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Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
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Analysis for Lead in Laundered Shop Towels Using Handheld X-ray Fluorescence SpectroscopyMany automotive shops use a laundry service to clean their soiled shop towels. Previous studies have shown the towels can retain metals even after laundering and long-term exposure to certain metals such as lead could potentially result in health issues to employees using the towels. Laundered shop towels were collected from local automotive shops and analyzed to assess the ability of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy using a handheld system to measure harmful metal contaminants such as lead in the towels.
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Analysis for Lead in Laundered Shop Towels Using Handheld X-ray Fluorescence SpectroscopyMany automotive shops use a laundry service to clean their soiled shop towels. Previous studies have shown the towels can retain metals even after laundering and long-term exposure to certain metals such as lead could potentially result in health issues to employees using the towels. Laundered shop towels were collected from local automotive shops and analyzed to assess the ability of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy using a handheld system to measure harmful metal contaminants such as lead in the towels.
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Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
Latest:
Field-Portable VNIR Spectrometry: Applications for Mars Rover Operational Strategies Testing at Terrestrial Analog SitesVisible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo handheld VNIR spectrometer to simulate the function of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam and Mars 2020 rover SuperCam. Commercially available instrumentation is employed to eliminate engineering, communication, and mission-specific specifications, and allow the GHOST team to focus solely on investigative protocols. The portable spectrometer allowed for rapid data acquisition of in-situ outcrops, similar to those data gathered by Mars rovers, and allowed the instrument operator to rapidly traverse the field site, maximizing the number of data points gathered for the science teams.
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Identifying Contaminants in Synthetic Polymers and Rubbers Using Micro Ge ATR FT-IR ImagingManufacturing downtime hurts your bottom line - and any downtime caused by unintentional contamination during materials processing is especially painful. With regular adherence to impurity standards and cleanliness specifications it can be significantly reduced.
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Spectroscopy of Sports DrinksIn this application note, we demonstrate the power of the modular spectroscopy to measure the UV-Vis absorbance of natural and artificial colorants used in sports drinks.
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Food Metabolomics: Fact or Fiction?The different aspects of food metabolomics are described using tomato taste as an example.
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Probing Aqueous Surfaces by TOF-SIMSA breakthrough using a microfluidic interface to conduct sensitive time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis and study liquid surfaces in situ under vacuum conditions is described here.
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Testing the Limits of Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry to Compare a Nonbiological Complex Drug Product and Purported Generics—A Case Study with CopaxoneIon mobility mass spectrometry (IMMS) is a two-dimensional technique that allows separation of ionized molecules based on molecular size, shape, and mass‑to‑charge ratio (m/z). It has rapidly become a valuable application for analyzing isomeric compounds in a complex matrix (e.g., proteomic and lipidomic samples) or complex mixtures of structurally related and isobaric analytes (e.g., oil samples or polymer blends). IMMS was investigated as a possible technique to compare purported generic products with Copaxone®, a drug for treating relapsing‑remitting multiple sclerosis, which contains a very complex mixture of synthetic peptides. The analysis was performed on 15 randomly chosen batches of Copaxone® and 5 batches of purported generics that are marketed drugs in their country of origin. All samples were compared to a reference batch of Copaxone® (P53961) using Waters HDMS Compare software. The analysis produced heat maps that highlighted significant intensity differences in peptides at various m/z and drift times. A quantitative assessment of these heat maps was also performed by summing all the pixel values to produce a total pixel value (TPV). While the average TPV for the Copaxone® batches was 510811, the TPVs of the purported generics were 8-13 fold higher (2301682 to 4276572).
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Gas Analysis with the Nicolet iS50 FT-IR SpectrometerCombining a high precision FT-IR spectrometer with a long pathlength gas cell provides a powerful tool for analyzing trace levels of contaminants in air and other gas mixtures.
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Using Headspace Gas Chromatography for the Measurement of Water in Sugar and Sugar-Free Sweeteners and ProductsThis fast, automated method was shown to be accurate and precise for 16 liquid sweeteners, and is likely more accurate than Karl Fischer titration.
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Determination of _α-Dicarbonyls in Wines Using Salting-Out Assisted Liquid–Liquid ExtractionA new methodology for the analysis of three important -dicarbonyls (methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and pentane-2,3-dione) in wines was developed.
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Vibration-Resistant FT-IR for In-Process Monitoring of an Industrial Fermentation ProcessA vibration-resistant FT-IR spectrometer is used to monitor an industrially relevant fermentation process.
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Determination of _α-Dicarbonyls in Wines Using Salting-Out Assisted Liquid–Liquid ExtractionA new methodology for the analysis of three important -dicarbonyls (methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and pentane-2,3-dione) in wines was developed.
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Vibration-Resistant FT-IR for In-Process Monitoring of an Industrial Fermentation ProcessA novel FTIR spectrometer is used to monitor in real time an industrial fermentation process and fitted to HPLC data.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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LC–MS Characterization of Mesquite Flour ConstituentsGiven the wide range in polarity of the components of mesquite flour, it is advantageous to study the health benefits of this flour using methods that combine the complementary approaches of reversed-phase and aqueous normal phase LC.
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Analyze Samples with Uneven, Curved, or Rough SurfacesFind out how Renishaw’s new inVia Qontor confocal Raman microscope can be used to acquire accurate and repeatable spectra from samples with extensive topographic variations.
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Chemically Characterize Coatings with Renishaw’s inViaLearn why Renishaw’s inVia confocal Raman microscope is the ultimate system for studies ranging from fundamental research on the materials involved through to final product quality control and failure analysis.
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Using Raman spectroscopy to analyse Li-ion battery anodesIt is vital to be able to rapidly and easily analyse the composition and structure of anodes. The inVia is ideal for locating, discriminating, and quantifying the different forms of carbon present in anodes, even those with subtle variations in structure.
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New Approaches in Sample Preparation and Precise Multielement Analysis of Crude Oils and Refined Petroleum Products Using Single-Reaction-Chamber Microwave Digestion and Triple-Quadrupole ICP-MSOctober’s AP column highlights a team of geochemists at the University of Houston who have been developing methods to streamline multi-element analysis for a more complete fingerprinting of oils by using one sample preparation method utilizing a single reaction chamber microwave digestion system and then analyzing these solutions for major, and minor elements by ICP-OES and low abundance trace elements by triple quadrupole (QQQ) ICP-MS. Results to date using this approach have shown that complete elemental recovery and removal of organic matrices can be achieved safely and that up to 57 elements can be determined in oils with good accuracy and precision. Removal of organic matrices during digestion not only helps to limit the formation of polyatomic spectral interferences, but improves instrument stability and reduces carbon build in the sample introduction and interface regions, which have traditionally plagued “dilute and shoot” methods.
Latest:
New Approaches in Sample Preparation and Precise Multielement Analysis of Crude Oils and Refined Petroleum Products Using Single-Reaction-Chamber Microwave Digestion and Triple-Quadrupole ICP-MSOctober’s AP column highlights a team of geochemists at the University of Houston who have been developing methods to streamline multi-element analysis for a more complete fingerprinting of oils by using one sample preparation method utilizing a single reaction chamber microwave digestion system and then analyzing these solutions for major, and minor elements by ICP-OES and low abundance trace elements by triple quadrupole (QQQ) ICP-MS. Results to date using this approach have shown that complete elemental recovery and removal of organic matrices can be achieved safely and that up to 57 elements can be determined in oils with good accuracy and precision. Removal of organic matrices during digestion not only helps to limit the formation of polyatomic spectral interferences, but improves instrument stability and reduces carbon build in the sample introduction and interface regions, which have traditionally plagued “dilute and shoot” methods.
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Protein Secondary Structure Determination Using Drop Coat Deposition Confocal Raman SpectroscopyThe accurate determination of protein structure is integral to the medical and pharmaceutical communities’ ability to understand disease, and develop drugs. Current techniques (CD, IR, Raman) for protein structure prediction provide results that can be poorly resolved, while high resolution techniques (NMR, X-ray crystallography) can be both costly and time-consuming. This work proposes the use of drop coat deposition confocal Raman spectroscopy (DCDCR), coupled with peak fitting of the Amide I spectral region (1620–1720 cm-1) for the accurate determination of protein secondary structure. Studies conducted on BSA and ovalbumin show that the predictions of secondary structure content within 1% of representative crystal structure data is possible for model proteins. The results clearly demonstrate that DCDCR has the potential to be effectively used to obtain accurate secondary structure distributions for proteins.
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Protein Secondary Structure Determination Using Drop Coat Deposition Confocal Raman SpectroscopyThe accurate determination of protein structure is integral to the medical and pharmaceutical communities’ ability to understand disease, and develop drugs. Current techniques (CD, IR, Raman) for protein structure prediction provide results that can be poorly resolved, while high resolution techniques (NMR, X-ray crystallography) can be both costly and time-consuming. This work proposes the use of drop coat deposition confocal Raman spectroscopy (DCDCR), coupled with peak fitting of the Amide I spectral region (1620–1720 cm-1) for the accurate determination of protein secondary structure. Studies conducted on BSA and ovalbumin show that the predictions of secondary structure content within 1% of representative crystal structure data is possible for model proteins. The results clearly demonstrate that DCDCR has the potential to be effectively used to obtain accurate secondary structure distributions for proteins.
