Pure water systems provide single-company solution to multiple needs Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. now offers a comprehensive line of laboratory water purification systems under the Thermo Scientific Barnstead High Purity Lab Water Systems brand. The line features state-of-the-art purification technologies, integrated within ergonomic, user-friendly designs, to provide scientists with high-purity water for critical analytical and research applications, including molecular biology and cell culture in life science. The Thermo Scientific Barnstead NANOpure water system offers a unique combination of reliable, ultrapure water with easy operation and maintenance and low operating cost, with application-specific models utilizing cartridge packs tailored for specific feed water types and end uses. Providing purified water for general lab use, the Thermo Scientific Barnstead DIamond RO reverse osmosis system is easy to operate and maintain. This system combines multiple purification steps in a single unit, incorporating the latest advances in both pretreatment and membrane technologies. A wide selection of distillation equipment includes glass stills, bi-distillers, electric and steam powered classic stills, and cabinetized units. The company also offer a range of storage reservoirs. www.thermo.com/purewater. FT-IR purge gas generator provides CO2-free air for analytical instruments and monitors The Chrysalis II FT-IR purge gas generator is designed to provide a continuous stream of CO2-free air from compressed air sources for use with FT-IR spectrometers to provide purified purge and air bearing gas. The FT-IR purge gas generator uses the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process to reduce CO2 levels to below 1 ppm and water vapor content to less than -100°F dew point. The generator is ideal for optimizing spectral analysis by providing clearer background spectra in a shorter evaluation time, while improving signal-to-noise ratio. Units are designed to operate 24/7. The integral dual tower design provides continuous uninterrupted operation without having to change media. The generator requires a compressed air source for operation, and the air should be compatible with instrument-quality air. The inconvenience and high costs associated with using nitrogen cylinders and dewars can be eliminated with the Chrysalis II FT-IR purge gas generator. www.mathesontrigas.com. Modular casework systems suit analytical processes Wright Line’s LMS full-frame casework system is a modular solution for the analytical lab, designed to suit processes such as mass spec, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and IR spectroscopy. Units are mobile and height-adjustable, and offer management capability for tubing, power distribution, data/networks, and lab services. Available in nine widths and four heights, the units feature reverse I-beam construction of 12-gauge steel, with superior leveling capabilities. Cable management is oversized for flexibility and high capacity. The vendor offers a lifetime warranty. Accessories include storage cabinets, seating, mobile carts, and flat panel display arms and mounts. www.wrightline.com. Intermediate power level laser introduced for micromachining Coherent Inc. has expanded its AVIA product family of UV lasers with a new, intermediate power level model in a package optimized for cost-effective micromachining at high throughput rates. The AVIA 355-14 is an all-solid-state Q-switched laser that generates more than 14 W at 355 nm. In addition to being cost-effective, the new laser’s pulse duration of <30 ns and its high beam quality (M2 <1.3) means the AVIA 355-14 also delivers superior materials processing results, in terms of spatial resolution, edge quality, and minimized peripheral thermal effects. The laser supports pulse repetition rates as high as 300 kHz, enabling both vector scanning and very high speed raster scanning applications. Cost of ownership is minimized through the use of long-lived pump diodes, which are field-replaceable. The frequency-tripling component has a projected lifetime of providing stable output power for more than 60,000 hr. The product carries a two-year warranty. www.coherent.com. High-flow packaged central lab water systems serve several points of use CENTRA High Flow packaged central lab water systems, from Siemens Water Technologies, are designed for customers who require an off-the-shelf, simple-to-use central system that can supply 10 gal/min (38 L/min) of pure water to a distribution loop or multiple points of use within a lab or building. The systems offer integrated technology in one cabinet, eliminating the need for laboratory personnel to purchase each component separately from multiple manufacturers and incorporate them into the distribution loop. The systems include a recirculation pump, storage tank, reverse osmosis (RO), an ultraviolet (UV) photo oxidation unit for enhanced bacterial control, a 0.2-micron filter to maintain water quality in the distribution loop, and a feed to and from an optional deionization (DI) cylinder. The system is self-contained, with quick-connect pipework, allowing for flexibility in equipment layout on the laboratory room floor. The CENTRA system can also feed a bench-top water polisher such as the PURELAB Ultra water polishing system, for critical laboratory applications that require up to 18.2 megohm-cm water quality on-demand. (CENTRA and PURELAB are trademarks of ELGA LabWater.) ww.water.siemens.com/en/Laboratory/Lab_Water/Pages/default.aspx. SEM offers advanced imaging capabilities The Nova NanoSEM 30 series, from FEI, is a line of field-emission scanning electron microscopes featuring new low-kV performance for enhanced surface characterization; high current for compositional analysis capabilities; and the world’s first high-resolution operation in low vacuum to characterize uncoated and even insulating samples. These features enable the characterization and analysis of a large range of samples, including demanding ones such as nanoparticles, insulating substrates such as glass or polymers, porous materials, metals, and composites. The SEMs also provide researchers with novel prototyping capabilities based on electron beam lithography, electron beam induced deposition, and in-situ experimentation for manipulation and testing. www.fei.com. Laser dicer processes thin silicon wafers XSiL has launched its new laser dicing system specifically designed to process thin silicon wafers. The X300D+, developed on the company’s Xise300 platform, includes four integrated processes. First, a non-ionic, water-soluble coating is dispensed onto the wafer for high-performance protection. Second, the wafer is diced using a high-powered UV DPSS laser at 355 nm; silicon and DAF are cut with minimal damage and no chipping at high speed. The third process is wafer cleaning inside the wash station, to remove coating and debris. The final step is an innovative low-cost dry-etch process called MaxFlex. www.xsil.com. Gas standards generator uses modular, two-stage approach The 491M/B/SD modular gas standards generator dynamically blends precisely known VOC/TOC gas standards with parts-per-billion (ppb) and parts-per-trillion (ppt) analyte concentrations. Two modules provide two sequential stages of dilution. The first stage 491M/B combines the analyte flow from Trace Source permeation tubes with a precisely controlled flow of pure dilution gas to form a parts-per-billion concentration mixture. In the second stage 491M/SD, an aliquot of the ppb mixture is further diluted to form a ppt mixture. Trace Source permeation tubes are now available for 500 analyte compounds. The 491M/B/SD uses dynamic blending to circumvent the common problems with ppb and ppt standards. Typically, ppb and ppt VOC/TOC gas standards are not stable in storage due to reactions and adsorption in the container. Dynamic blending avoids this problem. www.kin-tek.com. SPM instrument allows multiprobe imaging The MultiView 4000, from Nanonics Imaging Ltd., enables the utilization of up to four probes for independent imaging and manipulation of a sample via atomic force microscopy. 3D FlatScan scanner technology is used in concert with cantilevered, optically, and spatially friendly probes. Previously, the geometry of scanning mechanisms and probes thwarted the concept of multiple-probe scanned probe microscopy. The MultiView 4000 has a novel planar, folded-piezo, flexure scan design for optimal AFM resolution. www.nanonics.co.il. Filter pack removes endocrine disrupters The EDS-Pak Ultrafilter, from Millipore, is designed as a point-of-use water filter solution to work in tandem with the vendor’s Milli-Q Advantage A10 ultrapure water system. This new activated charcoal filter meets the needs of researchers in environmental testing labs who require ultrapure water free of endocrine disrupters. It adsorbs small organic molecules and dispenses up to 300 total L of water as a final purification step, either alone or in combination with a Millipak 0.22-µm filter. Also available are the BioPak ultrafiltration cartridge for pyrogen- and nuclease-free water, and the Millipak filter with Millipore Express 0.22-µm membrane filter for the production of particulate- and bacteria-free ultrapure water. www.millipore.com. Ultrasonic spray dryers produce controlled drop size SonoDry ultrasonic spray dryers, from Sono-Tek Corp., come in varied sizes, from tabletop R&D systems to advanced floor models. The nozzle technology is designed to produce a low-velocity spray with a controlled drop size. Available models include the 750 twin cyclone tabletop system (water evaporation rate up to 750 mL/hr); the 1000 twin cyclone mobile stand-alone system (evaporation rate up to 1,000 mL/hr); and the 1500 advanced twin cyclone mobile stand alone system (evaporation rate up to 1,500 mL/hr). www.sono-tek.com. Lab vacuum pump designed for quiet operation The Rocker 300 laboratory vacuum pump, from New Star Environmental, has a noise level of only ~50 dB, the lowest among equivalent products. The piston-powered, oil-free pump not only keeps the laboratory quiet, but also protects the operator from noise disturbances. The Rocker 300 comes with guaranteed operation of two years or 3,000 working hours of free service parts (excluding the moisture filter). Applications include liquid filtration (microbiology, suspended solid); air sampling (stack gas, ambient air); vacuum ovens; and fume suction. www.newstarenvironmental.com Butterfly valves isolate pumps, chambers, and roughing lines Key-High Vacuum Products Inc. has introduced the ISO-MF quarter-swing butterfly valve, designed and manufactured for reliable performance and versatility. The valves have a new, compact, straight-through design to maximize available pumping speed, with a quick quarter-turn 90° actuation, from full open to the closed position. Valve bodies are manufactured from 304L stainless steel for corrosion resistance and a low outgassing rate. Valves are available in manual, pneumatic, and motorized actuating styles. www.keyhigh.com. GC’s features meet varied lab needs PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences has introduced the Clarus 400 gas chromatograph, designed to meet the needs of industrial/analytical laboratories in price-sensitive environments and academic laboratories globally. The Clarus 400 GC offers an optional autosampler for increased productivity and has a number of features to support laboratories, including a choice of keypad user interfaces in five languages. It is designed for an easy installation supported by localized documentation. The Clarus 400 GC can be coupled with PerkinElmer’s TurboMatrix Headspace Samplers and Thermal Desorbers for added application capabilities. www.perkinelmer.com/Clarus400GC. . Modular alumininum piping resists rust, corrosion Kaeser Compressors has introduced the SmartPipe modular, aluminum compressed air distribution system. Made from smooth, calibrated aluminum with a low friction coefficient, SmartPipe is designed to avoid rust and corrosion. Full-bore fittings minimize pressure drop, and leak-free connectors prevent costly compressed air loss. This versatile piping system features lightweight materials and push-to-fit connectors that can be installed without threading or welding. SmartPipe can be easily integrated into existing systems and modified to accommodate changing needs. Available in multiple sizes, SmartPipe is ideal for headers and branch lines all the way down to the point of use. www.kaeser.com/smartpipe. Liquid nitrogen dewars feature low evaporation rate Technifab TLN Series liquid nitrogen dewars are designed to safely and conveniently transport and store liquid nitrogen in the lab. The low evaporation rate results in reduced operating costs compared with current dewar standards. Technifab dewars combine advanced vacuum design and super insulation technology to achieve superior thermal performance. The dewars are built robustly to ensure long hold time for many years, even under heavy use. The high-strength aluminum material, ribbed cylinder, and durable neck-tube design provide a product that is lightweight, rugged, and easy to handle. Roller bases are available to ensure the safe movement of larger cryogenic dewars. www.cryogenicdewars.com. Manual chain hoists lift capacities up to 20 tons The high-end manual hoists from Konecranes, the leading chain hoist manufacturer, are designed to provide exceptional service and reliability, with a 0.25- to 20-ton lift capacity. The top of the line KKT manual chain hoist provides a lift capacity of 0.5 to 20 tons and is constructed entirely of steel to withstand harsh environments. The KKT features lifting and suspension hooks made of forged steel, fitted with safety latches and marked with inspection points; a load limiter to prevent lifting loads beyond rated capacity; and starts with a standard lift height of 10 ft. The load chain is made of high-strength grade 80 alloy steel with a galvanized finish for corrosion resistance. The KKT also meets or exceeds international standards, including ASME B30.16. www.kciamericas.com. Benchtop dispensing pump is designed for lab applications Watson-Marlow Bredel offers its new 323Dz peristaltic pump for high-precision dispensing. Designed with the 313D flip-top pumphead for simple tube loading, the reliable, high-performance 323Dz pump is intended for laboratory and benchtop applications, such as metering, dosing, and the scale transfer of pharmaceutical products, live cell cultures, nutrients, and bioreactor constituents. The 323Dz provides manually adjustable speeds of 2 to 400 rpm, with flow rates ranging from 0.06 mL/min to 2000 mL/min, resulting in a dosing capability of 100 mL in under 3 sec. Additionally, designed with menu-driven calibration, the 323Dz allows for mid-batch calibration any time during the pumping process. To reduce splashing and further improve accuracy, the 323Dz pump is available with an adjustable speed ramp to reduce splashing and frothing, and a kick-back function to prevent unwanted drips at the dose end. www.watson-marlow.com. Weighing modules function in hazardous environments Mettler Toledo’s Modulo WM weighing modules are now also available for applications in hazardous environments. The new, intrinsically safe WM-Ex product line is available with FM Class 1, Div. 1 approval and uses the known PSU power supply. The modules are fast, compact, rugged, and precise, with up to 0.1 mg resolution and internal calibration. Also available are various standard-use modules covering weight ranges from 120 g up to 3,000 kg. Modules feature a stainless steel housing, overload protection, and wash-down options, and can connect directly to PCs or PLCs via serial connection or a number of field buses. www.mt.com Lab workstations emphasize ergonomic advantages The Sovella line of lab workstations and furniture (formerly sold in the U.S. under the GWS Systems name) is designed to provide flexibility, mobility, and ergonomic advantages to the lab user. Workstations can be height-customized though friction, hand crank, or push-button motor adjustment. Lab staff can easily adapt the workstations to suit individual needs or change workstations when the needs of the user or lab change. Ease-of-use criteria allow operators to take full ergonomic advantage of the available adjustments. All systems can be made mobile with the addition of casters. The furniture uses robust steel construction, with models supporting more than 1,000 lbs of capacity. www.sovella.com Vendor offers solutions for ‘green’ casework design CiF Lab Casework Solutions, a vendor of wood, steel, flexible, and hybrid casework as well as fume hoods, offers a variety of options for projects where sustainability is a high priority. Sustainable materials available include Wood Institute Certified casework, Forest Steward Council solids and veneers, and plywood made with phenolic-based adhesives. Depending on the design, materials may be qualified for LEED credits in the Materials & Resources category (Recycled Content MR Credit 4.1 and 4.2; Rapidly Renewable Materials Credit 6; and Certified Wood Credit 7) as well as the Indoor Environmental Quality category (Low-Emitting Materials Credit 5). Custom design services are available embodying innovative products and materials with green features in mind. www.cifsolutions.com. Monitors verify correct fume hood operation The AirGard line of laboratory fume hood and biosafety cabinet monitors, by Alnor, protect lab users by warning them if containment has been compromised. The ANSI Z9.5-2003, SEFA 1.2-2002, and NFPA 45-2000 standards require the use of such monitors. AirGard monitors are available in a broad range of models, from simple go/no go versions to a full-featured model with a digital display of the actual measured velocity. The units constantly measure average face velocity and alerting workers of potentially unsafe flow levels with audible and visual alarms. www.alnor.com/categories/labhood.aspx. Glass piping, neutralization sumps boost sustainability. KIMAX borosilicate glass drainline and KOCH KNIGHTWARE neutralization sumps are uniquely suited to offer a comprehensive sustainable solution for acid waste piping and neutralization systems, according to manufacturer SCHOTT North America Inc. Glass drainline piping is modular and adaptable, with low life-cycle costs and easy reconfigurability. The system is a low-VOC solution and conserves water because copious dilution is not required. Waste water can be transported and neutralized on-site, and there is no off-gassing of toxic fumes. The durable components will not burn or emit toxic fumes and will not change in physical properties over time. Mechanical joint couplings are designed to be leak-proof, without any field welding or fusing required. www.us.schott.com/drainline. Sensors track pressure in sensitive areas American Sensor Technologies Inc. announces two new advances in its pressure product line with the AST44LP and AST43LP low-pressure, hazardous area-approved pressure transmitters. These media-isolated, stainless steel units can perform in a variety of applications and are constructed with 316L SS wetted materials for complete compatibility with a wide range of liquids and gases. The AST44LP carries an UL/cUL 913 (CSA 157) approval and has been rated for Class 1 Division 1 Groups C & D when installed with an approved barrier. This high-strength unit measures low pressure ranges from 0-5 to 0-15 PSI and is intended for intrinsically safe areas. Similar to the AST44LP series, the AST43LP also measures low pressure ranges from 0-5 to 0-15 PSI, but it is recommended for use in hazardous locations. The AST43LP is UL/cUL 1604 (CSA 213) Class 1 Division 2 Groups A, B, C & D listed. Common applications for both pressure transmitters include: industrial OEM equipment, water management, hydraulic systems, control panels, HVAC/R equipment, gas compression and storage, vapor recovery, and external tank leveling. www.astsensors.com.