Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 8th September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you brochure by Agilent Technologies, other document by Shimadzu and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Consumable Solutions for Semiconductor Analysis</h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/og_csd_semiconductor_analysis_workflow_5994_5101en_agilent_631b673735.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Since the late 1980s, Agilent has worked closely with semiconductor manufacturers and chemical suppliers to advance analytical technologies that support the entire semiconductor supply chain. With instruments such as ICP-MS, ICP-QQQ, GC/MS, and LC/MS, Agilent provides reliable methods for process monitoring, raw material quality control, detection of inorganic and organic impurities, nanoparticle analysis, and compliance with environmental and safety standards.A critical aspect of semiconductor manufacturing is the use of electronic wet chemicals, which must achieve ultra-high purity levels to prevent contamination. These chemicals include general-purpose acids, bases, and solvents, as well as functional reagents like photoresists, etching solutions, and cleaning agents. To ensure accurate impurity detection in these materials, Agilent offers a comprehensive range of consumables designed specifically for ICP-MS and ICP-QQQ systems.The portfolio covers configurations optimized for different chemical environments, including inorganic aqueous reagents, hydrofluoric acid–compatible materials, organic solvent testing, and silicon wafer vapor phase decomposition (VPD). Consumables such as nebulizers, spray chambers, torches, sampler and skimmer cones, and inert sample introduction kits are tailored to withstand aggressive acids, volatile solvents, and high-matrix samples. These solutions not only ensure reliable results but also extend instrument life and minimize downtime.Beyond sample introduction, Agilent provides essential general supplies such as high-purity argon gas filters, waste container kits, cleaning tools, and tuning solutions. Together, these consumables support the robustness and consistency of semiconductor impurity testing workflows, enabling manufacturers to maintain yield and quality in one of the most contamination-sensitive industries.<h3>2. Shimadzu: Perform Microplastics Analysis More Quickly and Accurately</h3><ul><li>Other Document</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/c103_e154_9330a3e4e8.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Shimadzu has introduced new options for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AIMsight+infrared+microscope">AIMsight™ infrared microscope</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AIRsight">AIRsight™ infrared/Raman microscope</a>, designed to improve the speed and accuracy of microplastics and contaminant analysis. By adding the new Particle Analysis Program to AMsolution software, users can automatically measure the size, mass, and volume of multiple particles and easily visualize the results through graphs and tables.The program calculates particle dimensions such as major and minor axes, while also estimating mass and volume using a validated theoretical formula based on recent research from Ehime University. This allows laboratories to determine microplastic mass concentrations with high accuracy, a significant improvement over traditional methods. Statistical data, including component ratios and histograms, can be output directly or exported in CSV format, while customizable analysis conditions allow exclusion of unwanted particle types like fibers.To further enhance measurement reliability, Shimadzu offers a Particle Filter (PF) Holder. This accessory secures PTFE or stainless steel membrane filters to prevent sagging during drying, keeping the surface level and ensuring more precise focusing and particle detection.Together, the AIMsight and AIRsight microscopes, combined with the Particle Analysis Program and PF Holder, provide laboratories with a powerful, automated solution for high-throughput, reproducible microplastics research and contaminant monitoring.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Analysis of whole blood samples using triple quadrupole inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_whole_blood_triple_quadrupole_inductivity_coupled_plasma_ms_icp_po_en_4b667f10bc.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Elemental analysis of blood is essential for clinical research, toxicology, and occupational health studies. While some elements are required for biological function, others can pose health risks when present even at trace levels. Because blood is a complex matrix rich in salts and biomolecules, it presents significant challenges for accurate and reproducible analysis. Triple quadrupole ICP-MS is particularly well suited for this task, offering high sensitivity, robust interference removal, and wide dynamic range.In this study, researchers applied the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1488">Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ MTX ICP-MS</a> equipped with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1715">iSC-65 Autosampler</a> and operated using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Qtegra™ ISDS software</a>. Whole blood samples were diluted 50-fold and analyzed for 43 elements ranging from lithium to uranium. By combining He KED mode with TQ-O₂ mass-shift reactions, the method effectively removed spectral interferences, enabling accurate detection across eight orders of magnitude—from sub-ng/L levels up to 50 mg/L.Performance testing demonstrated excellent accuracy, with results closely matching certified reference materials for whole blood. The setup also showed outstanding robustness, sustaining more than 15 hours of continuous acquisition for 287 samples with minimal drift. The Step Ahead feature of the autosampler reduced analysis time by 9%, while the humidifier and interface maintenance hardware improved stability and minimized downtime. Notably, after over 1,000 sample injections, the sampler and skimmer cones remained clean, underlining the durability of the system.The study also compared human, horse, and pig blood, revealing significant differences in elemental composition between species. These findings highlight the potential of triple quadrupole ICP-MS to accelerate large-scale studies on biological variation and exposure assessment. Together, the iCAP MTX ICP-MS and iSC-65 Autosampler provide a powerful, high-throughput solution for multi-element analysis in one of the most challenging sample types: whole blood.

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 37, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 15th September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application note by Shimadzu and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Shimadzu: Analyzing Microscopic Contaminants Embedded in Recycled Plastic</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01001_en_79904665ce.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Reusing plastic waste is key to achieving a carbon-neutral society, which is why targets have been established for levels of recycled plastic in plastic products. But quality control of recycled plasticsis essential for maintaining the functional properties of plastic productssince impropersorting, transporting, and processing can all lead to contamination of recycled plastic. Determining the type and quantity of contaminants in recycled plastic is important since they can have a significant negative impact on product performance in certain applications.&nbsp;Shimadzu’s infrared microscopes use high-speed mapping analysis to quickly find and characterize contaminants dispersed in recycled plastic, and Shimadzu’s particulate analysis program also provides a convenient and simple tool for determining the morphology and numbers of contaminants.&nbsp;This Application News describes using this equipment and tools to analyze contaminants in recycled plastic material that was formed into a film.<h4>High-Speed Mapping Analysis of Recycled Plastic</h4>For recycled plastic with a relatively simple infrared spectrum, contaminants embedded in the plastic can be analyzed without removing them from the plastic. This is achieved by configuring wavenumber ranges (exclusion ranges) that exclude the peaks of the recycled plastic in the settings of the high-speed mapping software. In this example, a thermal press was used to form recycled plastic composed of PE and PP into a plastic film approximately 100 µm thick. The high-speed mapping settings were then configured to detect peaks in wavenumber regions that contain hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups that are not normally found in PE or PP. Table 1 shows the analysis conditions in detail. Background readings were obtained from an area of the film with no contaminants.<ul><li>Equipment: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=IRTracer-100">IRTracer-100</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AIMsight+">AIMsight</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Software: AMsolution, high-speed mapping software, particle analysis program</li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This Application News describes a simple and rapid method for analyzing and characterizing contaminants in recycled plastic using high-speed mapping analysis with an infrared microscope and data analysis with a particle analysis program. Areas of recycled plastic with no contaminants were scanned once, whereas areas with contaminants were scanned multiple times (50). This allowed a wide area of recycled plastic to be analyzed quickly with minimal noise in the recorded infrared spectra, reducing the analysis time to around just one-fifteenth of the time needed if every part of the recycled plastic was scanned 50 times. Also, using a thermal press to form recycled plastic pellets into a film enabled the efficient characterization of large numbers of contaminants by transmission spectroscopy and the ability to calculate their numbers in the pellets.<h3>2. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Highly sensitive analysis of distillate products per ASTM Method D8110 using single quadrupole ICP-MS</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_highly_sensitive_astm_method_d8110_single_quadrupole_icp_ms_po_en_d7c721bc97.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Control of impurities in the petrochemical industry is an essential step to ensure the quality of the crude, intermediates, and finished products. In many laboratories, the analysis of crude, intermediates, and finished products, including light and middle distillates for trace elements, is accomplished using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). However, the regulations and specifications for content of elemental impurities are becoming more stringent, which enforces determination of these impurities at lower concentration levels. Due to its higher sensitivity and specificity, ICP-MS is becoming the technology of choice for laboratories. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) issues standard D8110 that outlines the specifications and test method for elemental analysis of distillate products by ICP-MS. Analysis of combustible organic samples like naphtha, vacuum gas oil (VGO), or aviation turbine fuel (ATF) using ICP-MS could be challenging compared to conventional aqueous samples mainly because unexpected and intermittent extinguishing of plasma as well as carbon deposition in the interface region extracting ions into the mass spectrometer. The direct introduction of volatile organics increases the plasma load due to their high vapor pressure, causes destabilization of plasma and results in poor sensitivity and precision of measurements. Carbon-based interference on key analytes, such as chromium or vanadium, cause additional concerns but can typically be overcome using kinetic energy discrimination (KED) on single quadrupole instruments, or other typical gases used in collision/reaction cells1 . This poster discusses a complete workflow developed using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1487">Thermo Scientific iCAP MSX ICP-MS</a> (Figure 1) for the sensitive determination of elemental impurities in typical distillate samples including light naphtha, heavy naphtha, and crude oil samples.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>An analytical method was developed with single quadrupole ICP-MS (iCAP MSX ICP-MS) for elemental analysis of a range of typical petroleum samples with varying physical and chemical properties.<h5>Data Analysis&nbsp;</h5>The data acquisition and processing were done using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Thermo Scientific Qtegra Intelligent Scientific Data Solution (ISDS) Software</a>.<h4>Conclusions&nbsp;</h4>The results obtained from the experiments described in this application note demonstrate the following:&nbsp;<ul><li>The proposed method and instrument set-up for elemental analysis of different petroleum products using the iCAP MSX ICP-MS represents a viable solution for laboratories performing oil and refinery product testing.&nbsp;</li><li>The combination of the sample introduction system together with a uniquely robust plasma generation system and a powerful CRC allows for sensitive analysis and comprehensive interference removal for all elements commonly analyzed in the industry.&nbsp;</li><li>The use of KED with helium provided effective for removal of polyatomic interferences commonly observed in such challenging matrices, as was demonstrated by the detection limits and blank equivalent concentrations (BECs) achieved.&nbsp;</li><li>The method therefore allows the accurate and precise determination of a total of 28 elements in different kinds of distillate products, as was demonstrated by the results obtained in the spike recovery test.&nbsp;</li><li>If needed, other reactive gases can be used in a multi-mode analysis performed during a single aspiration of a sample, including alternative cell gases such as hydrogen. Thanks to the fast gas switching in the QCell CRC, the added time for switching cell gases is often negligible for the overall analysis time per sample.&nbsp;</li><li>The novel design of the sample introduction system of the iCAP MSX ICP-MS allows to easily switch between oxygen addition and the use of argon gas dilution without the need to change gas connections.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 38, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 22nd September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Protein Glycosylation Analysis Using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=Cary+630+FTIR">Agilent Cary 630 FTIR</a> Spectrometer</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_ftir_glycosylation_cary_630_5994_8540en_agilent_614efd9fb4.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Protein glycosylation is a crucial post-translational modification (PTM) impacting the efficacy, stability, and integrity of therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biopharmaceuticals. This process involves attaching sugar molecules, or glycans, to specific amino acid residues on proteins. Glycosylation is classified as a critical quality attribute (CQA) and has important functions in biological processes, impacting protein structure, solubility, and ability to resist proteolytic degradation.1 Therefore, monitoring and controlling glycosylation is essential in developing and producing therapeutic proteins.Various analytical techniques are employed to monitor glycosylation in biopharmaceutical production. These techniques include FTIR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and lectin arrays. However, most of these techniques require time-consuming complex sample preparation steps. Alternatively, FTIR is a robust analytical technique that provides a fast and easy tool for protein research. It is a nondestructive technique used to study protein molecules under different experimental conditions. The building blocks of glycans (monosaccharide/sugars), amide groups of protein, and water molecules produce distinguishable fingerprint absorption bands in FTIR. It has also been used to monitor the carbohydrate content and glycosylation profiles in&nbsp;glycoproteins.2,3&nbsp;In this study, we used an Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer to demonstrate an FTIR spectroscopy method for protein glycosylation analysis. The results show that FTIR spectra of glycoproteins provide an FTIR signal corresponding to the glycosylation profile, allowing a rapid, nondestructive analysis method with minimal sample preparation.<h4>Experimental&nbsp;</h4><h5>Instrumentation&nbsp;</h5>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=Cary+630+FTIR">Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer </a>was fitted with a single reflection diamond attenuated total reflection (ATR) module. Data acquisition was carried out with an Agilent MicroLab software using the parameters shown in Table 1.<h4>Results and discussion&nbsp;</h4>Proteins exhibit characteristic amide absorption bands in FTIR spectroscopy, which are related to secondary structure and confirmation. The amide I band (1,600 to 1,800 cm–1) and amide II band (1,470 to 1,570 cm–1) result from the absorption of the carbonyl and N-H group.&nbsp;Glycosylation is one of the common PTMs that occur in biopharmaceuticals. Carbohydrates linked to glycoproteins have an absorption band distinct from the protein amide region. The infrared (IR) absorption of glycan spans broadly in the 1,200 to 950 cm–1 region where proteins have very low signal intensity. It has been demonstrated that the amount of carbohydrates in the glycoprotein correlates with the intensity of these spectral bands.3&nbsp;In this study, various glycosylated proteins with different levels of glycosylation were selected to evaluate the FTIR method. The formulated mAbs contain excipients that can exhibit absorption bands, and these signals may interfere with glycan analysis in the 1,200 to 950 cm–1 region. Therefore, mAb samples were buffer-exchanged with water using spin columns. Figure 3 shows the comparison of FTIR spectra of formulated and buffer-exchanged mAbs. The desalting step is necessary to eliminate buffer interference with the glycosylation measurement.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This application note demonstrates the simplicity and usability of glycosylation analysis using an Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer. The FTIR method provides a spectral variation related to the global glycosylation level of protein, removing the necessity for extensive sample preparation or labeling. It provides a signal corresponding to the glycan profile that allows the identification of glycoproteins and enables rapid comparative glycosylation analysis between innovator and biosimilar therapeutic proteins. The user‑friendly Agilent MicroLab Expert software streamlines data processing and shortens time to results. The technique may be used to verify batch consistency and product quality during the protein production process. Its capability for quick glycosylation estimation makes it an excellent fit for protein quality control workflows. In summary, the FTIR approach provides numerous advantages, including minimal sample preparation, reduced analysis time, and the capacity to analyze intact glycoproteins<h3>2. Shimadzu: Peel Test for Cathode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries in a Thermostatic Chamber</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00944_en_88bbab3581.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h5>User Benefits</h5><ul><li>A thermostatic chamber makes it possible to measure the adhesion force of cathode materials in actual temperature environments.&nbsp;</li><li>A copper foil peeling test device enables to conduct peel tests while maintaining a 90° angle in a thermostatic chamber.&nbsp;</li><li>By using a load cell with a wider accuracy guarantee range than a conventional one, it is possible to conduct high-accuracy tests even with small test forces.</li></ul>Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in various electronic devices due to their high energy density and excellent charging efficiency. To improve battery performance, materials and processing methods are actively being developed, and strength measurement is one of the essential evaluation methods. This Application News focuses on the adhesion strength of the electrode sheets used as battery electrodes. Fig. 1 shows the structure of an electrode sheet. An electrode sheet consists of an electrode material that adheres to a current collector, through which electrons move. The electrode material is composed of a cathode active material such as lithium iron phosphate and an insulating material known as a binder. When the adhesion between the electrode material and the current collector is weak, the electrode material may delaminate from the current collector, preventing electrons from moving in the electrode sheet and increasing the electrical resistance. Therefore, evaluating the adhesion strength is important for improving battery performance. In this application, test equipment, test conditions, and results of the peel test for battery cathode materials are described. The temperature dependence of the adhesion strength of the electrode materialsis also described.<ul><li>Testing Machine: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AGS-V">Precision Universal Testing Machine AGS-V</a></li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Peel tests in a thermostatic chamber were conducted using an AGS-V and TCE-N300A for Lithium iron phosphate used as cathode sheet of lithium-ion batteries. From the test results, it was confirmed that the adhesion force between the cathode active material and the aluminum foil increased as the temperature increased. This measurement can easily evaluate the temperature dependence of mechanical characteristics of battery cathodes. This method is expected to be applied to solve problems for improving battery performance.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Assessing the level and distribution of trace elements in individual cells using single cell ICP-MS analysis</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_001851_tea_cells_icp_ms_ewcps_po001851_em_en_826dff968d.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Trace elements play a key role in many processes involved in living beings. Some elements are found as constituent elements in biopolymers, such as phosphorous as part of the DNA backbone, or sulfur, as part of the key amino acids methionine and cysteine involved in the formation of proteins covering a wide variety of functions. Other elements (in particular, the transition elements copper, iron, and zinc) are involved in specific functions, such as acting as co-factors in enzymes. However, the distribution of trace elements cannot be assumed to be homogeneous across a cell cohort, even under ideal conditions. Ultimately, cell-tocell variability of the metal content may be an important factor in understanding biological diversity. The analysis of specific biomarkers at the single cell level has therefore gained significant interest in recent years.&nbsp;The analysis of the content of a given metal at the single cell level has remained a challenge. While inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is well known as a powerful and element-selective detection system, it is only recently that its capacity for analyzing individual cells has been recognized.<h4>Methods</h4>A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1206">triple quadrupole ICP-MS system</a>, in conjunction with the scQuant plug-in for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ Intelligent Scientific Data Solution software</a> was used for all measurements.<h4>Conclusions&nbsp;</h4>This poster highlights how ICP-MS operated in the single cell mode can determine the amount of different trace elements in individual cells and can therefore allow not only assessment of the average element mass per cell, but also the element distribution across the cohort.&nbsp;<ul><li>Scanning for multiple elements is possible using a sequential approach, in which all the elements of interest are measured for an identical period in a single aspiration of a sample, and the results are summarized in a single data set.&nbsp;</li><li>The scQuant plug-in allows integrated control over sample delivery devices, in this case, a syringe pump, to facilitate a stable sample flow at the required low flow rates.&nbsp;</li><li>Key method parameters, such as detection sensitivity and transport efficiency can be determined as part of the same Qtegra ISDS Software LabBook or can be independently determined (if no suitable standards are available) and applied to a data set.&nbsp;</li><li>The data visualization features of the scQuant plug-in allow raw data and intermediate data (signal distribution) to be comprehensively evaluated, as well as enabling representation of results in either a histogram or a box plot. All results can be exported in a spreadsheet compatible format if required.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 39, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 6th October 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you brochure by Agilent Technologies and posters by &nbsp;Shimadzu / AOAC and Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Increasing Sample Throughput Using the Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=Cary+6000i+UV-Vis-NIR">Cary 6000i UV-Vis-NIR</a></h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/a_uvvis07_1_0bfde183e8.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The Agilent Cary 6000i UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer offers the sensitivity of a narrow band InGaAs detector in the NIR range (800–1800 nm) combined with a short wavelength NIR diffraction grating. A combination that that is superior to any commercially available instrument measuring over a similar range. Performance benefits of the Cary 6000i include: - A larger photodynamic linear range (capable of measuring absorbances up to 8 in the NIR) - Superior signal-to-noise (S/N) achieved with significantly less averaging, resulting in greater sample throughput - Superior spectral resolution<h4>Results and discussion&nbsp;</h4>To demonstrate the high signal-to-noise and excellent spectral resolution of the Cary 6000i, Figure 1 shows water vapor spectra collected on the Cary 6000i and an Agilent Cary 5000 UV-Vis-NIR (using a PbS detector in the NIR). The Cary 5000 is considered the “best-in-class” commercially available PbS NIR instrument that is currently available.A Signal Averaging Time (SAT) of 10 s was used on the Cary 5000 compared to 0.1 s on the Cary 6000i. Also, a spectral bandwidth (SBW) of 0.05 nm was used on the Cary 5000 compared to 0.02 nm on the Cary 6000i. The S/N achieved is significantly better on the 6000i, which uses 100 times less averaging with 2.5 times reduced SBW.&nbsp;To put this in perspective, a typical spectrum requiring 5 s averaging/data point, collected every 1 nm over the NIR range of 800–1800 nm (1000 data points) can take approximately 160 minutes to collect (including a baseline collection) on the Cary 5000. The Cary 6000i would require 1.5 minutes (based on a 0.05 s SAT). Also, as the sensitivity of the Cary 5000 is better than that of other commercially available PbS-based instruments, the time required to collect data over this wavelength range on other spectrophotometers can be significantly greater.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>The benefits of increased sensitivity and signal-to-noise mode can lead to substantial time savings and reduced measurement costs per sample, particularly when running multiple samples on a daily or weekly basis using the Agilent Cary 6000i UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer.<h3>2. Shimadzu / AOAC: Screening Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals in Powdered Milk&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/aoac_2025_m027_462504e474.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>One method for detecting heavy metals in food products is the color reaction (staining) method. However, this approach cannot identify specific metals (elements) and can be affected by sample components. Therefore, techniques like AA (atomic absorption spectrophotometry), ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry), or ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) are used for elemental analysis. Nonetheless, preparing samples for these tests often involves labor-intensive steps such as reagent extraction and acidic digestion. In the case of staining, subjective judgment can vary, posing challenges in production and quality control.&nbsp;To address this, we propose using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), which offers a simple, seamless process from sample preparation to measurement and analysis. Generally, quantification by EDXRF below 1 ppm is challenging, as shown in Table 1, because these levels are near or below the quantitation limit. However, powdered milk provides a practical example: the standard values for the powder before dissolving in hot water are about 7.7 times higher than those listed in Table 1.&nbsp;This indicates that EDXRF can reliably screen whether the heavy metal concentration is below the standard value since it can analyze powders directly. Additionally, the sensitivity of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=ALTRACE">ALTRACE</a> instrument for heavy metals has been significantly improved compared to conventional EDXRF (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=EDX-7000">EDX-7000</a>) by installing a highoutput X-ray tube, allowing analysis with the same sensitivity as older models but in only one-tenth of the measurement time.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Excellent results were obtained for both the calibration curves and the analysis results of powdered milk. EDXRF is useful for production process and quality control, as it is possible to measure samples directly in powder form or with only simple sample preparation, and thanks to its simple instrument handling and excellent repeatability, there are virtually no individual differences in results and judgments. The sensitivity of ALTRACE for heavy metal elements was substantially improved by installing a high power Xray tube, enabling highly accurate management in a shorter time, thereby contributing to improved throughput.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Comprehensive Analysis of Nanoparticles using Single and Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS and a Dedicated Data Evaluation Tool</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_44375_icp_ms_nanoparticles_wcps2018_po44375_en_9e42719344.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The direct sizing and counting of nanoparticles using single particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS) is an alternative to established techniques for particle characterization. However, for some materials such as silica or TiO2 , spectral interferences are still a limiting factor. In addition, the differences in data evaluation may slow the implementation of spICP-MS as a tool in routine analysis. In order to enable comprehensive analysis of nanoparticles this presentation will show a completely integrated workflow solution based on the Qtegra Intelligent Scientific Data Solution software. The software plug-in allows also unexperienced users to set up methods through automatic determination of key input parameters and statistical evaluation of the data in order to recognize artefacts.<h4>MATERIALS AND METHODS</h4><h5>Mass Spectrometry&nbsp;</h5>A Thermo Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1206">iCAP TQ ICP-MS</a> was used for all analyses.<h5>Data Analysis</h5>Acquisition and Evaluation of the data was accomplished using the npQuant plug-in for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Qtegra ISDS Software</a>. Due to the instrument agnostic design of the software, the plug-in is compatible with all ICP-MS instruments operated through Qtegra ISDS, including both instruments of the iCAP Qnova SeriesTM, the iCAP RQ and iCAP TQ ICP-MS. Also different peripherals, such as autosamplers from all major manufacturers, are supported in this application. The use of a dedicated plug-in for acquisition and evaluation of the data allows to hassle free mix different applications, for example, trace elemental quantification as the major application in routine analysis focused laboratories, and single particle ICP-MS as a new application of interest.<h4>CONCLUSIONS&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>The npQuant plug-in for Qtegra ISDS allows to analyze all types of nanomaterials in a simple and intuitive workflow. All required input parameters can be determined automatically and users are guided to find optimum acquisition conditions for their analysis.&nbsp;</li><li>The use of triple quadrupole ICP-MS greatly helps to overcome challenging interferences on some analytes, including isobaric interferences, which are difficult to overcome using single quadrupole ICP-MS instruments.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 41, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 20th October 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Optimizing Microplastic Characterization by LDIR: Automated versus Manual Workflows</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/te_microplastic_analysis_manual_8700_ldir_5994_8677en_agilent_e6976c74fd.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8700+LDIR">8700 LDIR</a> chemical imaging system with Agilent Clarity control software provides automated and manual workflows for the characterization of microplastics isolated from a wide range of matrices.&nbsp;The Particle Analysis workflow is specially designed for routine testing, enabling fast, fully automated characterization of particles within a default size range of 20 to 500&nbsp;µm. This range can be adjusted based on user methodology and analytical requirements. Once a region of interest has been defined on the substrate and a spectral library has been selected in the software, the 8700 LDIR automatically detects particles, acquires infrared (IR) spectra, matches the spectra against the library, and updates results in real time.&nbsp;The manual analysis workflow allows users to adjust parameters, acquire spectra, and collect high-magnification images of particles as small as a few micrometers, providing greater flexibility for method development and research applications.&nbsp;This technical overview evaluates the performance of both types of workflow using NIST-traceable polystyrene (PS) latex beads of 2, 5, and 10&nbsp;µm diameter. Measurements were performed on both low-E slides and aluminum-coated (AI-coated) filters (0.8&nbsp;µm pore size) to assess the influence of the substrate background on the minimum measurable particle size.<h4>Results and discussion&nbsp;</h4><h5>Manual workflow&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>2&nbsp;µm PS beads: High-magnification visible images were obtained for the 2&nbsp;µm PS beads on the low-E slide by focusing on individual particles and using the ruler feature in the Clarity software to measure the length (Table 2). IR images were generated at 1,442&nbsp;cm–1 with a pixel size resolution of 1&nbsp;µm, resolving the 2&nbsp;µm beads. Using the line profile feature and a reduced acquisition (sweep) speed, 20 spectra were acquired. The averaged spectrum (automatically obtained after data collection) was compared to reference spectra in the Microplastics Starter 2.1 library. The particle was correctly identified as polystyrene with a hit quality index (HQI) of 0.940. The 2&nbsp;µm particles were successfully detected and identified on low-E slides only. Background interference from the 0.8&nbsp;µm pores of the Al-coated filters prevented data collection from the 2&nbsp;µm particles.&nbsp;</li><li>5&nbsp;µm PS beads: High-magnification visible and IR images were successfully obtained for the 5&nbsp;µm PS beads on both types of substrate. The spectra were collected in line profile mode using a faster data acquisition rate than for the smaller particles. The beads were accurately identified as PS with HQIs of 0.924 and 0.947 for the low-E slide and Al-filter, respectively (Table 2).&nbsp;</li><li>10&nbsp;µm PS beads: The 10&nbsp;µm PS beads were easily imaged and identified on both substrates with improved HQIs of 0.972 for the low-E slide and 0.968 for the Al-coated filter (Table 2).</li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8700+LDIR">Agilent 8700 LDIR</a> chemical imaging system is capable of analyzing microplastics as small as 2&nbsp;µm on a low-E slide using a manual workflow and 5&nbsp;µm and above using the automated Particle Analysis method. However, the automated workflow provided the most reliable identification and highest-confidence library matching results for particles ≥&nbsp;10&nbsp;µm. Together, the two workflows offer complementary capabilities—automation for the rapid, routine analysis of larger particles and manual control for smaller particle characterization and research applications.<h3>2. Shimadzu: Quantitative Analysis of Leaching of Heavy Metals in Soil Using ICP-MS</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00892_en_5aeef239fe.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>When soil is polluted by human activities such as industrial operations and waste disposal, harmful substances can be absorbed into the human body. This may have an adverse effect on health. In Japan, the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act stipulates soil survey methods and appropriate management methodsto prevent adverse health effects.&nbsp;The health risks due to soil contamination can be divided into two categories: those caused by leaching of harmful substances contained in soil into groundwater and ingestion of groundwater containing such harmful substances (ingestion from groundwater), and those caused by direct ingestion of harmful substances contained in soil through the mouth or skin (direct ingestion). Under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act, soil leaching standards are set to address the risk of ingestion from groundwater, and soil content standards are set to address the risk of direct ingestion. These standards are expected to become stricter in the future in line with other environmental regulations. Thus, it is important to select a highly sensitive analytical method in advance.&nbsp;In this application, the results of analyzing the concentrations of heavy metals leached from five types of soil samples using ICPMS, which is currently recognized as the most sensitive method for elemental analysis in soil, will be introduced.<h4>Instrument Configurations and Analysis Conditions</h4><ul><li>Instrument: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=ICPMS-2050">ICPMS-2050&nbsp;</a></li><li>Nebulizer: Nebulizer DC04</li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Leaching analysis of heavy metals in soil was conducted using the ICPMS-2050. The measurement sensitivity of the system was sufficient to meet the soil leaching standard, and the spike recovery test showed that the influence of the matrix on this measurement was small. By adopting a unique mini-torch system, ICPMS-2050 can perform high-sensitivity and low-interference measurements at about 2/3 (about 11 L/min) of the argon gas flow rate of conventional ICP-MS. In addition, good results in a long-term stability test, where 50 samples were measured continuously, demonstrated its performance (high sensitivity, low interference) and cost savings, especially in the routine analysis of multiple samples.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Hyphenation of a high-speed laser ablation system to Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for imaging applications</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_001853_tea_laser_ablation_icp_ms_ewcps_po001853_em_en_2f84e2e8ea.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Laser Ablation (LA) coupled with ICP-MS is a well-established way to directly analyze solid samples. The main advantages of laser ablation include the ability to avoid lengthy and potentially contamination prone sample preparation protocols and the ability to obtain information about the spatial resolution of an analyte in a sample.&nbsp;The interest in so-called mapping techniques has increased in recent years, calling for laser ablation systems to develop methods to improve sample transfer and therefore speed of mapping experiments. New laser-ablation systems dedicated to high-speed mapping are commercially available and can be easily coupled to quadrupole ICP-MS for such applications.With the improvement in sample transfer and washout times from laser ablation systems, the time available to analyze discrete packets of sample from a laser pulse is drastically reduced. The limit for lateral resolution using a sequential ICP-MS, such as a quadrupole ICP-MS, is dependent on the dwell times chosen for each measured m/z channel. This has a direct impact on the signal-to-background ratio achievable for each m/z channel; therefore, a direct impact on the final image contrast for each mapped m/z channel.<h4>Methods</h4>An Elemental Scientific Lasers imageGEO193 Laser Ablation system fitted with a TwoVol3 Ablation chamber was directly coupled with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1206">Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS</a> using a compatible Dual Concentric Injector. Data was acquired using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ Intelligent Scientific Data Solution™ (ISDS) Software</a> and processed using Iolite™ Laser Ablation Data Reduction Software.<h4>Results and Discussions&nbsp;</h4><h5>Washout Measurement and Optimization&nbsp;</h5>For low-dispersion laser ablation set-ups, it is vitally important to assess the washout performance and peak shape of the laser pulses to determine the maximum scanning rate that can be used for a particular number of m/z channels without introducing blurring effects. To do this, a low repetition rate line was ablated on the sample surface and a matrix element was measured at 1 ms dwell time (44Ca as 44Ca.16O in this case).Aliasing occurs, in essence, if the repetition rate and the cycle time of the laser ablation system and the ICP-MS system are not properly synchronized. This phenomenon causes periodicity in signal intensities that appear as bands in the final image. To combat this, the laser repetition rate and the sampling cycle frequency need to be matched so that an integer number of laser pulses fall within one quadrupole sweep.1&nbsp;Pixelation blur is mainly a factor of the resolution at which the image is gathered, i.e., the laser spot size and the resulting pixel size. 2 To achieve high resolution (low blur), a small spot size must be used; however, this will directly decrease the signal-tobackground ratio (i.e., contrast) and increase the total experiment time. The amount of acceptable blurring must therefore be balanced with the desired contrast and experiment time.Smearing, or motion blur, occurs when the transfer of material (washout) cannot keep up with the tracking of the laser across the sample surface (i.e., the scanning rate of the translation stages) and subsequent laser pulses are partially mixed. This is mitigated by adjusting the laser scanning time and repetition rates so that each laser pulse is fully resolved from each other when reaching the detector of the ICP-MS.&nbsp;Contrast, as discussed briefly above, is a function of signal-tobackground ratio and can be adjusted by the amount of material ablated per shot (spot size and/or fluence) or the dwell time of each scanned m/z channel during the quadrupole sweep. Given a set of lasing conditions, optimizing the distribution of dwell times between all m/z channels scanned will achieve the best possible contrast for all analytes in one run.&nbsp;Optimization of the Dwell Times was performed using the Precognition Add-On from Iolite Software available for ActiveView2 Laser Ablation Software. First, signal intensity data for all desired isotopes were acquired using a simple line scan across a section of the sample surface with high perceived variability. The data were loaded into the Precognition module, which then optimized the dwell times to improve the Signal-toNoise ratio (SNR) for each scanned isotope. There are two methods available:&nbsp;<ol><li>The Hutchinson Method: Dwell times are distributed such that the SNR is increased to above 3 for all isotopes.&nbsp;</li><li>The Van Malderen Method: adjusts dwell times to improve SNR of isotopes whilst being constrained to the washout of the cell.&nbsp;</li></ol>The Hutchinson method may result in cycle times much longer than the pulse width of the signal, so in this study the Van Malderen method was chosen. Resulting dwell times are summarized in Table 2.<h4>Conclusions&nbsp;</h4>Through careful optimization of laser ablation and ICP-MS parameters, it is possible to generate high quality multi-elemental images at a fast rate. The use of new low-dispersion laser ablation cells and aerosol transfer technology is not limited to simultaneous mass spectrometers and is also applicable to sequential scanning mass spectrometers such as Quadrupole ICP-MS.&nbsp;The major limitation of coupling low-dispersion Laser Ablation systems to sequential mass spectrometers is the limited number of elements that can be scanned; however, this is offset by the sensitivity and the specificity of, especially, triple quadrupole ICPMS systems for the reduction of interferences on select analytes.&nbsp;Most imaging experiments can be reduced to three or four analytes of interest, and in these cases LA-ICP-MS coupled to Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS using a low-dispersion, fast imaging setup can provide the analytical data quality required to answer challenging research questions.

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 43, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 3rd November 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by LECO and Shimadzu and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. LECO: Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Biomass</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CHN_828_CARBON_HYDROGEN_NITROGEN_BIOMASS_203_821_665_bccca204f2.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen determination is part of the ultimate analysis of solid biofuel materials. Determining the content of these elements can help to characterize the materials and provide information that can be utilized in calculating material/energy balances. In addition, this information may be used to calculate efficiencies, as well as emissions potentials, for solid biofuel materials.&nbsp;<h4>Instrument Model and Configuration&nbsp;</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=CHN828">LECO CHN828</a> is a combustion Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen determinator that utilizes a pure Oxygen environment in a vertical quartz furnace, ensuring complete combustion and superior analyte recovery. Combustion gases are swept from the furnace through an afterburner containing a reagent to scrub Sulfur compounds from the gas stream prior to collection in the ballast volume. The combustion gases are collected in a ballast where they equilibrate and mix before a representative aliquot (3 cm3 or 10 cm3 volume) of the gas is extracted and introduced into a flowing stream of inert gas (Helium or Argon) for analysis. The aliquot gas is carried to an infrared cell (IR) for the detection of Carbon (CO2) and a thermal conductivity cell (TC) for the detection of Nitrogen (N2). A separate portion of the ballast gas is transferred to an IR cell for the detection of Hydrogen (H2O).&nbsp;Thermal conductivity detectors work by detecting changes in the thermal conductivity of the analyte gas compared to a reference/carrier gas. The greater the difference between the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas and the analyte gas, the greater the sensitivity of the detector. The CHN828 supports either the use of Helium or Argon as the instrument's carrier gas. When used as a carrier gas, Helium provides the highest sensitivity, and the best performance at the lower limit of the Nitrogen range. Argon can also be used as a carrier gas. However, the thermal conductivity difference between Argon and Nitrogen is not as great as the thermal conductivity difference between Helium and Nitrogen, therefore the detector is inherently less sensitive when using Argon as a carrier gas.&nbsp;<h4>TYPICAL RESULTS&nbsp;</h4>Data was generated utilizing a linear, full regression calibration for Carbon determination, and linear, force through origin calibrations for Hydrogen and Nitrogen determination, using fractional masses (~0.07 g to ~0.15 g) of 502-642 (Lot 1019) LCRM Phenylalanine (65.47% C, 6.74% H, 8.46% N). The calibration was verified using LECO 502-896 (Lot 1003) LCRM EDTA (41.08% C, 5.52% H, 9.58% N). An atmospheric blank was determined using ground sucrose and was utilized to compensate for entrapped atmosphere. A moisture value for the samples was obtained utilizing a LECO TGM800 on the day of analysis and entered into the software to correct for moisture. Results are reported on a dry basis.<h3>2. Shimadzu: Ultrasonic Fatigue Test for Hourglass-shaped Metal Test Specimens with Parallel Sections</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00889_en_6ce0f2e7e9.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h4>User Benefits</h4><ul><li>The ultrasonic fatigue tester is capable of testing at a repetition rate of 20 kHz and can complete tests with 109 cycles (1 billion cycles) in only about 14 hours.</li><li>It is possible to test hourglass-shaped test specimens with parallel sections specified in the Chinese National Standard GB/T 43896 “Metallic materials-Very high cycle fatigue-Ultrasonic fatigue test method.”&nbsp;</li></ul>Fatigue is a fracture phenomenon caused by repeated loads, even within the elastic region. It is said that about 70 % of structural fracture phenomena are caused by metal fatigue. For most structural steels, there is a fatigue limit where fatigue failure does not occur even after repeated loading if the stress is less than a certain value, and the number of cycles is about 106 to 107. However, in high-strength steels such as chromium molybdenum steel, it is known that fatigue failure occurs in the ultra-high cycle range of 108 to 109 cycles, exceeding 107 cycles, due to inclusions in the material. Therefore, the standard of 107 repetitions as the maximum number of repetitions used in general fatigue tests is not sufficient, and fatigue tests with more than 109 cycles are required. On the other hand, a fatigue test with more than 109 cycles would take more than 3 years at a 10 Hz load. The ultrasonic fatigue tester used in this study is capable of testing at 20 kHz and can complete tests with 109 cycles in about 14 hours, making it ideal for measuring ultra-high cycle fatigue.&nbsp;In previous reports1,2), we conducted tests on standard hourglass specimens. In November 2024, the National Standard GB/T 43896 of the People's Republic of China (Metallic materials- Very high cycle fatigue-Ultrasonic fatigue test method) was issued, so Shimadzu has added a new dimension calculation function for hourglass-shaped specimens with parallel sections to its USF2000A dedicated software, Super Sonic. In this paper, we introduce an example of measurement of an hourglass-shaped specimen with a parallel section in compliance with GB/T 43896 using SNCM439, a type ofstructuralsteel.<h4>Instruments&nbsp;</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=USF-2000A">USF-2000A</a> was used in this test. Table 1 shows the testing equipment and Fig. 1 shows the test setup. In the ultrasonic fatigue test, a longitudinal wave vibration generated by a piezo actuator causes the specimen to resonate, and stresses are applied to the specimen. The cyclic stress is not measured using a load cell, but is calculated based on the displacement of specimen's end face. In this test, an eddy current displacement meter was used to measure the displacement of the end face.&nbsp;In the ultrasonic fatigue test, internal heat generation occurs due to the high repetition rate. According to GB/T 43896, the surface temperature of the high-stress part of specimen is measured, and the specimen temperature during the test is required to be within room temperature +10 °C. In order to suppress the temperature rise of the specimen, an air cooler was employed to blow cooling air onto the heated region, and intermittent operation was performed as described below.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>In these tests, ultrasonic fatigue tests were conducted on SNCM439 hourglass-shaped specimens with a parallel section in accordance with the Chinese National Standard GB/T 43896, “Metallic materials-Very high cycle fatigue-Ultrasonic fatigue test method,” and S-N diagrams were obtained.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Benefits of coupling a high-speed laser ablation system to Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_12348_high_speed_laser_ablation_system_po12348_en_9c310f2096.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Laser Ablation (LA) coupled with ICP-MS is a well-established way to directly analyze solid samples. The main advantages of laser ablation include the ability to avoid lengthy and potentially contamination prone sample preparation protocols and the ability to obtain information about the spatial resolution of an analyte in a sample.&nbsp;The interest in so-called mapping techniques has increased in recent years, calling for laser ablation systems to develop methods to improve sample transfer and therefore speed of mapping experiments. New laser-ablation systems dedicated to high-speed mapping are commercially available and can be easily coupled to quadrupole ICP-MS for such applications.With the improvement in sample transfer and washout times from laser ablation systems, the time available to analyze discrete packets of sample from a laser pulse is drastically reduced. The limit for lateral resolution using a sequential ICP-MS, such as a quadrupole ICP-MS, is dependent on the dwell times chosen for each measured m/z channel. This has a direct impact on the signal-tobackground ratio achievable for each m/z channel; therefore, a direct impact on the final image contrast for each mapped m/z channel.<h4>MATERIALS AND METHODS</h4><h5>Instrumentation&nbsp;</h5>A Teledyne Photon Machines Iridia Laser Ablation System fitted with a Cobalt lowdispersion ablation chamber was directly coupled with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1206">Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS</a>. Data was acquired using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ Intelligent Scientific Data Solution™ (ISDS) Software</a> and processed using Teledyne Photon Machines HDIP Mass Spectrometry Data Analysis Software.<h4>CONCLUSIONS&nbsp;</h4>Through careful optimization of laser ablation and ICP-MS parameters, it is possible to generate high quality multi-elemental images at a fast rate. The use of new low-dispersion laser ablation cells and aerosol transfer technology is not limited to simultaneous mass spectrometers and is also applicable to sequential scanning mass spectrometers such as Quadrupole ICP-MS.&nbsp;The major limitation of coupling low-dispersion Laser Ablation systems to sequential mass spectrometers is the limited number of elements that can be scanned; however, this is offset by the sensitivity and the specificity of, especially, triple quadrupole ICP-MS systems for the reduction of interferences on select analytes.&nbsp;Most imaging experiments can be reduced to three or four analytes of interest, and in these cases LA-ICP-MS coupled to Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS using a low-dispersion, fast imaging setup can provide the analytical data quality required to answer challenging research questions.

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 45, 2025

Valentines Day is an opportunity to show your partner (or your crush) how much they matter to you. Beyond flowers, chocolates or restaurant invites, jewelry is a popular gift for Valentines day. However, a well meant gift may turn out to even be a hazard to the giftee.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Cheap_Trendy_and_Toxic_High_Levels_of_Cadmium_in_Necklaces_Have_Been_Reported_Lately_93d25a7757.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Cheap, Trendy – and Toxic? High Levels of Cadmium in Necklaces Have Been Reported Lately" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Cheap_Trendy_and_Toxic_High_Levels_of_Cadmium_in_Necklaces_Have_Been_Reported_Lately_93d25a7757.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512">Heavy metals in jewelry, harmful chemicals in baby products: the product range offered by online marketplaces frequently fails to meet European Union safety standards. That is the alarming conclusion of recent investigations by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/stiftung-warentest-findet-giftige-schwermetalle-in-angeboten-von-temu-und-shein-a-efb2057b-2377-4ce4-b2e0-07be01d00df0">Stiftung Warentest</a>, Germany’s leading consumer protection organization.<h3>A reputation under scrutiny</h3>Low prices, fast fashion, and endless product choices have made online platforms hugely popular across Europe. With just a few clicks, shoppers can order clothes, accessories, toys, and electronics at prices that seem almost too good to be true.In a large-scale product test, consumer advocates found serious safety deficiencies in many popular items sold on these platforms.The advice to consumers is equally clear: buyers should dispose of affected products immediately and think carefully about what they order in the future.<h3>Shockingly high levels of toxic metals</h3>One of the most concerning findings involved fashion jewelry. In the test, the cadmium concentration in two necklaces exceeded the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://de.euronews.com/2025/10/31/stiftung-warentest-giftige-schwermetalle-in-shein-und-temu-produkten">EU’s legal limit by 8,500 times.</a> It´s a cheaper alternative to safer metals like silver, zinc alloys, or stainless steel, is easy to work with, and looks good at first glance.However, cadmium is classified as carcinogenic and can cause serious kidney and bone damage. Because of its toxicity, it is subject to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bvl.bund.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/03_verbraucherprodukte/2020/2020_02_11_PI_Modeschmuck.html">strict limits</a> in the EU. Products that exceed these limits are considered unsafe and illegal to sell.Experts strongly warn against simply throwing such items into the household trash. Jewelry contaminated with cadmium or other heavy metals should be taken to a hazardous waste collection point.The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.euroconsumers.org/systemic-failures-in-product-compliance-on-temu-and-shein/">investigation</a> covered 162 products in total of which 54 were necklaces.The products were purchased online and tested in cooperation with consumer organizations from Denmark and Belgium.The results were sobering:<ul><li>110 of the 162 products failed to meet EU safety standards</li><li>Around 25% were rated “potentially dangerous”</li></ul><h3>A broader EU problem</h3>EU authorities regularly find toxic heavy metals such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33757252/">cadmium</a>, lead, and nickel in cheap imported jewelry. These substances can trigger severe allergies, damage organs like the liver and kidneys, and increase cancer risk.Although the EU’s rapid alert system (RAPEX) removes thousands of unsafe products from the market every year, experts warn that the number of untested items is far higher than what authorities can realistically monitor.In some laboratory tests, individual jewelry items were found to consist of up to 70% cadmium, making them legally “not marketable” in Germany and the EU.The takeaway for shoppers should be clear:<ul><li>Extremely low prices can come with hidden health and safety risks</li><li>Jewelry, children’s products, and electronics deserve extra caution</li><li>When in doubt, it’s safer to buy from sellers that clearly comply with EU regulations</li></ul><h3>How can we detect Cadmium in necklaces?</h3>Consumer product/jewelry guidance explicitly notes that cadmium in jewelry extracts can be measured by ICP-OES or ICP-MS after an extraction step.Cadmium in jewelry is often regulated at low levels (either as total content after digestion or as extractable/migratable Cd in simulated-use leaches). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=232&amp;instrumentationItems=83&amp;manufacturerItems=3">ICP-MS</a> is routinely chosen because it can quantify Cd at trace / ultra-trace levels with strong precision and accuracy.Using a Thermo Scientific iCAP MX Series ICP-MS for Cadmium (Cd) determination in necklaces/ jewellery makes sense because jewelry testing typically needs very low detection limits, high confidence in complex matrices, and defensible compliance data.<ul><li>Better interference control for Cd isotopes</li></ul>Cadmium has a range of isotopes available for analysis, but interferences need to be considered. Most isotopes are isobarically interfered by Tin (meaning that a given m/z range would be responding to both elements), the isotope typically monitored (111Cd) may be interfered by molybdenum (95Mo16O+). Since both elements can be found as well in jewelry, removing these interferences is critical to avoid false positives. The iCAP MX Series ICP-MS come with the powerful QCell collision/reaction cell to overcome interferences. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1487">Thermo Scientific iCAP MSX ICP-MS</a> uses kinetic energy discrimination (KED) with helium gas, a generic way for reducing polyatomic interferences broadly across the mass range. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1487">Thermo Scientific iCAP MTX ICP-MS</a> can utilize reactive gases (in many applications O2) to further improve detectability and sensitivity – a powerful asset for laboratories analysing a wide range of sample types, which on top may “messy” – i.e. containing platings, alloys, pigments, fillers, and adhesives.<ul><li>Works with recognized jewelry test workflows</li></ul>Because necklaces and other consumer products often arrive as multiple distinct batches, repeats, blanks, spikes, and QC checks must be performed. All iCAP MX &nbsp;Series ICP-MS systems are positioned for high-throughput routine trace elemental analysis, helping labs to simplify workflows and keeping uptime high—useful in contract/compliance labs.<h3>Conclusion</h3>The findings underscore a troubling reality: many ultra-cheap products sold via online marketplaces pose real health and safety risks and routinely fail to meet EU standards. From toxic heavy metals in jewelry to hazardous chemicals in baby products, the consequences for consumers can be severe. Addressing this challenge requires both stronger regulatory oversight and reliable analytical testing. Advanced techniques such as ICP-MS play a critical role by enabling laboratories to accurately detect trace contaminants like cadmium across complex samples, helping authorities and manufacturers ensure compliance. Until safeguards improve, consumers are urged to remain vigilant—because when safety is compromised, a low price is no bargain at all.<h3>Additional resources</h3><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/content/lifetech/global/en/home/industrial/mass-spectrometry/inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry-icp-ms/quadrupole-icp-ms-systems.html">Quadrupole ICP-MS Systems</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/br_003092_tea_icp_ms_icap_mtx_discovery_br003092_em_en_e92e76f052.pdf">Ignite your confidence: iCAP MTX triple quadrupole ICP-MS</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Qtegra ISDS software</a></li></ul><h3>Join us for free local language webinars in 2026</h3><h5>English</h5><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5795">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 1</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5976">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 2</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5977">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Trace Elemental Analysis (ICP-OES &amp; ICP-MS)</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5978">Trace Elemental Analysis: Ask the Expert</a></li></ul><h5>Deutsch</h5><ul><li>19. März 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179134/393E071E3B501943730958BA6203F477">Interne Standards in der ICP-OES: Ein Praxisguide für zuverlässige Qualitätssicherung im Labor</a></li><li>18. Juni 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179292/AE4C576B6A54D1AC182F7F77573D380F">Fehler reduzieren, Durchsatz steigern: Autoverdünnung mit PrepFast am ICP-MS</a></li><li>17. September 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179423/B5019C560431BADCA2A76E54E4EFE56F">ICP-OES smarter nutzen: Probendurchsatz erhöhen, Ressourcen sparen</a></li><li>17. Dezember 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179530/94EEDD1F56138F5EEE2AF24E29E6C12A">Qtegra ISDS Software Unlocked – Live im Expertengespräch</a></li></ul>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#ICP-MS #ElementalAnalysis #cadmium #TraceElementalAnalysis<section><blockquote><h5>Petra Gerhards</h5>Petra Gerhards, Dipl-Ing, is Regional Marketing Manager of GC and GC-MS for EMEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She has more than 29 years of experience in the fields of GC-MS, SPE and LC-MS. Since joining the regional team she has contributed to workflow solutions combining vials and closures with SPE solutions, GC-MS and LC-MS. She works with KOL's on data for regional specific marketing campaigns, organizes in-house seminars and works on customer specific solutions. Her main expertise is in the field of doping and drugs-of-abuse analysis.</blockquote></section>

Cheap, Trendy – and Toxic? High Levels of Cadmium in Necklaces Have Been Reported Lately

<h3>Lunch &amp; learn tips &amp; tricks series 2026 – part 1</h3>In modern analytical laboratories, efficiency, consistency, and data confidence are essential. Whether you are operating an ICP-OES or ICP-MS system, the way you use your software can significantly influence productivity and analytical performance. In the first session of our Lunch &amp; Learn Tips &amp; Tricks Series, we focused on one of the most common themes raised by users: how to navigate <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Qtegra </a>software more effectively and optimize everyday workflows.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Mastering_Qtegra_Software_Practical_Strategies_to_Improve_Your_Daily_Lab_Workflow_3d35454782.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Mastering Qtegra Software: Practical Strategies to Improve Your Daily Lab Workflow" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Mastering_Qtegra_Software_Practical_Strategies_to_Improve_Your_Daily_Lab_Workflow_3d35454782.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512">This session explored three key areas in detail: understanding the structure of Qtegra and the Configurator, using the Dashboard as your operational control center, and building smarter, more efficient LabBooks. Below is a structured recap of the key insights shared during Part 1.<h3>Understanding the structure of Qtegra</h3>One of the most valuable features of Qtegra software is its consistency across multiple instrument platforms. Whether you are working with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=227&amp;instrumentationItems=84&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=icap+pro">iCAP PRO ICP-OES</a>, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=232&amp;instrumentationItems=83&amp;manufacturerItems=3">iCAP MX ICP-MS</a>, the iCAP 7000 OES, or Qnova ICP-MS systems, the interface and workflow logic remain familiar. This consistency reduces the learning curve when transitioning between instruments and supports standardised training across laboratories.Qtegra consists of two primary components: the Qtegra application itself and the Configurator.<ul><li>The Qtegra application is where you directly interact with your instrument. It is used to create LabBooks, control the instrument, execute analyses, and review results.</li><li>The Configurator, in contrast, defines how your system behaves at a deeper level. It controls system-level settings that underpin daily operation. Within the Configurator, users can manage features such as Fast Uptake setup, drain sensor configuration, wavelength libraries for ICP-OES systems, the Reaction Database for ICP-MS systems, and user access permissions.</li></ul>Understanding the distinction between these two components helps users troubleshoot more effectively and ensures that system configuration aligns with laboratory requirements.<h3>Using the dashboard as your central hub</h3>When Qtegra is opened, the first screen presented is the Dashboard. The Dashboard functions as the central hub for instrument monitoring and control. From this location, users can view instrument status, monitor live operating parameters, access tuning tools, review performance checks, and identify error or interlock notifications.<ul><li>For ICP-OES users, the Dashboard provides access to tune sets, source settings, AutoPeak alignment, autotuning functions, and live views such as Plasma TV. These tools allow users to confirm that the plasma and optical system are performing as expected before analysis begins.</li><li>For ICP-MS users, the Instrument tab within the Dashboard provides access to autotune routines, performance report summaries, gas flow settings, nebuliser adjustments, operating mode selection such as Standard, KED, or CCT modes, IntelliLens control, and real-time data streams.</li></ul>The Dashboard should be used as a structured checkpoint before running any analysis. Confirming that all parameters are within acceptable ranges reduces the likelihood of interruptions and supports consistent performance throughout the run.<h3>The get ready workflow: structured instrument preparation</h3><ul><li>The Get Ready function, which is launched directly from the Dashboard, provides a guided preparation workflow. This feature is designed to ensure that the instrument is fully configured and operating correctly for the selected method before analysis begins.</li><li>Within Get Ready, users can access scheduling tools that automate warmups, standby routines, shutdowns, and maintenance checks. These tools are particularly beneficial for laboratories operating multiple shifts or managing variable workloads.</li></ul>For ICP-MS systems, the Get Ready workflow includes automated performance checks, autotune routines, and controlled warm-up conditions. These routines verify that the instrument is operating within its expected performance range.By following the structured steps within Get Ready, laboratories can reduce the risk of missed preparation tasks and maintain day-to-day analytical consistency.<h3>Building smarter LabBooks</h3>The LabBook forms the foundation of every analytical sequence in Qtegra. A carefully constructed LabBook improves efficiency, reduces setup errors, and simplifies data review.Users can create a LabBook from scratch or begin with a template. Templates are particularly useful for laboratories that integrate with LIMS systems or import sample lists via CSV files, as they promote standardisation and consistency.<h4>Defining analytes</h4><ul><li>For ICP-OES methods, users must select appropriate wavelengths and evaluate potential spectral interferences.&nbsp;</li><li>For ICP-MS methods, users select the required masses, consider isobaric and polyatomic interferences, and use the Reaction Database to support reaction mode selection.</li></ul>Careful analyte selection at this stage helps prevent complications later in the analytical workflow.<h4>Configuring acquisition parameters</h4>Acquisition parameters define how the instrument collects data.<ul><li>For ICP-OES systems, this includes selecting viewing modes, choosing wavelength ranges such as iFR or eUV, and defining integration times.</li><li>For ICP-MS systems, this includes selecting operating modes such as Standard, KED, or CCT, configuring Reaction Finder options, enabling Intelligent Matrix Handling, and defining digital trigger settings.</li></ul>Thoughtful parameter configuration ensures that data quality objectives are met without unnecessary reanalysis.<h4>Using intelligent uptake and rinse</h4>The Intelligent Uptake and Rinse feature detects when the sample or rinse solution reaches the nebuliser. This ensures consistent timing across samples and improves overall throughput. In high-throughput environments, this feature contributes to both efficiency and reproducibility.<h4>Calibration and quantification strategy</h4>Calibration design is central to reliable quantification. Qtegra allows users to manage global standards, configure dilution tools, select calibration fit types, assign internal standards, and establish quality control samples.For ICP-OES systems, users can define standard ranges and switch points. For SemiQuant workflows, Relative Sensitivity Factors can be applied.Establishing these parameters during LabBook creation ensures that data validation is straightforward once analysis is complete.<h4>Autosampler and sample list setup</h4>For laboratories using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1715">iSC-65 autosampler</a>, features such as StepAhead, custom rack definitions, colour-coded sample views, and visual integrity checks support efficient sequence management.When constructing the sample list, users should clearly define sample types, establish a logical sequence order, and configure column layouts appropriately. Setting flags and limits during initial setup simplifies the data review process and supports quality assurance.<h3>Why workflow optimisation matters</h3>Optimising Qtegra usage does not require learning new software features. Instead, it involves using existing tools more strategically. By treating the Dashboard as a pre-run checkpoint, using Get Ready consistently, and constructing LabBooks with long-term efficiency in mind, laboratories can reduce downtime, improve reproducibility, and strengthen confidence in analytical results.<h3>Looking ahead to part 2</h3><blockquote>In Part 2 of the Qtegra Tips &amp; Tricks series, we will focus on post-analysis best practices. Topics will include interpreting signal intensities, reviewing calibration performance, evaluating recoveries and readbacks, applying flags effectively, exporting data, and implementing practical workflow improvements discussed in Part 1.</blockquote>By building a structured approach to both preparation and data review, laboratories can transform routine analysis into a streamlined, reliable, and repeatable process.We look forward to continuing the discussion in Part 2.<h5>Acknowledgement</h5>I would like to thank Matthew Gregory Field Applications Scientist, North EMEA, Trace Elemental Analysis and David Fishwick Field Applications Scientist, North EMEA, Trace Elemental Analysis for the support on this blog and the webinars<h4>Sign up for our webinars live and on demand.</h4>English<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5795">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 1</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5976">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 2</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5977">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Trace Elemental Analysis (ICP-OES &amp; ICP-MS)</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5978">Trace Elemental Analysis: Ask the Expert</a></li></ul>Deutsch<ul><li>19. März 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179134/393E071E3B501943730958BA6203F477">Interne Standards in der ICP-OES: Ein Praxisguide für zuverlässige Qualitätssicherung im Labor</a></li><li>18. Juni 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179292/AE4C576B6A54D1AC182F7F77573D380F">Fehler reduzieren, Durchsatz steigern: Autoverdünnung mit PrepFast am ICP-MS</a></li><li>17. September 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179423/B5019C560431BADCA2A76E54E4EFE56F">ICP-OES smarter nutzen: Probendurchsatz erhöhen, Ressourcen sparen</a></li><li>17. Dezember 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179530/94EEDD1F56138F5EEE2AF24E29E6C12A">Qtegra ISDS Software Unlocked – Live im Expertengespräch</a></li></ul>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#Qtegra, #ICPMS, #ICPOES, #TraceElementalAnalysis<blockquote><h5>Petra Gerhards</h5>Petra Gerhards, Dipl-Ing, is Regional Marketing Manager of GC and GC-MS for EMEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She has more than 29 years of experience in the fields of GC-MS, SPE and LC-MS. Since joining the regional team she has contributed to workflow solutions combining vials and closures with SPE solutions, GC-MS and LC-MS. She works with KOL's on data for regional specific marketing campaigns, organizes in-house seminars and works on customer specific solutions. Her main expertise is in the field of doping and drugs-of-abuse analysis.</blockquote>

Mastering Qtegra Software: Practical Strategies to Improve Your Daily Lab Workflow

This study investigates nutrient exchange between lunar and martian regolith simulants and bioregenerative life support system (BLiSS) effluent. Using ICP-OES, sorption and dissolution processes were quantified, revealing significant release of elements such as S, Ca, Mg, and Na from the simulants.Surface and structural analyses confirmed elemental bonding and mineral alterations after reaction. The findings demonstrate that regolith can supply essential nutrients to BLiSS systems, supporting sustainable agriculture in extraterrestrial environments and highlighting the importance of realistic effluent simulations.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267">Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants Desorb and Weather after Exposure to Bioregenerative Life Support System Effluent</a></h4>Harrison R. Coker, Daniella Saetta, Misle M. Tessema, Jackson L. Smith, Charles A. Richardson-Gongora, Jason A. Fischer, Hannah I. Roberts, Luke B. Roberson, and Julie A. Howe*ACS Earth Space Chem. 2026, 10, 2, 441–454<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div><div><h5>Background</h5>Inorganic nutrient solutions (e.g., Hoagland’s <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a>) are useful for growing plants in soilless systems but require continuous nutrient inputs that are consumed as plants grow. With future plans for lunar and Mars settlements, dependency on Earth-sourced fertilizers will hinder efficient operations. Therefore, extracting nutrients from regolith to enhance sustainable agricultural operations, or improving the regolith’s fertility such that plants directly derive nutrients from the regolith, are both effective strategies that support diverse cropping operations to produce food and fiber resources through in situ resource utilization (ISRU). <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2,3)</a> Broadly, approaches that utilize surface resources from the Moon and Mars to reduce inputs from Earth are deemed ISRU. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4)</a></div><div><h5>In Situ Resource Utilization</h5>The extraction of raw elements from regolith is a primary goal of ISRU. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4)</a> Various approaches for enhanced dissolution of regolith have been studied, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> including techniques such as ionic liquids, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6)</a> eutectic salts, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7)</a> electro-deoxidation, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8)</a> and heat treatment. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9)</a> While promising, these approaches have the downfall of requiring exogenous chemicals, energy, and technology. Alternatively, a basic approach will encompass using resources such as BLiSS effluent to physically weather the regolith. Because of the underlying basaltic mineralogy of lunar and martian regoliths, hydrologic weathering may be a rapid process that deserves further investigation.<named-content></named-content></div><div><h5>Bioregenerative Life Support Systems</h5>To recycle consumed nutrients from undesirable plant and human wastes, the use of bioregenerative life support systems (BLiSS) that decompose organic matter into inorganic nutrient streams will be used. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(10)</a> Organic wastes (e.g., plant material, human wastes, etc.) generated by lunar and martian astronauts will necessitate recycling via a series of BLiSS bioreactors that result in effluent streams of water, inorganic nutrients, and metabolites of anerobic digestion, which include various volatile organic acids. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11)</a> A working BLiSS prototype at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), called the organic processing assembly (OPA), utilizes dual-stage anerobic bioreactors and membrane filtration <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12,13)</a> to accomplish decomposition of organic matter, which is subsequently fed to a phototrophic membrane bioreactor <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> for the complete oxidation of N species. The microbiome of OPA varies across reactors as a function of varying inputs and substrate decomposition. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15)</a> While OPA is a developing technology in both biological processing and technological command, analogous BLiSS, will be required to create a circular economy of nutrients in space. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(16)</a> Because BLiSS produces nutrient streams that differ from those of inorganic nutrient solutions, investigating fundamental interactions of BLiSS effluent with regolith simulants will help guide future planning and determine uses of effluent for outposts on the Moon and Mars. In this study, effluent from the OPA at KSC was utilized, as it is a high-fidelity prototype of what may be produced in spaceflight and on lunar and martian outposts.</div><div><h5>Lunar and Martian Regolith</h5>Lunar regolith is relatively homogeneous in elemental composition, with the major difference being the abundance of Ca. A useful classification refers to lunar samples as being “high-Ca” or “low-Ca” above or below 13.5 wt % CaO. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a> Increasing abundance of nanophase Fe, along with decreasing grain size, is characteristic of more mature lunar regolith. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(18)</a> Lunar samples exhibit low electrical conductivity (EC), though the electrical properties of lunar regolith are especially sensitive to thermal and atmospheric changes. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(19,20)</a> In general, the chemical reactivity of lunar regolith to organic molecules is not well understood, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> but as aqueous and oxidizing environments are introduced to support plant life, it should be expected that lunar regolith will drastically change. For instance, exposure to water vapor increases the adsorption of N2 and Ar, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22)</a> while the crushing of regolith promotes the movement of trapped vaporous gases into solution. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(23)</a> Lunar simulants have additionally demonstrated increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., H2O2 and OH–) in micromolar quantities when crushed and exposed to the atmosphere. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(24)</a> Lunar regolith contains up to 70% agglutinates by volume, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(25)</a> which are aggregates of mineral/lithic fragments fused together by rapid melting and cooling of glass after meteoroid impacts. Agglutinates are noted to have differing abundances of nanophase Fe0, with several hypotheses accounting for their incorporation into the lunar regolith. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(26)</a>Martian astronauts will have greater accessibility to specific and diverse minerals for ISRU than lunar astronauts. For Mars, there is likely a semiactive hydrologic cycle of hydrated brines <a href="javascript:void(0);">(27−30)</a> that may even support microbial life. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(31)</a> Although glass is a more common feature of lunar regolith, in analog martian sites on Earth, glass-matrices have been identified as the possible profile-controlling minerals. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(32)</a> Martian regolith is high in Fe metal oxides, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(33)</a> chloride, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(34)</a> and sulfate salts, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(35)</a> including perchlorates (ClO4–) and other oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which occur at toxic levels for plants. These salts may limit bioavailability of various metals. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(36)</a> Oxidized nitrogen species, simple organics, oxychlorine phases, and sulfates are widespread, with phyllosilicates and carbonates occurring in select Gale Crater materials, and it appears that geochemical conditions and organic C may have once been favorable for microbial life. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(37,38)</a> Recent evidence from the Phoenix landing site quantified organic C at 83–1484 μg C g–1 and carbonates from 1.1 to 2.6 wt %. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(39)</a> At Gale Crater, the 2007 Phoenix Mars Scout Mission’s Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) conducted in situ experiments at the Phoenix landing site and found solutions were dominated by ClO4–, Mg2+, and Na+, at mM levels, with sub-mM concentrations of Ca2+, K+, and Cl– and a pH of 7.7.34 The minimal leachable ions from surface samples had a corrected electrical conductivity (EC) ranging from 1370 to 1900 μS cm–1 at 25 °C. As the WCL extraction cell measured soil extracts at 1:25 (solid/solution), the reported EC values would likely be 5–25 times higher using traditional soil approaches (saturated paste extract; 1:1–1:5), indicating a highly saline soil that will need to be remediated prior to being used as a plant growth substrate, of which leaching with BLiSS solutions may be an effective management strategy.<h4>Methods</h4><h5>Analyses</h5>After the 24 h batch experiment, the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the reacting solutions were measured to assess changes to solution chemistry after weathering. Solutions were acidified to 1% HNO3 and analyzed via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=iCAP+7000">(ICP-OES) (Thermo Scientific, iCAP 7000)</a> in duplicate. Ion chromatography was used to analyze the ions without any sample preparation. Substrate samples were Au sputter-coated (Denton Vacuum, Desk IV) and mounted prior to scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) (Jeol, JSM-IT800). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2166">X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (Thermo Scientific, Nexsa G2)</a> was used on substrates to identify elemental bonding associations by using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489">Qtegra software</a>. XPS data were processed in the Avantage Data System. X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Malvern Panalytical, Empyrean) was used to assess mineralogical changes to substrates and was performed using Bragg–Brentano mode. The diffraction data were recorded from 15 to 70 two-theta (2θ) degrees. HighScore curve fitting software was used to process the diffraction pattern and compared to the PDF-4+2023 International Center of Diffraction Database (ICDD).<h4>Results</h4><h5>Weathering of Substrates</h5>Visual observations of the substrates after the batch experiment revealed weathering to the minerals. In JSC-1A, the sharp mineral edges appeared to have some rounded-off features that reduced the overall sharpness of corners and edges (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267#fig5">Figure 5</a>); however, a quantitative analysis was not available to indicate if mineral sharpness was statistically reduced. In general, the overall particle size was not substantially reduced in a survey of all of the minerals. Notable artifacts of the weathering process include holes in the mineral faces where small particles collapsed and the appearance of webbing patterns in the anorthosite fraction of JSC-1A. Unfortunately, EDS was not able to detect any sorbed elements in these features (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267#fig6">Figure 6</a>). Because the detection limits of EDS are ∼1000 mg kg–1, it is reasonable that no sorbed features were detected, given that measured sorption densities after batch experimentation were lower than EDS detection limits. Further, the probed volume at a given electron energy is below the surface, whereas adsorbents are likely only located on the mineral surface.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_5_Lunar_simulant_JSC_1_A_imaged_with_scanning_electron_microscope_SEM_9c6a2aac87.jpg" alt="ACS Earth Space Chem. 2026, 10, 2, 441–454: Figure 5. Lunar simulant JSC-1A imaged with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The electron beam energy ranged from 1 to 3 kV. The Hoagland’s and effluent images are after the 24 h batch experiment." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_5_Lunar_simulant_JSC_1_A_imaged_with_scanning_electron_microscope_SEM_9c6a2aac87.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1077"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_6_Scanning_electron_microscope_SEM_image_of_erosion_spots_on_lunar_simulant_JSC_1_A_after_batch_experiment_7c38902bc6.jpg" alt="ACS Earth Space Chem. 2026, 10, 2, 441–454: Figure 6. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of erosion spots on lunar simulant JSC-1A after batch experiment. Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to investigate the elemental abundance of erosion regions and was set to 30 keV." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_6_Scanning_electron_microscope_SEM_image_of_erosion_spots_on_lunar_simulant_JSC_1_A_after_batch_experiment_7c38902bc6.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2083" height="1199"><h5>Chemical Interaction</h5>The elements C, N, P, and Ca were investigated with high-resolution XPS. For C, a major peak at ∼286 eV was observed in all substrates and solutions that corresponded to C–O bonding. Hoagland’s and effluent did not affect the XPS spectra significantly in JSC-1A; however, in MGS-1, there was a notable increase in the Hoagland’s and effluent-treated regolith at ∼294 eV, which corresponds to CF3 (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.5c00267#fig9">Figure 9</a>). Because F was not quantified, it is difficult to know if F was in differing concentrations between solutions. Hoagland’s was made from DI water and effluent processes a mixture of fecal simulant and tap water; it is unlikely that F was greater in Hoagland’s.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_9_Carbon_C_1s_peaks_of_lunar_JSC_1_A_and_martian_MGS_1_simulants_as_unaltered_materials_and_after_batch_experiment_using_XPS_82622dd14c.jpg" alt="ACS Earth Space Chem. 2026, 10, 2, 441–454: Figure 9. Carbon (C 1s) peaks of lunar (JSC-1A) and martian (MGS-1) simulants as unaltered materials and after batch experiment using XPS." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Earth_Space_Chem_2026_10_2_441_454_Figure_9_Carbon_C_1s_peaks_of_lunar_JSC_1_A_and_martian_MGS_1_simulants_as_unaltered_materials_and_after_batch_experiment_using_XPS_82622dd14c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2079" height="980"><h4>Conclusion</h4>The hydrologic weathering of lunar and martian regolith simulants by BLiSS streams demonstrated increased plant essential nutrients and metals in solution due to highly soluble compounds and easily weatherable mineralogy. Multielement competitive sorption demonstrates low removal of P and K, but high supplementation of Ca, Mg, and S to the solution. The mechanistic differences between the organic BLiSS effluent and the inorganic nutrition solution were predominantly unaccounted for. It stands to reason that longer-term studies may follow up with the provided results to fully determine how supplementation of BLiSS solutions can be obtained from weathering of the regolith. Therefore, further experimentation that improves upon the extraction of elements of interest and increases the reaction time will be useful in fortifying the sustainability of human operations. The hydrologic weathering of sharp mineral edges also deserves quantitative investigation over time to understand whether reducing the abrasiveness of regolith offers an additional aspect of using BLiSS effluent on lunar and martian surface minerals.</div></div>

Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants Desorb and Weather after Exposure to Bioregenerative Life Support System Effluent

In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=227&amp;manufacturerItems=3">ICP-OES</a> analysis, maintaining reliable accuracy and precision over time can be challenging. Instrument drift, matrix effects, and fluctuations in sample introduction can all influence analytical results. One of the most effective tools to monitor and compensate for these influences is the internal standard (ISTD). When properly selected and implemented, an internal standard significantly strengthens quality assurance and increases confidence in analytical data.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Internal_Standards_in_ICP_OES_A_Practical_Guide_to_Better_Accuracy_and_Precision_50d02d62c8.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific Internal Standards in ICP-OES A Practical Guide to Better Accuracy and Precision" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Internal_Standards_in_ICP_OES_A_Practical_Guide_to_Better_Accuracy_and_Precision_50d02d62c8.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="512">An internal standard is a suitable element that is added at a constant concentration to all blanks, calibration standards, quality control samples, and unknown samples. It is measured simultaneously with the analytes of interest and serves as an indicator of what is happening during the measurement process. Because it behaves similarly to the analytes in the plasma, it reflects variations that occur during sample transport, excitation, or detection.However, not every element qualifies as a good internal standard. Ideally, the chosen element should not be present in the sample, or only in negligible amounts. It must not cause spectral interferences with the analytes, and its emission line should remain free from interference itself. The internal standard should also be compatible with the sample matrix and exhibit similar excitation and ionization characteristics to the analytes. In practice, the internal standard is typically introduced at a concentration of approximately 1 to 5 ppm at the nebulizer, ensuring a clean and stable signal.When correctly applied, internal standards help correct for several types of variation. They compensate for changes in sample transport caused by pump instability or nebulizer fluctuations. They correct for plasma instability and optical drift over time. They also address certain matrix-related effects, such as changes in viscosity or surface tension that influence aerosol formation and excitation efficiency. By normalizing the analyte signal to the internal standard signal, many physical and instrumental variations can be effectively minimized.It is important to understand, however, what internal standards cannot correct. They do not resolve spectral overlaps or interferences. They cannot compensate for incorrect calibration or non-linear response behavior. Detector saturation and fundamental method errors also remain unaffected by internal standard correction. In other words, an internal standard enhances a well-designed method but cannot rescue a flawed one.Internal standards are particularly valuable in long analytical sequences, where system drift can gradually affect results. By continuously monitoring the internal standard signal, laboratories can detect and correct drift in real time. They are also helpful in sequences involving strongly varying sample matrices. Differences in density or viscosity between samples can influence transport efficiency, and the internal standard provides a way to monitor and partially compensate for these effects.Another important application of internal standards is in high-precision analysis. In precious metal determinations, for example, internal drift correction can be applied to each individual measurement. When combined with a bracketing approach, this technique can dramatically improve overall precision. In one example presented, a total precision of 0.07% over twelve measurements was achieved despite variability in individual readings. Such performance illustrates the strength of internal standard correction when precision requirements are demanding.There are two main approaches to introducing the internal standard into the ICP-OES system. In the classical approach, all blanks, standards, quality controls, and samples are spiked with the internal standard prior to measurement. This method requires careful preparation to ensure consistent concentration across all solutions. Alternatively, the internal standard can be added online during measurement using a Y-connector. In this configuration, the internal standard solution is continuously mixed with each sample as it is introduced into the nebulizer. While this method simplifies preparation and reduces the risk of spiking errors, it introduces a dilution factor that must be considered.Practical examples show that correct implementation is crucial. Poor sample homogenization can lead to incorrect internal standard correction, particularly in challenging matrices such as mineral oils. If the sample is not homogeneous, the internal standard may not reflect the true behavior of the analytes, leading to misleading corrections. Therefore, careful sample preparation remains essential, even when internal standards are used.Internal standards also play a valuable role during method development. When establishing a new method, the internal standard can be used to verify matrix compatibility and recovery. Recovery tests with certified reference materials help determine whether matrix adaptation is necessary. If recovery is not satisfactory, matrix matching can be optimized through dilution strategies or calibration adjustments. Tools such as SemiQuant in<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1489"> Qtegra software</a> can assist in identifying matrix components and guiding method optimization. Even if the internal standard is later omitted in routine operation, its use during development provides valuable insight into method robustness.It is worth noting that Argon, which is always present in the plasma, can act as a kind of “pseudo-internal standard”. While it does not replace a true internal standard element, monitoring the argon signal can provide useful information about plasma stability.In summary, internal standards are powerful tools for improving analytical reliability in ICP-OES. They help monitor and correct drift, improve precision, and increase confidence in results, especially in complex or variable matrices. However, they must be carefully selected, properly implemented, and understood in terms of their limitations. Used thoughtfully, internal standards strengthen both routine analysis and method development, contributing to consistent and trustworthy laboratory performance.<h3>Acknowledgement</h3>I would like to thank Dr. Torben Stichel, Dr. Joerg Axthelm and Dr. Sebastian Voelker Field Applications Scientist, Germany, Trace Elemental Analysis and for the support on this blog and the webinars.<h4>Sign up for our webinars live and on demand</h4><h5>English</h5><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5795">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 1</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5976">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Qtegra Part 2</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5977">Lunch and Learn Tips and Tricks Series: Trace Elemental Analysis (ICP-OES &amp; ICP-MS)</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5978">Trace Elemental Analysis: Ask the Expert</a></li></ul><h5>Deutsch</h5><ul><li>19. März 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179134/393E071E3B501943730958BA6203F477">Interne Standards in der ICP-OES: Ein Praxisguide für zuverlässige Qualitätssicherung im Labor</a></li><li>18. Juni 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179292/AE4C576B6A54D1AC182F7F77573D380F">Fehler reduzieren, Durchsatz steigern: Autoverdünnung mit PrepFast am ICP-MS</a></li><li>17. September 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179423/B5019C560431BADCA2A76E54E4EFE56F">ICP-OES smarter nutzen: Probendurchsatz erhöhen, Ressourcen sparen</a></li><li>17. Dezember 2026 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5179530/94EEDD1F56138F5EEE2AF24E29E6C12A">Qtegra ISDS Software Unlocked – Live im Expertengespräch</a></li></ul>Visit us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/">LinkedIn:</a>&nbsp;#ICP_OES #InternalStandards #ElementalAnalysis #TraceElementAnalysis<blockquote><h5>Petra Gerhards</h5>Petra Gerhards, Dipl-Ing, is Regional Marketing Manager of GC and GC-MS for EMEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She has more than 29 years of experience in the fields of GC-MS, SPE and LC-MS. Since joining the regional team she has contributed to workflow solutions combining vials and closures with SPE solutions, GC-MS and LC-MS. She works with KOL's on data for regional specific marketing campaigns, organizes in-house seminars and works on customer specific solutions. Her main expertise is in the field of doping and drugs-of-abuse analysis.</blockquote>

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Internal Standards in ICP-OES: A Practical Guide to Better Accuracy and Precision

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