<p><strong>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!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies</strong>, <strong>Metrohm</strong> and <strong>Shimadzu </strong>and<strong> </strong>brochure by<strong> Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: ICP-OES Analysis of Copper Recovered from Li-Ion Batteries for Foil Manufacturing</strong></h3><p><strong>Automated characterization of materials for battery remanufacturing using the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800+VDV+ICP-OES"><strong>Agilent 5800 ICP-OES</strong></a></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_copper_recycled_batteries_5800_icp_oes_5994_8850en_agilent_1318ecdd02.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>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.<sup>1</sup> This cyclic process not only reduces waste and environmental impact but also helps lower manufacturing costs and supports the growing demand for battery materials.</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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 (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) to produce an aqueous copper sulfate solution (CuSO<sub>4</sub>), commonly referred to as a Cu electrolyte. Once this solution reaches the desired concentration, Cu is electroplated to produce high-purity Cu foil.<sup>2</sup> 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.</p><p>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).&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><h4><strong>Experimental&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>All measurements were performed using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800+VDV+ICP-OES"><strong>Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES</strong></a> 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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><h4><strong>Method development&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>IntelliQuant Screening&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>As part of the ICP Expert Pro software, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=IntelliQuant"><strong>IntelliQuant Screening</strong></a> 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.<sup>9</sup> The IntelliQuant algorithm then processes the full-spectrum data against premeasured calibrations, generating a semiquantitative reading for every element present in the sample.</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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).</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><h3><strong>2. Metrohm: Paprika powder analysis with NIR spectroscopy</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_134_download_9720122671.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>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].</p><p>Spiciness is measured using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale (sweet paprikas &lt;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).</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Paprika samples were measured using a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=NIR+Analyzer"><strong>Metrohm NIR Analyzer</strong></a>. 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.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>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.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Torsional and Pinching Dynamic Characteristics Testing of Rubber Vibration Isolators [JIS K6385]</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01035_en_164ff9c18a.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>Dynamic characteristic tests based on JIS K6385 can be performed.</li><li>Frequency sweep tests automatically measure dynamic characteristic values at each frequency.&nbsp;</li><li>Tests in both torsional and pinching directions can be performed simply by changing the jig.</li></ul><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><h4><strong>Calculation of Various Dynamic Characteristic Values&nbsp;</strong></h4><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=JIS+K+6385"><strong>JIS K 6385</strong></a> 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.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>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.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Scientific X-Ray Sources: Flexible and robust performance for industrial and medical imaging applications</strong></h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/x_ray_sources_product_family_brochure_6252fe8b12.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 04, 2026

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 16th March 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Metrohm,</strong> <strong>Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher Scientific </strong>and <strong>Waters Corporation!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Metrohm: Soil analysis with NIR spectroscopy</strong></h3><p><strong>Multiparameter determination of soil in a few seconds</strong></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_nir_133_download_31cf2564fd.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Soil is a complex matrix made of organic and inorganic mineral matter, water, and air. The organic material ranges from decomposed and stable humus to fresh particulate residues from different sources [1]. Texture affects soil behavior (e.g., water holding capacity, nutrient retention and supply, drainage, and nutrient leaching [2]) and depends on the proportion by weight of the sand, silt, and clay it contains. Cationexchange capacity (CEC), a measure of the ability to hold positively charged ions, influences soil structure stability, nutrient availability, pH, and its reaction to fertilizers and other ameliorants. The main ions associated with CEC in soils are Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ , and K + [3]. Soil pH directly influences the availability of nutrients to plants, microbial activity, and overall soil health, affecting plant growth, crop yields, and the sustainability of agricultural practices. This study describes how organic matter content, pH value, silt, clay and sand content, exchangeable calcium and magnesium, and limestone content were measured in soil in seconds by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).</p><h4><strong>EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT</strong></h4><p>Air-dried samples of soil [4] were measured on a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=220&amp;search=omnis+nir"><strong>Metrohm NIR Analyzer</strong></a>. 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 several spots helped to reduce sample inhomogeneity. Metrohm software was used for all data acquisition and prediction model development.</p><h4><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></h4><p>This Application Note displays the benefits of using NIR spectroscopy for soil analysis. All the presented soil quality parameters can be measured simultaneously in only a few seconds. Compared to other conventional methods (Table 1), near-infrared spectroscopy soil analysis requires no sample preparation nor solvents. This ultimately leads to a reduction in workload and related costs, as well as keeping lab personnel safer.</p><h3><strong>2. Shimadzu: Observation of Shock Waves Using the Schlieren Method with the HPV-X3</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00983_en_c64bbf91c4.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>HPV-X3 offers three times the resolution of conventional models, enabling high-speed imaging at much higher resolutions.</li><li>With a maximum frame rate of 20 Mfps, the HPV-X3 is well-suited for observing high-speed phenomena such as shock waves</li></ul><p>Shock waves are characterized by abrupt changesin pressure and density and are generated when an object travels faster than the speed of sound or during explosive phenomena. They are important research subjects in fields such as aerospace and fluid dynamics. In particular, accurately characterizing the structure and temporal evolution of shock waves generated around projectiles is a crucial issue directly related to vehicle design, behavior prediction, and safety evaluation. Optical techniques capable of detecting minute changes in refractive index are effective for visualizing such phenomena. Among these, the Schlieren method is widely used to visualize density variations in fluids. <sup>1)</sup>&nbsp;</p><p>In this paper, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=HPV-X3"><strong>HPV-X3 high-speed video camera</strong></a> (Fig. 1), which provides three times the resolution of conventional models, was used to observe shock waves generated by a pellet launched from a gas gun using the Schlieren method.</p><h4><strong>Imaging System&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The pellet shown at the center of Fig. 2 was placed in the firing chamber of the gas gun, sandwiched between two plastic holders. The holders were used to position the pellet in the firing chamber; after firing, the holders fell away, allowing only the pellet to be captured by the camera.&nbsp;</p><p>The imaging system is detailed in Table 1, the imaging conditions are shown in Table 2, and the experimental setup is shown in Fig. 3. Light from the laser source was reflected by Concave mirror (1) and collimated between Concave mirrors (1) and (2). The HPV-X3 captured images of shock waves generated along the projectile path through a mirror and a knife-edge.&nbsp;</p><p>The experiment was conducted twice: in the first trial, two rubber bands were placed in the projectile path; in the second trial, an obstacle with ten circular holes (Fig. 4) was placed in the path. This allowed us to observe phenomena such as fragmentation and shock wave reflection.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Using the HPV-X3 high-speed video camera, shock waves generated by pellets fired from a gas gun were observed using the Schlieren method. This approach enabled close observation of phenomena, including shock waves generated as the pellet passed through or was reflected by rubber bands placed in the projectile path, as well as pellet fragmentation by impact with an obstacle and the subsequent generation of shock waves from each fragment.&nbsp;</p><p>The HPV-X3 high-speed video camera has three times the resolution of the previous, HPV-X2, model and is well-suited for detailed observation of high-speed phenomena such as shock waves.</p><h3><strong>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Raman Spectroscopy: Deciphering the Structural Dynamics of 2D Semiconductors</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/deciphering_structural_dynamics_of_2d_semiconductors_an1525_en_e5c8ca420c.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Semiconductors form the foundation of all modern electronics. As industries constantly seek to make their technological devices even smaller and more efficient, and manufacturers continue to strive for more compact device architectures, the key to future develops may prove to be new, thin film materials. Thin film or twodimensional (2D) semiconductors have unique properties and perform robustly even at monolayer thicknesses, allowing for complex electronic device performance at extremely small scale.¹ For example, the current silicon “2 nm” transistors used in the semiconductor industry have channel lengths of 10+ nm. Studies on 2D semiconductor transistors, especially MoS₂, show promising scalability to physical channel lengths below a 5 nm threshold—less than half the size of current transistors.¹ These materials have very well-defined crystal structures which make them excellent candidates for characterization through Raman spectroscopy. A common class of these materials is the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) family such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂).², ³ 2D semiconductors, like TDMCs, are characterized by two major structural elements: the in-plane lattice bonds and out-of-plane van der Waals (vdW) forces that bind the stacked layers of crystalline monolayers.²</p><h4><strong>Crystal Structure and Raman Signal&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>A naturally formed sample of MoS₂ is studied here using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2237"><strong>Thermo Scientific DXR3xi Raman Imaging Microscope </strong></a>with a 455 nm excitation laser. The MoS₂ is manually exfoliated to thin the crystals from bulk form down to a two-dimensional, thin film layer.³ This creates a very simple crystalline structure with simple vibrational modes. Indeed, MoS₂ has only two dominant Raman peaks, the E¹2g, in-plane vibration at 381 cm-1, driven by the lateral oscillation of S atoms, and the A1g, out-of-plane mode at 408 cm-1.⁴ In thin / 2D samples, the A1g peak (linked to the out-of-plane S vibrations) is significantly weaker than it is in the bulk crystal due to many fewer vdW forces between the layers (Figure 1). This out-of-plane peak also displays a redshift (to lower wavenumber values) in the thinner samples (Figure 2).⁴ By taking a single crystal and repeatedly thinning it we can see the clear trend in these spectral changes produced by manual exfoliation (Table 1).</p><h4><strong>Tracking Structural Variations&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The Raman peaks of MoS₂ can reveal much more information than simply layer thickness. The shifting ratio of the out-of-plane A1g peak to the in-plane E¹2g peak can be used to study interlayer physics in these 2D crystal structures. For example, a Raman peak ratio analysis can reveal interfacial boundary conditions (Figure 4). In this sample, there is a stronger out-of-plane component to the lattice vibration along the crystal face boundaries. Given that there are no obvious peak shifts from differing layer thicknesses, the increased vdW forces at the boundaries may be due to another phenomena, such as a localized electronic charge accumulation in the boundary region.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Even with a seemingly simple molecular structure such as MoS₂ there is a huge wealth of information that can be gleaned from Raman spectroscopic analysis. Layer thicknesses, interlayer forces, and in-plane strain can all be quickly analyzed based on the two MoS₂ peaks. Monitoring changes in these in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations for this 2D semiconductor allows a researcher to characterize numerous properties with a rapid, non-destructive analysis.</p><h3><strong>4. Waters Corporation: A New Method for Measuring Particulates in Protein Drug Formulations with Complex Excipients</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/720009131_en_987cda2d15.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Protein drugs need to be highly stable in order to increase product shelf life and inhibit protein aggregation which presents an immunogenic risk<sup>1</sup>. To achieve protein drug stability, formulators use an array of water-soluble excipients including various buffers, detergents, sugars and other compounds to inhibit protein aggregate formation<sup>2</sup>.&nbsp;</p><p>Measuring the quality and the state of the excipients in a formulation is a big challenge. Each formulation parameter plays a key role in determining its stability, but due to the nature and sheer variety of excipients, these materials can often confound protein particle measurements<sup>3</sup>. This measurement gap is accentuated in flowbased subvisible particle analyzers, where the protein sample cannot be reanalyzed to gain greater insights of the formulation’s state. Running subsequent measurements enables formulators to gain greater insights on the state of the protein formulation’s components and its overall stability.</p><p>The HORIZON system, powered by backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI), enables users the unique ability to conduct serial wash measurements of protein formulations filtered on a membrane, to dissolve water soluble excipients and reveal the hidden insights of a formulation’s state. In this application note, we present three independent case studies that leverage the HORIZON system’s unique capability to analyze samples after serial washes to investigate the impact on the number of protein and excipient particulates in the sample to gain a clearer understanding of the formulation state.</p><h4><strong>Results and Discussion</strong></h4><h5><strong>Study 2 — Protein Aggregate Solubility and Adsorption to the Surface</strong></h5><p>In this case study we used IgG aggregates using the same sample preparation procedure described above and created two stock IgG solutions using PBS and DI water respectively. We ran 2X serial dilutions of the samples in their corresponding buffers from stock (1X) down to 32X dilutions. Samples were filtered through a HORIZON filter plate and subsequently measured using 50 µL of sample per well, measuring N = 4 samples per condition. For this experiment, the background of the software plate was cloned 3 times. All the wells were washed with 50 µL DI water, and remeasured, and this process was repeated 3 times for each wash step.&nbsp;</p><p>Serial dilutions of IgG aggregates in both buffers showed linear counts drop behavior (R2 &gt; 0.99), and very similar counts with stock IgG concentrations hovering close to 1E5 particles/mL for both stock conditions (Figure 4). After the first wash, both buffer types saw at most 20% of the counts drop for concentrated samples, potentially from the dissolution of soluble aggregates. Additional washing resulted in no counts increase or decrease within measurement error.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Serial membrane washing can help unveil critical details of a formulation. In the first two case studies, we explored how irreversible protein aggregates tend to be dense (dark in the image), amorphous, and do not disappear upon membrane washing as verified by visual microscopic membrane inspection and by counts analysis. Protein aggregates’ lack of solubility and their strong binding to the membrane surface allow one to count them reliably while uncovering the presence of other water-soluble excipients particles. This is important since the key objective of particle analysis in protein drug samples is to measure the insoluble protein aggregates since they tend to be immunogenic<sup>5</sup>.&nbsp;</p><p>With protein aggregates being insoluble, this helped us deduce in the first case study that the faint, directional and water-soluble particles were salt crystals. Their presence also coincided with the age of the buffer (30 days), potentially pointing to time-related buffer degradation. The second case study confirmed the insolubility of the aggregates, with virtually no change in counts even after 3 serial washes. The third case study uncovered that protein solutions formulated in concentrated excipient conditions can show elevated counts. However, the excipient particle counts, arising from sucrose or polysorbate particles, could be washed away with a single wash to enable counting of the true protein aggregates. Also of interest in the third case study is that the IgG solution that was formulated without concentrated excipients showed significantly lower particle counts (nearly half) than those that were formulated in 10% sucrose and 0.05% polysorbate. This is a reminder that a higher excipient concentration does not necessarily result in higher formulation stability. The ability to get to the right formulation as quickly as possible requires one to obtain deep insights into all components of the formulation. The HORIZON system’s ability to clone original plate backgrounds to rapidly reanalyze the samples enables an unprecedented opportunity to learn more about the state of a proteindrug formulation. Key insights to your formulations are only a single 50 µL membrane wash away.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 12, 2026

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News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 12, 2026

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 04, 2026

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SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition

Webinars

Why Faster Analytics are Critical for Process Control in Oil & Gas

Digestion of Food & Feed for Nutrient Analysis: Macro and Trace Minerals

Meet Advanced Chemical Profiling 2.0 - Quantitative NMR Automation Software