News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 04, 2026
LabRulez: News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 04, 2026
Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 19th January 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!
👉 SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES
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This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, Metrohm and Shimadzu and brochure by Thermo Fisher Scientific!
1. Agilent Technologies: ICP-OES Analysis of Copper Recovered from Li-Ion Batteries for Foil Manufacturing
Automated characterization of materials for battery remanufacturing using the Agilent 5800 ICP-OES
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
The main goal of lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling is to recover essential elements so they can be reused in the production of new batteries.1 This cyclic process not only reduces waste and environmental impact but also helps lower manufacturing costs and supports the growing demand for battery materials.
The key elements recovered during LIB recycling include lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni), which are used in cathode production, as well as copper (Cu), which is critical for making Cu foil.
On average, LIBs contain around 10–15% Cu by weight, making it an ideal metal for recovery. During remanufacturing, the recycled Cu is dissolved in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce an aqueous copper sulfate solution (CuSO4), commonly referred to as a Cu electrolyte. Once this solution reaches the desired concentration, Cu is electroplated to produce high-purity Cu foil.2 After Cu removal, the remaining electrolyte still contains valuable metals, such as Co, Ni, and Li, which can also be recovered and refined for reuse. The process is summarized in Figure 1.
In this study, a fully integrated system comprising the Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES, Advanced Valve System (AVS 7), Advanced Dilution System (ADS 2), SPS 4 autosampler, and instrument software was used to quantify 23 elements in three real-word recycled copper electrolyte samples. The elements included: aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), Co, Cu, iron (Fe), lead (Pb), Li, magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), Ni, phosphorus (P), selenium (Se), silicon (Si), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), potassium (K), zinc (Zn).
The copper electrolyte samples were analyzed as received. The method’s accuracy, robustness, and stability were assessed via a spike-recovery test on actual samples and a five-hour long-term stability test of 187 samples.
Experimental
Instrumentation
All measurements were performed using an Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES configured with an AVS 7 switching valve, ADS 2 autodilutor, and SPS 4 autosampler (Figure 2). Combined with Agilent ICP Expert Pro software, these components represent the Agilent ICP-OES Automation System. The sample introduction system consisted of a SeaSpray nebulizer, double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, argon humidifier accessory, and Agilent semi-demountable VDV torch with a 1.8 mm internal diameter (id) injector.
An internal standard (IS) solution comprising 5 mg/L scandium (Sc) and 100 mg/L rubidium (Rb) was prepared in 3% H2 SO4 using Agilent single element standard solutions. The ISs were used to account for any matrix effects that may arise from the sample matrix. The seven-port AVS system enables the IS solution to be directly plumbed into the valve so it can be introduced with the sample.
Method development
IntelliQuant Screening
As part of the ICP Expert Pro software, the IntelliQuant Screening routine can be used to collect full-spectrum data of a sample, requiring only a few seconds analysis time and with little input from the analyst.9 The IntelliQuant algorithm then processes the full-spectrum data against premeasured calibrations, generating a semiquantitative reading for every element present in the sample.
IntelliQuant Screening was used in this study during method development to determine the approximate concentration of elements in the three Cu electrolyte samples. The data informed the selection of the calibration range, internal standards, and emission lines best suited for accurate quantitative analysis.
The software can display the data in various ways, including as a periodic table heatmap or pie chart. Figure 4A shows a pie chart of the elemental composition of the Cu electrolyte 3 sample. As expected, Cu and S were the predominant elements. To better understand the trace components of the sample, Cu and S were excluded from the graphic, revealing the presence of additional elements such as Na, Ca, Fe, Li, Si and Ni, among others (Figure 4B).
Yttrium (Y), a widely used internal standard, was detected in the sample (Figure 4C). This guided the selection of Sc and Rb as internal standards.
The IntelliQuant star rating system further supported method development by recommending optimal emission lines and identifying potential spectral interferences. For instance, in this sample, the Zn 213 and Zn 202 nm lines were affected by interferences from Fe and Cu, and Cu, respectively (Figure 4D). Based on this valuable information, Zn 206 nm was selected as the most suitable line for the quantitative method.
Conclusion
The Agilent ICP-OES Automation System—a combination of the Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES with the AVS 7 switching valve, ADS 2 autodilutor, SPS 4 autosampler, and ICP Expert Pro software—provides a powerful solution for elemental analysis in lithium battery recycling and copper foil remanufacturing. The system delivered accurate, precise, and reproducible results across a wide concentration range, even in challenging high-matrix copper electrolyte samples. Automated prescriptive and reactive dilutions minimized manual sample handling, reduced errors, and ensured that all analytes were reliably quantified within calibration limits.
Spike recovery and long-term stability tests further demonstrated the robustness of the method, with recoveries within 100 ±5% and precision better than 1.3% RSD over five hours of continuous operation. These results confirm that the ICP-OES Automation System not only streamlines sample preparation and analysis but also enhances laboratory productivity, data quality, and confidence in results.
By simplifying the analysis of complex matrices while maintaining accuracy and throughput, the system enables laboratories in the energy and chemicals sector to efficiently support the recovery and reuse of critical elements from lithium-ion batteries, contributing to sustainable battery manufacturing.
2. Metrohm: Paprika powder analysis with NIR spectroscopy
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
Paprika powder is a common cooking spice. The bright red color makes paprika powder an ideal natural colorant in seasonings, sauces, confectionary products, processed cheeses, etc. Its quality is directly associated with the presence and proportions of flavoring, coloring, and pungent compounds. Paprika's pungency is primarily attributed to capsaicinoids. Capsaicin accounts for ~71% of the total capsaicinoids in the most pungent paprika varieties [1].
Spiciness is measured using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale (sweet paprikas <500 SHU, hot paprikas 2500–8000 SHU). The color is determined according to the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) [2]. In this study, quality parameters including the capsaicin content, ASTA color, SHU, water activity (aw), and ash content were measured simultaneously in paprika powder samples using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT
Paprika samples were measured using a Metrohm NIR Analyzer. No sample preparation nor solvents were required. All measurements were performed in reflection mode (1000–2250 nm) using the large cup accessory. The samples were measured in rotation to collect spectral data from several areas. Spectral averaging of signals from different spots helped to reduce sample inhomogeneity. Metrohm software was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development.
CONCLUSION
This Application Note displays the benefits of analyzing paprika powder with NIR spectroscopy. NIRS allows all the mentioned quality parameters (i.e., capsaicin content, ASTA color, SHU, water activity (aw ), and ash content) to be measured simultaneously in only a few seconds. Measurements performed with NIR spectroscopy do not need any sample preparation nor solvents, unlike other conventional analytical methods (Table 1). This ultimately leads to a reduction in workload and related costs, and also keeps lab personnel safer.
3. Shimadzu: Torsional and Pinching Dynamic Characteristics Testing of Rubber Vibration Isolators [JIS K6385]
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
User Benefits
- Dynamic characteristic tests based on JIS K6385 can be performed.
- Frequency sweep tests automatically measure dynamic characteristic values at each frequency.
- Tests in both torsional and pinching directions can be performed simply by changing the jig.
Rubber vibration isolators are a product designed to prevent or mitigate the transmission of vibration and shock and are widely used in various fields such as transportation equipment, construction, and industrial machinery.
JIS K6385 “Rubber vibration isolators - Testing methods” specifies several test methods and termsfor evaluating the performance of rubber vibration isolators1). Among these, tests in the torsional direction around the central axis and tests in the torsional direction around an arbitrary axis perpendicular to the central axis (pinching test) are defined for cylindrical rubber vibration isolators. Cylindrical rubber vibration isolators are used for supporting and coupling vibration sources such as engines and motors, and play an important role in reducing noise and stabilizing performance. When mounted on a vehicle, loads are applied in both the torsional and pinching directions, so it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of each.
This article introduces examples of dynamic characteristic tests in the torsional and pinching directions for cylindrical rubber vibration isolators. International standards corresponding to JIS K6385 have not been established at present.
Calculation of Various Dynamic Characteristic Values
JIS K 6385 specifies calculation methods for various dynamic characteristic values, referring to JIS K6394. Absolute spring constant, storage spring constant, loss spring constant, damping factor, and loss factor are each calculated from Formulas 1 to 5 respectively. Like energy, these can be calculated by frequency sweep test and resonance frequency tracking test software. For torsion and pinching tests, test force is converted into torque and displacement into angle. The international standard corresponding to JIS K6394 is ISO 4664-1.
Conclusion
Using a combined axial force and torsion testing machine, torsional and pinching dynamic characteristic tests were conducted on cylindrical type vibration isolators based on JIS K6385. By using the frequency sweep test software, it was possible to quickly confirm the dependence of various dynamic characteristic values on the excitation frequency.
4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Scientific X-Ray Sources: Flexible and robust performance for industrial and medical imaging applications
- Brochure
- Full PDF for download
Thermo Scientific X-Ray Sources provide flexible, high-performance solutions for a wide range of industrial and medical imaging applications. Designed for reliability and long-term operation, these sources are used in testing, inspection, and imaging tasks ranging from printed circuit boards, semiconductor devices, and batteries to medical fluoroscopy and dental quality control. The portfolio comprises four distinct microfocus x-ray source families, each offering multiple variants to closely match performance to specific application requirements.
All Thermo Scientific x-ray sources are based on sealed microfocus x-ray tube technology with beryllium windows, enabling robust uptime, precise electron beam control, and exceptionally small focal spot sizes for high-resolution imaging. Key design advantages include controlled focal spot performance, optimized geometric magnification, and configurable cone-of-illumination options, allowing users to balance resolution, penetration depth, field of view, and throughput. These characteristics are critical for both low-energy, high-resolution imaging and high-voltage inspection of dense materials such as electric vehicle battery cells.
The brochure also explains the fundamental principles of x-ray generation and interaction with matter, highlighting how voltage, power, focal spot size, and focus-to-object distance (FOD) directly influence image quality, contrast, and detectability of internal defects. Understanding these parameters enables users to select an optimal source configuration for non-destructive testing, automated inspection, or medical imaging workflows.
Thermo Scientific supports customers throughout the full lifecycle of their x-ray systems, offering expert application guidance, global service coverage, and reliable supply chains. With a comprehensive range of microfocus x-ray sources—from compact, cost-effective models to high-power, wide-beam solutions—the portfolio delivers dependable performance, scalability, and flexibility for demanding industrial and medical imaging projects.
