Desktop-size integrated isotope analyzer
The portable iTOC-CRD5, with applications for food/beverage and environmental analysis, promises advantages–cost, ease of use, and no compromises–over analyzers based on isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Based on wavelength-scanned cavity-ringdown spectroscopy, it measures total organic carbon, as well as the carbon stable isotope ratio (delta-13C) with precision as high as 0.2 per thousand in seconds or minutes. The iTOC-CRDS works directly with solids, liquids, sludges, and slurries.
Picarro, Sunnyvale, CA, USA, www.bioopticsworld.com/articles/355810
Affordable, high-resolution NIR spectrometer
NIRQuest aims to provide a simpler and less costly alternative to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and comparable technologies. Its modular design enables customization for uses such as blood and tissue analysis, bacterial detection in food and beverage production, and nitrogen monitoring of plants and soils. A high-performance optical bench with low-noise electronics and more grating options, it is a compact, plug-and-play unit available in versions for 900–1700, 900–2100, and 900–2500 nm. A high-gain mode option improves sensitivity by a factor of five for low-light-level applications and low-concentration absorbance measurements.
Ocean Optics, Dunedin, FL, www.bioopticsworld.com/articles/356639
Customizable chips for bio target detection
The SpectroSens sensor can detect all classes of biological targets, including proteins, viruses, and bacteria. At its core is an optical silicon chip, which analyzes changes in any liquid on the surface of the chip by measuring refractive index. It also directly measures the binding of antigens to antibodies with precision better than 1 ppm, and can simultaneously measure reaction kinetics for multiple biochemical targets.
Stratophase, Romsey, England, www.bioopticsworld.com/articles/356633
Particle-size analyzer measures to 0.5 nm
The IG-1000 applies Shimadzu’s “induced grating” method to measure single particles, 0.5 to 200 nm, in about 30 seconds. The method overcomes the problems of other particle measurement approaches, promising satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and stable measurements of even single nanostructures. It bases its measurements on optical signals emitted by a diffraction grating formed by the particles through dielectrophoresis. The method ensures high reproducibility and precision, and contamination resistance.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Columbia, MD, www.bioopticsworld.com/articles/357990
Compact, scalable research cytometer
The Gallios targets researchers, and boasts advanced optics, patented electronics design, and novel software tools for increased sensitivity and resolution in less time and at higher speeds. It aims to make visible subtle changes in cell populations, and to accelerate data generation. Gallios is available in three scalable configurations that allow for the addition of more lasers and fluorescence detectors as the need for complex multicolor flow cytometry expands.
Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA, www.bioopticsworld.com/articles/356181