to operate on sample volumes as small as 0.5 cm3 using 10 x 3 mm micro-cuvettes; conventional 10 mm square section cuvettes can still be used in the instruments if required. The dual cuvette chamber is fitted with a stray light cover and holds both the reference and the sample.
For further information, contact: WPA, The Old Station, Linton, Cambridge CB1 6NW, UK. Tel.: 0223 892688 MTS puts industrial colour analysis on an IBM PC By coupling a spectrophotometer to an IBM compatible PC and a high resolution colour monitor, MTS Col-orim&rie has created a powerful tool for analysing and comparing colours.
The system's software makes it specifically useful for solving manufacturing problems in the ink and paint industries and in other fields such as plastics and textiles.
The MTS unit is based on the company's own spectrophotometer, but the key feature of this system is the software, which is available in French, English and German versions and can also be used to drive other spectrophotometers. It is presented as a set of independent modules each of which can be called from a general menu. There is a basic colorimetry module with an integrated sorting facility. This allows you to measure, compare and sort colour samples in a range from 400 to 710 nm.
There is a module for characterising the pigment or colour base: it calculates K-absorption and s-diffusion every 20 nm according to the degree of concentration. It is also possible to analyse the colouring strength which is calculated on 32 points of the spectrum.
Other features include the ability to derive formulae for colour shades by combining pigments in different concentrations either manually or automatically. Up to 65000 colour formulae can then be stored and retrieved using the system's integrated database. These features constitute a unique aid to colour analysis both for industrial production and in the laboratory.
New literature on quality hydraulically-powered pumps for clean oil filling systems Lindley Flowtech Ltd has just announced new literature about its range of hydraulically-powered clean oil filling pumps for use in mines and other hostile environments.
The range of reliable, British Coal approved pumps is capable of handling oils ranging from hydraulic to heavy gear oil. The four types available cater for virtually every need.
The Fast Flow Pump oflirs the most flexible solution to filling reservoirs and tanks at speed. Producing enough power to operate through a blocked in-line filter, the dualpowered unit comfortably delivers up to 15 gpm when driven hydraulically. Even when manually operated, in the absence of hydraulic power, it delivers at up to 10 gpm.
The Medium-Duty Pump is a versatile, compact and reliable unit built to a high specification. Flow rates of up to 6 gpm make it ideally suited to machine-mounted clean fill systems.
Operating at up to 400 lb in-2, it transfers both hydraulic and gear oils with ease through a rotary selector valve or a flexible hose system. Wherever enhanced pressure performance is required, the Heavy-Duty Pump can be relied on to supply oil to machines at distances of up to 300 m. Normal operating pressure is up to 1000 lb in-2 with a maximum flow rate up to 3 gpm. The Light-Duty Pump is a small unit which can be machine-mounted in even the most confined spaces. Rated at 5 gpm (max), at up to 400 lb in-2, it is ideal for the more compact machine-centered transfer systems.
Unless otherwise specified, all Lindley Flowtech pumps are equipped with a unique, tamper-proof device to prevent pump damage through flow and pressure excesses, thus providing complete operational safety at motor input pressures of up to 5500 lb in-. Bayer substrate helps clean up waste water As part of its environmental protection research programme, Bayer has developed a polyurethane based carrier for use as a substrate for the growth of micro-organisms in waste water treatment plants.
Applications envisaged include anaerobic treatment of low degradability effluents produced by the pulp, paper, leather and textile industries, and polluted waste water from the food and beverage industries.
Bayer carried out a series of successful tests on the use of the PU substrate with potential industrial users and has now started semi-commercial production. Systems. These optimize combustion efficiency, minimize exhaust emissions and can be used in every industrial process that burns fuel.
These machines can be customized to suit exact specifications. All Series 9000 Systems utilize continuous extractive sampling methods that pull sample from the stack and provide near-line monitoring of the flue gas content. Simple, reliable air aspirators or rugged sampling pumps are part of a complete Series 9000 sampling system. Teledyne also provides accessories, including .probes, preconditioners and sample lines. Oxygen. All Series 9000 Analyzers feature oxygen analysis using Teledyne's patented Micro-Fuel Cell. This reliable sensor is a sealed electrochemical transducer with no electrolyte to change or electrodes to clean, so it is virtually maintenancefree. Because it has an absolute zero, no zero gases are needed for calibration. Air (20.9% 02) is used for span purposes.
Models 9100 and 9150 use a longlife, disposable electrochemical sensor for accuracy and reliability.
A non-dispersive infrared analyzer is an alternative approach to CO monitoring that is employed in the Model 9300. This infrared analyzer is a dual-path, single source device that uses optical techniques to eliminate potential interferences. The analyzer features a solid-state vibration-resistant detector for accurate and reliable operation and an automatic zero circuit for long-term stability.
Carbon dioxide. Optionally available in the Model 9300 is a CO2 analysis.
Standard range of this analysis is 0-20% CO2 (others available). An infrared analyzer is used to measure CO2, and. it provides the same outstanding features and performance as the Model 9300's CO infrared analyzer.
The Model 9600 Oxygen (02) Analyser System can be used with boilers, furnaces and process heaters that are fired with such clean fuels as natural gas and low sulphur fuel oils. It uses a simple sample system centred around a highly reliable air aspirator. The system automatically and continuously conditions flue gas for accurate analysis. The Model 9600 is compact, easy to use and simple to maintain.  (02) Analyser monitors O2 contamination in nitrogen, argon, helium and many other pure gases and gas mixtures. The Model 316R accurately monitors oxygen from ppm to ppb levels.
The Model 316R can be used in process control, quality assurance and process protection in a wide variety of industrial applications. METAL requires post-editing; its function is to assist, not replace, human translators. It relieves the drudgery of translating hundreds of pages of routine words before the skilled interpretive input of the translator is required. Further sponsorship of computeraided chemistry course at Surrey University There is no doubt that future major advances in the application of computer technology will stem from scientists versed in computing rather than computer experts interpreting the requirements of scientists.
For the analytical chemist, there is an immediate requirement to become conversant with computer programming, interfacing and database technology, all of which will allow more extensive use to be made of data produced by analytical instrumentation.
Unfortunately, the success of this initiative is likely to be compromised by the relatively poor representation of analytical chemistry in UK tertiary education with only five centres concentrating on higher degrees. As a result, the demand of industry for trained analysts, particularly at first degree level, vastly exceeds supply.
The stall" of the chemistry department at the University of Surrey recognised this problem some 3 years ago and proposed a solution in the form of a 4-year BSc course in Computer-Aided Chemistry. The course was designed and implemented by Professor Jones and Drs Buist and Povey, with the aim of producing graduates whose training would reflect the dynamic multi-disciplinary needs of the UK chemical industry. Great care was taken to ensure that the extension of the syllabus to include computational skills would not compromise the chemistry content.
At an early stage, the organisers approached industry for both direction and sponsorship to ensure that the tuition and equipment used in practical sessions remained current. Initial sponsorship for the course was from Perkin-Elmer who, in addition to funding an annual student scholarship, also provided a Chromatographics III data station based on the 7000 series computer together with software for handling data from gas and liquid chromatographs.
The industrial base of the course sponsorship has now been extended by the involvement of Glaxo and Hewlett-Packard.
Hewlett-Packard have provided six Vectra workstations configured in a Local Area Network (LAN), together with a Hewlett-Packard 8452 diode array spectrophotometer and Chemstation to a total value of 90 000.
The cost of installation and maintenance of the analytical hardware donated by Hewlett-Packard will be borne by Glaxo, who are among the pioneers of linear diode array spectroscopy applications. Glaxo will also provide training for both course supervisors and students to ensure that the practical sessions reflect current applications of the technology.
Alan Williams, Perkin-Elmer Product Manager for Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS) stated: 'Perkin-Elmer is pleased to be joined by Hewlett-Packard and Glaxo in the joint sponsorship of this important new course'.
In the words of Ken Leiper, Manager of Glaxo's Analytical Development Division: 'The donation and liaison programme will ensure that the course tutors are kept aware of industry's changing requirements for high quality information and, in particular, how this need may be met effectively by the novel use of computer-aided analysis systems.' Dave Aslin, General Manager of Hewlett-Packard Analytical Group in the UK, added: 'The specific applications of linear diode spectroscopy and the enormous potential of local area networks are currently under-exploited in the UK industry.
The University of Surrey's commitment to training personnel in the imaginative use of these systems in the laboratory is well deserving ofour support.' For the University of Surrey, Professor John Jones commented: 'The support now being offered will do much to enable the department to meet its aim of providing well qualified graduates who, equipped with the necessary skills to meet the needs of industry, will have excellent employment prospects and will do much to enhance the future development of analytical chemistry.' A collaborative programme was established in order to develop low cost instrumentation for rapid multielement analysis, and to promote and teach atomic absorption spectroscopy within the academic sphere.
The most recent result of that collaboration was the development by the university of the furnace autoprobe, which forms a key part of Philips Analytical's PU9400 series of atomic absorption spectrometers. The probe allows elemental analysis at greater levels of sensitivity than previously possible; it can also cope with many complex sample matrices.
Commenting on his appointment Professor Littlejohn said: 'As well as consolidating research in many current university projects the Philips Chair will provide opportunities to extend into new areas of analytical chemistry. A major new project will Upgraded laboratory processing methods with PC-Lab New on the market from Spectrum Computer Services plc is the updated computer-controlled and automated reactor PC-Lab, designed to make expensive and time-consuming laboratory processing tasks both more reliable and less labour-intensive.
The system facilitates the running of most common laboratory processes, including addition of reactants, temperature control for heating, cooling or isothermic conditions, reflux and distillation from vacuum to ambient pressure. Controlled addition ofreactants can be determined by time, temperature or pH levels.
The system comprises a reactor assembly unit, an Olivetti PC, control valves and balance, plus temperature and pH probes. Control equipment and monitoring probes are linked to the PC and all reaction results are fed into and stored by the system, enabling tests to be re-run, evaluated or adapted at the touch ofa button. Improvements to software cover the inclusion of comprehensive reporting facilities, with extensive manipulation options allowing data gathered in the system to be easily transported to the user's own preferred spreadsheet format.
In addition, PC-Lab offers a built-in series of safety features giving a continuous self-monitoring facility.
The unit runs automatic checks at the start of each test to ensure that all relevant pieces of equipment are attached and functioning. Procedures for shutdown can be defined by the operator to suit the test, and cover, for example, drainage of flask or 'dumping' of items into the flask to kill reactions. Spectrum provide full customer support and technical back-up, including specialised hardware and software options. A comprehensive initial training programme has been developed for prospective operators, and the company offers a full installation and servicing contract as part of the package. PC-Lab, the computer-controlled reactor from Spectrum Computers.
Lotus Measure provides the direct link between data acquisition and reporting Lotus Measure software has been introduced by Industrial Data Processing to speed up and make accurate the collection of analysis data from instruments and sensors. The package, for IBM and compatible PCs, provides a direct and low cost link from instruments operating via the IEEE-488 bus or an RS-232C serial interface, and plug-in Data Acquisition boards, into a Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet.
In all three interface environments, Lotus Measure saves the user from time consuming custom progra.mming, and eliminates the need for data to be entered by hand, or imported from other programs for analysis and reporting. Settings sheets within Measure allow the user to set up interface configurations and programming commands for instruments, or settings such as input data sources and sampling rates from A/D boards, while providing the means of storing a particular set up for any experiment so it is immediately and identically repeatable.
There is also an extended range of macro commands, as the original 1-2-3 advanced macro command language is supplemented by new spreadsheet cells so that raw A/D units can be translated straight into engineering values of temperature, strain, and so on.
Up to 64 channels of data may be acquired concurrently, and there is a facility to display up to 16 channels of incoming data in real time. All inputs are collected and stored directly into a 1-2-3 worksheet. Tel." 0256 470456.

Mettler SQC61 Quality Control System
The Mettler SQC61 Quality Control System helps to save costs by reducing overfilling to a minimum and by detecting and reporting underfilling immediately; homogeneous filling assures a constant standard of quality of the products.
The SQC61 system enables comprehensive documentation of the product to be printed out by the operator. The system takes national tolerance systems, including pharmacopeia, into account.
The SQC61 system can be used as a manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic weighing station. Both single and multiple weighing stations are available. Data for all recorded values are saved on cassette or disk.
The user has available a wide selection of parameters for the allocation of sample data. This includes sample designation and number, minimum fill quantity, density (for samples defined by volume), different tolerance systems, different tare inputs random sample size, various parameters for adjustment messages, weighing modes, etc.
The SQC61 system also offers a high degree offlexibility with regard to the evaluation. The use of two printers of different character width (80/132) simplifies the documentation as separation of statistical and sample data improves the overview. A mean value trace gives information on the behaviour of the filling process for up to four different samples at the same time. A histogram illustrates the statistical production data; this can be displayed at any time over various, freely definable periods.
Automation for microplate assays The new Biomek SL is a labware loading option for the Biomek 1000 automated laboratory workstation. The SL is capable of transferring labware and pipette tips to and from the Biomek 1000 tablet without operator intervention. It consists of a robotic arm, stack area with up to six stacks and mounting hardware to position the system in conjunction with the Biomek 1000. Up to three stack areas (a total of 18 stacks) provide maximum system capacity.
Individual stacks in each stack area hold labware to be loaded and three sizes are available: an eight-shelf version for multiwell plates; a fourshelf stack for P-250 tips, the Biomek reservoir system and minitubes; and a three-shelf unit for P-1000 tips and test-tubes.
Each stack is made to be interchangeable with any other of the same configuration and stack shelves are clearly identified by a numerical marking on the outer surface. Positive locating plates align stacks in the exact position for easy, error-free placement and removal.
The software package used for the Biomek 100 also operates the Biomek SL and, once the content of each stack has been defined, minimum commands are necessary to perform virtually any loading operation. A built-in checking facility eliminates the possibility of incompatible labware configurations being used.
No complicated teaching routines are needed for the Biomek software due to positive positioning of the various stacks, and all positioning and location commands are known to the system.
The Biomek SL utilises a tactile sensor in it's hand mechanism which allows it to 'feel' what is being gripped. All loading sequences are verified by this sensor which facilitates the removal and replacement of lids on multi-well plates. An alarm is also included to alert the operator in the event ofa load sequence tilure or the absence oflabware at a particular