Lab Product News December 2014

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CIHR’S RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR 6

Boost for

ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

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SWITCHING FROM HELIUM TO HYDROGEN 9

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DECEMBER 2014

labcanada.com $269M FOR NEW HEART RESEARCH CENTRE 5

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DR. CHRISTIAN NAUS IS ONE OF FIVE SCIENTISTS RECEIVING FUNDING FOR RESEARCH INTO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. IMAGE COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

BOOST FOR ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

T

he University of British Columbia’s Christian Naus is one of five researchers who have been awarded significant amounts of funding to support their research into Alzheimer’s disease. The funding,

$7.5 million in total, is being provided jointly by Brain Canada, the Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

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Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Genome British Columbia, and the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation.

Dr Naus is receiving $1.5 million for his project entitled “Validation of Connexins and Pannexins as a target for Alzheimer’s Disease”. Dr Naus and team members Weihong Song, Juan Saez, Christian Giaume, Luc Leybaert say they expect to identify unique new drugs that directly target neurons as well as enhance astrocytes’ abilities to protect neurons that are vulnerable to degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Other successful awardees include Mirza Faisal Beg, Simon Fraser University (SFU), receiving $1.5 million for his study “Novel Retinal Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease”; Neil Cashman (UBC), receiving $1.5 million for his study “Structures, Immunology in Alzheimer’s disease,” James Johnson (UBC), receiving $1.05 million for his study “Does reduced brain insulin production underlie common forms of Alzheimer’s disease?”, and David Vocadlo (SFU), receiving $1.5 million for his study “Moving Alzheimer’s therapeutic strategy to the clinic.”

“The five teams that have been funded by this award represent the best researchers in this field in BC and their research projects hold the promise of great advances in our ability to understand and treat this devastating disease,” said Diane Finegood, president and CEO, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research.

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DR. BARRY RUBIN, CHAIR AND PROGRAM MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF UHN’S PETER MUNK CARDIAC CENTRE.

$269M FOR NEW HEART RESEARCH CENTRE

A

new heart research centre has been created by partners Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the University Health Network (UHN) and the University of Toronto (U of T) with a landmark $130 million gift from

the family of Ted Rogers. Said to be the largest monetary gift ever made to a Canadian health care initiative, it will be matched with $139 million from the partners for total funding of $269 million.

“This unprecedented gift will enable physicians and scientists working together in the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research to develop new therapies that will dramatically improve the lives of patients with heart disease,” said Dr. Barry Rubin, chair and program medical director of UHN’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.“One of our primary goals is to reduce hospitalization for heart Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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page 5

failure by 50 percent in the next decade.�

The centre will have facilities in the three participating institutions, with its directorate situated at UHN. It will bring together research, education and innovation in individualized genomic medicine, stem cell research, bioengineering, and cardiovascular treatment and management under one umbrella.

Each partner will take the lead in a particular area of focus. SickKids will use genomic science to decode the genetic foundations of cardiac disease, and the UHN will focus on the translation of research discovery into the delivery of care, while the U of T will combine stem cell technology with novel approaches in cellular and tissue engineering for the regeneration of heart muscle, coronary vessels, and heart valves. LPN

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MICHEL PERRON, CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH; DR. ARTHUR SLUTSKY, 2014 CIHR HEALTH RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR; THÉRÈSE ROY, CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH; JAMES STOTT, CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH (photo: Yuri Markarov, St. Michael’s Hospital) (CNW Group/Canadian Institutes of Health Research).

CIHR’s researcher of the year

D

r. Arthur S. Slutsky, vice-president of research at the St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, has received the 2014 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health Researcher of the Year award for his outstanding efforts to

advance pulmonary medicine and improve critical care practices.

CIHR awarded this career achievement to Dr. Slutsky in recognition of his contributions to improving the health of Canadians. His work in engineering December 2014

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page 6

and medicine has resulted in improved approaches to pulmonary care. He coined the term biotrauma to refer to lung damage caused by life-saving mechanical ventilators, and in the process helped create a new field of health research. His studies on ventilator-induced injury have spanned the health spectrum from basic research to clinical trials. His findings have had a tremendous impact on clinical practice and have played a role in reducing patient mortality. He is now applying his considerable expertise to help increase the number of eligible donor lungs available for transplantation. “Dr. Slutsky is a world-leading scientist whose work has had enormous impact on the care of those who are critically ill and has shaped health care delivery here at home and around the world,� said Dr. Alain Beaudet, president, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. LPN

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RAPID ANALYSIS OF

pesticides in fruit juice

BY JOE ANACLETO, VP MARKET DEVELOPMENT, APPLIED MARKETS, BRUKER DALTONICS; ZICHENG YANG, SENIOR FIELD APPLICATION SPECIALIST AT BRUKER DALTONICS; AND LOUIS MALJERS, FIELD APPLICATIONS MANAGER AT BRUKER DALTONICS

A case study shows how recent developments in LC-MS/MS technology are helping QC and contract laboratories to screen quickly and reliably for 250 pesticides in apple, cranberry, orange and vegetable juice.

G

rowth in the global population and international food trade has resulted in an increasing variety and volume of pesticides being used in agriculture. Consequently quality control (QC) laboratories around the world are facing strain due to the growing number of samples and pesticides being monitored. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode is widely considered the gold standard for pesticide analysis. However, two methods are usually needed to detect either negatively or positively charged ions, requiring double the amount of samples and time consuming analysis.This article explores how recent developments in LC-MS/MS technology are helping QC and contract laboratories worldwide meet increasing regulatory demands and productivity targets.

Faster analysis With more samples and a broader spectrum of pesticide compounds to monitor, many commercial and QC laboratories struggle to improve the productivity of routine analysis without sacrificing the reliability of results. Reducing the analytical cycle is therefore crucial for food-testing laboratories to meet increased demand in a safe and cost-effective manner. Conventional LC-MS/MS systems are unable to scan for both positive and negative ions simultaneously. This means that LC-MS/MS techniques must run MRM monitoring in both positive and negative modes to account for co-eluting compounds, for complete analytical confidence. This calls for twice as many samples and double the analysis time. Another limitation is the time spent on lengthy sample preparation, which is a substantial drain on resources.

High-performance LC-MS/MS techniques combine single-method analysis via positive/negative switching. In combination with straightforward ‘dilute-andshoot’ sample preparation, the time spent processing samples is potentially halved, allowing for increased lab throughput. Smarter analysis software enables modern instruments to compute and assign scan time windows for >>> hundreds of pesticide in multi-residue assays and automatically switch December 2014

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Food Sciences

between positive and negative modes where appropriate, simplifying method development.

TABLE 1: INSTRUMENT PARAMETERS FOR PESTICIDE QUANTIFICATION USING BRUKER UHPLC AND EVOQ ELITE TRIPLE QUADRUPOLE MASS SPECTROMETER IN MRM MODE. LC Parameters: Column: YMC-Pack ODS-AQ 3 µm, 150 mm x 3 mm (I.D.) Column Temperature: 40°C Injection Volume: 30 µL Mobile Phase A: 5 mM ammonium fluoride in water Mobile Phase B: Methanol Gradient: Time (s) %A %B Flow(µL/min) 0.00 90 10 400 0.20 90 10 400 0.20 30 70 400 10.0 0 100 400 15.0 0 100 400 15.1 90 10 500 17.5 90 10 500 18.0 90 10 400

Case study To illustrate the speed and sensitivity of positive-negative ion switching with ‘diluteand-shoot’ sample preparation, a study was carried out MS Parameters: to screen for 250 pesticides Source: HESI in apple, cranberry, orange Spray Voltage (Positive): 4000V Spray Voltage (Negative): 4000V and vegetable juice.

Cone Gas Flow: 20-unit Cone Temperature: 250 °C 50 µL samples of apple, Heated Probe Gas Flow: 40 – unit Heated Probe Temperature: 400 °C cranberry, orange and vegNebulizer Gas Flow: 60 – unit Exhaust Gas: On etable juice were diluted with 450 µL of solvent (MeOH/water, 10/90, v/v) in a filter vial (Part number 85531-5,Thomson Instrument Company) using a press filter plunger (0.2 µm PVDF) to filter. Samples were separated using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC, Bruker) and analyzed using LC-MS/MS (Bruker EVOQ Elite) with a CTC Autosampler for automated loading. The instrument parameters used are shown in Table 1.

The built-in software (Compound Based Scanning, CBS) automatically assigned dwell times for MRM detection based on the peak width and data Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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page 8 FIGURE 1: TOTAL ION CHROMATOGRAMS OF (TOP TO BOTTOM): APPLE JUICE, ORANGE JUICE, CRANBERRY JUICE, GRAPE JUICE, VEGETABLE JUICE AND A 100 PPT STANDARD.

points required. This enabled the polarity switching of 250 positive and negative compounds for over 500 MRM transitions with minimal manual effort required. Figure 1 shows the total ion chromatogram for the five samples.

A total of twelve pesticides were detected in the apple, orange cranberry and vegetable juice samples (Table 2). The presence of multiple pesticides in the orange, cranberry and vegetable juices suggest that the juices may have come from multiple sources of raw materials. The white grape juice was the only sample in which no pesticides were detected.

This technique proved to save a substantial amount of time over conventional LC-MS/MS methods with multiple injections or extraction/enrichmentbased sample preparation, as the entire analysis was achieved in just 18 >>> December 2014

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Food Sciences

TABLE 2: 12 PESTICIDES WERE DETECTED IN ORANGE, CRANBERRY, APPLE OR VEGETABLE JUICE. NO PESTICIDES WERE DETECTED IN WHITE GRAPE JUICE.

minutes.The excellent sensitivity and linearity achieved indicate the ‘dilute-and-shoot’ as an effective preparation method, even for trace pesticide residues.

Conclusion It is widely acknowledged that pesticides are important for crop growth and feeding the world’s ever-growing global population. As a result of the increasing volume and variety of pesticides being used, the enforcement of rigorous regulations that underpin pesticide use is the highest priority to ensuring consumer safety. Advanced LC-MS/MS techniques provide a platform for fast and sensitive quantification of hundreds of pesticides through positive/negative switching. Additionally, simplified sample preparation greatly improves the efficiency of high-throughput detection. Combined, these techniques allow quality control and contract laboratories to enforce regulatory demands and meet productivity targets, even for trace compound analysis in complex matrices. LPN

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Spectroscopy & Chromatography

page 9

Proton OnSite GC600 hydrogen gas generator on a lab bench-top.

Switching from HELIUM TO HYDROGEN

BY JOHN SPERANZA, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMERCIAL HYDROGEN PRODUCT SALES, PROTON ONSITE

Gas chromatography (GC) practitioners have traditionally used helium as their carrier gas, but a helium shortage is impacting labs around the world. Laboratories are now weighing up more reliable, cost-effective options for GC and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) applications, and are increasingly turning to hydrogen, a cost-effective carrier gas that produces >>> equal or superior results.

December 2014

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Spectroscopy & Chromatography

H

elium is a finite resource on Earth. In the early 20th century, the U.S. government sealed up caverns in the helium-rich gas fields of the Texas panhandle, creating the National Helium Reserve, which is still the single biggest source of the gas on the planet. The U.S. was mandated to sell off the reserve in the 1990s and it began flooding the market, quickly making the gas a cheap commodity.

But demand for helium grew as scientific and engineering industries began using more of the gas, and the supply began to dwindle. In 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimated the U.S. has around 300 million standard cubic feet of helium reserve remaining, almost half of 2006’s level. The BLM forecasts that by 2020, the world will be forced to source its helium elsewhere as the U.S. reserves will be depleted.

Because of dwindling reserves, prices are rising (in 2013, helium cost around US$85/1000 SCF) and supplies are unreliable. In 2012, Dr. Moses Chan, a physics professor at Penn State University explained to the U.S. Senate during a hearing on helium shortages why this is a problem for labs: ”For many scientists, losing access to helium, even temporarily, can have long-term negative repercussions for their research,” he said.

Lab practitioners turn to hydrogen GC and GC/MS practitioners are being forced to look elsewhere for a carrier gas. The most obvious choice is hydrogen.“Hydrogen is well suited as a replacement for costly helium in a lot of GC and GC/MS applications as it often offers better chromatographic separation,” said Yassin Hardi, a GC and GC/MS sales engineer with chromatography supplier Chrom Tech.

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page 10

This is due to the van Deemter curve (Figure 1).

The van Deemter equation predicts an optimum velocity at which there will be the minimum variance per unit column length and, therefore a maximum efficiency. The equation FIGURE 1: THE VAN DEEMTER CURVE RELATES THE VARIANCE proves that using hydroPER UNIT LENGTH OF A SEPARATION COLUMN TO THE gen provides a longer LINEAR MOBILE PHASE VELOCITY BY CONSIDERING PHYSICAL, KINETIC, AND THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF A height equivalent to a SEPARATION. theoretical plate (HETP), which leads to a greater number of plates for a column and can provide better resolution than helium.

The equation also proves that the linear flow rate of hydrogen can be greater than that of helium, while offering equal efficiency in the gas’ ability to separate peaks, so GC run times using hydrogen are also faster.

“The traditional GC run is 140-160 minutes, but by switching to hydrogen and using high-efficiency columns, you can get run times down to 40 minutes,” said Bruce Williams, a senior technical advisor with test laboratory Intertek. “We’ve reduced the time of our GC runs by 25 >>> percent, and that helps production.”

December 2014

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Spectroscopy & Chromatography

FIGURE 2: PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE SOLID-STATE ELECTROLYSIS SPLITS WATER INTO ITS CONSTITUENT PARTS, OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN.

Safety concerns point to on-site hydrogen generation The benefits of hydrogen carrier gas are clear, but storing cylinders of hydrogen gas is a major safety concern for any lab. A single, standard hydrogen cylinder storing 6,300 litres of gas has the explosive potential of 35 lbs. of TNT. But there is a safer alternative. Unlike helium, hydrogen can be derived in a lab, via electrolysis. Hydrogen generators use solid electrolyte technology to produce anywhere from 600cc to 60 litres of gas, per minute at high pressure from just electricity and water. (Figure 2 shows how the system splits water into its constituent parts, oxygen and hydrogen.) Because a hydrogen generator contains little or no hydrogen at any one time, it is incapable of creating the four percent hydrogen/air mix necessary for any space to become explosive (see Figure 3).

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page 11

Hydrogen makes lab sense Helium gas will continue to be expensive and difficult to source, particularly for labs in remote locations. Helium plants in the FIGURE 3: GRAPH COMPARES THE H VOLUME IN THE AIR Middle East and RusWHEN A STANDARD 6300 LITRE SINGLE H GAS CYLINDER AND A PROTON ONSITE GC600 HYDROGEN GENERATOR sia, which condense (WITH A MAXIMUM H FLOW RATE OF 600CC/MIN) WERE BOTH WERE ALLOWED TO RELEASE GAS UNCHECKED IN THE natural gas to extract SAME 3,000 FT LABORATORY SPACE WITH 12 AIR CHANGES PER HOUR. FOR THE FIRST THREE MINUTES OF A CYLINDER helium, will produce RELEASE, THE LAB’S AIR WOULD CONTAIN ENOUGH H TO much of the world’s CREATE A FLAMMABLE ATMOSPHERE (THE LOWER FLAMMABILITY LEVEL OF H IS A 4% MIX OF H AND AIR). A GC600 helium in the near WOULD BE UNABLE TO REACH LFL LEVELS. future.

The switchover to hydrogen need not be difficult. There are numerous resources to help GC practitioners switch and in the long term, faster and superior results will pay dividends.

The key for GC practitioners is to weigh the economic and safety factors of using hydrogen. A very small lab with one or two GC units may find it cost effective to move to one or two hydrogen cylinders. But for larger labs with many benches full of GC units, the choice is clear. Onsite generators are a safer, easier and more cost-effective way to supply a lab with hydrogen gas. LPN 2

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Instruments & Equipment

The MSU process cleaning line, which cleans superconducting radiofrequency resonators, essential parts of FRIB’s linear accelerator.

PRECISION CLEANING in a specialty setting Staff at a rare isotope beam facility needed to develop a precision system that safely contains the harsh chemicals needed remove impurities within the linear accelerator.

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page 12

M

ichigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) needed a precision tool to clean superconducting radiofrequency resonators, which are the essential parts of FRIB’s linear accelerator (known as LINAC). The facility worked with Modutek Corporation, which specializes in custom wet process equipment, to develop a 33-ft cleaning line which was made using Vycom’s Flametec PVC-C and Kytec PVDF material.

FRIB is being designed and established by Michigan State University as a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national user facility supporting the mission of the Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB will accelerate elements from hydrogen to uranium to over 200 MeV/nucleon (about 50% of the speed of light) in a superconducting linear particle accelerator and create rare isotope beams through in-flight separation.

These rare isotope beams will enable scientists to make discoveries in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and other applications.

Built to the university’s specs in a 6-month time period, the 33-ft.-long precision cleaning tool is designed to clean the accelerator’s Niobium (Nb) metal tubes with harsh chemicals in very controlled environments.

High-purity (RRR) niobium tubes and cavities are used as resonators in superconducting accelerators because of their mechanical and superconducting properties. The niobium tubes are cleaned to remove any impurities so the cabinet and bench material must hold up to constant exposure to acids and harsh chemicals.

“Our material choices, manufacturing techniques and strong welds are all about safety surrounding the process cleaning tool,” said Doug >>> December 2014

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Instruments & Equipment

Wagner, president & CEO of Modutek.“For the tube cleaning cavities and areas inside the cleaning tool we used Flametec PVC-C because it meets fire-safe compliance standards, has excellent workability, welds easily and has great aesthetics.”

Wagner says Flametec Kytec PVDF was used for the holding tanks because of the material’s superior chemical resistance.“The material consideration was also critical due to the 70-gallon tank size, temperature control requirement and redundant safety interlocks,” he said. The Flametec materials were supplied by Vycom’s distributor, Ryan Herco Flow Solutions.

The precision-cleaning tool consists of a chemical delivery and reclaim system, cavity etch compartment, parts cleaning compartment, waste water pumping system and 55-gallon waste chemical drums so the acids can be purged and neutralized. The tightly controlled system has alarms, multiple toxic gas sensors and automatic door locks for safety. Since leaks can be disastrous and expensive, all Modutek welders and tools are certified for plastic welding and plumbing (for holding and chemical tanks).

Flametec’s abrasion resistance reduces particles from being created by internal components rubbing together, which in turn prevents contamination of the process tool and tool components. The properties of the PVC-C prevent both of these scenarios during chemically harsh tool processing.

With FM-4910 compliance, which means the material has passed the Factory Mutual test for fire propagation and smoke density, there is a reduced chance of contamination from smoke particulates and toxicity which can damage components and threaten worker safety.

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page 13

In this picture, welding is underway to secure the Flametec materials in the cleaning line.

With the FRIB linear accelerator’s process tool as a prime example, Modutek’s projects are about 90% customization. Their process tools, process tanks and components are built to customer specs under highly guarded proprietary agreements. The company develops precision cleaning systems around the world in any type of wet processing or lab setting.

It also builds chemical delivery systems for pharma, biochemical, nuclear and solar as well as the chip industry with wet bench manufacturing. LPN December 2014

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Instruments & Equipment

KEEPING nanopositioning precise Ever-increasing requirements for more precise motion control from the optics, biotech and semiconductor industries has forced manufacturers of piezoelectric positioners to find ways to overcome their limitations while preserving the unmatched speed, reliability and resolution capabilities of piezoelectric devices.

BY STEFAN VORNDRAN, VP OF MARKETING, AND SCOTT JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF NANOAUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, BOTH AT PI (PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE) L.P.

P

recision motion control in general, and nanopositioning in particular, are enabling technologies in many high-technology fields such as bio-nanotechnology, semiconductor test and measurement, optical alignment, nanoimprinting, scanning microscopy and microlithography.

Choosing the right nanopositioning stage depends not only on resolution and accuracy, but also on factors such as dynamics, size, the application environment and cost.

A nanopositioning stage is a motion device capable of repeatedly producing motion in increments as small as a nanometer or less. There are several ways to achieve resolutions of one nanometer or below. Some may seem as simple as bolting a microstepped motor and a reduction gearbox to a leadscrew mechanism. More sophisticated approaches use additional position feedback in the form of an encoder and interpolator

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page 14

circuit. However, there is more to a nanopositioning system than a high-resolution motor.

The enemy is friction Friction leads to hysteresis and induces guiding errors such as tilt and wobble. In most positioning systems, guiding errors are not measured, and hence remain uncontrolled. Tilt, wobble and runout errors automatically contribute to positional inaccuracy. This fact is often neglected and rears its ugly head when several individual positioners are combined into one multiaxis system.

Piezoceramic drive systems have always been known for their fast response and atomic resolution, though at limited motion ranges. Progress in piezo mechanisms, as well as control technologies, has solved the travel distance/ precision conundrum. Scientists and motion engineers now have access to a number of piezo systems with virtually unlimited travel, without giving up stability, precision and speed.

Non-magnetic applications in semiconductor, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and medical design are all motion control applications that have spawned the development of these new technologies.

Positioning and alignment systems in e-beam lithography systems and SEM can be equipped with electromagnetic drive mechanisms. However, the expense to shield them and/or position them outside of the action is very high, along with the increase in size. Fieldless piezo ceramic >>> motors are significantly smaller, and can be positioned anywhere December 2014

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Instruments & Equipment

inside of these machines without causing negative effects.

In medical design technology, active ceramic components such as piezoceramic sensors and actuators are already in use.They are found, for example, in micro-pumps, ultrasonic transducers, fast valves for nano-dispensing applications, and for laser beam control in eye and skin surgery.

For medical imaging applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, ultra-high field imaging can have significant advantages for cardiac imaging. However, tuning of several coils in a whole-body scanner to achieve the best performance turns out to be a lengthy process. Replacing the manual tuning with computer controlled non-magnetic piezo motors speeds up the process and provides better results at the same time.

Three-dimensional optical microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) can also benefit from piezo drives due to their high-efficiency, direct-acting linear motion, high-resolution, fast response and non-magnetic characteristics.

Nanometer precision in scanning microscopy In modern drug-discovery applications, a multitude of samples have to be examined in the shortest possible time. Techniques such as fluorescence imaging are employed and require precise focusing on small amounts of liquid, usually held in multiwell plates (see figure 1). For long range, wellto-well positioning, conventional electric motors or voice-coil drives typically can provide the required speed and precision. But focusing is best achieved with frictionless, piezo flexure stages or objective positioners.

Response times on the order of a few milliseconds allow extremely fast Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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page 15

focusing and thus rapid data acquisition.

Similar speed/resolution requirements are prevalent in nearfield scanning optical microscopy (NSOM).

Here, small samples FIGURE 1. FAST FOCUSING PIEZO FLEXURE POSITIONERS: are scanned, typically OBJECTIVE SCANNER (LEFT) AND WELL PLATE SCANNING 100 x 100µm to 500 x STAGE (RIGHT) DELIVER HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING IN DRUG-DISCOVERY APPLICATIONS. 500µm, with nanometer lateral resolution. To minimize the scanning time and achieve the high resolution required, flexure-guided piezo stages are the only option. The latest designs employ a parallel-kinematic motion principle, with all actuators acting on one moving central platform, greatly reducing inertia for much improved dynamics. Capacitive sensors integrated into the stage take multi-axis measurements against a common fixed reference (parallel metrology). This approach allows drift-free positioning with nanometer straightness – not available with classical stacked/nested multi-axis designs.

The same approach yields superior surface metrology results in atomic force microscopes (AFM). An AFM’s output data is only as good as the out-of-plane motion (OOPM) of the XY scanning stage it employs. Active trajectory control approaches (compensating minute off-axis errors >>> with integrated piezo transducers) now provide OOPM in the subDecember 2014

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Instruments & Equipment

nanometer realm, over large scanning areas to hundreds of microns.

Nanopositioning goes hybrid Hybrid positioning systems combine the best of two worlds: long travel ranges with low power requirements and sub-nanometer resolution with very high dynamics. Progress in controller design has made possible realtime closed-loop control of an actuator consisting of a piezo-flexure arrangement in series with a servo-motor/ballscrew assembly.

The controller reads the stage position from an integrated, sub-nanometer-class linear encoder and continuously coordinates both the piezoelectric and servo-motor drives simultaneously in a way to provide the best possible overall performance, with rapid pull-in, nanometer-scale bi-directional repeatability and inherent axial stiffness.

High-force, piezo-walk linear motors High-energy physics experiments often require components to be insensitive to strong magnetic fields and EMI. An ideal scenario for a motion-control device would be to hold a position exactly when powered down. A new robust piezo motor based on the piezo-walk principle is now available to provide backlash-free, highly stable motion over centimeters of travel with nanometer resolution.

The piezo-walk principle is based on coordinated motion of several longitudinal and lateral piezo actuators arranged about a central ceramic runner. A digital controller sequences their operation. Compact piezo walk motors can be integrated in low-profile linear translation stages (see figure 2) such as Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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page 16

FIGURE 2. LOW PROFILE LINEAR TRANSLATION STAGE BASED ON MINIATURIZED PIEZO-WALK MOTOR PROVIDES 1� TRAVEL AND SUB-NANOMETER RESOLUTION.

FIGURE 3. MINIATURIZED HEXAPOD NANOPOSITIONING SYSTEM BASED ON NON-MAGNETIC, UHVCOMPATIBLE PIEZO-WALK MOTORS, PROVIDES PRECISION MOTION IN 6 AXES.

used in laser tuning and aligning applications.

Multiple piezo motors can be arranged to form compact hexapod 6-axis positioners (see figure 3). The hexapod approach, with its virtual pivot point and central aperture, is crucial for optical alignment problems as large as secondary mirrors in the latest generation earthbound telescopes, and as small as fibre-to-photonic-componentalignment in telecommunication chips.

Eliminating the travel/resolution tradeoff Classical piezo flexure positioners excel through their frictionless guiding systems, rapid response in the kHz range and extremely high reliability.

The motion of a piezo flexure actuator is roughly proportional to the applied voltage, often generated by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) driving an amplifier. In recent history, piezo flexure motion was lim- >>> December 2014

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Instruments & Equipment

ited to approximately 100 microns, but advances have pushed the limits to beyond the millimeter range.

The number of addressable positions for such a piezo mechanism is 2b – where b is the bit-width of the DAC’s digital input.

Nanopositioning sensors FIGURE 4. PIEZO FLEXURE STAGE WITH DUAL-PLATE CAPACIHigh-accuracy position TIVE SENSORS PROVIDE NON-CONTACT, DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF THE MOVING PLATFORM IN REFERENCE TO THE feedback is essential in NON-MOVING FRAME. a good nanopositioning system, and direct motion metrology is the preferred choice. Direct metrology measures motion where it matters most to the application. Examples of high-resolution, direct metrology sensors are capacitive sensors, laser interferometers and non-contact optical, incremental encoders.

For travel ranges of less than 1mm, capacitive sensors have emerged as the default choice. They are compact, high-bandwidth and absolute measuring devices providing sub-nanometer resolution. For less Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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demanding applications, strain gauge sensors (piezoresistive sensors) are a good alternative. Piezoresistive strain gauge sensors (PRS) are economical but temperature-sensitive devices that are easily integrated in positioning devices.

Capacitive sensors are high-value sensors composed of diamondmachined plates which directly measure the absolute position of the stage platform (see figure 4). Since the stage platform is measured directly, cross-talk and orthogonality can be eliminated. Their inherent stability makes them an ideal fine-positioning companion to ultra-stable piezo motor long-travel coarse-positioning stages.

Assessing the right option Piezo-ceramic motion systems have long been the number one choice for ultra-high precision motion. With ever-increasing requirements from the optics, biotech and semiconductor industries in recent years, manufacturers were forced to find ways to overcome limitations such as travel range and linearity, while preserving their unmatched speed, acceleration and resolution capabilities.

With the abundance of choices available today, it is more important than ever to understand the user’s application, and its requirements on dynamics and precision, as well as the control and interfacing preferences of the user. Making the right choice in nanopositioning involves assessing multiple criteria.

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MEDICA 2014 brings world medical market together

I

n November this year, the German city of Dusseldorf was the site of MEDICA and COMPAMED 2014, tandem trade shows that showcase the international medical market. MEDICA covers all aspects of health- and patient care, including laboratory science and diagnostics, while COMPAMED focuses on components and the medical manufacturing sector. This year 5,555 exhibitors and 130,000 visitors came from around the world to share and view the latest product innovations and ideas.

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The concurrent MEDICA Education Conference, organized by the German Society for Internal Medicine for the first time this year, offered an impressive multi-disciplinary program in English and German: 280 events with 350 speakers on four days emphasized the link between science and medical technology.

Laboratory diagnostics and instruments comprise a considerable presence at both shows. At COMPAMED, the focus this year was specifically on miniaturized components, functional materials, intuitive control units and high-precision processes designed to make medical products cheaper, safer and more reliable. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS (Germany), for example, presented a compact device for analyzing prostate tissue. The laboratory apparatus, which has already successfully completed first clinical tests, will ease diagnosis in the future: through an automated optical analysis based on laser pulses, carcinoma will be reliably diagnosed in as little as 90 seconds.

Canadian exhibitors this year included over 50 companies, with the majority located at MEDICA, such as Diagnostics Biochem, Affinity Biologicals, Simport Plastics and Pulse Scientific, among others.

Starting in 2015, the show dates for MEDICA and COMPAMED will be changed to Monday to Thursday and both events will be held concurrently on all four days (November 16-19, 2015). Previously the shows have been held from Wednesday to Saturday. Following is a selection of the products seen at this year’s shows.

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Pump handles very small flow rates

Modular Microliter Pump conveys a variety of fluids at slow flow rates, from 5Îźl-3ml/min.

With exchangeable fluidic parts and modular construction, it combines the benefits of diaphragm, piston injection and peristaltic pumps. Comes with two to five flow channels, guaranteeing that a defined volume can be conveyed in each channel independently of pressure fluctuations in neighbouring channels.

2E mechatronic www.2e-mechatronic.de/microliterpump

Piston pumps offer precise fluid control

Double ended-dual dispensing piston pump allows two different liquids and two different flow or stroke volume displacement rates in one application. The pump has one double shafted motor and two pump heads, allowing different stroke volume and flow rates in one application.

The pump is suitable for pressure sensitive mixing and dispensing applications.

Precision is within 0.5%. The pumps are valve-less and positive displacement.

Diener Precision Pumps www.dienerprecisionpumps.com Visit us online www.labcanada.com INDEX

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page 19

Pneumatic tech for highprecision dosing

Patented pneumatic dosing system for fluids can be used in all applications that require dosing of defined sample quantities with maximum repeatable accuracy. The system is actuated by means of pressure and vacuum, which provide substantially more power than conventional actuating systems.

Defined dosing quantity can be controlled with a precision of Âą2 %, largely independent of temperature and viscosity.

Burkert www.burkert.com

Quick disconnects improve laboratory safety

Now available are 45mm caps for media bottles with integral quick disconnect couplings. Adding quick disconnects makes it easier to exchange consumable products. The BQ45GL caps provide three options, each of which includes a factory-installed and sealed quick disconnect coupling, hydrophobic vent and hose barb to attach a dispense tube. The caps fit any glass or plastic bottle with a 45mm neck opening and GL threads.

CPC (Colder Products Company) www.cpcworldwide.com December 2014

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Optical oxygen sensors offer long life

Fluorescence-based optical oxygen sensors measure ambient oxygen partial pressure (ppO2) from 0-300 mbar.

With an optional integrated pressure sensor, the XYO devices can convert the ppO2 reading to an oxygen concentration (%O2). Due to the non-depleting sensing principle they provide a much longer lifetime compared to electrochemical oxygen sensors. The sensors are highly stable in respect to temperature or barometric pressure changes.

First Sensor www.first-sensor.com

Enrichment broth is convenient to use

A complete primary enrichment broth designed for use in the isolation of Listeria spp. from foodstuffs, the ÂľPrep Half Fraser Broth ISO (+FAC), is supplied ready-to-reconstitute in 20 litre bags. Designed for highthroughput laboratories where speed, convenience, reliability and costeffectiveness are high priorities. Provides simple reconstitution with no mess and no autoclaving. Medium is based on the formulation of ISO 11290, and meets the performance requirements of ISO/TS 11133.

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page 20

Pressure sensors are space efficient

Piezo-resistive pressure sensor has a flush membrane mounted on a ceramic body. A 15-mm cell diameter makes the SA ME506 sensor suitable when space is critical. Measuring bridge is printed directly on the ceramic diaphragm with thick film technology. The rear part of the diaphragm can be exposed directly to the medium being measured. Excellent chemical resistance (96% Al2O3) means no additional protection is normally required.

Metallux www.metallux.ch

Analyzer gives immediate hemoglobin results

Palm-sized, point-of-care hemoglobin analyzer is fast, easy to use and reliable in all climate conditions as it combines lab-quality performance with fast measurement speed and long battery life. The robust DiaSpect analyzer has no moving parts. It uses reagent-free microcuvettes which are unaffected by humidity, unlike reagent-based systems. These plexiglass microcuvettes have a long shelf-life of 2.5 years with no need for refrigeration.

E KF Diagnostics www.ekfdiagnostics.com December 2014

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Transfer valve for tiny tubing

Swabbable pre-slit transfer valve can be used for injection or aspiration with a standard catheter tip syringe, and can fit tubing sized 8.18 mm ID / 13.59 mm OD. The component is suitable for stem cell, biopharmaceutical, and drainage applications involving high volumes and/or viscous substances. Made with a tinted polycarbonate body, it features a large latex-free silicone valve. Gamma, EtO, e-beam, autoclave and steam sterilization compatible.

Qosina www.qosina.com

Walk-away analyzer is cost effective

Medium-throughput clinical chemistry analyzer system provides 215 tests/hour on a typical sample mix. The P500 system is ergonomically designed and userfriendly with a high level of automation. The advanced, intuitive windows-based software and smart architecture brings many features on a cost-effective, accessible platform, including uninterrupted workflow, enhanced walk-away operation and remote-access diagnostics. Makes minimal usage of consumables and has low water consumption.

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page 21

Mass flow controller is fast, precise

The SFC5000 digital mass flow controller enables mass flow to be measured and controlled rapidly and precisely with long-term stability over a wide dynamic measuring range. Suitable for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, among other applications. The high-precision sensor element and analog and digital signal processing circuitry are combined on a single CMOS silicon chip. Also available as a mass flow meter.

Sensirion www.sensirion.com

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