Journal of Automatic Chemistry, Vol. 12, No. 2 (March-April 1990), pp. 80-91 Pittsburgh 1990 Conference--New Products The following were among the many new instruments and services offered through the exposition at the New York meeting High-performance mass spec- trometers for organic analysis In direct response to the explosive growth .in the pharmaceutical, biotechnical, and environmental industries, Finnigan MAT has intro- duced the TSQ 700 triple stage quadrupole and SSQ 700 single stage quadrupole mass spectrometers. These new mass spectrometers, shown at the 1990 Pittcon, are ideal for university, industrial and govern- mental laboratories-- especially where high performance and high productivity are key requirements. Designed for both MS and MS/MS applications, Finnigan’s TSQ 700 is based on the TSQ 70, the industry standard for MS/MS instrumenta- tion, and ensures enhanced per- formance by incorporating a non- linear octapole collision cell, an advanced 20 kV dynode detector, and a new X-windows-based version of the ICIS data system running on a DECstation 2100 workstation with the ULTRIX-32 operating system (DEC’s version of UNIX). The SSQ 700 is a single-stage version of the TSQ 700, and shares identical inlet techniques and post-acquisition mass spectrometry applications soft- ware. Advanced data system Finnigan MAT now offers an enhanced version of its ICIS data system with the 700 Series mass spectrometers. The ICIS II data system moves Finnigan MAT into the world of UNIX. . key advantage of the ICIS II data system is that, through the use of the DECstation technology, it provides an easy-to-use multi-tasking, multi- windowing environment that can be mouse or command-line driven to provide the user with maximum speed, without sacrificing the power, features, and flexibility of the original ICIS data system. The 700 Series systems include as standard features: a PostScript laser printer, TCP/IP Ethernet networking protocol, and a complete set of mouse-driven func- tions, such as window resizing, ’point Finnigan MAT’s Triple Stage Quadrupole 700 (TSQ 700), a high-performance GC or LC/MS/MS/DS system is targeted for university, industrial and governmental laboratories. Designed for both MS and MS applications, the TSQ 700 ensures enhancedperformance with its X-windows-based version of the ICIS data system running on a DECstation 2100 workstation with the UL TRIX-32 operating system (DE C’s version of UNIX). 8O
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Journal of Automatic Chemistry, Vol. 12, No. 2 (March-April 1990), pp. 80-91
Pittsburgh 1990 Conference--New Products
The following were among the many newinstruments and services offered through theexposition at the New York meeting
High-performance mass spec-trometers for organic analysis
In direct response to the explosivegrowth .in the pharmaceutical,biotechnical, and environmentalindustries, Finnigan MAT has intro-duced the TSQ 700 triple stagequadrupole and SSQ 700 single stagequadrupole mass spectrometers.These new mass spectrometers,shown at the 1990 Pittcon, are idealfor university, industrial and govern-mental laboratories-- especiallywhere high performance and highproductivity are key requirements.
Designed for both MS and MS/MS
applications, Finnigan’s TSQ 700 isbased on the TSQ 70, the industrystandard for MS/MS instrumenta-tion, and ensures enhanced per-formance by incorporating a non-linear octapole collision cell, anadvanced 20 kV dynode detector,and a new X-windows-based versionof the ICIS data system running on aDECstation 2100 workstation withthe ULTRIX-32 operating system(DEC’s version of UNIX).
The SSQ 700 is a single-stage versionof the TSQ 700, and shares identicalinlet techniques and post-acquisitionmass spectrometry applications soft-ware.
Advanced data system
Finnigan MAT now offers an
enhanced version of its ICIS datasystem with the 700 Series massspectrometers. The ICIS II datasystem moves Finnigan MAT intothe world of UNIX.
. key advantage of the ICIS II datasystem is that, through the use of theDECstation technology, it providesan easy-to-use multi-tasking, multi-windowing environment that can bemouse or command-line driven toprovide the user with maximumspeed, without sacrificing the power,features, and flexibility ofthe originalICIS data system. The 700 Seriessystems include as standard features:a PostScript laser printer, TCP/IPEthernet networking protocol, and acomplete set of mouse-driven func-tions, such as window resizing, ’point
Finnigan MAT’s Triple Stage Quadrupole 700 (TSQ 700), a high-performance GC or LC/MS/MS/DS system is targetedfor university,industrial andgovernmental laboratories. Designedfor both MS andMSapplications, the TSQ 700 ensures enhancedperformance withits X-windows-based version of the ICIS data system running on a DECstation 2100 workstation with the ULTRIX-32 operating system(DEC’s version of UNIX).
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and click’ selection of scans for spec-tral display, and library searchingand selection of new data files.
Unique instrument control language
Finnigan’s powerful, easy-to-use,proprietary Instrument Control Lan-guage (ICL) allows the mass spec-trometer to make real-time data-dependent decisions during acqui-sition. The ICL can be instructed tooptimize the configuration of themass spectrometer, inlets, lens volt,-ages, and analyser voltages; theacquisition parameters; and theexperiments themselves, based onincoming data.
Inlet techniques include TSP2, asecond generation instrument-con-trolled thermospray interface, fastatom bombardment (FAB), Bio-Probe (a continuous-flow FAB),desorption and solids probes, super-critical fluid chromatography (SFC),and electrospray ionization.
Details from the Finnigan Corporation,355 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose,California 95134, USA. Tel.: 408 4334800; fax: 408 433 4823.
Ionization technology for biotech-nology and pharmaceuticalresearch
The ESI System, together with theTSQ 700, also brings to the analystincreased information processingpower with the incorporation of theRISC architecture, 32-bit DEC-station 2100.
System versatility
The ESI System fits directly to theTSQ 700 platform, and is inter-changeable with other ionizationmodes (EI, CI, TSP, and FAB)which allows full flexibility for vari-ous types of analysis. This featureallows users of existing TSQ 700 70mass spectrometers the option ofretrofitting ESI..
ExperTune, a system-resident setof ICL procedures, automates thetuning and calibration of the massspectrometer. All MS and MS/MSfunctions can then be further opti-mized through the use of simplecommands. The user is given theoption of modifying system-residentprocedures or writing personalizedprocedures to fully customize and/orautomate the mass spectrometer forspecific laboratory applications.
High performance
The unique non-linear octapole colli-sion cell is a key performance featureof the TSQ 700. It allows increasedreproducibility of MS/MS spectraand makes tuning for MS/MS eveneasier than with a quadrupole orhexapole.. The octapole collision cellprovides maximum transmission ofions under multiple-collision con-ditions, while preventing high energyneutrals from reaching the detector.The 20 kV post-acceleration/conver-sion dynode detector has been de-signed to be virtually free fromelectronic noise.
System versatility
Both the TSQ 700 and SSQ 700 offera variety of inlets and ionizationtechniques. Standard featuresinclude: a gas chromatograph (GC),switchable EI/CI ion source withexchangeable ion Volumes and beam-collimating magnets, the ability todetect positive and negative ions onalternate scans, a mass range of 10 to4000 dalton, and a cradle vacuumsystem with differential turbomol-ecular pumping.
The Electrospray Ionization System(ESI) was also launched by FinniganMAT at Pittcon 1990. This newionization technology makes it poss-ible to obtain both molecular weighand structural information for bio-logical and organic compounds attrace levels by combining ESI andinnovative data processing softwarewith high performance tandem quad-rupole mass spectrometry.
Target markets
The Electrospray Ionization Systemis targeted for the biotechnology,pharmaceutical and academic mar-kets, especially where accurate massmeasurement and structure elucida-tion of biopolymers and other polarmolecules is required. The high per-formance capabilities of the ESI.System are also well suited for thegeneral organic and environmentalmarkets.
PerformanceThe new Finnigan MAT ESISystem, combined with the TSQ 700triple stage quadrupole mass spec-trometer, is designed for routinedetermination of molecular weightand structural information for com-pounds present at picomole or femto-mole levels. Taking advantage ofESI’s multiple charging capability,molecular weight determination ofpeptides and proteins can typicallybe made with 0"02% or better accu-racy. In addition, ESI and the TSQ700 produce structural informationat picomole sample levels for pep-tides.
Electrospray is a valuable adjunct tothe sample introduction and ioniza-tion capabilities of both the TSQ 70and 700 Series mass spectrometers.Compounds such as proteins andpeptides, drugs and their metab-olites, dyes, alkaloids, pesticides andtheir metabolites, and others thatgenerate ions in solution will benefitfrom high sensitivity MS and MS/MS analysis with the ESI System.
Samples can be introduced to theESI System either by liquid, chroma-tography (LC) or by capillary elec-trophoresis (CE). By simple streamsplitting, the effluent from standard4"6 mm LC columns as well as 2"1and mm microbore columns can beeffectively analysed. For fused silicacolumn LC or CE, the entire effluentis introduced into the mass spec-trometer. Utilizing the versatility ofthe TSQ 700, it is possible to makesoftware directed real-time datadependent decisions during acqui-sition to decide which parent ion toselect for MS/MS analysis. Thisprocedure conserves the sample andgenerates molecular weight andstructural information all in onechromatographic run.
SoftwareThe critical link between data gener-ation and problem solving is datainterpretation. The following soft-ware tools are included with ESISystem hardware only on the TSQ700, as part of the total analyticalsolution for the biochemistry labora-tory:
(1) New algorithms for plottingreconstructed mass chromato-
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grams to further improve signal-to-noise for LC or CE/ESI-MS(for example selected ion recon-structed chromatogram orSIRC).
(2) A deconvolution program (BIO-MASS) which automaticallyconverts the multiply-chargedion envelope plot (% relativeabundance versus m/z) gener-ated by proteins into a singlemass plot (% relative abundanceversus mass) from which theaccurate molecular weights canbe read directly.
(3) A peptide sequence matchingprogram (PEPMATCH) whichautomatically compares MS/MSdaughter ion data for putativeknown peptides with their pre-dicted MS/MS ions.
(4) Additional software to ease andimprove the interpretation ofESI data, as well as data gener-ated by other ionization tech-niques, particularly as theyapply to biochemistry andbiotechnology.
Detailsfrom Finnigan MAT (above).
High-resolution magnetic massspectrometryAlso new from Finnigan MAT is theMAT 95. The MAT 95 is a highthroughput system with the versa-tility to perform trace environmentalanalyses and high mass determina-tions. The instrument is especiallysuited to trace-level dioxin analyses.
The MAT 95 brings to the analystvastly increased information process-ing power with the incorporation ofthe RISC architecture DECstation2100. This 32-bit computer employsthe ULTRIX-32 operating system,DEC windows applications, andaffords the user maximum flexibilityfor networking to a variety of per-ipheral equipment and other datasystems.
The MAT 95 offers a variety of inletsystems and ionization techniques.They include: GC, solids probe, fullyautomated solids probe (AUDE-VAP), desorption CI probe, FAB,continuous flow FAB, thermosprayLC/MS, FD/FI, and positive andnegative chemical ionization.
The MAT 95 can be upgraded to theMAT 95Q tandem mass spec-trometer, by the addition of a non-linear octapole collision cell andhigh-performance mass analyser.
Detailsfrom Finnigan MAr (above).
Environmental scanning electronmicroscope
ElectroScan Corporation announcedat Pittcon that its recently introducedenvironmental scanning electronmicroscope (ESEM) will soon beused to investigate the degradationprocess of basic materials making upart and architectural treasures.
The Getty Conservation Institute inMarina del Rey, California, has pur-chased an ESEM to observe directlyhow environmental pollutants affectthe materials used by painters, sculp-tors and architects.
Up to now it has been impossible towatch many degradation processesas they occur because the standardscanning electron microscope (SEM)does not display the process while it’shappening. According to the Getty, itwas previously possible only to get a’before and after’ picture of whattakes place to ESEM allows conser-vationists to view the sample in itsnatural, unaltered state and toobserve and videotape the changes inreal time. More can be learnt bycombining still micrographs withdynamic information from the video.Conservationists will understandbetter under what conditions thingsdegrade-- stones, metal, pigment--and then be better able to devisecontrols to preserve them.
More information from Electro Scan, 66Concord Stret, Wilmington, Massachusetts01887, USA.
Mass spectrometer
Delsi-Nermag Instruments intro-duced the RESOLVER3-ES. Thistriple quadrupole mass spectrometerequipped with the electrospray/ion-ization source (ESPI) is targeted atthe protein/peptide sequencing mar-ket. With ESPI, molecules in theKilodalton mass range can be intro-duced into a specially engineered
collision cell where fragmentation ofthe multiply charged ions takesplace. Data generated and acquiredby the PDP-1173 computer is trans-fered to a small PC where all MWand interpretation calculations arehandled. Thermospray and FAB ion-ization options a’e also available.
More information from Delsi-NermagInstruments, 15701 West Hardy Road,#1, Houston, Texas 77060, USA. Tel.:713 847 0811.
Digital announces ILA standardsprogram enhancements
Digital Equipment Corporationannounced Phase III enhancementsto its Integrated Laboratory Auto-mation (ILA) Standards program atPittcon. Phase III of the ILA Stan-dards Program expands the stan-dards to include user interfacecriteria, as well as enhanced tech-nical criteria for communications.The enhancements make it simplerfor laboratory instruments and appli-cations from different vendors toexchange information and integratetheir applications.
Although Data Integration levels arenot changing, Digital continuallyenhances components of Data Inte-gration via the Digital CDA (Com-pound Document Architecture)specifications. All extensions andchanges to the ILA Program areevolutionary, requiring no backwardchanges for present participants.Extensions include enhancements tothe quality and levels of data inter-change.
In addition to an evolutionarygrowth in the number of levels, theILA Standards Program will pursueoptional validation testing for userinformation where practical. Whilethe level requirements for differenttechnical criteria have been ex-
panded, the explanation for confor-mance has been clarified and simpli-fied.
The ILA Standards Program, a keycomponent of Digital’s ComputerIntegrated Research (CIR) strategy,is the first and only standards pro-gram aimed at laboratory integra-
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tion. It defines how products com-municate and share data for applica-tions such as real-time data acqui-sition, data analysis, laboratoryinformation management, scientificdocument processing and variousother laboratory applications. ILAsupports a compatible integratedenvironment from the laboratorybench to the supercomputer. Pro-ducts are available from Digital, fromthird-party laboratory instrumentvendors and from software vendors.Currently, more than 36 vendorssupply 80 plus conforming products.The goal in 1990 is to expand to 48vendors and 100 plus products withmore than a dozen reaching the newhighest level of conformance (classA). Class A conformance providesend-users with seamless applicationintegration requiring little or noeffort on the part of customers.
The technical criteria revisions affecttwo areas: communications and userinterface.
Communication: with internationalstandards now a reality for communi-cations, the ILA Program wasupdated to include OSI under DEC-net (DECnet/OSI). To provideproper UNIX connections TCP/IPhas also been added.
User interface: a new component hasbeen added to the technical criteriafor user interface. The highest level ofsupport will be DECwindows (XUIor MOTIF). DECwindows, andNAS service, specifies the key com-ponents for a consistent end user andapplication developer interface.These criteria are critical to end usersfor making their environment easy tolearn and use, with a consistent ’lookand feel’. Application developers cangain application portability acrosssystems (i.e. ULTRIX, VMS etc.),as well as ensuring a solid applicationintegration environment for the enduser.
tion types supported by CDA includetext, graphics, image, numerical andtabular data. CDA is extensible andwill expand to include new technolo-gies, including voice and video.
Digital’s Document InterchangeFormat (DDIF) and Tabular Inter-change Format (DTIF) are both partof the Compound Document Archi-tecture. These formats provide ameans of storing information so thatit can be accessed by any conformingapplication. With CDA, data can beshared and transported without theneed for specific product-to-productdata bridges. Compliance with CDAalso reduces or eliminates the needfor additional programming by enduser organizations. Specifications arebeing pursued for extending the’Data Interchange’ criteria to accom-modate analytical instrument data.This extension could be implementedvia the Digital CDA tools as anextension to DTIF.
Details from Richard Gauthier, DigitalEquipment Corporation, 4 Results WayMR04-2/C16, Marlboro, Massachusetts01752-912, USA. Tel.: 508 467 7752.
Gas mixer
Environics Inc., a Connecticutmanufacthrer of gas managementinstruments, unveiled its Series 2000Computerized Multi-ComponentGas Mixer, which blends nine gasessimultaneously. The instrument per-mits users to rapidly generate multi-component, precision gas calibrationstandards by dynamic dilution. LowPPM and PPB concentrations ofcomponent gases can be achievedwith 1% accuracy. The instrumentmakes it easy for the analyticalchemist to improve the quality ofgasanalyser data through frequent calib-ration without expensive, speciallyprepared cylinders.
character cold cathode lit LCD dis-play and serial data interfaces.
Details from Environics Inc., 165 RiverRoad, West Willington, Connecticut06279, USA. Tel.: 203 429 0077; fax:203 429 5040.
LabStation
LabStation, which was demon-strated in New York, provides themost cost-effective solution for inte-grating analytical instruments anddata with corporate and laboratorycomputer systems. LabStation is aPC-based, universal solution appli-cable to all instruments and allLIMS.
For the industrial environment Lab-Station provides all the featuresrequired by quality assurance, pro-duction and quality control. LabSta-tion provides a consistent user inter-face to all instruments. Automated,repeatable methods ensure integrityof tests and data. Communicationscapabilities provide immediate noti-fication of results. In research anddevelopment, pre-clinical and prod-uct and process development, Lab-Station offers other unique strengths.A modular design provides thecapability ofreconfiguring a worksta-tion. New instruments can be easilyadded.
In summary, LabStation is a productdesigned to provide the LaboratorySystem that you need. From a singleworkstation, to a building block for aLaboratory System, to the integralcomponent operating under anyLIMS or corporate system; LabSta-tion grows with you and continuallymeets your changing requirements.
Detailsfrom Taratec, 1170 Route 22 East,Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807, USA.Tel.: 201 725 8090.
Digital’s Compound DocumentArchitecture is an open, integratedarchitecture which provides a com-plete environment for the creation,manipulation, management, ex-change, publishing, viewing, mail-ing, storage, and retrieval ofrevisablecompound documents throughout anetworked heterogeneous computingenvironment. The diverse informa-
The Series 2000 uses the powerfulInmos ’T’ series Transputer, a 32-bitparallel microprocessor capable ofhandling 800000 floating pointinstructions per second (FLOPS).This microprocessor commands theS-2000s mass flow controllers inresponse to user instructions enteredthrough the keyboard. The S-2000comes equipped with a 25-line, 80-
JEOLThe Analytical Instruments divisionof JEOL USA had several newinstruments to introduce in NewYork City. Their Mass Spectrometrygroup featured ’COMPLEMENT’, anew data system built around theHP’s engineering workstation.COMPLEMENT offers a perfect
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match to theJEOL’S high resolutionmagnetic sector line of Mass Spec-.trometers by combining ease of usewith very high speed 32 bit comput-ing power.
The NMR group demonstrated forthe first time the CPF-400 NMRspectrometer. With the introductionof the CPF-400, the cost of high fieldNMR is reduced to what was re-served for routine NMR spectromet-ers. Like the very popular CPF-270,the CPF-400 is capable of beingoperated by the non-expert in a fullautomation mode, but still has theability to produce high qualityresearch data.
Also at Pittcon JEOL USA an-nounced a new line of instruments;the RE series of ESR spectrometers.These very high sensitivity instru-ments have been a tremendous suc-cess in the rest of the world. Inaddition to being used in analyticallaboratories, the RE series has foundgreat popularity in the newly emerg-ing biochemical applications.
Full details from JEOL USA, 11 Dear-born Road, Peabody, Massachusetts01960, USA. Tel.: 508 535 5900.
Chemist’s access system
Molecular Design Ltd launched theChemist’.s Access System, an add-onenhancement application to its exist-ing set Of programs, the Chemist’sPersonal Software Series (CPSS).The Chemist’s Access System will letresearchers automatically log-on toand search the online chemical data-bases CAS Online, Beilstein File, andBeilstein Online, via the search ser-vices STN International or Dialog,and to subsequently use retrieveddata in their CPSS programs on aPC.
ChemTalk Plus is CPSS’s programfor terminal emulation, file transferand online database access, designedspecifically for chemists. UsingChemTalk Plus enhanced by theChemist’s Access System, users willbe able to logon automatically withthe click ofa mouse to CAS Online orBeilstein File via the search serviceSTN International, or to BeilsteinOnline via the search service Dialog.
Once logged onto CAS Onlinechemists can perform chemical struc-ture or substructure searches of theCAS Registry File or text searches ofthe CA File with a simple mousecommand. Or, logged onto BeilsteinFile or Beilstein Online, chemists canperform chemical structure or sub-structure searches of these databses,again with a simple mouse com-mand. In either case, because theydraw the structure queries ottline inChemTalk Plus prior to logging on,expensive online time is minimal.The Chemist’s Access ’System auto-matically translates structure queriesinto a form that STN International’sCAS Online and Beilstein File orDialog’s Beilstein Online under-stands, so chemists need only knowthe drawing conventions of their PCsoftware.
Ottline, users can easily transfer thecaptured information into a Chem-Text document or into a ChemBasedatabase. ChemText is CPSS’simage and text processor for chemistsand ChemBase is CPSS’s chemicaldatabase management system forindividual chemists. Users do notneed to redraw structures or retypedata.
When transferring captured data to aChemText document, the Chemist’sAccess System transfers both thestructure graphics and the textualinformation into ChemText. Whentransferring data to a ChemBasedatabase, it automatically placesfields of the originating database,such as Registry Number, CommonName, Molecular Formula, andMolecular Model Information intocorresponding ChemBase data fieldsfor future searching, The systemplaces structural images from Dia-log’s Beilstein Online into molfilefields that can be structurallysearched. It places structures fromSTN International’s CAS Onlineand Beilstein File into metafile datafields. Although not searchable bystructure (as are structures entereddirectly into ChemBase), theseimages round out the database with agraphic view of the molecular data.
Further information from MolecularDesign, 2132 Farallon Drive, San Lean-dro, California 94577, USA. Tel.: 415895 1313.
Sulphur chemiluminescencedetector
The Model 350B Sulfur Chemilu-minescence Detector for GC and SFCwas introduced by Sievers Research.The Model 350B is based on thesame proven chemistry as the Model350 but incorporates new electronicsto provide a wider linear range ofgreater than five orders of magni-tude, reduced background noise andno measurable peak broadening. TheModel 350B can be fitted to any GCor SFC equipped with a flame ioniza-tion detector. Both the sulphur signalfrom the SCD 350B and the hydro-carbon signal from the FID can bemonitored simultaneously withoutpost-column splitting. The Model350B is the most sensitive sulphur-selective detector available for usewith both GC and SFC.
Detailsfrom Sievers Research, Inc., 1930Central Avenue, Suite C, Boulder, Color-ado 80301, USA. Tel.: 303 444 2009;fax: 303 444 9543.
Particle size analyser
A new line of MICROTRAC(R)particle size analysers that canmeasure particle sizes in the ultrafinerange (down to 0"005 microns), aswell as sizes up to 700 microns, withone modular system, was demon-strated by Leeds & Northrup.
Designated the Series 9200, the newline provides the broadest size rangein the most compact system of anyother known offering on the market.The basic MICROTRAC system(see picture) comprises: (1) a laser-based analyser, selected from achoice of three models for the rangedesired; and (2) a Computer ControlModule, which has extensive soft-ware to drive the particle size ana-lyser in either an ’Operating’ modeor a ’Data Management System’mode.
The Series 9200 system can measurea variety ofmaterials--fine or coarse,wet or dry, in small or large samplevolumes. For research, testing, or
production control applications, thelaser-based MICRoTRAC hasalready been proven effective forliterally thousands of materials--such as cement, ceramics, chemicals,
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explosives, foods, oil/water emul-sions, pharmaceuticals, talc, and tarsands.
For a minimum initial investment,the user can start with one of threeanalysers, each of which works withthe same Computer Control Module.They are: Full range analyser, (0" to700 microns); Standard range analyser,(0"7 to 700 microns); and Ultrafineparticle range analyser (0"005, to 3 mic-rons). Each system can cover its fullrange with a single measurementusing the latest in light-scatteringlaser technology. Tests can be run asfast as one a minute to providereliable, repeatable results.
Compactness of the Series 9200System is evident from the photo-graph which shows two of the threeavailable analysers on either side ofthe Computer Control Module. TheUltrafine particle analyser (UPA) onthe left measures just 4 6 15inches, and the Full range analyser(FRA) on the right measures 22 12
13 inches. The Standard rangeanalyser (SRA) is identical in size tothe FRA. All three with the ControlModule can easily fit on a 3 5 footbench.
The Quantum 12001 PLUS, the industrial version ofthe Quantum 1200 PLUS VIS/NIRGeneral Purpose Analyzer, which was designedfor long-term unattended use in processenvironments including hazardous environments. The instrument, which was demonstrated atthe 1990 Pittcon, performs real-time non-destructive analysis of I0 or more constituents,simultaneously. It operates on the process line on a real-time basis (fivefull spectrum scansper second). Details from L.T. Industries, 6110 Executive Blvd, Rockville, Maryland20852, USA. Tel.: 301 468 6777.
Details from Leeds & Northrup, NorthWales, Pennsylvania 19454, USA. Tel.:215 699 2000.
Quiet vacuum pumps
Galileo Vacuum Systems has intro-duced a new set of quiet, portablerotary vacuum pumps for a variety ofindustrial and scientific applications.
The small pumps provide a goodultimate vacuum, low working tem-
perature and are light in weight forheavy duty use with displacementfrom 4 CFM to 57 CFM. The ’Vac-sound’ line of pumps is equippedwith a baailt-in lubricating .pump foroptimum.operating safety and highpumping speed at all working pres-sures from 1000 mbr down. Pumpscome with either single or three-phase American motors a-nd featurehydraulically operated isolationvalves to avoid pressure rise or suc-tion line contamination.
The Leeds & Northrup MICRoTRAC Series 9200 Particle Size Analyser comprises a (1)Computer Control Module (centre), which uses a fast and reliable, MSCompac 386; and (2) a selected model of analyser. On the left is the UPA model with a0"005 to 3 micron range, and on the right, the FRA model with a 0"1 to 700 micron range. Athird analyser option, the SRAfor a O" 7 to 700 micron range, is similar in appearance andsize to the FRA.
High gas ballast flow gives thepumps increased capacity to handlecondensable gases and water vapour.They have no copper or copper alloyparts and employ fluorinated elas-tomer gaskets. They are constructedfor economical service, having inter-changeable parts, and .the entire
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inner pump module can be easilyreplaced.
For further information contact GalileoVacuum Systems, a division of GalileoCorporation ofAmerica, at 64 Field Road,Unit-3B, PO Box 868, Somers, Connecti-cut 06071, USA. Tel.: 203 763 4004.
Introductions from Waters at thePittsburgh Conference
Waters Chromatography Division ofMillipore introduced a capillary elec-trophoresis system, a pulsed electro-chemical detector for high sensitivitychromatographic applications, a
photodiode array detector forimproved spectral analysis and col-umn chemistries for HPLC at the1990 Pittsburgh Conference in NewYork City. These new products aredescribed briefly below.
Waters Quanta 4000 Capillary Electro-phoresis System
Waters new, affordable Quanta 4000(see picture) is a fully automatedcapillary electrophoresis system thatallows multiple, unattended analysesand offers an autopurge feature thatspeeds throughput and improvesaccuracy by automatically cleaningthe capillaries after each run. TheQuanta 4000 is compatible withWaters chromatography worksta-tions and features a high-sensitivity,low noise UV/Vis detector designedto detect even trace level com-ponents. Waters Quanta 4000 Capil-lary Electrophoresis System can beused to separate biomolecules, phar-maceuticals, and small ions.
The Waters 991 Photodiode ArrayDetector offers improved spectralanalysis capabilities providingimmediate qualitative assessment ofpeak homogeneity and rapid distinc-tion of spectal differences and simi-larities. The 991 also provides auto-mated peak purity checking for thedetection of co-eluting peaks. TheWaters 991 Photodiode Array Detec-tor is available as a free-standingmodule or as part of a fully-inte-grated Waters PowerLine HPLCsystem.
464 Pulsed Electrochemical Detector
The Waters 464 Pulsed Electrochem-ical Detector offers high sensitivityfor a broad range ofchromatographicapplications. It offers three modes ofoperation, DC, Pulse and Scan, toprovide versatility for the analysis ofa variety of compounds. The Waters464 offers a variety of cell and elec-trode options for specific applicationchemistries as well.
Waters Protein-Pak HR (high performance resin) ion exchange columns.
Enhanced Software for Waters Maximaand Baseline Chromatography Worksta-tions
The Version 3.3 of the Maxima andBaseline Chromatography softwareallows calibration ofnon-consecutivepeak groupings for analysis of PCBs
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and other multi-peak analytes. Otherimprovements include integrationwith multiple sets of integrationparameters for better results on mul-tiple detector systems, 24-pin printresolution for improved graphics ondot-matrix printers, and enhancedLC and QC system control capabili-ties.
Enhanced GPC Optionfor Maxima Chro-matography Workstations
This Gel Permeation Chromato-graphy (GPC) software performsbroad standards (Purdon-Mate) cal-ibration, in addition to the narrowstandards technique. New graphicprogram capabilities include theclear definition of baseline and pro-cessing start and end points and newscreen displays include area andmolecular weight normalized"distri-butions and overlays of chromato-grams.
New Cartridges and Chemistries
In addition, Waterss showed a newline of high resolution, prepackedcolumns for the analytical and prepa-rative separation of biomolecules.Waters Protein-Pak HR (see picture)(high performance resin) ionexchange columns permit directpurification of immunoglobulinsfrom ascites or cell culture super-natants. The Protein-Pak HR seriesprovide high resolution, excellentrecovery of protein mass and biolog-ical activity and high protein bindingcapacity. Performance is optimizedwhen used with Waters 650 Ad-vanced Protein Purification System.
Automated sample preparation
Among the many products demon-strated by Zymark in New York wasthe range of Workstations which aredesigned to eliminate such routinelaboratory sample preparation tasksas dilutions, reagent and internalstandard additions, vortex mixing,weighing, membrane filtration, solidphase extractions, and dual HPLCauto injection. The BenchMate pre-cisely and accurately performs dilu-tions either gravimetrically or vol-umetrically and can even determinethe density ofyour sample. Methodsare set up through use of simplemenu screens using a non-dedicatedPC. An audit trail is created usingsample ID number and weight val-.ues. This data is stored on disk andcan be presented in a simple spreadsheet format. The BenchMate Work-station uses industry standard dis-posable filters and solid phase extrac-tion columns.
Details from Sharon Correia, ZymarkCorporation, Hopkinton, Massachusetts01748, USA.
Computer-controlled distillationdevice
Bran + Luebbe Analyzing Technolo-gies showed a new TRAACS 800microdistillation module at PittConwhich automttically analyses cyan-ide, phenol and other volatile ana-
lytes in drinking-water, sea-water orindustrial waste water twice asquickly than previous automaticmethods and 25 times faster thanconventional manual means.
The module uses EPA Certified refer-ence check samples to analyse up to50 samples per hour with an accu-racy fully equivalent to manualmethods with much lower detectionlimits and significantly higher levelsof consistency and repeatability
Bran + Luebbe’s advanced com-puter-controlled TRAACS 800 wetchemistry laboratoi’y analysis systemis a multi-application system inwhich a computer assumes control ofmany activities, including sophisti-cated calibration adjustment, ran-dom access sampling and resam-pling, and even dilution and re-runsof off-scale samples, without anyneed for operator/manual interven-tion.
TRAACS 800 is a continuous-flowanalytical system with a state of theart peristaltic pump, using electron-ically controlled pressurized bubbleinjection for reliable stream segmen-tation. It has conservative reagentflow rates of only 400-900 tl perminute, up to 10 pump lines peranalytical channel, and a new fibreoptic dual-channel colorimeter withimproved detection limits.
Waters also announced a non-metal-lic Delta-Pak C8 column. This 3-9150 mm column is packed with 300A, 4 tm reverse phase material. TheDelta-Pak column is compatible withWaters non-metallic 625 LC Systemand allows the selection of novelmobile phase modifiers such as HC1for reversed .phase HPLC peptidemapping. Use of HC1 modifiedmobile phases is made possible byincorporating polymeric materials inthe advanced Delta-Pak and 625 LCSystem designs.
For more information on any of theseproductsplease contact Carole Wade-Clarkat Waters Chromatography Division ofMillipore, 34 Maple Street, Milford,Massachusetts 01757, USA. A Zymark Benchmate workstation--demonstrated at Pittcon 1990.
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The Reagent Sequencer, an ad-vanced option of the TRAACS 800system, was also demonstrated live atBran + Luebbe’s Pittcon booth thisyear. In conjunction with TRAACS800 Environmental Multitest Cart-ridges, the Sequencer makes it easy
for a laboratory to run to 10 separatechemistries .in one day without man-ual changeover. Clean-up and newreagent introduction are accom-plished completely automatically,directed by computer.
Bran + Luebbe personnel and keyusers presented papers at Pittcon onthe microdistillation concept, a casehistory of reservoir eutrificationstudies in New Jersey and develop-ments in autodilution via theTRAACS 800 system, as well astechniques for stack gas analysisusing the Bran + Luebbe On-LineMonitor.
In addition to environmental testing,TRAACS 800 is valuable for use inthe fields of chemical process, foodtechnology, agricultural testing, toxi-cology, pharmaceutical quality con-trol, biotechnology and veterinaryscience.
Details from Bran + Luebbe, AnalyzingTechnologies, Inc., 103 Fairview ParkDrive, Elmsford, New York 10523-1500,USA. Tel..: 914 524 8133; fax: 914 5248294.
The Microdistillation Module operates under the control ofthe Bran + Luebbe TRAACS800 System shown here.
The new Isogene Kitfrom Perkin-Elmer Cetus allows bioresearchers to extract andpurifysample DNAfrom impurities that normally inhibit the GeneAmp PCRprocess. It can alsobe used to purify PCR-amplified DNA isolated by agarose gels. (Details fromPerkin-Elmer.)
Perkin-Elmer
Perkin-Elmer announced a substan-tial number of new products at Pitt,
con 1990--a few are described hereand the rest will be included in laterissues ofJournal ofAutomatic Chemistry.
MGA 1600
Perkin-Elmer’s programmable MGA1600 Multiple Gas Analyser providesusers complete keyboard controlthrough an IBM or Epson Computerfor all process gas analysis and otherindustrial gas monitoring applica-tions. The new MGA can analyse upto 16 components in up to 50 streams,with a typical analysis time of 12 s perstream.
This enhanced version of the MGA1600 .is menu driven and offers fivemodes of operation. The ’Normal’mode automatically sequences sam-pling from stream-to-stream. ’Man-ual Mode’ allows the user to inter-vene the automatic cycle for portspecific analysis needs. An ’Investi-gative Scan’ mode allows the entiresystem to be scanned for any com-ponent with mass-to-charge ratiosfrom 2 to 120 making reprogram-mability easy. Other systemparameters can be adjusted such as:sampling sequences and alarm levels
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a speed of 5000 compounds perminute. Users have a choice of threemodes: ’Library Edit’, ’LibrarySearch’ and ’Library Build’ whenusing the software.
The Remote Analysis Station (RAS)is an IBM PS/2 Series ComputerStation and operating Software thatallows data archiving and remoteoperation of up to 99 ICAMS.
Via a user-friendly scheduling utilityin the RAS software, operators areable to easily establish anautomaticrouting for ICAMS data outputdownloading the .compression.
A new mechanical testing analysis system availablefrom Perkin-Elmer simplifies dynamictesting of a broad range of materials. Called the Perkin-Elmer DMA 7 DynamicMechanical Analyzer, the system combines new software and hardwarefeatures that allowusers to take full advantage of its capabilities for materials characterization, from softsamples to high modulus composites and ceramics. (Detailsfrom Perkin-Elmer.)
via an ’Auxiliary mode’. Self-diag-nostics prevent inaccurate analysisfrom being reported due to systemmalfunction, and a ’Diagnosticsmode’ will assist in determining thesource of error. Automatic calibra-tion and verification (initiated on atimed basis or on command throughthe keyboard, calibration takes only afew minutes). To verify calibration, a’check gas’ with all the componentsin the analyses can be automaticallyintroduced.
A magnetic sector mass spec-trometer, at the heart of every MGA1600, ensures accuracy, reliability,and long-term stability. The MGA1600 can be linked via a modem toPerkin-Elmer’s service hot line, thusensuring application assistance forthe most complex system problemwithout any delay.
Library search application software for1CAMS
ICAMS is a Perkin-Elmer toxic gassecurity system that has become theaccepted system of choice for indus-trial air-quality monitoring applica-tions world wide.
The New Library Search ApplicationSoftware expands ICAMS chemicalidentification capability by allowingusers to quickly identify ’unknown’chemical compounds in mixtures orunusual odours not found on theICAMS pre-programmed monitor-ing list. A list of probable chemicalscan be generated to help identifythese ’unknowns’. The LibrarySearch Application Software doesthis in less than a minute. Bypromptly identifying common invad-ing odours, savings in lost work timeand unnecessary plant evacuationscan be realized. This capability alsohelps protect employees from trulyhazardous substances by identifyingtheir real nature.
Library Search is an applicationsoftware program that resides in anICAMS Remote Analysis Station(RAS). It consists of mass spectraldata on more than 30000 chemicalcompounds. This large ReferenceLibrary is derived from the NationalBureau of Standards (NBS) Library.The program also accommodates upto 51 user-defined libraries and hasthe capability to search this library at
The Remote Analysis Station offersindustrial hygenists and environ-mental engineers a collection andapplication program.computer work-station and provides the link forinteraction with various ICAMSdata stations throughout a facility.Plant safety and industrial hygienepersonnel can view displayed data aswell as send and receive informationand commands from one centralstation.
For more information on Perkin-.Elmerproducts contact; The Perkin-Elmer Cor-poration, Applied Science Division, N.Garey Avenue, Pomona, California 91767,USA. Tel.: 714 593 3581;fax: 714 596230.1.
Lab management and data auto-mation products
Automated Compliande Systems,Inc. (ACS) is a full service environ-mental data management servicescompany founded in 1988. Head-quartered in Bridgewater, New Jer-sey, ACS has satellite locations inOak Ridge, Tennessee, Irvine, Cali-fornia, and San Mateo, California.Planning, building, loading, main-taining and managing decision sup-port environmental data bases areACS’s core services. At Pittcon ’90ACS introduced a solution for LIMS(laboratory information manage-ment systems) specifically designedfor industrial and commercial envi-ronmental laboratories.
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ACS differs from commercial LIMSsolutions in the following ways:
(1) ACS conducts an extensiveanalysis of the current informa-tion processes with. each clientand produces a detailed perfor-mance specification andimplementation plan whichserves as the ’blueprint’ for thesystem implementation. Theresult of this effort, the LAB-PLAN (details enclosed), pro-vide the basis for the company’sguarantee and defines therequirements unique to each lab-oratory. This allows ACS tobend its system, not the labora-tory and guarantee performanceresults.
(2) ACS has developed two primarysoftware modules, SEEDPAK1and SEEDPAK2. SEEDPAK1 isa production, management andcontrol application uniquelyadapted to each environmentallaboratory. SEEDPAK2 auto-mates the collection, consolida-tion, and reporting functionswithin the environmental lab.Together they .form a fully inte-grated application for themanagement of an environmen-tal laboratory.
(3) ACS’s products are based on thestandard features of theindustry’s leading relationaldatabase management system
(RDMS), ORACLE, and theindustry standard fourth genera-tion reporting language, Struc-tured Query Reporting Lan-guage (SQL). The applicationsrun in the UNIX environmentand are scaleable and portablefrom 386-based IBM CompatiblePC’s to larger mainframes. TheACS applications are hardwarevendor independent. The com,
pany provides, the source code aspart of client licenses.
Further informationfrom Automated Com-pliance Systems, Inc., 245 Highway 22West, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807USA. Tel.: 201 707 4100.
Representing a powerful combination ofHPLC instruments and all ofthe software necessaryfor developing separations, the new LCAnalystExpert Methods Development Systemfrom Perkin-Elmer has been developed with the requirements ofpharamceutical methods developmentsin mind, as well as to serve as a top-of-the-line research liquid chromatography system for environmental, food and beverage, and otheranalytical applications. System components include the Perkin-Elmer 620 Quaternary Pump, ISS-200 Autosampler, and LC-235 DiodeArray Detector. (Detailsfrom Perkin-Elmer.)
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British instruments
Fifteen British manufacturersdemonstrated their products througha booth organized by Gambica, theUK’s trade association for theinstrumentation, control and auto-mation industry. Some of the com-panies are described briefly here.
Kariba Instruments (Star TechnologyCentre, Hadfield Road, LeccwithIndustrial Estate, Cardiff, WalesCF 8AQ, UK) exhibited for the firsttime in the US both an advanced airoven (AAO) for HPLC and anadvanced gas chromatograph(AGC). Both utilize a novel heating/cooling approach to achieve sub-ambient and elevated temperaturespreviously not readily available toHPLC and GC users.
The AGC range of gas chromato-graphs has been specifically designedso that they can be customized tobecome ’black box’ components ana-lysers for use in dedicated laboratoryand process monitoring applications.Both the AAO and AGC reflect theuser requirement for minimum foot-print (approximately 4" and 11"
bench width respectively), maximumsafety and ease of use.
Carbolite Furnaces (Bamford Mill,Bamford, Sheffield 530 2AU, UK)introduced a range of tube furnaces.Examples ofrapid heating, high tem-
perature and small chamber furnaceswere also demonstrated. The tubefurnaces, covering a temperaturerange from 900C to 1600C in avariety of standard tube diametersand lengths, have been designed foruse in gas analysis, material testing,ceramic firing, continuous strip heat-ing and thermo-couple calibration.Most ofthese are available in verticalor horizontal format.
The latest Universal HPLC Detec-tor, the model CD1000 featured byAnalinkl (Unit D, Cardiff Workshops,Lewis Road, East Moors, CardiffCF1 5EG, UK) is claimed to be themost effective for detecting any un-known non-UV absorbing com-pound with gradient elution HPLC.The CD1000 can handle aqueous,non-aqueous and gradient elution atvariable flow rates and is able toquickly detect compounds regardlessof their functional group. It isclaimed to detect unknown and unex-
pected compounds which have amass range between 200 and 10million without having to calculateindividual detector responses and ithas a simple analog/integrator out-put.
Several innovative products weredemonstrated by Hi-Tech Scientific(Brunel Road, Salisbury, WiltshireSB2 7PU, UK). The Hi-Mix range ofsample handling/mixing deviceswere featured. These allow rapid,precise and easy mixing of reagentsand samples for a range of applica-tions including FT-1R, UV/VIS
spectroscopy, fluorescence, andrapid mixing techniques such asstopped-flow. Direct injection ofmixed components into the cell incor-porates accurate thermostatting, andfacilitates the handling of hazardousmaterial, even under anaerobic con-ditions.
Omnifit (51 Norfolk Street, Cam-bridge CB 2LE, UK) presented newhigh performance chromatographycolumns, accessories and fittings,together with miniature inert valvesand connectors and solvent deliverysystems.
