<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 25th August 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies, Metrohm </strong>and <strong>Shimadzu</strong> and<strong> </strong>poster by <strong>Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Low-Level UV-Vis Haze Detection for Improved Reliability of Li-Ion Battery Electrolytes &nbsp;</strong></h3><p><strong>Overcoming quality control blind spots with the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=Cary+60+UV-Vis"><strong>Cary 60 UV-Vis</strong></a><strong> and the diffuse reflectance accessory (DRA)</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_electrolyte_haze_cary_60_uv_vis_dra_5994_8446en_agilent_2f171821a2.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become indispensable in modern life, powering everything from portable electronics to electric vehicles. As demand grows for higher-capacity, longer-lasting, and more efficient batteries, research efforts continue to focus on optimizing every component, including the electrolyte.&nbsp;</p><p>The electrolyte plays a critical role in battery performance by enabling the transport of ions between the two electrodes. It typically consists of a lithium salt, most commonly lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6 ), dissolved in a mixture of organic carbonate solvents such as ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). However, these electrolyte formulations are highly sensitive to moisture and prone to degradation over time. This degradation can lead to the formation of particulate matter or impurities that are invisible to the naked eye but can significantly impact electrolyte quality during manufacturing.&nbsp;</p><p>In this application note, we explore how the Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis spectrophotometer, paired with an Agilent Cary 60 diffuse reflectance accessory (DRA), can be used to assess LIB electrolyte quality.&nbsp;</p><p>Traditional UV-Vis transmission compartments can struggle with low-scattering samples like electrolytes, as scattered light may bypass the detector and lead to inaccurate readings. The Cary 60 DRA mitigates this limitation by enhancing light collection efficiency, making it well-suited for low-level haze&nbsp;analysis.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Diffuse transmission spectra and haze measurements were collected using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=Cary+60+UV-Vis"><strong>Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis spectrophotometer </strong></a>controlled by the Agilent <strong>Cary WinUV Color software</strong>. The software allows users to select from a range of calculation options, including standardized color coordinate systems such as those defined by the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE).&nbsp;</p><p>For this application, the "Haze as per D1003" calculation mode was selected, which requires four individual scans to be performed using the DRA integrating sphere.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis equipped with a diffuse reflectance accessory (DRA) for assessing the quality of LIB electrolytes through haze measurements. The innovative method enabled the detection of particulates and early signs of degradation that are not visible to the naked eye, but can significantly impact battery performance, safety, and lifespan. Haze levels of the solutions increased notably with storage time and exposure to air, confirming the instrument's sensitivity to moisture‑induced changes in electrolyte composition. Measuring low-scattering samples in a standard UV‑Vis transmission compartment can be difficult because scattered light may miss the detector, causing inaccurate measurements. The Cary 60 DRA improves light collection efficiency, making it ideal for low-level haze analysis. As the integrating sphere collects all scattered light, this technique monitors minor changes in electrolyte condition, which is useful for assessing samples stored or transported under different environmental conditions. With the added advantage of automated calculations and reporting through the Agilent Cary WinUV Color software, the method offers a reliable, user-friendly solution for quality control in LIB electrolyte manufacturing and storage. The Cary 60 UV-Vis method helps manufacturers make informed decisions about handling and using electrolytes, ultimately supporting the production of safer, higher‑performing batteries.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Determination of olive oil quality parameters and adulteration with NIR spectroscopy&nbsp;</strong></h3><p><strong>Near-infrared spectroscopy reduces costs and chemical waste</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_125_download_be04b478c5.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Olive oil quality depends on many factors, such as time spent processing olives after harvest, the production process itself, and olive variety. Due to its high price, virgin olive oil in particular is one of the most vulnerable vegetable oils for food fraud. Many parameters are used to determine the oil quality including the iodine value, free fatty acids (FFA), refractive index, fatty acid composition, and aging indicators such as peroxide value (PV), K232, and induction time. Traditional analysis techniques for olive oil testing like titration or gas chromatography (GC) often require hazardous solvents which can pose health risks and increase laboratory costs. In contrast to these standard methods, the analysis with nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIRS) helps to increase productivity and reduce costs, providing quick results for olive oil quality control</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>A selection of olive oils with varying quality (137 samples) were measured on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+NIR"><strong>OMNIS NIR</strong></a> Analyzer Liquid (Figure 1) in transmission mode (1000–2250 nm) using 8 mm disposable vials. The vial temperature was set and monitored at 40 °C with the built-in vial sensor to ensure consistent measurement performance. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+software"><strong>OMNIS software</strong></a> was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note displays the positive attributes of olive oil analysis with near-infrared spectroscopy. Compared to time-consuming conventional analytical methods, measurements performed with NIRS do not need any sample preparation. This ultimately leads to a workload reduction (Table 3) and reduced costs. Aside from the parameters shown in this Application Note, additional olive oil quality parameters like sterol content or moisture content can also be determined with NIRS.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Evaluation of the Temperature Dependency of Tensile Strength of Electrode Materials for Lithium- Ion Batteries&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00926_en_68e36051d4.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h5><strong>User Benefits</strong></h5><ul><li>A thermostatic chamber makes it possible to measure the tensile strength in actual temperature environments.&nbsp;</li><li>Pneumatic flat grips for foil make it possible to reduce the variation in grip force and stabilizing test conditions.&nbsp;</li><li>By using a load cell with a wider accuracy guarantee range than a conventional one, it is possible to perform high-accuracy tests even with a small test force</li></ul><p>Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in various electronic devices due to their high energy density and excellent charging efficiency. To improve battery performance, battery materials and processing methods are actively being developed. One of the evaluation methods for mechanical properties is strength measurement. The metal (current collector) used in the electrodes of lithium-ion batteries is subjected to tensile force during the manufacturing process. Evaluation of temperature dependence is required because the metal is also subjected to heat during manufacturing. This Application News introduces a workflow consisting of tensile strength evaluation of metal foil used as lithium-ion battery electrodes. The tests were performed under various temperatures to evaluate the temperature dependence of tensile strength. The apparatus used is also described.</p><h4><strong>Apparatus&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Table 1 shows test apparatus configuration. In this experiment, Precision <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AGS+-V"><strong>Universal Testing Machine AGS -V</strong></a> was used and pneumatic flat grips for foil were mounted on it. These grips reduce the swing of the grip faces and their surfaces are processed into special shapes. This reduces the risk of fracture of the specimen at the clamped portion when testing a foil specimen. These pneumatic grips make it possible to mount specimens and to make the gripping force constant for each test. To adjust the temperature of the test space, the Compact-type <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=TCE-N300A"><strong>Thermostatic Chamber TCE-N300A</strong></a> was used. It can be operated by the testing machines operation software <strong>TRAPEZIUM X-V</strong>. This software can control both the chamber and the testing machine in the same display. This function improves the system convenience.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p><span>&nbsp;</span>Tensile tests using the AGS-V were conducted on three kinds of metal foil used as electrodes in lithium-ion batteries in the thermostatic chamber TCE-N300A. The test results show that the strength tended to decrease with increasing the temperature in all materials. The elongation at failure tended to increase at 180 °C for C1100 and at 100 °C and 180 °C for A1N30 and A1070.&nbsp;</p><p>Pneumatic flat grips for foil make it possible to conduct tests without fracture nor slippage of the specimen at the clamped portion.&nbsp;</p><p>This measurement enables the temperature dependence of the mechanical characteristics of metal foil used as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries to be easily obtained. It is expected to be applied to solving problems such as material selection and processing methods for lithium-ion batteries.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Trace Elements in Biological Systems&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_65485_icp_ms_imaging_spatial_distribution_trace_elements_asms2019_po65485_en_138f5f9ad8.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely recognized as a powerful technique for the determination of trace elements in a variety of sample types. It is able to directly and quantitatively assess the amount of an element (e.g. toxic elements such as As or Hg, but also essential elements such as Cu, Zn, or Se). In some cases, not only the concentration, but also the lateral distribution can provide important information when investigating biological systems. Laser ablation imaging is becoming a well-established tool to visualize both naturally occurring and artificially introduced trace elements; however, there are challenges to overcome in order to achieve high lateral resolution and image contrast.</p><h4><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS</strong></h4><h5><strong>Test Method&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>For the analysis, a Teledyne CETAC Technologies LSX-213 G2+ laser ablation system was coupled to a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1206"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS.</strong></a> The iCAP TQ ICP-MS was configured with a high sensitivity interface (Table 1) to ensure the detection of analytes even in low concentrations and small amounts of ablated sample. Prior to the measurements, all plasma and interface related settings were tuned automatically and were fully tailored to the LA-based sample introduction by using the autotune procedures provided in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ Intelligent Scientific Data Solution (ISDS) Software.</strong></a></p><h5><strong>Data Analysis&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Both devices (laser ablation system mass spectrometer) were controlled using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489"><strong>Qtegra ISDS Software</strong></a>. Through the use of dedicated plug-ins, full synchronization of data acquisition, allowing unattended routine operation for overnight runs, was possible. Data acquisition was accomplished using the tQuant virtual evaluation of the <strong>Qtegra ISDS Software</strong>. Data reduction and image construction were accomplished using self-developed software</p><h4><strong>What is Elemental Imaging?&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Elemental images or maps refer to an LA-ICP-MS analysis that provides information on the elemental distribution across a two-dimensional area of a sample, for example across the surface of a biological tissue section. As the laser is fired at the sample surface, the sample is moved at a defined and constant rate. This means that the time profile of a line scan can be translated into a distance profile. Gathering multiple profiles across the sample generates a 2D image of the elemental distribution in the sample (3D after moving the laser sampling point in the vertical axis), where signal intensity is directly proportional to concentration.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSIONS&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li>The LA-ICP-MS system described has been shown to be ideally suited for the high spatial resolution bioimaging analysis of various elements in thin sections in both single and triple quadrupole analysis modes.&nbsp;</li><li>The use of triple quadrupole technology in the iCAP TQ ICP-MS system clearly improves the images produced for analytes such as Ca (through the analysis of 44Ca 16O+ at m/z 60), iron (through the analysis of 56Fe 16O+ at m/z 72) or Se (through the analysis of 80Se 16O+ at m/z 96).&nbsp;</li><li>This also enables a wider dynamic range and cleaner backgrounds to reveal additional structural information not detectable by traditional single quadrupole ICPMS.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 35, 2025

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 29th December 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>LECO</strong>, <strong>Metrohm and</strong> <strong>Shimadzu!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. LECO: Determination of Nitrogen/Protein in Cheese</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/FP_928_NITROGEN_PROTEIN_CHEESE_203_821_673_db228174b4.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Protein is one of the most significant nutrient components in cheese. The accurate and precise determination of protein not only plays a role in the characterization of the nutritional value of cheese but is also key in determining the economic value of different cheeses. A rapid and precise method for the determination of total protein in cheese provides a vital quality and process control procedure.&nbsp;</p><p>Protein in cheese is most commonly calculated using the measured total Nitrogen content in the sample and a multiplier or protein conversion factor (typically 6.38). Protein conversion factors vary depending on the sample matrix. Nitrogen determination in organic materials is performed using either a classical wet chemical method (Kjeldahl), or a combustion method (Dumas). The Kjeldahl method involves sample digestion, distillation, and ammonia determination typically by titration. This method involves time-consuming sample preparation and the use of hazardous materials. The LECO FP928 is a Nitrogen determinator that utilizes an automated combustion (Dumas) method and provides accurate and precise results in approximately five minutes. This eliminates involved sample preparation and the use of hazardous materials resulting in a rapid, cost-effective method for the quality control of cheese production.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Instrument Model and Configuration&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=25&amp;search=FP928"><strong>FP928</strong></a> is a macro combustion Nitrogen/Protein determinator that utilizes a pure Oxygen environment in a high-temperature horizontal ceramic combustion furnace, utilizing ceramic boats designed to handle macro sample masses (~1.0 g). A thermoelectric cooler removes moisture from the combustion gases before they are collected in a ballast. The gases equilibrate and mix 3 in the ballast before a representative aliquot (3 cm or 3 10 cm volume) of the gas is extracted and introduced into a flowing stream of inert carrier gas (Helium or Argon) for analysis. The aliquot of gas is carried through a heated reduction tube, filled with Copper, to convert Nitrogen Oxide combustion gas species (NO2) to Nitrogen (Nx). The aliquot gas is then carried to a thermal conductivity cell (TC) for the detection of Nitrogen (N2). Thermal conductivity detectors work by detecting changes in the thermal conductivity of the analyte gas compared to a reference/carrier gas. The greater the difference between the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas and the analyte gas, the greater the sensitivity of the detector. The FP928 supports either the use of Helium or Argon as the instrument's carrier gas. When used as a carrier gas, Helium provides the highest sensitivity, and the best performance at the lower limit of the Nitrogen range. The thermal conductivity difference between Argon and Nitrogen is not as great as the thermal conductivity difference between Helium and Nitrogen; therefore, the detector is inherently less sensitive when using Argon as a carrier gas.</p><h4><strong>Analysis Considerations&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The combustion of cheese samples with a high-fat content can result in some degree of sooting. The primary filter tube (glass and steel wool) should be monitored for signs of sooting. If soot is observed in the glass and steel wool within the primary filter tube, reduce the sample mass to prevent this soot build-up, and change the glass and steel wool as necessary. The combustion of cheese samples can also result in the formation of salts; therefore, it is important to monitor the primary filter tube for signs of excessive corrosion of the steel wool and change it as necessary (approximately every 50 cheese samples). In addition, the autoloader arm should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis when analyzing cheese products.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Analysis of fabric softeners and laundry perfumes with NIR spectroscopy</strong></h3><p><strong>Determination of dry matter, pH, and viscosity in seconds</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_136_download_0bff06e8c8.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Fabric softeners and laundry perfumes (concentrated fragrances) are a category of personal care/laundry products used for their ability to make textiles softer, smoother, and more pleasantly scented after the washing cycle. A variety of raw materials is necessary to manufacture these products, and different analytical methods are often required before production can commence. Traditional analysis requires time-consuming methods. This Application Note describes how viscosity, dry matter content, and pH level of fabric softeners and laundry perfumes are measured with near-infrared spectroscopy. Nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a fast, chemical-free analysis technique for quality control of fabric softeners and laundry perfumes without sample preparation.</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Fabric softener and laundry perfume samples were measured with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=56&amp;search=OMNIS+NIR"><strong>OMNIS NIR</strong></a> Analyzer Solid (Figure 1) in transflection mode (1000–2250 nm) using a 1 mm gap size reflector and 28 mm disposable vials. Reference values of dry matter were measured by loss on drying, and pH and viscosity were determined with a pH meter and viscometer, respectively. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=56&amp;search=OMNIS+Software"><strong>OMNIS Software</strong></a> was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development.</p><h4><strong>RESULT</strong></h4><p>The obtained NIR spectra (Figure 2) were used to create prediction models for quantification of dry matter, pH value, and viscosity. The quality of the prediction models was evaluated using correlation diagrams (Figures 3–5) which display a very high correlation between the NIR prediction and the reference values. The respective figures of merit (FOM) display the expected precision of a prediction during routine analysis.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note shows the feasibility of the analysis of dry matter, pH, and viscosity in laundry perfumes and fabric softeners with near-infrared spectroscopy. Measurement of all three quality parameters can be conducted within seconds without using any chemicals. NIRS can be used in several steps of the production chain or during quality control of the final product, saving manufacturers time and money. Additionally, with NIRS only one technology is required, compared to the standard analytical techniques often used for these determinations (Table 1).</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Content Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soil by ICP-MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01002_en_deeffe27a1.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>High-sensitivity analysis at less than 1/100 of Japan’s soil content standard is possible.</li><li>Correction methods and H2 reaction conditions reduce interference from rare earth elements when measuring As and Se.</li><li>Variation in measurement sensitivity due to the soil matrix is small, enabling stable measurement even when measuring multiple samples over a long time.</li></ul><p>Soil pollution occurs when chemical or hazardous substances in the soil harm the environment and human health. Soil pollution may be caused by natural phenomena, but most is caused by human activities such as leakage of hazardous substances from industrial activities and improper disposal of waste.</p><p>In Japan, soil surveys are conducted in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act to prevent harm to human health. These surveys are mandatory when facilities using specified hazardous substances are decommissioned or when the characteristics of land over a certain size have changed. Two types of tests are conducted: soil leaching tests and soil content tests. Soil leaching tests are conducted to evaluate the risk of ingesting groundwater containing hazardous substances leached from the soil, and soil content tests are conducted to evaluate the risk of directly ingesting hazardous substances from the soil through the mouth or skin. The number of such soil surveys is increasing year by year, and since many samples need to be analyzed simultaneously, even in laboratories that accept them, stable and robust analysis equipment isrequired.&nbsp;</p><p>In this Application News, soil content tests were conducted on five types of soil samples using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=ICPMS-2050"><strong>ICPMS-2050</strong></a>. The results of the validity of the analysis, the influence of interference from rare earth elements (REE), and long-term stability are also presented.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Soil content tests were conducted using the ICPMS-2050. The measurement sensitivity was 1/100 or less of the soil content standard, and the validity of the measurements was shown by recovery tests, which confirmed that the influence of the matrix was minimal. Interelement correction and half-mass correction are effective for interference from REE, and the correction method can be selected depending on the measurement requirements. Furthermore, it was shown that for Se measurement, the interference from Ar and Gd can be largely eliminated by using H2 reaction conditions. Regarding long-term stability, the variation of the measurement sensitivity was small, and the quantitative values remained stable even when high-matrix samples derived from soil were repeatedly measured. Furthermore, by using the advance rinse function, the sample introduction volume can be reduced, shortening measurement times and improving stability</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 53, 2025

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 5th January 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies</strong>, <strong>Metrohm </strong>and<strong> Waters Corporation!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Multi-Elemental Analysis of Lithium Aluminum Titanium Phosphate by Automated ICP-OES</strong></h3><p><strong>Assay of all-solid-state Li-ion battery electrolytes by </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800+ICP-OES"><strong>Agilent 5800 ICP-OES</strong></a><strong> with ADS 2 autodilutor</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_solid_state_battery_LATP_5800_icp_oes_5994_8814en_agilent_e06fd80560.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Rising global electricity demand and the shift away from fossil fuels are driving developments in the cleaner energy and energy storage sectors. Among the emerging energy storage technologies, all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are attracting attention due to their enhanced safety, higher energy density, and improved performance relative to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Current research is largely focused on optimizing the electrolyte composition of ASSBs, which use a solid electrolyte in place of the liquid or gel electrolyte found in conventional LIBs.&nbsp;</p><p>Various properties of lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) make it suitable as a solid electrolyte material for use in ASSBs.1 It has high ionic conductivity (reaching 10–⁴ to 10–³ S/cm at room temperature, close to or exceeding some liquid electrolytes), which improves battery charging and discharging efficiency.&nbsp;</p><p>Compared to sulfide-based solid electrolytes, LATP is more chemically stable in air and water, minimizing the requirement for an inert atmosphere during processing. This property simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs of storage and transportation. LATP is compatible with high-potential (5 V) cathode materials such as LiNiCoMnO2 (NMC), improving cell energy density. It also offers excellent mechanical strength and ease of processing, allowing it to be shaped into thin films that support miniaturization and robust battery design. The accurate determination of major, doping, and trace elements in materials such as LATP is important at all stages of development, from R&amp;D to pilot-scale production and full-scale manufacturing. The ratio of major elements to doping elements significantly affects the ionic conductivity and stability of lithium (Li) ions, while trace impurities can compromise stability and mechanical strength. Elemental impurities can accumulate during battery charging/ discharging cycles, leading to battery performance degradation, such as shortened cycle life, reduced efficiency, or potential safety risks. Multi-elemental analysis of battery precursors like LATP is therefore vital for ensuring the overall quality of ASSBs.2&nbsp;</p><p>Battery scientists also require methods to analyze the elemental composition of spent electrolytes to investigate changes that occur during charge and discharge cycles. These analyses support the production of consistent and reliable materials, promoting technological advancement and enabling the industrial implementation of ASSBs.&nbsp;</p><p>Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is widely used for the simultaneous measurement of multiple elements in complex samples, due to its speed, stability, and tolerance to high total dissolved solids (TDS). Samples with elevated concentrations of matrix elements are classified as high TDS. These samples can pose several analytical challenges for ICP-OES, including spectral interferences from overlapping emission lines, plasma instability, signal drift, and increased maintenance. However, these challenges can be managed or avoided using fieldproven instrumentation. The Agilent 5800 Vertical Dual View (VDV) and 5900 Synchronous Vertical Dual View (SVDV) ICP-OES instruments have seen widespread adoption throughout the LIB value chain, effectively addressing the diverse analytical requirements of the industry.3&nbsp;</p><p>In a recent study, the 5800 VDV ICP-OES was used for the quantitative analysis of the matrix elements in a Lithium Lanthanum Zirconate Tantalum sample, another all-solidstate electrolyte material.4 The 5800, which uses a robust vertical torch, SSRF generator, Cooled Cone Interface, and is engineered without moving optical components, ensured excellent stability and no maintenance-related interruptions during the analysis.5</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>The Agilent ICP-OES Automation System was used for the analysis of the LATP sample digests (Figure 1). The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800+ICP-OES"><strong>Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES</strong></a> was equipped with a MiraMist nebulizer, inert spray chamber, and a fully demountable torch assembly with a 1.8 mm id injector. The Agilent ADS 2 in-line autodilutor was used for the automatic preparation of calibration standards and autodilution of samples. Details of the operation and capabilities of the ADS 2 can be found elsewhere.10 Following preparation, the standards and samples were delivered to the ICP-OES by the Agilent SPS 4 autosampler.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>A highly automated ICP-OES method was developed for the simultaneous measurement of four major elements and 16 minor and trace elements in lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) solid electrolyte samples. The samples were acid digested using microwave-assisted digestion and then analyzed using an Agilent ICP-OES Automation System. The automated system comprised an Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES with integrated AVS 7 switching valve coupled to an ADS 2 intelligent dilution system, all controlled by Agilent ICP Expert Pro software.&nbsp;</p><p>The ADS 2 automatically prepared the calibration standards from two stock solutions, accelerating the preparation process, reducing analyst workload, and minimizing labware usage. Calibration curves with correlation coefficients above 0.999 for all elements were autogenerated.&nbsp;</p><p>MDLs below 1 mg/kg were achieved for most of the trace elements in the sample. Recoveries of all 16 trace elements spiked at both 0.2 mg/L (1.0 mg/L for Mg) were between 91 and 107%, confirming the accuracy of the method. The instrument displayed excellent stability during the analysis of the four matrix elements in the actual LATP samples over two hours, with data fluctuation below 1%.&nbsp;</p><p>The automated quantitative ICP-OES method supports R&amp;D and QA/QC by detecting impurities like Fe, Mg, and Na, while also measuring Li, Al, Ti, and P in the same run. Ensuring the quality of LIB-electrolyte materials is important to meet desired performance targets, enhance safety, and extend the longevity of solid-state batteries.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Quality control of honey with NIR spectroscopy</strong></h3><p><strong>Simultaneous determination of color and glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and turanose content with results in seconds&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_135_download_157810ae7b.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Honey is mainly comprised of the sugars glucose and fructose, which make up to 85% of its total weight. It additionally contains sucrose, a disaccharide composed of fructose and glucose, and other disaccharides such as maltose and turanose—present in concentrations from 0.5 to 3.5% [1]. The sugar content of honey is usually measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Honey's color is a quality attribute evaluated by consumers and is an important sensory property in the beekeeping market. Internationally, different types of honey are classified using the Pfund color scale. All of these honey quality parameters can be measured simultaneously in just a few seconds without any sample preparation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Pure honey samples were measured with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+NIR"><strong>OMNIS NIR Analyzer Solid </strong></a>(Figure 1). All measurements were performed in transflection mode (1000–2250 nm) using a 2 mm gap size reflector and 28 mm disposable vials. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+software"><strong>OMNIS Software</strong></a> was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development. HPLC was the reference method used to measure the concentration of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and turanose in honey. Color was measured using a Pfund colorimeter and the Pfund scale, which ranges from 0 to 140 mm (from very light-colored honey up to the darkest honey).</p><h4><strong>RESULT</strong></h4><p>The obtained NIR spectra of honey samples (Figure 2) were used to create prediction models for quantification of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and turanose content, as well as color. The quality of the prediction models was evaluated using correlation diagrams (Figures 3–8) which display a very high correlation between the NIR prediction and the reference values. The respective figures of merit (FOM) display the expected precision of a prediction during routine analysis</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note displays the benefits of using near-infrared spectroscopy for quality control of honey. Color, along with glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and turanose content can be measured simultaneously in only a few seconds. Measurements performed with NIR spectroscopy do not need any sample preparation nor solvents, saving users time and money. By using NIRS, only one analytical technology is required for sample measurement, compared to other conventional methods (Table 1). Finally, NIRS does not require skilled technical operators to perform the measurements, unlike HPLC.</p><h3><strong>3. Waters Corporation: High-Throughput Measurement of Compound Solubility and Physical Form with BMI</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/720009139_en_40f2d10920.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Aqueous solubility of small molecule compounds is an essential parameter during the hit-to-lead stage of drug discovery as well as during lead optimization and formulation. Low solubility can impact biological assays in a number of ways, including underestimated potency and toxicity, inaccurate structure-activity relationships (SAR), and difficult to interpret results. Poor bioavailability and underestimated toxicity directly impact downstream formulation and manufacturability of dosage forms – increasing development costs and reducing the chances of a drug candidate’s success.1–3&nbsp;</p><p>In this application note, we introduce backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI) on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=HORIZON"><strong>HORIZON® system</strong></a> as a rapid and sensitive high-throughput method for compound solubility measurement. Particle analysis with BMI is easy to perform, requires as little as 25 of sample, and is unaffected by solvents or other media components. In addition, highly resolved images and shape distribution data provide valuable information on morphology of precipitated solids for more comprehensive solubility characterization.</p><h3><strong>Results and Discussion&nbsp;</strong></h3><h4><strong>BMI Overcomes Limitations of Other Solubility Screening Methods&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Despite its critical importance at early stages, current methods for solubility measurement have limitations that affect reliability and/or time to results (Figure 1). In the more cumbersome multi-step methods, precipitates are removed by filtration or centrifugation, and concentration of compound remaining in solution is measured by various detection technologies such as UV absorbance or mass spectrometry coupled with HPLC. These methods are not only time consuming and inefficient, but can be affected by compound sticking to filters, incomplete removal of low-density aggregates by centrifugation, and interference by solvents and matrix impurities.</p><h4><strong>How BMI Works&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The HORIZON® system system uses sophisticated image-processing techniques coupled with a simple workflow to acquire and analyze particle data. First, the HORIZON® membrane plate wells are measured to generate a background image (Figure 2a). Samples are then pipetted directly onto the membrane wells and filtered through by vacuum, capturing insoluble particles on the surface. The same wells are re-imaged in the HORIZON® instrument. After measuring, the software aligns and processes background and sample images pixel by pixel so that background texture is eliminated, and particles can be viewed in high contrast with minimal interference from membrane surface imperfections (Figure 2b).</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Here, we have demonstrated how high-throughput membrane imaging with BMI on the HORIZON® system offers reliable, informed solubility assessment of small molecule compounds. In addition, imaging provides valuable information on solid state morphology for better interpretation of solubility results. Whether used as a primary solubility screening method, an orthogonal technique, or as a check to eliminate problematic candidates prior to in-depth characterization, implementing BMI technology can accelerate drug discovery and early ADME workflows - providing more complete information with less time and less material than traditional methods.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 02, 2026

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 2nd February 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies</strong>, <strong>Metrohm,</strong> <strong>Shimadzu </strong>and<strong> Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: High Precision Analysis of Major Components in Precious Metals by ICP-OES</strong></h3><p><strong>Determination of major components in jewelry alloys by ICP-OES and standard bracketing per ISO methods</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_precious_metals_standard_bracketing_5800_icp_oes_5994_8849en_agilent_5260c9c8be.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Accurate quantification of major components in precious metal alloys can be challenging due to high precision and accuracy requirements, often to stringent industry-specific standards. This challenge is particularly relevant for the precious metals industry, where the stoichiometric composition and purity of metal alloys define both product quality and commercial value. A technique for high-precision measurements developed specifically for the precious metals industry is standard bracketing. As described in ISO methods 11494 and 11495 for ICP-OES analysis,<sup>1,2</sup> this technique employs standard–sample–standard sequencing, which improves control over instrumental fluctuations and matrix effects, ensuring high levels of accuracy and precision.</p><p>Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is a powerful technique that is often used to analyze trace impurities in a broad range of samples. Both the Agilent 5800 and 5900 ICP-OES instruments are inherently precise, as discussed elsewhere.<sup>3</sup> However, precision is further improved when the instruments are operated with the ISO-compliant standard bracketing feature within the Agilent ICP Expert Pro software version 7.8 onwards. The software provides additional useful features for jewelry assaying, catalyst refining, and material recycling. These functions include built-in automated result summarization, reporting in fineness (‰), karat (k), or concentration units, and processing tools specifically for determining major components and purity analysis. Standard bracketing is also applicable to other demanding applications, such as semiconductors, fertilizers, and the emerging battery materials sector.&nbsp;</p><p>In this study, the Agilent 5800 Vertical Dual View (VDV) ICP-OES with Agilent SPS 4 autosampler and ICP Expert 7.8 Pro software4 was used to determine the purity of gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt) in three precious metal alloys. The analytical procedure was in accordance with ISO methods 11494 and 11495.</p><h4><strong>Experimental&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800+VDV+ICP-OES"><strong>Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES</strong></a> was configured with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=SPS+4+autosampler"><strong>Agilent SPS 4 autosampler</strong></a>, which provided automated sample delivery to the instrument (Figure 1). The 5800 ICP-OES was equipped with a SeaSpray nebulizer, double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, and Agilent one-piece VDV torch with a 1.8 mm internal diameter (id) injector. All components were controlled by Agilent ICP Expert Pro* 7.8 software. Instrument operating parameters are listed in Table 1.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>This application demonstrates the effectiveness of highprecision standard bracketing calibration for the quantification of major components in gold, palladium, and platinum alloys using the Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES.&nbsp;</p><p>By employing gravimetrically prepared standards and integrating internal standard correction, the method improves analytical precision (RSD) more than threefold compared to conventional external calibration. It also reduces sample-tosample fluctuations, resulting in a 400× improvement in RPD values between duplicate measurements.&nbsp;</p><p>The high precision and reproducibility of the standard bracketing method enable accurate assaying of precious‑metal samples, making it ideal for quality control of high‑value materials where composition control is often required within ±0.1%.&nbsp;</p><p>The latest version of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=+ICP+Expert+Pro+software"><strong>Agilent ICP Expert Pro software</strong></a> facilitates the standard bracketing method and includes tools for in-worksheet calculations and custom result displays. This approach simplifies metal-alloy purity testing, enables direct interpretation of sample purity in industry-standard terms, and provides confident, traceable quantification in accordance with ISO methods.&nbsp;</p><p>The method is useful in other applications that require tight composition control, such as battery materials, catalysts, semiconductors, and fertilizers.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Biodiesel content in diesel with nearinfrared spectroscopy</strong></h3><p><strong>Monitor the fuel blending process within seconds</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_126_download_800056c376.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>The properties of biodiesel fuel, which is produced from vegetable oils or animal fat, are very similar to petroleum-derived diesel, but biodiesel pollutes less. In most countries the common biodiesel blend is B20, which ranges from 6% to 20% biodiesel content. Measuring the biodiesel content in diesel is important, as higher levels can cause deposits in older diesel engines, clogging the fuel filters and pumps. Fuels with high levels of biodiesel also tend to absorb more moisture compared to petroleum-derived fuels. With near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the biodiesel content is determined in seconds without any sample preparation. Compared to other test methods like those used in ASTM D7467, biodiesel content analysis with NIR spectroscopy saves time and enables the implementation of online process monitoring with fiber optics.</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Twenty-one diesel samples with varying biodiesel content from 0% to 20% were measured on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+NIR"><strong>OMNIS NIR Analyzer</strong></a> Liquid (Figure 1) in transmission mode (1000–2250 nm) using 8 mm disposable vials. The vial temperature was set and monitored at 30 °C with the built-in vial sensor to ensure consistent measurement performance. OMNIS Software was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note shows the results of a biodiesel content analysis test without the need for any sample preparation, using near-infrared spectroscopy in place of other more time-intensive analytical techniques. This ultimately leads to a reduction in workload and the related costs. Alongside the biodiesel content test, additional fuel quality parameters like cetane number, moisture, or flash point can be determined with NIRS.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Quantitative Analysis of Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As) in Cosmetic Raw Material Powders</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00965_en_dc464e4caa.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>&nbsp;With simple sample preparation, lead and arsenic in cosmetic raw material powder can be quantified simultaneously.</li><li>Increased X-ray tube output and optimized optical design have improved sensitivity for heavy elements.</li><li>Continuous analysis of up to 48 samples is possible, improving analysis throughput.</li></ul><p>The management of lead and arsenic contained in cosmetics raw materials is important for protecting people's health. Although colorimetric methods have been used for these analyses, there is a growing need for trace control due to tighter regulations in recent years, leading to a consideration of a shift to instrumental methods that enable quantification. Candidates for instrumental methods include ICP optical emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. While the former method is highly sensitive, powder and solid samples need to be dissolved in an acid such as nitric acid or hydrochloric acid. In contrast, X-ray fluorescence analysis is convenient because it can be analyzed without dissolving the sample.&nbsp;</p><p>This application news introduces the analysis of two inorganic oxide powders (talc and titanium oxide) using the energydispersive <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=ALTRACE"><strong>X-ray fluorescence Spectrometer ALTRACE</strong></a> (Fig. 1).</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>This application news reports on the quantitative analysis of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) in two types of inorganic oxide powders: talc and titanium oxide. The analysis was performed using the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer ALTRACE, which allows for the analysis of powders without dissolving them. ALTRACE enables simultaneous analysis of Pb and As, unlike traditional colorimetric methods that test them separately. Additionally, ALTRACE can analyze 48 samples continuously, significantly improving the efficiency of the testing process.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Advantages of coincident XPS-Raman in the analysis of mineral oxide species</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/advantages_xps_raman_analysis_mineral_oxide_an52950_d492664cb5.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>XPS is an extremely versatile technique that has found widespread use in a myriad of application areas, from contact lenses to aerospace materials. XPS is unique in that it can quantify the elemental and chemical composition of a material’s surface with extreme selectivity, since the typical information depth of XPS being less than 10 nanometers.&nbsp;</p><p>Raman spectroscopy is utilized in many similar application areas as it requires little sample preparation, is nondestructive, provides information on molecular structure, and enables users to identify materials quickly, thanks to extensive spectral libraries.&nbsp;</p><p>The implementation of XPS and Raman with other analysis techniques is well established; XPS has a long history of complementary use with related ultra-high vacuum (UHV) analysis techniques, such as UV photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and ion scattering spectroscopy. In these cases, additional equipment is added to the spectrometer to give coincident, complementary information.</p><p>To overcome these problems, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=ARXPS"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ Theta Probe Angle-Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (ARXPS) System</strong></a> has been integrated with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2238"><strong>Thermo Scientific iXR™ DXR3 Flex Raman Spectrometer</strong></a> to provide a multimodal analysis platform. The system aligns the XPS analysis position exactly with the Raman analysis position, ensuring that the data is collected from the same position.&nbsp;</p><p>The coincident XPS-Raman removes any requirement to transfer the sample from one instrument to the next between analyses, minimizing additional sample handling and exposure to different conditions that can lead to sample contamination or degradation.</p><h4><strong>Summary&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>In conclusion, XPS is used for quantitative determination of both elemental and chemical composition for any solid material compatible with UHV analysis, whereas Raman spectroscopy is used for identification of referenced compounds by careful spectral matching that searches algorithms and spectral databases. The combination of XPS and Raman spectroscopy on the DXR3 Flex Raman Spectrometer integrated with the Theta Probe ARXPS System, allows more powerful analysis of a material than either technique in isolation, with the cleanliness, purity and stoichiometry of a sample determined using XPS, and identification and quantification of molecular structures determined using Raman spectroscopy. As both techniques are aligned to the same position within the vacuum system, all the time-consuming aspects of locating the same analysis point when transferring between instruments is removed, giving absolutely certainty that all the information acquired has come from the same region of sample, which is particularly useful when studying nonuniform samples.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 06, 2026

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 20th April 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you white paper by <strong>Metrohm </strong>and application notes by<strong> Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher Scientific </strong>and<strong> Waters Corporation!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Metrohm: Why switch to OMNIS Client/Server (C/S)?</strong></h3><ul><li>Other document</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/WP_097_EN_3a0ff88144.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>This White Paper outlines the key benefits of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+software"><strong>OMNIS</strong></a>, highlighting its scalability, cost-saving potential, and the positive impact it lends to overall business performance. The following sections cover more specific advantages of OMNIS, providing detailed insights into how this innovative solution can transform server management and drive significant cost reductions. Whether you are a small business looking to optimize your IT infrastructure or a large enterprise seeking to enhance operational efficiency, OMNIS offers a robust and scalable solution that can meet your needs.&nbsp;</p><p>The cost savings for two different scenarios are calculated in this White Paper: medium- and large-scale organizations. For mid-sized environments involving 20 laboratory locations, the OMNIS Client/Server solution offers significant savings by reducing the number of servers tenfold—from 20 to just 2. For large-scale organizations with 60 laboratory locations worldwide, the solution enables substantial cost reductions by decreasing the number of servers from 60 to 6. These calculations demonstrate the scalability and costeffectiveness of the OMNIS Client/Server solution across various customer environments.</p><h4><strong>COMPARISON OF TIAMO™ MULTI AND OMNIS CLIENT/SERVER&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>SCALABILITY&nbsp;</strong></h5><p><strong>tiamo™ multi Limitations&nbsp;</strong></p><p>A dedicated tiamo™ multi server is needed for each laboratory location.</p><p><strong>OMNIS C/S Advantages&nbsp;</strong></p><p>OMNIS C/S offers exceptional scalability, allowing businesses to easily expand their server infrastructure as needed. This means that as the business grows, OMNIS can seamlessly accommodate increased demand without compromising performance or efficiency. OMNIS is designed to scale up over many locations and countries without any negative impact on performance in a wide area network installation (WAN). By reducing the number of servers required to support operations, OMNIS C/S helps organizations achieve significant cost savings. This includes lower hardware costs, reduced energy consumption, and decreased maintenance expenses, resulting in substantial annual savings.</p><h5><strong>ANALYSIS METHODS</strong></h5><p><strong>tiamo™ multi Limitations&nbsp;</strong></p><p>tiamo™ was designed as a pure titration measurement software solution.</p><p><strong>OMNIS C/S Advantages&nbsp;</strong></p><p>OMNIS is designed as a multiple measurement technology platform currently supporting titration, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and process analytics. The platform will be continuously extended to support even more measurement technologies and devices in the future</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The OMNIS Client/Server solution offers a transformative approach to managing server infrastructure for laboratory environments through centralization. By leveraging its unique scaling features, OMNIS enables significant cost savings and increased operational efficiency for both medium- and large-scale organizations.</p><h3><strong>2. Shimadzu: Measurement of Fixed Carbon, Volatile Matter, and Ash of Biocoke</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01136_en_c6a762bf92.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>The fixed carbon, volatile matter, and ash of biocoke can be measured by the DTG-60.</li><li>The combustion characteristics of biocoke can also be evaluated by using the DTG-60.</li><li>TG-DTA measurement can simultaneously grasp the endothermic and exothermic behaviors during pyrolysis and combustion, allowing a more comprehensive evaluation.</li></ul><p>Biocoke is a type of solid fuel produced using plant-derived organic resources (biomass) as the raw materials. Biocoke enables high-temperature combustion over an extended time period, and has also attracted attention as a zero-emission fuel which does not generate waste in the production process. It is produced by heating biomass under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. A stable fuel with high compressive strength can be obtained by this process, allowing easy transportation and storage, as well as long-term preservation. As a fuel for industrial furnaces and boilers, biocoke is used as a substitute for conventional fossil fuels. It is also expected to be used as a sustainable energy source because its CO2 emissions are lower than those of fossil fuels. The diversity of the raw materials that can be used to produce biocoke, which include woody materials and agricultural residues, is also another feature.&nbsp;</p><p>In this article, the volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash of biocokes produced from waste wood and buckwheat husks were evaluated using a Shimadzu DTG-60 simultaneous TG/DTA.</p><h4><strong>Evaluation of Combustion Characteristics by TG-DTA Measurement</strong></h4><p>TG-DTA measurements of the size-adjusted waste wood biocoke and buckwheat husk biocoke were conducted under an air atmosphere.</p><ul><li><strong>Instrument: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=DTG-60"><strong>DTG-60&nbsp;</strong></a></li><li><strong>Heating rate: </strong>10 ˚C/min&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Temperature range:</strong> 30 ˚C - 700 ˚C&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Sample weight: </strong>8 mg&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Atmosphere: </strong>Air</li></ul><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>The combustion characteristics and fixed carbon content of waste wood biocoke and buckwheat husk biocoke were evaluated using a DTG-60 simultaneous TG/DTA. TG-DTA measurement is an effective method which can determine the combustion characteristics of biocokes under an air atmosphere and the composition ratio of the volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash under a nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, TG-DTA enables a more comprehensive evaluation, as the endothermic and exothermic behaviors during pyrolysis and combustion can be measured simultaneously. Since the properties of various types of biocokes differ depending on the raw material used and the production conditions, TG-DTA measurement is also useful for comparative studies of biocoke quality. In addition, when a mixture of various types of biomass is to be used, it is important to know the carbon content (fixed carbon content) of each raw material.</p><h3><strong>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Classification of polyethylene by Raman spectroscopy</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/AN_52301_classification_polyethylene_Raman_spectroscopy_app_note_05122821c5.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most common plastics in the world with annual global production of around 80 million tons.<sup>1</sup> Based on density, polyethylene is generally classified as high-density polyethylene (HDPE, &gt; 0.940 g/cm3 ) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE, &lt; 0.930 g/cm3 ).<sup>2</sup> These different density polyethylene’s have vastly different physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and hence are used in different applications. For example, HDPE is primarily used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, garbage containers, and water pipes, due to its high tensile strength; LDPE, on the other hand, has a lower tensile strength and is used mainly for plastic bags and wraps. Therefore, density is one the most important properties of polyethylene, and classifying them according to their density is essential for proper PE specification.&nbsp;</p><p>Bulk PEs are manufactured as pellets (resins, granules), and later converted to other forms (such as films and pipes) using extrusion or molding processes. They are also made into multilayer films for a wide range of industrial applications like food and consumer product packaging. The density of bulk PE pellets and single-layer PE films can be measured and classified with relative ease using several standard techniques: ISO 1183-1/ASTM D792 (immersion method),<sup>3</sup> ISO 1183-2/ASTM D1505 (density gradient method),<sup>4</sup> and ASTM D4883 (ultrasound method).<sup>5</sup> However, all these techniques require the PE in its “pure” form, which can be challenging in the case of PE in multilayer films. Extensive sample preparations (microtoming, separation of layers by dissolving in solvents) are often required6 to isolate the PE layer before analysis, which can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.&nbsp;</p><p>Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to changes in the molecular structure level of PE, such as the degree of crystallinity, which is the key determining factor of PE density.<sup>7,8 </sup>More importantly, the confocal capability of Raman microscopy allows for facile in situ analysis of individual PE layers in multilayer films without the need to isolate the PE layer. To our best knowledge, PE density measurement using Raman has been limited to PE pellets.<sup>7,8</sup> In this work, we want to systematically explore the feasibility of using confocal Raman microscopy for PE film density analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively. We demonstrate that Raman microscopy in combination with the discriminant analysis method can be successfully applied to distinguish HDPE and LDPE in both pellet and film forms.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><h5><strong>Method description</strong></h5><p>A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=DXR2+Raman+microscope"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ DXR2 Raman Microscope</strong></a> was used for the collection of Raman data. For each type/class of the pellet samples, Raman spectra were collected from 3 different pellets and averaged. For each film sample, Raman spectra were collected from 3-4 locations across the surface of the sample. An averaged spectrum was then used for final analysis.</p><p>A 532 nm laser was used with a 2 mW laser power at the sample. A 10x objective and a 50 μm slit aperture were used to obtain more representative spectra from the samples. Total acquisition time for each spectrum was 30 seconds (3 second exposure x 10 exposures). <strong>Thermo Scientific™ OMNIC™ software</strong> was used for operation of the DXR2 Raman Microscope, and collection of Raman spectra; <strong>Thermo Scientific™ TQ Analyst™ software</strong> was used for chemometric analysis of the Raman data.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>In this application note, we have successfully demonstrated the use of a Thermo Scientific DXR2 Raman Microscope, in combination with the TQ Analyst software, to classify polyethylene’s of different density classes in both pellet and film forms. Raman spectroscopy is nondestructive and requires minimal sample preparation. The classification method was created solely based on the Raman spectral features of LDPE and HDPE and was indifferent to the sample forms. Once the method is established, PE samples, pellets or films, can be correctly classified within minutes. Moreover, this work expands the scope of the previously reported study on PE pellets to include PE films, which broadens its applicability in the plastic/ polymer industry as well as many downstream industries. The described methodology should be applicable for in situ classification of thin PE layer(s) in multilayer films. The data were collected using an older model instrument DXR2 Raman microscope. Currently, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers an improved model, the DXR3 Raman Microscope, which offers superior speed and performance over its predecessor model.</p><h3><strong>4. Waters Corporation: Rapidly Distinguish Protein from Non-Protein Particles in Biologic Formulations</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/720009101_en_b4370d547c.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Current subvisible analysis techniques make accurate particle identification virtually impossible. Light obscuration (LO) is a low refractive index contrast particle counting method which cannot distinguish between different particle types. Flow imaging (FI) techniques provide more information than LO, including particle images, morphological parameters and optical characteristics of particles. However, none of these features definitively identify the type of particle imaged. Flow imagers for example cannot distinguish between plastic, protein, and degraded polysorbate which are all very similar in morphology. Technologies available for detailed chemical composition ID such as Raman microscopy/spectroscopy have been used to fill in the gaps left by particle counters; however, they are tedious, require lots of expertise and extensive signal processing, and have the throughput of a single particle per several minutes of use, making the technique useful only to expert users during failure mode analysis.&nbsp;</p><p>In order to fully characterize particulates and aggregates in biopharmaceutical product formulations, further information about the identity of all the particulates is crucial. Regulatory agencies expect drug manufacturers to move away from simple counting techniques and apply multiple and orthogonal methods to complement compendial methods.&nbsp;</p><p>In this application note we introduce fluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM). FMM, exclusively available in the Aura™ System, is a high throughput, low volume, subvisible particle identification technology. FMM enables ultra-fast, 100% sampling efficiency, characterizing all particles from a single protein aggregate to tens of millions of particles in an entire multi-sample formulation, in under two hours.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><p>Fluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM) is a novel particle identification method that builds on backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI) to identify, categorize, and further scrutinize the most common particles in an entire bioformulation sample by using established extrinsic fluorescent dye chemistries.&nbsp;</p><p>BMI, the backbone analysis technology used in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2190"><strong>Aura</strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=5&amp;search=horizon"><strong>Horizon®</strong></a> instruments, images a 96-well membrane plate before and after sample filtration, and conducts novel, high optical contrast image analysis to resolve particles from 1 µm to 5 mm in size, with a large &gt;36/mL counts dynamic range. Using fluorescent dyes, biopharmaceutical particles are stained and analyzed with FMM to confirm and quantify their presence. To enable FMM, Aura uses new membrane plates specifically manufactured to support labeled fluorescent workflows.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>FMM using ThT allows one to conduct high throughput, low volume and specific protein/non-protein particle analysis. The power of FMM using ThT is the ability to obtain protein/non-protein ID for a whole 96-well plate assay down to a single individual particle in less than 90 minutes. ThT’s high solubility and specificity to protein aggregates makes it possible to differentiate protein aggregates from particles with similar morphology and refractive index like plastics and fatty acids. Compared to spectroscopic techniques, the throughput of FMM is 1000x higher, while using best in class particle sizing and counting analysis that has its roots in the wellestablished membrane microscopy found in USP 788.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 17, 2026

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 19, 2026

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 17th August 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies,</strong> <strong>Metrohm</strong>, and <strong>Shimadzu </strong>and other document by <strong>Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Direct Analysis of Seawater Using ICP-QQQ and Integrated Advanced Valve System</strong></h3><p><strong>Fast, robust environmental analyses using an </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=9500"><strong>Agilent 9500 ICP-QQQ</strong></a><strong> with AVS MS&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_seawater_9500_icp_qqq_5994_8988en_agilent_e56319c80a.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></li></ul><p>Trace elements in seawater play a vital role in marine biogeochemical cycles, influencing ocean productivity, ecosystem health, and global climate regulation.1,2 Although present at extremely low concentrations, many trace elements are essential for biological processes, while others, including heavy metals, serve as indicators of contamination from industrial activities and coastal development. Accurate determination of a wide range of elements is therefore critical for environmental monitoring, oceanographic research, and regulatory compliance. EPA Method 200.8 provides a widely adopted quality control (QC) framework for trace metal analysis in natural waters.3 However, seawater’s high salinity and major components such as Na, Mg, Cl, and S create analytical challenges for conventional ICP-MS analysis, including ionization suppression and polyatomic interferences, such as ArCl+ on As, ArNa+ on Cu, SO2 + on Zn. Overcoming these issues requires advanced interference removal techniques and high sensitivity. Triple quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) addresses these limitations through its MS/MS configuration.</p><p>Agilent ICP-MS/MS methods precisely control reaction chemistry and eliminate interferences, ensuring accurate quantification in complex saline matrices.&nbsp;</p><p>The Agilent 9500 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS with its unique Dual-Cell System (DCS) enables accurate, efficient seawater analysis using enhanced collision/reaction cell (CRC) technologies. Its performance is primarily driven by Advanced Helium Mode (AHM). This advanced collision mode delivers exceptional on-mass interference removal using a combination of Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) and Collision Induced Dissociation (CID), ensuring precise quantification even in highly saline and complex matrices.4 Additionally, Air cell mode enables fast, effective mass-shift reactions, adding flexibility for overcoming challenging interferences.5 By seamlessly integrating AHM with Air cell mode, the 9500 simplifies workflows and delivers reliable results for trace analysis of multiple elements in seawater.</p><p>&nbsp;In this study, a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=9500"><strong>9500 ICP-QQQ</strong></a> fitted with the AVS MS was used to quantify 26 elements in two seawater certified reference materials (CRMs) and a sample collected in Singapore, employing an online reverse-dilution approach. The method was assessed following the performance requirements of EPA Method 200.8.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Traditional seawater analysis by ICP‑MS often requires extensive sample preparation, such as dilution and matrix separation, to address high salinity and complex matrix effects. These additional steps increase both turnaround time and contamination risk. The method developed here enables direct seawater analysis using an online reverse-dilution approach, eliminating manual preparation and enabling rapid, high-throughput processing. Using the Agilent 9500 ICP-QQQ with AVS MS in online dilution mode, the workflow achieved ppt-level MDLs for 26 elements, excellent accuracy (90–110% recoveries for CRMs and spiked samples), and long-term stability across more than 130 analyses, meeting EPA Method 200.8 QC requirements.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Key advantages of the 9500 ICP-QQQ method:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Effective interference removal: </strong>Advanced gas modes (AHM and Air cell mode) controlled polyatomic species originating from the high-salinity matrices.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>High throughput:</strong> Automated online dilution and seamless gas-switching enabled complete analysis in 140 seconds per sample.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Robust stability: </strong>Optimized rinse protocols ensured consistent ISTD recovery and instrument performance over a seven-hour run comprising 100 injections of undiluted seawater samples.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>This workflow delivers fast, reliable, and high-quality seawater analysis, making it ideal for environmental monitoring and marine research laboratories seeking maximum efficiency without compromising data integrity.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Moisture and protein content in corn starch with NIR spectroscopy</strong></h3><p><strong>Easily measure the quality of corn starch in seconds with NIR</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_151_download_087f0d33e0.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Starch is a fundamental component in candy production where it is often used as a gelling agent and thickener. The confectionery industry uses it to create products with a certain consistency, like pie fillings. It is also used in a process known as starch molding where shapes are pressed into a corn starch bed for gummy candies and similar treats. Corn starch also acts as a desiccant during the candies' drying process before reuse. Therefore, the corn starch moisture content is a very important factor to consider in this process.&nbsp;</p><p>Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a fast, chemicalfree analysis technique for the determination of moisture content and corn protein content in corn starch. The NIRS solution is easy to use and can be used either atline or in a quality control laboratory.</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>210 samples of corn starch were measured with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=OMNIS+NIR"><strong>OMNIS NIR Analyzer Solid</strong></a> (Figure 1). All measurements were performed in reflection mode (1000–2250 nm) using a large holder and large cup (Table 1). OMNIS Software was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development. Karl Fischer titration was used to determine the water content in corn starch, and the Kjeldahl method was used to determine its protein content.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note shows the feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy for the determination of moisture and protein content in corn starch. Compared to the conventional analysis techniques used to determine these quality parameters, NIRS saves a considerable amount of time and costs. With NIR spectroscopy, analyses can be conducted without using any chemical reagents, giving users reliable results in seconds.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Observation of Crack Propagation Process in Aluminum Alloy Specimen Using Air-Servo Microfocus X-Ray CT System</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01152_en_de411e6e13.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h5><strong>User benefits</strong></h5><ul><li>The Air-Servo Microfocus X-Ray CT System enables observation of crack propagation in three dimensions and over time.</li><li>Microfocus X-Ray CT system enables nondestructive observation of the interior of materials.</li><li>High-precision dynamic control is possible with the Servo Controller 4830.</li></ul><p>Many structural failures are caused by fatigue failure resulting from repeated loading. In fatigue failure, cracks initiate from microdefects in the material, internal voids, inclusions, and other features, and then propagate under repeated loading until final fracture occurs. To evaluate this sequence of processes, it is effective to observe defects and crack propagation nondestructively.&nbsp;</p><p>Traditionally, crack observation has focused on visual inspection and microscopic observation, but these methods are limited to information near the surface. To sufficiently capture the threedimensional shape and changes in cracks propagating inside a material, observation of the fractured specimen after failure has generally been used. In contrast, X-ray CT can nondestructively visualize internal defects and cracks in three dimensions, making it possible to evaluate in detail changes in crack morphology, including in the interior.&nbsp;</p><p>Accordingly, using the “Air-Servo Microfocus X-Ray CT System,” which combines X-ray CT with a fatigue testing machine, repeated tests were performed in which loading was stopped at fixed cycle intervals and imaging was carried out. This article introduces the resulting process of crack initiation and propagation in the same specimen.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>Using the Air-Servo Microfocus X-Ray CT System, cracks propagating from the notch region of an aluminum alloy specimen were observed. First, static tests and fatigue tests were performed using the servo pulser EHF-LV, and a S-N diagram was obtained. Based on the obtained S-N diagram, the fatigue test conditions for the Air-Servo Microfocus X-Ray CT System were determined, and X-ray CT imaging was performed. The process of crack propagation according to the number of cycles was observed in cross-sectional images and 3D images. In addition, by visualizing the displacement from a specific cycle onward, it was also confirmed that the specimen necked down just before fracture.&nbsp;</p><p>Using the measurement system introduced in this article, it is possible to observe changes in specimen shape over time while the specimen remains mounted in the jig. Therefore, not only the crack propagation process of a specimen during fatigue testing, but also material deformation behavior and the process of shape change can be observed.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: IonicX Portable XRF Analyzer Device and Algorithm</strong></h3><p><strong>A detailed look into the algorithm used to authenticate ionic salts</strong></p><ul><li>Other document</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ionicx_portable_xrf_analyzer_device_and_algorithm_an1649_en_6ffee8a584.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2026"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ IonicX™ Portable XRF Analyzer</strong></a> utilizes Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED XRF) spectrometry to confidently differentiate between different chemical samples based on their atomic structure and the average atomic weight of the sample. The basic elements of XRF spectrometer systems include a radiation source, a sample, and an X-ray detector. The analysis relies on the interaction of radiation source output (an X-ray source) with a sample, in this case, the cup of ionic salt material, such as Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide or other chemicals and salts. The XRF system can characterize materials, due to the fundamental principle that each element has a unique atomic structure, which in turn has a unique set of peaks (x-ray lines) in its emission spectrum. The energy dispersive X-ray detector separates (disperses) the detected radiation emitted from the sample by energy, thus providing a spectrum from which the different elements present in the sample can be identified and/ or quantified.</p><h4><strong>Algorithm&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Handheld XRF devices often cannot detect elements lighter than Magnesium by their fluorescence lines, however many compounds contain elements of interest such as Oxygen and Hydrogen. Additionally, relying solely on primary fluorescence peaks to identify target compounds can lead to misinterpretation. For instance, if MgO and NaCl are present in a 1:1 mixture, the resulting XRF spectrum would display distinct characteristic Mg and Cl peaks. However, the sample would not actually be the spectrum of MgCl₂, as the analytical response of Mg and Cl would be very different in both samples because of a dilution effect and absorption from Na and O atoms. The XRF process can easily differentiate samples with similar elemental constituents but with different chemical structures by analyzing the resulting scatter from the sample and comparing the full spectrum to a calibration library of compounds. Figure 4 shows XRF spectra of Sodium Chlorate (NaClO₃) and Sodium Perchlorate (NaClO₄) taken with the IonicX XRF instrument. In this example, only the Cl fluorescence peak can be detected by the IonicX device as Na and O fluorescence X-rays have energies that are too weak to be detected. However, when the spectrum is normalized, in this case to the primary Compton peak of Ag Kα, a slight but distinguishable difference can be seen in the spectral intensity between the energies of 25 keV and 40 keV. The difference in the scatter of the X-ray tube Bremsstrahlung is caused by differences in mass absorption coefficients of the presented samples, in this case it is the extra O atom in the NaClO₄ molecule vs the NaClO₃ molecule.</p><h4><strong>Summary&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The IonicX Portable XRF Analyzer is a powerful addition for the verification of ionic salt type chemicals, utilizing XRF technology in a versatile, easy to use, small form factor. IonicX provides clear, easy to understand, unambiguous results and tools to assist with compliance and data integrity. IonicX is a robust verification tool which allows pharmaceutical companies to more efficiently verify incoming chemicals that typically have been tested using lengthy wet-chemistry techniques.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 34, 2026

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European Symposium on Analytical Spectrometry (ESAS) 2026

2026 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting & Exposition

Bruker at the 7th European Symposium on Single Cell Proteomics

Targeted Hybridization Capture for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Complex Environmental Samples

Addressing LC Method Optimization - Scaling For Efficiency, Throughput And Reproducibility

Proteoform Studio software, top down made simple