Robert Thomas
Articles
40 Years Old and Still Solving Problems: Evolution of the ICP-MS Application Landscape
March 01, 2023
The use of ICP-MS is constantly expanding into an ever-wider variety of applications. We assess the current landscape and where the technique is going in the future.
Impact of Measurement Protocol on ICP-MS Data Quality Objectives: Part II
December 01, 2021
How can you assess real-world detection capability of an ICP-MS system?
Impact of Measurement Protocol on ICP-MS Data Quality Objectives: Part I
October 01, 2021
The way the analytical signal is managed in ICP-MS has a direct impact on the results generated. In this first of a two-part series, we explain the fundamental principles of a scanning quadrupole and how measurement protocols can be optimized based on data quality objectives.
Regulating Heavy Metals in Baby Food: The Challenges of Food Manufacturers and the FDA Being on the Same Page
July 01, 2021
A recent investigation found dangerous levels of heavy metals in commercial baby foods. Tighter scrutiny and regulations are needed.
Single-Cell Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry to Quantify Algal Cell Interaction with Nanoparticles by Their Elemental Fingerprint
October 01, 2020
This method detects elements intrinsically present in cells, and because sc-ICP-TOF-MS measures a full mass spectrum, no analytes are missed.
Multi-Quadrupole ICP-MS: Pushing Limits of Detection to the Next Decimal
September 01, 2020
For a number of elements, spectroscopic interferences can have a significant impact on the ability to achieve low detection limits in ICP-MS. We investigate the mechanisms in multi-quadrupole ICP-MS that are designed to remove these interferences.
Choosing the Right Atomic Spectroscopic Technique for Measuring Elemental Impurities in Pharmaceuticals: A J-Value Perspective
March 01, 2018
How to select the optimum atomic spectroscopic technique for orally delivered drugs, based on the J-values described in the validation protocols outlined in USP Chapter
Handheld X-ray Diffraction for Remote, Field-Based Applications
July 01, 2015
This installment describes the development of two novel X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques that enable the rapid analysis of samples using handheld instrumentation for remote applications. Both techniques can be applied to unprepared samples in the field, which is a highly favorable characteristic in many applications since the time required for laboratory-based sample preparation is avoided.
Determining Elemental Impurities in Pharmaceutical Materials: How to Choose the Right Technique
March 01, 2015
This installment evaluates the application requirements for the determination of 15 elemental impurities in pharmaceutical materials as described in the new United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapters and and offers suggestions about which atomic spectroscopic technique might be the most suitable to use.
An Investigation into the Use of Alternate Carrier Gases for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Water by GC–MS
March 01, 2015
This study focuses on United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Method 524.3 for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).