COVID-19
HPLC
New options emerge for the development of electrochemical sensors Reaching the market with an electrochemical sensor is now closer than ever. Metrohm DropSens produces custom electrochemical sensors with a scalable and cost-effective manufacturing process with no quantity limits. An idea, an application or an incipient research can be turned into a first-class, certified and marketready solution that meets individual requirements, regardless of the sector or concrete needs. Metrohm DropSens’ ability to design
and manufacture customised, high-volume electrochemical solutions creates great opportunities for the development of sensors and biosensors on small sensor strips. Many potential projects and research will be able to broaden their horizons thanks to professional manufacturing that guarantees costeffective production, the highest levels of product quality and stability, as well as a delivery capability without risk of stock-outs. Thanks to the customisability of these sensors, multiple modifications and options are possible such as spatial distribution, shape, area, substrate or the use of a wide
range of materials. This versatility allows the sensor to be adapted to applications from multiple markets and sectors to measure a wide range of parameters. These include human health, pollution, food and beverage information, environmental analysis, water contamination, illicit drug detection, viruses, agriculture and animal husbandry, to mention a few. Custom production and high volume manufacturing of electrochemical sensors can be the right way to reach the market, respond to new analytical paradigms and achieve powerful and accurate results, which many sectors and industries are looking for. From small-scale prototyping to large-scale sensor production, Metrohm DropSens offers support throughout the entire process: initial conceptualisation, in-depth prototype design and results with
the highest quality standards, always accompanied by a global, reliable and expert service. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3poKPlr in your browser and find out how this service can help you in the development of your electrochemical sensor.
METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 076 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
Sustainability in sample collection In 2019 climate change was one of the major global challenges we were encountering. We were clapping for the firemen in Australia, the flood workers in Venice, whilst at the same time being fully aware that something needed to change long term. The surreal lockdown situation that impacted the global economy creates a unique opportunity to re-think some of the things we were doing. Consequently, we should only go back to normal, if normal was good. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a significantly positive impact on the CO2 emissions and energy demand. Discussions are now taking place globally to prevent emissions reaching the same high levels previously experienced. If you are planning to expand your research facility to support vaccine development, imaging resources or build a collection of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, there might not be a better time to look at the wider sustainability picture. Solutions are often already in place; they just need to be implemented. Taking a more detailed look at cold
storage of specimens, several initiatives have been taken to create a more sustainable approach. The Thermo Scientific TSX series ultra-low temperature freezers supplied locally by Labotec, feature V-drive adaptive control technology, designed to minimise energy consumption without sacrificing sample security. The use of nonhydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants manufactured in a facility that has achieved
zero waste to landfill, means that more than 90% of the waste generated at the manufacturing site is diverted from landfill. A different angle on the sustainability topic is the actual use of the sample. If unique specimens from patients are only stored and treated as ‘my precious’ it is not only a waste of resources like electricity or plastics, but also not benefitting the patient. If future patients are no longer volunteering to consent
the use of their (clinical) data and specimens, biobanks and research in general have a major issue. The sustainability topic should be an integral part of the overall discussions between the stakeholders (these include donors, biobanks, researchers, industry and policymakers) to create a strategy where intentions, actions and results are all aligned. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s mission is to ‘make the world healthier, cleaner and safer’ and the company has been reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives since 2011. Achieving new innovative approaches in both thinking and acting requires game changers. Ideas that go beyond your own organisation and effect everyone involved. This could be the start of the new normal, make sure you don’t miss it. LABOTEC (PTY) LTD JHB: (011) 315 5434 CPT: (021) 531 7660 DBN: (031) 566 4870 Fax: (011) 315 5882 sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za
Know your ions – overcoming the limits of HPLC with ion chromatography What’s the difference between High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ion Chromatography (IC)? What are the capabilities and limitations of each technique? Knowing these differences can actually make a huge difference. As a proven, robust and highly versatile technique, IC can help HPLC users extend their analytical capabilities tremendously. Metrohm’s free white paper compares the two methods systematically, focusing on the strengths of ion chromatography. HPLC is one of the most powerful analytical techniques in the modern laboratory. From research to manufacturing to legal, it is widely used in many sectors. However, there are some inherent limitations. Ionic and polar compounds pose a challenge. So do organic acids. Moreover, some analytes such as e.g., fluoride and
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Analytical Reporter | Issue 4 | 2021
chloride are not active in the UV range, making it impossible to determine them with a UV detector, the detection technique most commonly used with HPLC. Ion chromatography (IC), on the other hand, is ideal for the separation and detection of ions and polar molecules, both organic and inorganic. This makes IC the ideal extension of HPLC, increasing the analytical capabilities of the modern laboratory tremendously. Over the last 30+ years, Metrohm has made Ion Chromatography a powerful tool for both research and routine analysis. Laboratories in the pharma, food, and water sectors in particular benefit not only from the method itself but from many automated inline sample preparation and injection techniques. Samples with a high load of particles (e.g., waste water), solid and even
gaseous samples can be analysed fully automatically down to the µg/L range with superior reproducibility. Hundreds of IC applications are available free of charge from the Metrohm Application Finder and users are supported in more than 120 countries by application specialists from the local Metrohm sales organisations. View the Application Finder by inputting this link in your browser: https://bit.ly/2Scz98Z. You can download the white paper - When HPLC fails: IC in food, water, and pharmaceutical analysis - by following this link in your browser: https://bit.ly/3vQhkeD
METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 076 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
