News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 10, 2026

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This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, Metrohm, Shimadzu and Thermo Fisher Scientific!

1. Agilent Technologies: Routine Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Basalt using ICP-MS

Accurate, precise, and stable results in a basalt sample matrix with the Agilent 7850 ICP-MS in helium collision mode 

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) play a vital role in numerous industrial applications, including advanced materials, electronics, renewable energy technologies, and geochemical research^.1 Precise and routine quantification of REEs in geological matrices such as basalt is essential for understanding magmatic processes, resource assessment, and environmental monitoring. ICP-MS is suitable for the analysis of trace REEs in basalt. However, the sample poses significant analytical challenges due to its complex matrix, high concentrations of major elements, and the risk of polyatomic interferences such as oxides and hydroxides of barium (Ba) and REEs that can compromise accuracy.^1–3 Because it contains high levels of alumina, silica, and refractory metals, basalt can also compromise plasma robustness due to matrix-induced signal suppression.

Various techniques have been used to measure REEs in geological samples, including multicollector (MC-) ICP-MS detection following α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) separation.⁴ Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) offers excellent sensitivity for many lanthanides (and long lived actinides like thorium and uranium) but is constrained by long irradiation times and the need to access nuclear reactors.⁵ Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) provides highly precise isotopic measurements; however, it requires complex sample preparation and is unsuitable for routine multi-element analysis.⁶ Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) enables direct, spatially resolved measurements of geological samples but demands careful matrix matching of standards and is sensitive to variations in ablation behavior.⁷ High-Resolution ICP-MS (HR-ICP-MS) improves spectral resolution, yet its high cost, lower throughput, and operational complexity limit its widespread use. While these techniques remain valuable for specialized applications, they often fall short when laboratories require rapid, routine, and interference-free determination of lanthanides and actinides in rock matrices. 

ICP-MS has become the preferred technique for routine REE analysis due to its exceptional sensitivity, wide linear dynamic range, and multi-element capability. In this study, REE measurements were performed using an Agilent 7850 ICP-MS with an Agilent SPS 4 autosampler and controlled using Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter software. A preset method enabled the accurate and precise determination of 16 lanthanide and actinide elements in a single run, supporting high sample throughput. The 7850 includes Octopole Reaction System (ORS⁴) cell technology and optimized helium (He) collision mode to effectively remove polyatomic ion interferences using Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED). Common interferences can be eliminated by the 7850 using default He KED tuning conditions, ensuring reliable analysis in complex matrices.^8,9 As polyatomic ions pass through the ORS⁴ cell with an optimized helium flow, their larger collisional cross sections cause them to lose more kinetic energy via frequent collisions. Upon exiting the cell, these lower energy polyatomic ions are filtered out by the KED barrier, while analyte ions retain enough energy to pass through the quadrupole for detection by the electron multiplier detector. This process enables accurate multi element analysis using a single gas mode.

Experimental 

Instrumentation 

The Agilent 7850 ICP-MS equipped with the ORS4 cell and an Agilent SPS 4 autosampler was used for all the measurements of the basalt sample. (The same 7850 ICP-MS setup is also installed at Geochemistry and Geochronology facility of the Institute of Seismological Research, India.) Because ammonium fluoride (NH4 F) was used during sample preparation, the 7850 ICP-MS was fitted with the optional PFA kit and platinum sampling and skimmer cones. All 16 elements were measured using one set of He KED collision cell mode conditions. He KED ensures effective control of most background and matrix-based polyatomic interferences, such as ArO, ArCl, and BaO. The instrument was controlled using ICP-MS MassHunter software. Typical instrument operating parameters are listed in Table 1. The highlighted parameters were predefined by selecting the General Purpose preset method, while lens voltages were automatically tuned for optimal performance using the software’s autotune feature.

Conclusion 

The Agilent 7850 ICP-MS successfully quantified all 16 lanthanides and actinide elements in the basalt CRM using a single helium KED cell method. The use of a General Purpose preset method and automated lens tuning routine within the Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter software streamlined the analytical workflow, minimizing instrument setup time and ensuring consistent instrument performance. These ease of use features simplified instrument operation while maintaining accurate, interference free results. Internal standard stability over three hours of continuous operation demonstrated the robustness of the 7850 under routine, high throughput conditions. This level of instrument stability is important for maintaining productivity, as it reduces drift, QC failures, sample reanalysis, and instrument maintenance. The 7850 ICP-MS method supports laboratories conducting routine, high-throughput multi-element analyses of demanding geological matrices.

2. Metrohm: Flour analysis by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)

NIR flour analysis determines moisture, protein, ash, gluten, starch, and rheological properties within seconds

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

Monitoring ash content, along with key quality parameters such as protein and moisture content, can significantly enhance the milling yield of flour. Next to these chemical parameters, rheological parameters like baking strength or tenacity influence the product quality. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy enables chemical-free quality control of both chemical and rheological parameters, producing results within seconds. This simple, efficient, and rapid analysis method is ideal for continuous quality checks and can be implemented in laboratory settings or atline, requiring minimal training for effective use.

EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT 

A total of 237 flour samples, including wheat flour, spelt flour, and other types, were analyzed on a Metrohm OMNIS NIR Analyzer Solid (Figure 1) with the large cup OMNIS NIR, 100 mm and OMNIS software. The samples were filled into the sample cup and analyzed in diffuse reflection mode. To include sample variety, the sample cup rotated during measurement to collect spectra from different locations. The automatically averaged spectra were used for model development. Reference values for moisture, protein, and ash content were obtained with the respective primary methods: moisture analysis followed AOAC 953.10, protein according to AOAC 2001.11, and ash content followed AOAC 923.03.

CONCLUSION

This Application Note shows the feasibility of using NIR spectroscopy for the analysis of several quality parameters in flour. With no chemicals involved, nearinfrared spectroscopy is an ideal way to avoid timeconsuming sample preparation and reduce costs. NIRS instruments from Metrohm allow users to not only to monitor the flour milling process, but also to predict the rheological properties of the dough the flour is produced with.

3. Shimadzu: Observation of Expansion/Contraction Process of Bubbles in PVA Gel

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

User Benefits

• The HPV-X3, with a maximum framerate of 20 Mfps, is suitable for observation of high-speed phenomena such as cavitation.
• The HPV-X3 provides 3 times higher resolution than the conventional device, enabling detailed observation.
• Since the image sensor of HPV-X3 is burst-type, the HPV-X3 enables image acquisition with constant resolution, regardless of the recording speed.

When laser-induced shock waves and cavitation are applied in the medical field, it isimportant to understand the actual phenomena. Here, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel was irradiated with a laser, and the condition of the shock wave and cavitation generated upon laser light condensation (LC) was observed. PVA gel has high biocompatibility and is known as a promising biomaterial which is suitable for tissue mimicking. In this experiment, the newlydeveloped Hyper Vision HPV-X3 high-speed video camera was used to observe bubble expansion/contraction in PVA gel. In comparison with the conventional device, the recording speed (framerate) of the HPV-X3 is 2 times faster. The new HPV-X3 also provides 3 times higher resolution, supporting more detailed observation.

Comparison of HPV-X3 and HPV-X2

Fig. 2 shows images captured by the HPV-X3 and HPV-X2. The images show the condition of the bubble and shock wave after laser irradiation captured at 500 kfps (HP mode of HPV-X2). As can be seen in Fig. 2 (a) and (b), assuming the same device composition, the HPV-X3 can capture a wider field due to its larger sensor size. In Fig. 2 (c), the image has been partially cropped from Fig. 2 (b) to show the same field of view as the HPV-X2. It can be understood that the information in the cropped image is also clearer due to the three-fold improvement of the resolution of the HPV-X3. Thus, when a wide field of view is captured in order to check the phenomena and the image is then cropped to show only the phenomenon of interest, the HPV-X3 is the more suitable device thanks to its excellent resolution.

Conclusion 

Hyper Vision and HPV are trademarks of Shimadzu Corporation or its affiliated companies in Japan and/or other countries. Using the new HPV-X3 high-speed video camera, the expansion/contraction of a bubble and shock wave when a laser was irradiated on PVA gel were observed. Because the resolution of the HPV-X3 is 3 times higher than that of the conventional device, resolution is adequate, and it is possible to obtain clear and distinct images, even when a wide angle of view is observed and the image is partially cropped. The HPV-X3 also has a maximum recording speed of 20 Mfps, which enabled detailed observation of the shock wave and the process of bubble collapse.

4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Analysis of rare earth elements in clay using XRF and XRD

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

Rare earth elements (REEs) are 17 elements used in dozens of high-tech applications. The global demand for REEs has surged in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and the transition towards green energy solutions. REE magnets are compact, efficient, and hard to replace. Electric vehicles (EVs) and wind power are the main growth industries for these use cases. 

Although rare earth elements are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust, they are rarely concentrated into mineable ore deposits. REEs are associated with alkaline rocks, carbonatite (bastnäsite, monazite, parisite, and synchysite), pegmatite, and placer deposits (residual deposits formed from deep weathering) and are often discovered via geochemical exploration. They may also be absorbed in clay minerals or ion adsorption clays (IACs) such as kaolinite, illite and smectite. The ores of rare earth elements are mineralogically and chemically complex and commonly radioactive. REE mining is challenging because REEs are concentrated in more than one mineral, and each mineral requires a different costly extraction technology and mineral processing. 

For companies operating in REE exploration and mining, the accuracy of geochemical analysis is critical to assess the viability of deposits, respectively targeting REE rich areas for extraction. The Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ X’TRA Companion X-ray Diffractometer detects and quantifies mineral phases that contain REEs such as kaolinite, smectite, monazite and bastnasite. Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ PERFORM’X WDXRF Spectrometer on the other hand provides fast, accurate major/minor oxides analysis on the REE ores.

Instrument and software 

The ARL X’TRA Companion X-Ray Diffractometer (Figure 1) is a simple, easy-to-use benchtop instrument for routine phase analysis as well as more advanced applications. The ARL X’TRA Companion XRD uses a θ/θ goniometer (160 mm radius) in Bragg-Brentano geometry coupled with a 600 W X-ray source (Cu or Co). The radial and axial collimation of the beam is controlled by divergence and Soller slits, while air scattering is reduced by a variable beam knife. An integrated water chiller is available as an option. Thanks to the state-of-the art solid state pixel detector (55x55 μm pitch), the ARL X’TRA Companion XRD provides very fast data collection and comes with single-click Rietveld quantification capabilities and automated result transmission to a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System). Both capabilities are seamlessly integrated into Thermo Scientific™ SolstiX™ Pronto Instrument Control Software. 

The ARL PERFORM’X series spectrometer (Figure 2) used in this analysis was a 2500-watt system. This system is configured with 6 primary beam filters, 4 collimators, up to nine crystals, two detectors and our 5GN+ Rh X-ray tube for best performance from ultra- light to heaviest elements thanks to its 50 microns Be window. This innovative, ultralight X-ray tube fitted with a low current filament ensures an unequalled analytical stability month after month. When paired with industry-leading Thermo Scientific™ UniQuant™ Software the ARL PERFORM’X spectrometer provides the best limits of detection and accuracy in standardless analysis up to element Am.

Your benefits 

The ARL X’TRA Companion XRD workflow delivers answers in a few minutes, quantifying the mineral phases available in the ion adsorption clay samples. Users are able to identify the type of mineral phases associated with REEs such as kaolinite, halloysite, smectite, illite. They are also able to verify the ion adsorption clay (IAC) mechanism due to absence of monazite/ xenotime peaks & availability of kaolinite & smectite which supports ion-adsorbed REE. 

ARL PERFORM’X WDXRF spectrometer together with UniQuant standardless analysis software enables the users to screen through REE ores for up to 79 elements without the need for conventional calibrations. Well suited for mining ore analysis which will have varying sample matrices. UniQuant software is fully calibrated and installed from the factory. Hence the ARL PERFORM’X spectrometer is ready to perform meaningful analysis of unknown samples directly after installation at the customer’s site.