Wed, 07 May 2008 13:41:18 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/ Measurement R&D News en-us http://measurementdb.com/images/logo.gif http://measurementdb.com/ mdb@measurementdevices.com http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=799 New Method for Rapid Compound ID by GC/MS Danbury CT, USA --– The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) mobile lab has demonstrated the application of Cerno Bioscience’s MassWorks™ software for improving the accuracy and timeliness of on-site identification of unknown chemical compounds by GC/MS in time-critical environmental and homeland security incidents. Results of the study were recently presented at the 2008 OnSite meeting for Homeland Security, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation in Baltimore, MD. The approach utilizes Cerno’s Massworks™ CLIPS (Calibrated Line-shape Isotope Profile Search) to provide accurate formula ID of unknowns. This is used as complementary information to improve the accuracy of established EPA methods which utilize digital library searches. This method could lead to more accurate and timely information to assist in critical decision making for incident commanders and federal and local law enforcement in emergency situations. Wed, 07 May 2008 13:41:18 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=798 Chesham, UK -- Resolve Optics Ltd. have built an international reputation with company's faced with replacing hard to source or obsolete optical components within their camera, sensor and instrument systems. Driven by financial considerations company's often seek to incorporate 'off-the-shelf' lenses and lens systems in the design of their products. However, adopting an 'off-the-shelf' lens strategy necessitates accepting risks including having little control over security of supply and compromised performance compared to an optimised bespoke design. Over the last 20 years Resolve Optics Ltd has successfully developed many innovative, high performance OEM lenses for customers seeking to replace hard to source or obsolete optical components with their camera, sensor or instrument system. Drawing upon an experienced team of optical designers - Resolve Optics Ltd. is able to quickly gain an understanding of the basic physics of the technology associated with each customer's product enabling a novel, optimised and affordable solution to be proposed. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:20:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=796 *NEWS FROM NOAA of The U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE* THE NOAA ANNUAL GREENHOUSE GAS INDEX (AGGI) [CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE}{Radiative forcing, relative to 1750, of all the long-lived greenhouse gases. The NOAA Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI), which is indexed to 1 for the year 1990, is shown on the right axis. Image by NOAA} WASHINGTON,DC, USA -- Last year alone global levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global climate change, increased by 0.6 percent, or 19 billion tons. Additionally, methane rose by 27 million tons after nearly a decade with little or no increase. NOAA scientists released these and other preliminary findings today as part of an annual update to the agency’s greenhouse gas index, which tracks data from 60 sites around the world. The burning of coal, oil, and gas, known as fossil fuels, is the primary source of increasing carbon dioxide emissions. Earth's oceans, vegetation, and soils soak up half of these emissions. The rest stays in the air for centuries or longer. Twenty percent of the 2007 fossil fuel emissions of carbon dioxide are expected to remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years, according to the latest scientific assessment by the International Panel on Climate Change. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=797 In its final stage{CAPTION: The roundness delta of the finished Silicon sphere is about 50 nm on a 93.6 mm diameter. It is believed to be the roundest object in the world. PHOTO COURTESY CSIRO, Australia} Braunschweig Germany -- On 10 April 2008, a new, isotopically pure silicon sphere arrived at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany's National Metrology Institute (NMI) from the final station of its production process in Australia. Thus, the Avogadro Project for the new definition of the kilogram - coordinated by the PTB - is entering its final stage: The scientists expect the 28Si sphere to provide the crucial breakthrough for the determination of the Avogadro constant, i.e. the number of particles in a mole amount of substance. When using the previous spheres made of a silicon-isotope mix, it was not possible to achieve the required accuracy. With its unique purity, its uniform structure, the extremely smooth surface, and not least its price, the new sphere is identical to a diva and has only one single equivalent worldwide: a twin which travels to Japan for comparison measurements. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=795 Lelystad, The Netherlands & McMurray PA, USA -- Micronic BV has announced a new technical note that describes an elegant automated solution that overcomes the tedious and time consuming task of measuring the volume in capped sample storage tubes. As the number of samples to be stored has grown so the need for automated sample storage instrumental solutions has become increasingly important. Entitled 'Managing your compound library' the new technical note describes automation products that manage the 4 stages of sample storage volume measurement: tube decapping, non-contact sample volume measurement, tube capping and re-arraying the tubes. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=794 Leatherhead, UK -- The Development Microlute™ from Porvair Sciences provides R&D laboratories with a uniquely flexible tool for developing the Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) methods to best suit an analytical process. The Development Microlute offers the user a choice of 8 or 12 different phases and sorbent volumes (10 -100mg) in one plate. This allows the user to rapidly and simply identify the optimal sorbent and loading for their specific application. By supplying a complete methods development product that does not need to be constructed by the user, Porvair delivers considerable savings in valuable laboratory time. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=793 Melbourn, UK & Menlo Park CA, USA - Velocity11, an Agilent Technologies company, has released a new data sheet that describes a novel high-throughput automated stem cell culture and screening system. An automated platform was developed with a customer who will use stem cells as the basis of their HTS assays and drug discovery programs, with the goal to increase their throughput and potentially find more promising lead compounds. To successfully automate these sensitive assays they required an automated system with a controlled environment which would provide the best conditions for cell growth. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=792 {Caption: Renée Winsky, President and Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), and NIST Acting Director James Turner with a representation of the Memorandum of Understanding that updates and extends the cooperative relationship between NIST and TEDCO. Photo Credit: Denease Anderson/NIST} GAITHERSBURG MD, USA. – More than 200 entrepreneurs and business executives learned recently how they can capitalize on cutting-edge nanotechnologies developed in the research facilities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The event, “Opening the Doors to the National Institute of Standards and Technology: Nanoelectronics, Nanofabrication and Nanometrology,” which was supported by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and the Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio), highlighted more than 21 technologies available for licensing and/or commercialization. Technologies presented included a method of storing electronic memory on inexpensive flexible plastic sheets, sorting carbon nanotubes through a technique that employs “green” aqueous chemistries and generates minimal waste and "scatterfield imaging," an award-winning technique that can determine the dimensions and feature sizes of extremely small structures. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=791 Farfield Announces the New AnaLight® 4D Crewe, UK -- The latest generation of Dual Polarisation Interferometer from Farfield, the AnaLight® 4D, sets the performance standard for laboratory based real time biophysical characterisation of proteins, lipids and other biomolecules, providing quantitative structural data to support world class research in the life sciences. The unique information generated by the AnaLight® 4D is invaluable for many applications such as the elucidation of disease mechanisms and how to inhibit them. The AnaLight® 4D allows researchers to define how biomolecular conformation affects function and how to mediate function with structurally relevant binding partners. A new capability to measure the order within lipid bilayers, only available in the AnaLight® 4D, opens a new market in the design of lipid mediated bioassays. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:25:22 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=790 Crowthorne, UK -- Viscotek has announced a new applications report that describes a Flow Injection Polymer Analysis (FIPA) technique that provides superior results to traditional methods for gravimetric determination of xylene soluble polymers. In this report entitled 'FIPA for xylene soluble determination of polypropylene and impact copolymers' the authors compare the Viscotek FIPA experimental procedures with the traditional gravimetric method used to determine xylene solubles in process polymers. The xylene soluble test is designed to measure the amorphous content of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber materials. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=789 Reduces costs & avoids need for repeat batches Saffron Walden, UK -- Radleys have introduced a new option for their Lara Controlled Laboratory Reactor (CLR) system and bespoke Laboratory Reactors that offers chemists studying crystal morphology significant benefits. Traditionally chemists have used video microscopy as their technique of choice for non-invasive monitoring of particle shape, shape and quantity in process. Radleys split jacket laboratory reactors, are now available incorporating a flat, optically clear window for use with video microscopy. The new feature opens the way to accurate and sensitive particle characterisation enabling early stage evaluation and resolution of process issues, thereby reducing process costs and avoiding the need for repeat batches. Set within a narrow, central non-jacketed section the optical window ensures that the clearest possible image is obtained as particles are not obscured by the depth of the thermofluid within the jacket or the extra glass wall. The flatness of the window also eliminates any distortion of the image associated with undertaking video microscopy through the usual curved vessel surface. Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=788 Produces 900 filled petri dishes per hour for cultivation CHUR, Switzerland -- Using a MEDIAJET vario adapted to work with 35mm petri dishes, supplied by INTEGRA Biosciences AG, the FMI Institute for Biomedical Research in Basel, Switzerland has established an effective technique for automated production of thousands of agar plates on which to cultivate the nematode C. elegans. The nematode C. elegans has long been a popular geneticist's tool. The simplicity, transparency and speed of its biological functions have made C. elegans an ideal model organism for studying genes and their function. The FMI is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in biomedical research with a strong record of innovation in the molecular biology of disease. Supported by the Novartis Research Foundation the goal of the FMI is to exploit new technologies to further its understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of cells and organisms in the fields of epigenetics, growth control and neurobiology. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:08:23 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=787 {Image: Courtesy Ball Aerospace -CAPTION: Ball Aerospace completed the primary mirror precision coating process for the Kepler Mission} Albuquerque NM, USA – The Ball Aerospace Infrared Radiation Effects Laboratory (IRREL) operated at the Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has received the 2008 Herschel Award. The award was presented at the February meeting of the Military Sensing Symposium (MSS), a national organization that promotes the development and application of both radar and electro-optic sensor technology, primarily associated with military applications. The Herschel Award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated a major breakthrough in infrared device science or technology. In making the presentation, Dr. William Radford, chairman of the MSS Detector Specialty Group, said, “With a combined experience of over 90 years, the unrivaled leadership and expertise that IRREL leverages on a day-to-day basis makes them an asset to all systems that utilize focal plane arrays.” Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=786 Stamford, UK & Hayward, CA, USA -- Guava Technologies, Inc. provides new levels of flexibility and analysis with its Guava RapidQuant™ IgG Assays for quantification of mouse and human antibodies. Used in combination with the Guava Express®, Guava ViaCount® and other Guava® Assays the new Guava RapidQuant IgG Assays provide unmatched antibody characterisation on a single cellular analysis platform - the Guava EasyCyte™ Plus ™ System. With their simplicity and ease of use, the new microplate-based Guava RapidQuant™ IgG Assays have raised the bar for IgG titering in tissue culture supernatants. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=785 HOUSTON TX, USA--(Marketwire) - Cotton & Western Mining, Inc. have announced that it has began the first phase Electromagnetic Potential Measurement (EPM) and Magnetic Measurement Survey using the GeoSurveyor 3-D Software to produce color underground 3-D mapping images of the Baja Pacific No. 8 magnetite seams. To date approximately 7,000 meters of magnetite seams have been discovered on the Baja Pacific No. 8 mining lot. The survey works for Baja Pacific No. 8 will consist of the EPM survey work that is now underway together with a Cesium Magnetometer survey to be conducted upon completion of the EPM work. CWRM management has given a verbal commitment to EDCON-PRJ, Inc. of Denver, Colorado, to undertake the deep magnetometer survey interpretation and mapping and the possible contracting to EDCON-PRJ to conduct a Gravity Survey. This will be determined upon the completion of all magnetic survey work. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=784 Photo of NREL analysts Walter Short and Nate Blair standing in front of charts, graphs, and maps that show results from the Wind Deployment System (WinDS) model. Golden CO, USA -- What started out as a spreadsheet on one National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) analyst's laptop has become one of the most credible models for projecting wind power capacities and energy deliveries for the future, and it has a name to match: the Wind Deployment System, or WinDS. NREL's strategic energy analysis capability is one of the laboratory's core competencies and a must-have element of every technology development process. But because analyses are often only as good as the tools the analysts have to work with, key models need to be designed to produce reliable analyses that support NREL's research. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0500 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=783 Stamford, UK & Hayward CA, USA -- Millipore Corporation and Guava Technologies, Inc. have announced a long-term partnership to deliver integrated flow cytometry solutions to scientists conducting research in cell biology, including stem cell research. The companies will offer scientists superior technical performance, higher quality data, and much greater accessibility to this powerful analytical platform than is currently available. Flow cytometry is a technique used by scientists to measure changes in protein expression in individual cells that may occur as a consequence of many important factors such as (stem) cell differentiation, disease, aging, cancer development, drug treatment, and toxicity. The combination of Millipore’s and Guava’s capabilities will integrate instrumentation, reagent kits, validated protocols, and technical support to bring the advantages of flow cytometry to the bench tops of cell biologists. Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=782 Québec, Canada - ABB is proud to unveil its new Horizon MBTM FTIR software for the MB3000 Series FTIR Spectrometers. The extended software for the MB3000 laboratory spectrometers complete with extensive health monitoring, full instrument validation for regulated environments in compliance with CFR21 part 11 as well as ASTM E1421-99 (2004) performance monitoring, workflow scripting, professional reporting, and multiple languages. The MB3000 Series can be viewed at PITTCON booth #6451 in New Orleans this week. A year after the launch of its new MB3000 FTIR spectrometer, ABB has received strong interest and a high level of acceptance of its new laboratory analyzer. The combination of simplicity, low cost of ownership and surprising versatility are well appreciated by the market. “We’re excited to report that while working with the MB3000 over the last year, we’ve observed greater sensativity and stability of the spectrometer system than anticipated,” said Dr. Henry Buijs, CTO. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=781 Crowthorne, UK -- A new application report from Viscotek describes how its Triple Detection GPC/SEC system provides a rapid and convenient way of characterising Chitosans. Chitosans are natural products derived from chitin, which is commonly found in the shells of crustaceans, and is a renewable resource nearly as abundant as cellulose. Chitosans are a focus of interest for various applications. They can be used in a range of cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications as they are biocompatible, hypoallergenic, biodegradable and bioabsorbable. To optimise their properties for a specific application Chitosans are often chemically modified. The wide use of Chitosans as excipient materials has created a demand for effective methods for determining their molecular weight distribution and structure. Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:05:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=780 Austin, TX, USA -- Nano-Proprietary, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) received a notice of allowance for its patent titled “Nanobiosensor and carbon nanotube thin film transistor.” This patent is one of the basic patents that covers a wide variety of biosensor applications and will protect our nanobiosensor platform. This patent combines a sensing element with a thin film transistor structure to report and measure the results. The sensing element is comprised of a combination of conductive polymers, enzymes, and non-aligned carbon nanotubes deposited using a low-cost process. The thin film transistor amplifies the signal of the sensor and provides integration between the sensing capabilities and nanoelectronics. For more information about ANI’s thin film transistor approach please see “Solution-deposited carbon nanotube layers for flexible display applications” published in Physica E 37 (2007), pages 119-123, and originally published on September 11, 2006. The claims in this patent represent and protect ANI’s technology for integrating carbon nanotube based nanoelectronics with organic and living matters. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:20:03 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=779 IBM Scientists First To Measure Force: Nano-construction capability stands to impact future direction of information technology San Jose, CA - 21 Feb 2008: IBM scientists, in collaboration with the University of Regensburg in Germany, are the first ever to measure the force it takes to move individual atoms on a surface. This fundamental measurement provides important information for designing future atomic-scale devices: computer chips, miniaturized storage devices, and more. View video on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUq2bQkL1zo Some twenty years ago at IBM’s Almaden Research Center in San Jose, in a small lab packed with high-tech equipment in the hills of Silicon Valley, IBM Fellow Don Eigler achieved a landmark in mankind’s ability to build small structures. On September 29, 1989 he demonstrated the ability to manipulate individual atoms with atomic-scale precision, and went on to write I-B-M with individual Xenon atoms, an event likened to the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk. Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:29:56 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=778 The European Commission has approved a list of Joint Research Program Montpellier, FRANCE -- According to the E-LETTER of the Collège Français de Métrologie (CFMETROLOGIE.COM) on January 18, 2008, the European Commission formally approved the list of research programs related to measurements and metrology that it will fund. The list below indicates the short name and full title of each of these programs: . NAH - Avogadro and molar Planck constants . e-MASS - Watt balance . REUNIAM - Redefinition of the SI base unit ampere . OCS - Optical clocks for a new definition of the second . Nanoparticles - Traceable characterization of nanoparticles . TRACEBIOACTIVITY - Traceable measurement for biospecies and ion activity in clinical chemistry . Power & Energy - Next generation of power and energy measuring techniques Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:05:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=777 DANBURY CT, USA - A2 Technologies, the innovator and manufacturer of portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers will showcase an exciting new addition to its innovative new range of FTIR spectrometers on booth #2507 at PITTCON 2008, March 2-7 2008, New Orleans, Louisiana. Further extending its range of portable FTIR spectrometers, A2 Technologies will be launching a revolutionary handheld portable FTIR spectrometer specifically designed for field-based surface analysis applications. Weighing only six pounds, the new analyzer can be fully operated using only one hand and is also capable of handling Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) applications for users in the general laboratory. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:10:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=776 Cambridge, UK -- Activotec, specialists in peptide synthesis technology, has announced the launch of an updated information-rich website. The website, located at www.activotec.com, offers rapid and intuitive navigation through Activotec's growing range of instrumentation, custom peptide synthesis and contract R&D services, their applications, breaking news and support. Regularly updated, www.activotec.com is a website worth bookmarking for all laboratories involved with or interested in synthesis of peptides and proteins. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:05:00 -0600 http://measurementdb.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=775 Coventry, UK -- A method for easy, direct automated elemental analysis of material retained on glass or quartz microfiber filters used in water filtration and air monitoring applications is available for the Exeter Analytical Model CE-440 CHN Elemental Analyser. Direct determination of total CHN retained on a filter is more sensitive, precise and cost-effective than making measurements on pre- and post- filtered samples and calculating the difference. This has been confirmed in a study conducted for the EPA on particulate concentrations in water samples from the Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Program1. Direct determination is preferred over the traditional "by difference" method because of the former's reduced sources of error, rapidity of analysis and increased sample representativeness due to the greater volume filtered. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:05:00 -0600