Look to the stars
Star gazing will be made easy with a new handheld device, known as the SkyScout, that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets and constellations.
Star gazing will be made easy with a new handheld device, known as the SkyScout, that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets and constellations.
The device works by pointing it at any star and clicking the "target" button. Alternatively, if you wish to locate a star or planet, select the object's name from the menu and follow the directional arrows through the viewfinder. The SkyScout will tell you when you are on target.
The built-in database contains approximately 6000 entries and can be updated by the USB port or SD memory card slot.
Micro mosquito
This device could be an alternative solution to sending inter-office e-mail if you want to pass a piece of paper to a colleague across the office or in the laboratory.
The Micro Mosquito features two bright green LED "eyes" and has full helicopter manoeuvrability. Its digitally proportioned control allows precise flying with a smooth motor system giving a clean take-off and landing, as well as full forward and reverse control. It can be flown straight from the box and comes with a helicopter launch pad that doubles as a charger. A 45 minute charge will give you a full 10 minutes of flying time before it needs refuelling. You can take it off from your hand, fly it round the room and land it back on your hand again.
A pen with a difference!
Now you can take or record lecture notes by talking to your pen, which comes as an extension to the memory sticks that we have all seen. It can be used as a normal ballpoint pen to write; an MP3 player to store and play your favourite songs; as a recorder to record meetings, conversations and lectures (recordings can be listened to directly from the pen or uploaded to your computer for playback); as a flash drive to transport all your important files or to take verbal notes while you are working. Furthermore, it conveniently fits in your pocket.
Giant Swiss army knife
Wenger has come up with a huge Swiss army knife known as the Giant Knife Version 1.0 that could replace your laboratory tool box with one item. It has 85 features and can perform hundreds of functions. Some of the more surprising features include a cupped cigar cutter with double-honed edges, a mineral crystal magnifier, removable tool for adjusting bike spokes and a golf club face cleaner.
Dennis Pireta, Wenger's marketing director put it succinctly when he noted, "This is not exactly going to win any awards for lightest, smallest or most efficient tools..." The knife weighs 2 pounds, 11 ounces and measures 8.75 inches.
Measuring Procyanidin Concentration in Wines Using UHPLC
January 24th 2025Researchers from the University of Bordeaux (Villenave d'Ornon, France) report the development and validation of a rapid and quantitative analytical method measuring crown procyanidin concentration in red and white wines using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer.
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ions used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
The Complexity of Oligonucleotide Separations
January 9th 2025Peter Pellegrinelli, Applications Specialist at Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) explains the complexity of oligonucleotide separations due to the unique chemical properties of these molecules. Issues such as varying length, sequence complexity, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics make efficient separations difficult. Separation scientists are addressing these challenges by modifying mobile phase compositions, using varying ion-pairing reagents, and exploring alternative separation modes like HILIC and ion-exchange chromatography. Due to these complexities, AMT has introduced the HALO® OLIGO column, which offers high-resolution, fast separations through its innovative Fused-Core® technology and high pH stability. Alongside explaining the new column, Peter looks to the future of these separations and what is next to come.
Testing Solutions for Metals and PFAS in Water
January 22nd 2025When it comes to water analysis, it can be challenging for labs to keep up with ever-changing testing regulations while also executing time-efficient, accurate, and risk-mitigating workflows. To ensure the safety of our water, there are a host of national and international regulators such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Union (EU) that demand stringent testing methods for drinking water and wastewater. Those methods often call for fast implementation and lengthy processes, as well as high sensitivity and reliable instrumentation. This paper explains how your ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and LC-MS-MS workflows can be optimized for compliance with the latest requirements for water testing set by regulations like US EPA methods 200.8, 6010, 6020, and 537.1, along with ISO 17294-2. It will discuss the challenges faced by regulatory labs to meet requirements and present field-proven tips and tricks for simplified implementation and maximized uptime.
