In this “Equipment Roundup,” the editors of LCGC International present SCIEX’s ZenoTOF 7600+ System and Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits’ nanoSPECTRAL chip.
In the “Equipment Roundup,” the editors of LC International highlight the newest products from instrument manufacturers around the world. Do you have a new product that you’d like featured in a future installment of LCGC International’s Equipment Roundup? Send a summary and photo of the product to John Chasse, Managing Editor of LCGC International, at jchasse@mjhlifesciences.com
SCIEX Launches the ZenoTOF 7600+ System
SCIEX recently announced the advancement of their high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry portfolio with the launch of the ZenoTOF 7600+ system accompanied by three new collaborations advancing proteomics capabilities (1).
The newest system to the ZenoTOF line, the ZenoTOF 7600+ system features the cutting-edge ZT Scan DIA strategy, leveraging the combination of the quadrupole dimension with the rich tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data achievable from the Zeno trap. The system aims to address a research gap – simplifying the transition of protein biomarker candidates beyond the discovery stage (2).
Key features of the ZenoTOF 7600+ system include:
The ZenoTOF 7600+ system is compatible with PEAKS 12.5 from Bioinformatics Solutions, Inc., the Evosep One from Evosep, and Aurora Series XS Range from IonOptiks (2).
SCIEX ZenoTOF 7600+ system. Photo courtesy of SCIEX.
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS Develops NanoSPECTRAL Chip
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS has announced the development of the nanoSPECTRAL chip, a chip-size spectrometer based on the nanoSPECTRAL technology which offers an innovative solution for spectral analyses. The chip makes it possible to measure the optical spectrum of a wide variety of objects quickly and precisely – both in transmission and in reflection.
The chip-size spectrometer is characterized by its high temperature resistance and broad coverage of the wavelength spectrum from 400 to 1000 nm. With a filter transmission of up to 40% and the ability to process 270 spectral and 30 polarization channels, the company states that the unit offers a decisive competitive advantage (3). One example of potential use is in liquid analysis—when analyzing reagents for measuring pH values, the nanoSPECTRAL chip identifies chemical changes across the entire spectrum more accurately than conventional RGB sensors, which usually detect only clear color differences (3).
The technology is compact and easy to integrate into existing systems and opens the door to new potential purposes from agriculture and the food industry to medical applications. Thanks to its simple integration, the miniaturized, highly integrated, and cost-effective chip can be used in a wide range of applications. For example, it is ideal for food analysis: farmers or end consumers could use it to check the freshness or ripeness of fruit. In a medical engineering context, the chip is also suitable for fast and reliable analysis of test strips at the point of care. The cosmetics industry could use the chip to measure skin moisture or shine after the use of care products. Another potential use is in liquid analysis— when analyzing reagents for measuring pH values, the nanoSPECTRAL chip identifies chemical changes across the entire spectrum more accurately than conventional RGB sensors, which usually detect only clear color differences (3).
The nanoSPECTRAL chip will be presented at electronica in Munich (in Hall B4, Stand 141) from November 12 to 15, 2024 (3).
REFERENCES
1.ZenoTOF 7600+ system. SCIEX website. https://sciex.com/products/mass-spectrometers/qtof-systems/7600-plus-system (accessed 2024-10-28)
2. SCIEX Launches the ZenoTOF 7600+ System at HUPO World Congress 2024, Alongside Three Collaborations to Further Proteomics Capabilities. BusinessWire website. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241022338343/en/SCIEX-Launches-the-ZenoTOF-7600-System-at-HUPO-World-Congress-2024-Alongside-Three-Collaborations-to-Further-Proteomics-Capabilities (accessed 2024-10-28)
3. NanoSPECTRAL chip: A Cost-Effective Spectrometer in Miniature Format. Fraunhofer IIS website. https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/pr/2024/pressemitteilung-nanoSPECTRAL-Chip.html (accessed 2024-10-28)
Determining Enhanced Sensitivity to Odors due to Anxiety-Associated Chemosignals with GC
May 8th 2025Based on their hypothesis that smelling anxiety chemosignals can, like visual anxiety induction, lead to an increase in odor sensitivity, a joint study between the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Erlangen, Germany) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (Freising, Germany) combined behavioral experiments, odor profile analysis by a trained panel, and instrumental analysis of odorants (gas chromatography-olfactometry) and volatiles (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry).
Investigating 3D-Printable Stationary Phases in Liquid Chromatography
May 7th 20253D printing technology has potential in chromatography, but a major challenge is developing materials with both high porosity and robust mechanical properties. Recently, scientists compared the separation performances of eight different 3D printable stationary phases.
Detecting Hyper-Fast Chromatographic Peaks Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry
May 6th 2025Ion mobility spectrometers can detect trace compounds quickly, though they can face various issues with detecting certain peaks. University of Hannover scientists created a new system for resolving hyper-fast gas chromatography (GC) peaks.