Microfluidics encompasses many different areas of research. With its foundation laid in the 1980s through the research that occurred in inkjet print heads, DNA chips, and lab-on-chip technology, microfluidics has expanded into many new fields. Along with its continuing use in engineering, physics, and chemistry, the latest microfluidics growth is occurring in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.

Why use Microfluidics?

• Reduction of cost per experiment by consuming a much smaller volume of reagent
• Significant reduction of time and cost per test
• Safer chemical experiments and reactions
• Improved data quality
• Increased resolution of separations

Cole-Parmer offers a range of products for Life Science including items for Microfluidic research. These include nanoliter syringe pumps, electrophoresis products, microplates, and lab-on-chip products.

Biofuels are categorized in three types: biodiesel, biodiesel blends, and bioethanol. ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) developed product quality specifications and testing standards for biofuels.

Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils or animal fat and must conform to ASTM D6751. Biodiesel blends are biodiesel mixed with diesel fuel and must conform to ASTM D7467. Bioethanol is denatured fuel ethanol, derived from algae, corn sugar cane, and cellulosic plant material that is blended with unleaded gasoline and must conform to ASTM D4806.

For a sample of biofuel to be assigned to one of these three categories, the sample must go through specific tests described in each of the ASTM methods mentioned above. Each method has specific equipment that must be used to complete each test.

Check out Cole-Parmer’s Biofuels page to learn more and find equipment, catalogs, and other necessary information to help you meet your testing requirements. Equipment include microplates, cell culture media, electrophoresis equipment, thermal cyclers and more.

In redesigning the site, Director of Global Customer Experience and eBusiness Dave Trebacz said, “We listened to customers and re-evaluated every page. Our greatest challenge was keeping our own biases out of the way. Instead, we focused on customers’ needs.”

Developing robust navigation that drives users to their destination faster required substantial changes. “We replaced the on-site search engine,” said Mike Mayer, Manager of Internet Development, “and added fly-out menus to quickly locate product categories and drill down to an item faster.”

Thousands of additional filters allow customers to choose the product characteristic most important to them and narrow their selection within seconds.  Quick views also enable shoppers to expand on product details without navigating further. Clear customer favorites—including Customer-Written Product Reviews, Product ratings and Q&As, and Live Chat—remain on the site.

To assist you in navigating the new site, several videos, along with detailed FAQs, are available. Take a test drive.

Filed under: Announcements, Events, Latest and Greatest Tagged: coleparmer.com, enhanced filtering, FAQs, navigation, quick views, search engine ]]> http://blog.coleparmer.com/2011/11/02/what%e2%80%99s-new-coleparmer-com/feed/ 0 bdumey ColeParmer.com http://blog.coleparmer.com/2011/10/27/firing-up-a-new-option-in-flame-photometry/ http://blog.coleparmer.com/2011/10/27/firing-up-a-new-option-in-flame-photometry/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:22:50 +0000 bdumey http://blog.coleparmer.com/?p=1569 ]]> Flame photometers measure the concentration of a range of alkali metals. Filters allow testing for specific materials. The intensity of light given off is proportional to the concentration of the metal in the sample. The instruments are used in clinical applications, such as for biological samples and pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, soil analysis, the food and paper industries, and academia.

Now a more affordable option in flame photometry is available—the single channel, analog output, and digital display flame photometer from Cole-Parmer. Five filters for sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, and barium are included with the unit as a standard feature. Inheriting the mixing chamber, burner stem, and burner head from a higher-cost design, this unit offers the best limits of detection available from a low-cost instrument.

The Cole-Parmer^® Single-Channel Flame Photometer is ergonomically designed with a front-loading, unobstructed sample work area with removable spill containment tray. Select the element to be analyzed using the filter stick. The front panel LED indicates the element tested as well as flame status. Press “hold” to capture readings until recorded. Auto ignition and flame optimization deliver ease of use. Also includes automatic gas shutoff. With a small footprint (approx. 8” x 12”; 20 x 30 cm), the unit takes up minimal space on the lab bench. Easily clean and maintain the instrument.

You’ll also get to check out some of our latest water quality testing instruments and supplies. These include the new Thermo Scientific Orion Star A100 Meters—an excellent choice for environmental testing, water and wastewater treatment, quality control in food and beverage testing, and education. Affordable yet reliably effective, the meters feature a large LCD, simple button layout, and on-screen messages. Choose from units measuring pH, conductivity, or dissolved oxygen (DO).

The new Masterflex^® L/S^® Precision Variable-Speed Console Drives offer precise speed control and rpm display, which is ideal for metering applications. Confirm speed setting at a glance on the three-digit LED. With thereversible motor, you can purge tubing before or after pumping and pump fluid in either direction. The LED also indicates motor direction. Stack two or four pump heads for increased flow rates and multichannel applications.

The Oakton DO 2700 Benchtop Dissolved Oxygen Meter is designed for optimal performance and versatility. This advanced research grade meter has BOD capability. The meter measures dissolved oxygen in mg/L, ppm, or % saturation with simultaneous temperature display in °F or °C. Large LCD features annunciators to aid in meter use and troubleshooting. It is encased in a compact housing which takes up a minimum of bench space.

Find out what Ben has to say about these products and the features that make them effective in the lab. Read the article.

One of the key applications in this process is enzyme dosing in Grain Distillery liquefaction. The role of the enzyme is to break the starch into glucose. The enzyme is added to the liquefaction tank 24 hours a day. A precise volume is required to be delivered at very low but variable rates, depending on the process and size of the tank.

The sugar factory was initially using diaphragm metering pumps to deliver the enzymes but experienced leakage and blockages in the metering pump system. Transferring and dispensing highly viscous products or high-solid concentrated products can create problems, while handling shear-sensitive products can bring another set of problems. Food processors must also maintain contamination-free flow and meet stringent product quality and safety requirements while simultaneously maintaining high production rates. Efficient fluid handling and flow control with minimal downtime is paramount.

Masterflex® L/S® Economy Variable-Speed Pump

Cole-Parmer leveraged its knowledge of pumps and brought to the table the Masterflex^® L/S^® Economy Variable-Speed Pump with Easy-Load^® II pump head and PharMed^® BPT thermoplastic elastomer tubing. This pump is designed to handle the toughest process applications and achieves high flow rates of up to 9.8 gallons per minute (37.1 LPM). The system offers a high degree of durability which reduces costs, downtime, and improves the overall operating efficiency. The performance of the Masterflex peristaltic pump more than measured up to expectations—with substantial reduction in service and maintenance costs, convenient batch-to-batch changeover, and reduced downtime.

From a scientific viewpoint, humidity also refers to absolute humidity, which is expressed in grams of water vapor mass within a defined quantity of air. Specific humidity measures absolute humidity relative to total gas mass within this quantity of air.

From the preservation of artistic masterpieces in art institutes to burgeoning levels of dust mites, molds, and bacteria within our homes, our environmental humidity levels matter. For those charged with monitoring humidity levels in workplaces, manufacturing facilities, or really anywhere that humidity is important (which is pretty much anywhere), a new handheld option is available.

The Vaisala Handheld Humidity and Temperature Meter is lightweight, yet boasts superior accuracy. Easy to use, it is also compact, robust and affordable. The meter incorporates a Vaisala HUMICAP sensor that provides high accuracy, excellent long term stability, negligible hysteresis, and insensitivity to dust and most chemicals. The unit’s large graphic display indicates seven measurements including RH, temperature, dew point, wet bulb, absolute humidity, mixing ratio, and enthalpy. A graph shows when the measurement is stabilized. The meter also features a hold button that retains the data until it has been recorded, and an automatic shut off.

View a selection of other thermohygrometers

Saver Suggestion #2: Use an advanced bioreactor with one control interface

Bioreactors simulate an environment for photosynthetic organisms, especially algae, to grow and chemically convert. They are used for biodiesel and medical research, fermentation, and various applications within the production of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and more. Many, if not most, bioreactors require external lighting systems and peristaltic pumps to operate. Yet, newer, more advanced models combine these elements into one compact system that also takes up less space in the lab.

IKA® BR 10 Bioreactor

Doug Stark, IKA Manufacturing Engineering Manager, along with his colleagues worked with marine scientists to develop a unit that contains these efficiencies and more. “The IKA^® BR 10 Bioreactor is a self-contained automated unit that optimizes cell growth,” he explained. “The interior of the vessel is chemically inert, with no exposure to metal. It contains six compact double-fluorescent lamps which can be timed to simulate day or night. A digitally controlled overhead stirrer gently agitates the contents to assist with oxygen transfer while also preserving fragile cells. A variable-speed peristaltic pump provides the flow. One interface controls all of the variables―lighting, motion, pH value, and temperature.”

Because of the automation, users spend less time adjusting and monitoring the variables and can concentrate on other lab work. Also, with an integrated compact system such as this, labs can save more than twice their counter space as compared to traditional units.

According to Bob Hardin, Director of Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering, IKA, they can realize other savings as well. “Traditional bioreactors typically cost in the $50,000 range. With these newer, more progressive units, the price point is about half that even though users are getting more advanced features,” he said.

Some systems are also versatile. For example, as a 10-liter system, the IKABR 10 Bioreactor can also be put to use as a lab reactor. “Simply turn off the lighting system and this unit is equal to many lab reactors,” said Hardin.

The savings accumulates―less time to operate, less lab space, lower price point―to deliver enhanced efficiency.

Because sample protection is so important, Thermo Scientific developed a new line of Heratherm Incubators and Gravity Convection Ovens with this as their top priority.

Thermo Scientific Heratherm General Protocol Incubators are ideal for standard applications in pharmaceutical, research, medical, and food labs. They are designed to deliver top-quality temperature uniformity ranging from 5°C ambient to 75°C. Their unique airflow design, advanced microprocessor control, and automatic overtemperature alarm keep the internal environment optimal. An interior glass door enables sample viewing without disturbing the desired temperature. An intuitive user interface makes setting parameters easy. Choose from 2 to 6.3 cubic feet units.

Thermo Scientific Heratherm General Protocol Gravity Convection Ovens are designed for gentle heating and drying with minimal air turbulence. These ovens are a highly effective choice for precise heating applications. Their advanced microprocessor controls deliver detailed information on current temperature and set points. Set the temperature from 50 to 330°C and store the setting in memory while the oven is off. Visual overtemperature alarm and built-in safety backup maintain temperature control at 5°C above the set point if the primary control fails. A circuit breaker protects the oven from power surges. Thick insulation in walls and door maintains a safe exterior temperature and a silicone door gasket prevents heat loss. Low energy consumption contributes to their efficiency. Premium units also offer adjustable fan speed for application-related drying and a programmable controller for temperature ramps and dwells. Select from 2 to 6.4 cubic feet options.

Cole-Parmer offers a Compact Color Meter that is lightweight and portable for use in the lab, plant, or field. Some models contain a sapphire window to lend extra protection to the color sensor.

The Compact Color Meters store readings in memory and recall readings on the display. Select color meters include software to enable users to manipulate and analyze data—download stored measurements through the USB port, create reports, upload standards, and create color libraries for automatic closest-color searching. The software includes formulas for CIELAB, Hunter Lab, CMC, LCh, and CIE94; it also calculates whiteness/yellowness indices, opacity, brightness, and delta E.

According to Nate Kogler, Division Product Manager for the Bradley Corporation, the new technologies provide enhanced washdown coverage and improved cleanliness. For an eye-opening article describing  this next generation of products, read more.

Indoors, air quality can be monitored for hazardous levels. In schools, office buildings, hospitals, greenhouses, and anywhere that high levels of carbon dioxide are generated, the Extech Portable Indoor Air Quality CO₂ Meter is a good option for checking air quality. For personal monitoring badges, the TraceAir^® Personal Organic Solvent Panel/Indoor Air Quality Badge is a high sampling rate monitor to use when organic vapors are suspected to be the cause of indoor air quality concerns. The Organic Solvent Panel (OSP) badge includes analysis by GC/FID for 25 common organic vapors.

To clean air, Cloud 9^® Air Cleaner with HEPA-Filter is EPA-registered and traps particles to 0.3µm. To rid your lab, office, or waiting room of dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and smoke particles with a portable air cleaner, choose the Compact Air Cleaner with HEPA-Filter and Optional VOC Filter. This unit even removes gases associated with sick building syndrome.

The catalog contains a variety of new items featuring sought-after formats and functionality. The PolyScience® Benchtop Recirculating Chiller is designed in a compact size to maximize lab space. Thermo Scientific’s ARCTIC Advanced Cooling/Heating Circulating Baths deliver greater precision with tighter cooling control for demanding applications. A Water Bath/Magnetic Stirrer System is constructed with efficiency, from its easy-to-grip handles to its simple setup interface. Plus, catalog browsers will find refrigerated tanks, bath covers, bath fluids, and more.

High-stability Polystat Heating Immersion Circulators provide temperature control up to 200°C and inlet/outlet connections for circulation to external open- or closed-loops. They feature PID control with an easy-to-use LCD (0.01° resolution) and programmability in three languages and up to five temperature set points. Choose from units with clamp for side-tank attachment or with a bridge to span the tank.

Open Heating Circulating Baths offer an economical alternative to stainless steel baths. Operated by a two-speed pump with adjustable nozzle, they contain plumbed inlet/outlet connections for external loops. Their bright digital display enables more precise control and their high-temperature cutoff protects samples and equipment. Select from acrylic or PPO tank styles, in volumes up to 21 liters.

For more demanding applications, choose the rugged Polystat Stainless Steel Heating Circulating Baths. They offer performance while remaining budget-friendly. Easy to use, they feature a moisture-tight LCD, which measures in Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin scales. Driven by a two-speed pump, these units are available in standard or advanced models. The advanced model includes a force/suction pump with up to 21-liter capacity. Both types include safety features such as high-temperature cutoff and acoustic alarms.

For broad temperature ranges from -35 to 200°C, Polystat Cooling/Heating Circulating Baths include a powerful refrigeration system. They provide exceptional heat load removal across a range of operating temperatures. Their two-speed industrial-grade circulating pump runs up to 21 L/min flow and delivers extra pressure for more efficient heat exchange, better temperature uniformity, and enhanced reservoir agitation. These baths are available in standard digital or advanced digital models.