New Products
04/01/2008
Benchtop chilling incubator
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Torrey Pines Scientific announces the EchoTherm™ Model IN30 benchtop chilling incubator that controls from 4?? to 70??C even at or near room temperature. The IN30 is Peltier-based for heating and chilling, has no compressors or CFCs, and is virtually vibration-free, making it suitable for protein crystallization. The unit can be implemented in pharmaceutical, biotech, biochemistry, clinical, and other life science laboratories. Other applications include incubating marine samples below room temperature, enzyme reactions and deactivations, hybridizations, ligations, storing oocytes, and general lab incubations. The incubator features PID temperature control; digital display; accuracy to 0.1??C; an RS-232 I/O port for remote control and data collection; digital timer in hours, minutes, and seconds with user settable auto-off; and an audible alarm. The compact unit has a chamber size of 12 x 10 x 14 in. and comes with two stainless-steel racks with room for four. The overall size is 15.5 x 18.5 x 22 in. The IN30 comes with a universal power supply that operates from 100 to 265 VAC, 50/60 Hz, and 12 VDC and it is UL, C-UL, and CE certified.
Torrey Pines Scientific, Inc.
San Marcos, CA
www.torreypinesscientific.com
ESD event detector
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Trek, Inc. introduces the Model 900 ESD event detector. This detector is a diagnostic tool for manufacturing environments that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge, including electronic, semiconductor, and medical device manufacturing and assembly. The detector identifies incidents or verifies suspected areas of ESD activity within a manufacturing site. A voltage-sensitive antenna on the unit can be positioned near potential problem areas to monitor ESD events. Detection is conveyed via an audible buzzer and/or a visual color-coded light display that depicts intensity. The device serves to alert manufacturing engineers to the presence of potentially harmful electrostatic charging. The device is compact, portable, and powered by batteries. A universal power adapter can be used for continuous AC line operation. The device is also CE compliant. The technical design of the unit provides a wide spatial operating range with high sensitivity. Trek’s Model 900 is designed for charge device model events, which are becoming a major contributor of ESD failures in connection with increases in the automation of manufacturing processes.
Trek, Inc.
Medina, NY
www.trekinc.com
Temperature monitoring software
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Accsense’s new sub-sampling software feature allows users to designate separate time intervals for alarm-checking and data logging. For example, a pharmacy can now save data four times a day while checking for an alarm condition every five minutes. This simplifies data logs for regulatory compliance while maximizing product security by checking for alarm conditions more frequently. Accsense regularly releases automatic updates to its web-based software, expanding capabilities while simplifying temperature monitoring. Web-based software means no software to install. Users can check freezers, refrigerators, and incubators from any web browser, anytime. Print regulatory compliance reports, check alarms limits, and manage inventory from work or home. It’s a simple, reliable solution for keeping measurements in check with constant monitoring. Receive alarm notifications via e-mail, phone, or pager if problems arise. An Accsense system allows users to start recording data and receiving information immediately.
Accsense, Inc.
Santa Barbara, CA
www.accsense.com
Position sensor
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Airpot Corp. announces the addition of a position sensing option to its line of Airpel non-stiction air cylinder actuators. The company offers non-contact electronic switching sensors from Sick, Inc. using state-of-the-art GMR technology, which offers OEM designers an easy-to-install, secure, and reliable solution. For customers desiring electrical output of piston position, most Airpel models are offered with an optional switch-activating magnet on the piston, as well as one or more option aluminum tracks measuring 9.51 mm wide and 6.83 mm high, attached to the cylinder. The tracks are specially designed for easy, secure mounting of the Sick, Inc. position sensors that are offered separately. The sensors operate at 10 to 30 VDC and have repeatability of less than or equal to 0.2 mm. Airpot stocks popular models of GMR sensors with PNP or NPN output, along with matching accessory extension cables available in 2- and 5-m lengths.
Airpot Corp.
Norwalk, CT
www.airpot.com
Ductless fume hoods
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Air Science USA has introduced a new range of ductless fume hoods with sophisticated airflow, filter alarms, and advanced safety features. These units are available in sizes from 2 to 8 ft. The fume hoods have been designed to provide maximum operator protection when using hazardous substances. A face velocity at 100 fpm ensures containment of fumes, and an alarm will alert the operator when the airflow falls to an unacceptable level. All mechanisms in the head section of the Purair are on the clean side of the filter, thus preventing contamination. Switches and electrical components are totally isolated from the dirty airflow and away from any contamination. The work area has a removable spillage tray that can be easily cleaned. Optional integral lighting is available. The main filter can be chosen from 14 different types of carbon, which include specialty media for vapors of organics, solvents, acids, mercury, and formaldehyde. HEPA filters for particulate filtration are also available to suit application needs. These units are energy saving. Clean air is recirculated into the laboratory; therefore, they do not exhaust expensive conditioned and/or heated air into the atmosphere.
Air Science USA
Fort Myers, FL
www.air-science.com
Liquid verification system
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ARTEL has advanced the automation of its MVS® multi-channel verification system for streamlined liquid delivery performance verification of automated liquid handlers. The MVS is a rapid, easy-to-use system that provides NIST-traceable, accurate, and precise data documenting of the volume dispense performance of each channel of an automated liquid handler. The new MVS integration feature facilitates in-process liquid handler quality control by measuring dispensed volumes in multiple microtiter plates without repeated manual input. Users can store each step of their liquid handler quality control protocols in the MVS system software for continual future access. Once the liquid handler quality control method is programmed, users can begin each subsequent performance verification process without repeating preparatory steps. The MVS is based on ratiometric photometry, a technology that uses the absorbance values of two proprietary dye solutions to calculate dispensed volume in each well of a microtiter plate.
ARTEL
Westbrook, ME
www.artel-usa.com
Filling and sealing machines
Bosch Packaging Technology introduces several new products. The new GKF HiProTect, an integrated containment capsule filling system for processing potent substances, offers a fully integrated 100 percent check weighing system and features integrated wash-in-place and clean-in-place options. The FXS 2010 is a fully automatic filling and sealing machine for pre-sterilized nested syringes in a tub. It fills syringes with volumes between 0.5 and 50 ml and has an output of up to 4,800 syringes per hour. All product contacting parts are made out of stainless steel. The FXS 5100 is a filling and sealing machine for pre-sterilized nested syringes. Its pump station has 10 filling positions for rotary piston pumps and is driven by a two axis servo system. Performance output is up to 30,000 per hour, and it handles syringe ranges from 0.5 to 50 ml. The VRK 4120 capping system for vials features precision vial placement via an infeed wheel. It features 12 closing heads with a processing range between 2 and 500 ml with a maximum output of 27,000 vials per hour.
Bosch Packaging Technology
Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland
www.bosch.com
Ultra-pure water systems
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With the new Septron line, the Christ Water Technology Group makes it possible to produce ultra-pure water in various qualities and quantities. The models 10-20 and 25-60 comply with the current standards laid out by ISO, CAP, and ASTM. The water, which has a very low conductivity, is suitable for feeding distillation systems and steam generators. All units are pre-qualified during the factory acceptance test, which means that the time needed for on-site qualification and commissioning is greatly reduced. All units of the Septron Line 10-20 series have an operating interface with three password-protected levels and an electronic key. With a floor area of only 0.5-square meters, they can be installed in any laboratory. The units of the series 25-60 have a PLC controller, four password-protected control levels, and an optional integrated printer. A clear menu system and a touch-screen display permit safe and ergonomical operation. With a floor area of about 1.2 square meters, the units require little space.
Christ Water Technology Group
Aesch, Switzerland
www.christwater.com
Dry ice cleaning systems
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Cold Jet, LLC introduces the new Aero series of dry ice blast cleaning systems. The systems provide advanced economical dry ice cleaning in an environmentally friendly format for a variety of industries. The systems use non-abrasive media that won’t damage surfaces or equipment. The media, dry ice pellets or particles, create mini-explosions on the surfaces being cleaned, lifting away dirt and contaminants. Unlike sand, bead, or soda blasting, dry ice blasting does not leave any secondary waste, as the dry ice pellets or particles convert from solid to gas upon impact. Dry ice blasting is also safe and non-toxic, does not create downstream contamination, and reduces or eliminates employee exposure to dangerous chemical cleaning agents. Dry ice blasting has been approved by the EPA, FDA, and USDA as an acceptable cleaning method. Features include flow-through pocket feeder, ergonomic applicators, proprietary coupling systems for quickly connecting and disconnecting nozzles and hoses, welded steel frame and rugged tires, and the Aero 80-HP and 80-DX models also include an automatic tilt-out hopper to easily unload and preserve unused ice.
Cold Jet, LLC
Cincinnati, OH
www.coldjet.com
Tilt switch control unit
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The LTC series tilt switch control units feature an adjustable time delay and a logic selector switch. There are two contacts for connection to the probe (three contacts for intrinsically safe probes); three for the input power; and two sets of output contacts, each with one normally open, one normally closed, and one common. Signal lights, relay, and transformer are all accessible with the box cover open, allowing for easy maintenance. The controller output is through a relay, which provides a change in contacts as the probe moves from vertical to tilt and vice versa. The user may choose to employ either the normally open, normally closed, or both sets of contacts to perform switching operations in the system. In addition, an adjustable time delay feature may be assigned to either the vertical or the tilt position to prevent false signals. The time delay is adjustable from 1 to 10 seconds. The relay assumes the de-energized position upon reaching the end of the delay period, as well as upon failure of power to the controller.
Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
Michigan City, IN
www.dwyer-inst.com
Sealing films
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The popular SealPlate® MiniStrips™ sealing films, for one or two eight-well rows on strip-well or standard 96-well microplates, now come in a new multi-strip sheet format. Each sheet contains four MiniStrips that can be peeled off individually or two-at-a-time for application to plates. Individual strips are identical to the prior product, with dimensions of 19.0 x 103.2 mm, including two removable positioning tabs. SealPlate polyester sealing films minimize evaporation, prevent spillage, and prevent contamination between wells. They provide a secure seal, not just a cover, for incubations and sensitive ELISA assays.
Excel Scientific, Inc.
Victorville, CA
www.excelscientific.com
Clear PVC pipe
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GF Piping Systems has introduced a new line of clear schedule 40 PVC pipe for fluid applications requiring visual monitoring. The excellent clarity of the new clear PVC makes it suitable for confirming flow direction in a pipe and fluid color changes or contamination within a system. It can also be used as secondary containment piping to provide a quick and easy visual indication of system leaks. The piping is available from stock in sizes from 1 to 3 in. diameters in 10-ft lengths with bell ends. Upon request, 20-ft lengths with bell ends and 10- and 20-ft lengths with plain ends are available. Clear PVC is strong, lightweight, corrosion-free, and chemically resistant to a wide range of fluids. In addition, clear PVC is completely compatible with standard schedule 40 PVC fittings, making system installation quick and easy. Some of the many applications where it may be profitable to use clear PVC pipe include secondary containment of tubing systems conveying high purity fluids, secondary containment of aggressive chemical transport systems, and sight tubes for monitoring fluid levels.
Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd.
Tustin, CA
www.us.piping.georgefischer.com
Mold prevention system
GSK Innovations introduces the Endurance Bio-Barrier™ two-step mold prevention system consisting of a cleaner/prep agent and the Bio-Door Technology barrier and odor control application. It contains safe active ingredients that are below required EPA registration levels. The system can be employed in difficult environments, typically lasting up to 6 months. Building applications typically last 5 years, and building OEM product applications typically last for 10 years. The secret is a unique polymer film that continually presents active ingredients. Since mold infestation can render a building valueless, the burden of mold prevention and remediation falls on the building owner. Carpet treatment is another major area.
GSK Innovations, LLC
East Walpole, MA
www.gskinnovations.com
Handheld laser particle counter
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Hal Technology introduces the world’s first hybrid handheld particle counter, HPC600. The HPC600 measures six different particle size distributions simultaneously with a sensitivity of 0.3 μm and combines functionalities of both handheld and portable instruments with a built-in printer. The instrument also enables remote particle sensing over Ethernet. The particle counter incorporates the latest technical innovations in particle distribution measurement, giving users a wide range of features at low cost. There are three selectable sampling modes: cumulative, differential, and concentration (counts per liter or per cubic foot), with averaging and auto-repeat capabilities. Users may define the sample locations (up to 2,600 locations), sampling intervals (up to 59 ms), and auto repeat (up to 99 measurements). Its internal memory can store up to 1,000 measurements. The particle counter supports both English and metric units and provides count limit warnings per Fed. Std. 209E or ISO 14644-1, allowing easy compliance monitoring at user’s choice.
Hal Technology, LLC
Glendora, CA
www.haltechnologies.com
SIMS flange system
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Hiden Analytical announces the introduction of a complete, compact SIMS facility conveniently mounted on a single UHV conflat-type flange. The new system, aptly named SIMS-on-a-Flange, allows users to quickly install a complete SIMS resource on existing vacuum and process chambers with no major reconstruction or alignment issues. SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) is a high-sensitivity surface analysis technique for the determination of surface composition, contaminant analysis, and depth profiling in the uppermost surface layers of a sample. The system comprises the analytical-grade quadrupole mass spectrometer with integral energy filter, the fine-focus oxygen gas-sourced ion gun, and all necessary software and hardware for system operation for ion beam raster scanning, data presentation, and surface mapping. Mass range options enable operation from 1 to 1,000 amu with ion counting detection of both positively and negatively charged ions. Standard mounting flanges are DN-150-CF (6- in. port size) and DN-200-CF (8???in. port size) dependent on options.
Hiden Analytical Ltd.
Livonia, MI
www.hidenanalytical.com
Contact plates
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International PBI introduces ready-to-use contact plates for the control of microbiological contamination. The agar contact plates are delivered with a certificate of fertility of the medium (made after irradiation) and certificate of sterility made after manufacture. The plates are vacuum packed, which allows a shelf life of up to 7 months in temperatures ranging from 10?? to 20??C. Shelf life, batch, and media type are listed on the bottom of every plate. The plates are suitable for air and surface monitoring and come in boxes of 20 (four vacuum bags with five plates each). TSA and SDA plates are provided with triple packaging fully compliant to cleanroom normatives.
International PBI S.p.a.
Milan, Italy
www.internationalpbi.it
Syringe pump
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KD Scientific’s new Model KDS 410 high-pressure syringe pump is capable of pushing 2, 4, 6, or 10 syringes simultaneously into reaction vessels. The pump works with syringes from 10 μl up to 140 ml to provide accurate flow delivery from 1 nl/min to 145.5 ml/min. The pump, with its powerful 230-lb linear force, is ideal for delivery of flow to chemical reactors or for viscous fluids being fed into aerosol nozzles. The pump can be triggered remotely by a foot pedal or a switch. It can also connect to a computer through the RS-232 interface. Applications for the product include pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical, biotechnology, semiconductor, plastics, industrial, government, scientific research, and development markets.
KD Scientific, Inc.
Holliston, MA
www.kdscientific.com
Benchtop protector
The new Kimtech Science benchtop protector from Kimberly-Clark Professional features a polyethylene backing that creates an effective fluid barrier while providing excellent slip resistance. The protector resists harsh chemicals, quickly absorbs spills, and retains its strength when wet, even remaining flat after drying. To start a product trial, call 800-255-6401.
Kimberly-Clark Professional
Roswell, GA
www.kimtech.com
Fume hood panels
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In an effort to facilitate improved fume hood fabrication yields, MFG Composite Systems Co. has introduced a proprietary oversized fiberglass reinforced plastic composite sheet that’s 1.5 in. larger than the industry standard (49.5x97.5 in. vs. 48x96 in.). The larger sheet avoids fabrication objection by allowing for a more secure sheet around the edge during CNC machining. MFG-CSC FRP fume hood panels are chemical, fume, and smoke resistant to meet or exceed industry standards. The panels also meet ASTM standards. Beyond fire resistance, the panels provide an aesthetically pleasing smooth white interior surface that is durable and easy to clean and provides high light reflectivity. They also withstand exposure to a wide range of laboratory acids, solvents, and alkalis. Because they won’t absorb spills, they resist staining and discoloration.
MFG Composite Systems Co.
Ashtabula, OH
Area flowmeter
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KROHNE, Inc. features the H250F sanitary variable area flowmeter suitable for the process flow measurement of liquids, gases, and saturated vapor in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The sanitary design of the 3A-approved H250F can be used for the flow measurement of gas or liquid—carbon dioxide, insulin, ultra-pure water, and air—in cleanrooms. The all-metal flowmeter contains no blind spots and meets all FDA and EDEHG requirements. All wetted parts of the H250F are 316 stainless steel. The sanitary design also features tri-clamp end connections, limit switches, and a flow totalizer. Bacteria growth is minimized since the H250F is suitable for CIP and SIP cleaning methods and has a surface roughness of 0.6 (24 micro-inches). The electronics of the H250 F can have a 4- to 20-mA output signal with HART® or PROFIBUS-PA communications. In addition, the modular electronics feature plug-in options that can be replaced or added in the field without having to recalibrate the instrument.
KROHNE, Inc.
Duisburg, Germany
www.krohne.com
DNA extraction system
Mole Genetics launched the new GeneMole® automated DNA extraction system in Europe following successful trials in the Nordic region. The system is closed and fully automated, comprising a liquid-handling robot capable of running 1 to 16 samples at a time. Operation is simple via the intuitive touch-screen menu. Set-up time is only 3 minutes. Samples are loaded in a rack and then transferred by the robot to sealed and disposable MoleStrips™, which are pre-filled with reagents. Sample volumes are from 50 to 200 μl with launch protocols available for DNA blood, DNA tissue, RNA cells, and RNA tissue. Using purification based on magnetic beads, high-quality nucleic acids are ready for downstream applications within 40 minutes. Use of the disposable strips eliminates crossover or contamination and makes the system particularly suitable for multi-user environments. Maintenance is minimal.
Mole Genetics AS
Oslo, Norway
www.molegenetics.com