nanotechnology
20 Issue 3 2020
BioLogic BluRev Enclosure and the new Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) design
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he BluRev enclosure is a new product in Biologic’s product line. It is a multi-purpose lab accessory specifically designed to provide a complete solution for RDE experiments using BioLogic BluRev RDE. It is designed to host EL-ELECTRO cells. The BluRev electrode, the cell and the cell cables are firmly held to maximise the stability, the reproducibility and the safety of all your steady-state experiments with a rotating electrode. The BluRev Enclosure comes with a robust metallic stand with two poles that can be set at a wide range of positions on your plate, ensuring high flexibility. One pole is used to fix the electrochemical cell,
using a standard clamping nut. The other pole is provided with a bespoke clamping flange, specially designed to firmly hold the BluRev RDE. This ensures minimal vibration and mechanical disturbance to your RDE experiment. Three half-clamps are also provided to support the cables or the electrometers of your Bio-Logic potentiostat, in any configuration possible, i.e. standard cables, standard cables with electrometers, low current cable from Essential (VMP3) or Premium (VMP-300) family products. Finally, a Plexiglas window is provided to ensure maximum protective housing.
Keep steady with BluRev RDE The BluRev RDE was designed to ensure compatibility with the BluRev Enclosure and to improve performance. The new design has a blue cover and a square part on its body to allow ease of screwing onto the clamping flange of the BluRev Enclosure. Furthermore, the body is bulkier to improve the control of the runout and to reduce its value. The value of the runout when a tip is mounted is guaranteed to be lower than ±50µm. The new design is versatile and rugged for use with any Bio-Logic potentiostat/ galvanostat. It is available with a choice of quick-fit exchangeable electrode tips in a wide range of materials and diameters. The BluRev RDE can be used with a wide range of cells, in particular EL-ELECTRO-1, EL-ELECTRO-2 or EL-ELECTRO-3 kit. The RC-10k unit controls the RDE rotation
speed. It offers an accuracy of ±1rpm over the whole rotational range for precise and fully reproducible experimental conditions. The measured rotation speed is clearly displayed on a five-digit LCD screen. The speed can be set manually or by using the analogue output of a BioLogic instrument. Any other device with an analogue output can be used. Using ECLab, one can easily program and perform a Levich experiment all in one go, and also use the new EIS element Winf that will directly provide the diffusion coefficient. BRUNO STEINER LAB CONSULTANCY Tel: (011) 804 3503 Fax: 086 719 2778 Mobile: 078 342 3354 bruno@bslc.co.za www.bslc.co.za Bruno Steiner Consultancy SA is a Level 2 BBBEE contributor.
The LEXT OLS5000 – 3D laser confocal scanning microscope from Olympus
New range of instruments combines spectroscopy and electrochemistry for simplified research
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pectroelectrochemistry is the combination of electrochemistry and spectroscopy and studies spectral changes as a function of applied potential or current. When combining both techniques, the limited structural information available from the electrochemical response is complemented by optical monitoring. Launching Spelec, Metrohm DropSens is proud to present the first fully integrated range of instruments for spectroelectrochemical research. The main challenge when combining different techniques such as electrochemistry and spectroscopy is the complexity of interfacing different instruments and kinds of software. Moreover, data handling becomes difficult, especially when synchronisation between electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements is critical. Addressing these challenges, Metrohm DropSens presents the Spelec platform of instruments, an integrated solution that simply did not exist before: The Spelec platform features a range of dedicated instruments combining a light source, a spectrometer and a potentiostat/galvansotat in just one unit. In addition, one and the same software with dedicated functions is used for synchronisation and easy data treatment and analysis.
he OLS5000 laser confocal microscope precisely measures shape and surface roughness at the submicron level. Data acquisition is four times faster than the previous model and delivers a significant boost to productivity. The four key values of the LEXT OLS5000 are: Precise imaging – capture the shape of any surface The OLS5000 microscope’s advanced technology enables it to capture highresolution measurements of 3D samples. Dedicated LEXT objective lenses can accurately measure peripheral areas.
Fast – get reliable data quickly The microscope’s scanning algorithm delivers improved data quality and improved speed to reduce scan time and streamline your workflow, resulting in improved productivity. Easy to operate - just place your sample and press a button The OLS5000 microscope features automatic data capture so difficult setting adjustments are no longer necessary. Even users with minimal training can still obtain accurate results. Measure challenging samples – samples up to 210mm tall can be measured The low-output, non-contact, nondestructive laser means no sample preparation is required. Delicate materials can be measured without being damaged. The extension frame accommodates samples with a height of up to 210mm, while the ultra-long working distance objective facilitates measurement of concavities as deep as 25mm. In both cases, all you have to do is place the sample on the stage. WIRSAM SCIENTIFIC Tel: (011) 482 1060 marketing@wirsam.com www.wirsam.com
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The SPELEC instrument is available in various wavelength ranges: • UV-VIS (200 – 900nm) • VIS-NIR (350 – 1050nm) • RAMAN (785 – 1010nm and Raman shift 0 – 2850cm-1) • NIR (900 – 2200nm). The SPELEC range of instruments are compatible with any kind of spectroelectrochemical cells and conventional set-ups. However, users may also perform spectroelectrochemistry with screen-printed electrodes with a wide variety of accessories. METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 078 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
