Multiplying Productivity: The Nicolet iZ10 Module

Significance of the topic

The compact Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 FT-IR combined with the Nicolet iZ10 Auxiliary Experiment Module demonstrates how modular spectrometer design increases laboratory productivity and analytical versatility. By providing a fully functional second sample compartment with full software integration and validation capability, the system addresses routine QA/QC needs as well as advanced hyphenated and high-throughput workflows (TGA-IR, NIR diffuse reflectance, microplate screening). The approach reduces sample-handling bottlenecks, preserves data quality through common verification standards, and enables multiple complementary measurement modes without adding operator complexity.

Objectives and overview of the technical note

The technical note presents the iS10/iZ10 configuration as a practical solution to common laboratory demands: switching rapidly between routine IR analyses and specialised experiments; performing TGA-IR for material deformulation; acquiring laboratory-quality NIR diffuse-reflectance spectra; and increasing throughput via microplate-based sampling. It highlights automated performance verification, software-driven instrument recognition, and integrated chemometrics to illustrate typical applications and productivity gains.

Methodology and approach

• System architecture: The iS10 mainframe houses the primary sampling compartment; the iZ10 module provides a second, software-controlled compartment that is sealed and desiccated independently.
• Software integration: OMNIC software family provides automatic recognition of instrument configurations, background collection, performance verification routines, OMNIC Specta for spectral deconvolution, TQ Analyst for chemometrics (PLS), and Array Automation for microplate workflows.
• Hyphenated analysis: TGA-IR is implemented by coupling a thermogravimetric analyser via a heated transfer line to a heated gas cell in the spectrometer; weight-loss data from the TGA are time-correlated with IR spectra to identify evolved gases.
• NIR diffuse reflectance: The Smart NIR integrating sphere, used in the iZ10, operates with extended-range XT-KBr optics and a dedicated InGaAs detector to cover 4000–10000 cm⁻¹; samples are placed on an elevated window and can be spun for representative sampling.
• High-throughput sampling: A micro-well plate reader accessory supports transmission and DRIFTS modes, with a dedicated detector and downward-looking CCD for well imaging; Array Automation links acquisition to multivariate analysis for classification and quantitation.

Used Instrumentation

• Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 FT-IR spectrometer (mainframe)
• Thermo Scientific Nicolet iZ10 Auxiliary Experiment Module (second sample compartment)
• Smart iTR diamond ATR accessory
• Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (heated furnace) with heated transfer line to heated gas cell inside the spectrometer (for TGA-IR)
• Smart NIR integrating sphere accessory with InGaAs detector and XT-KBr optics (covers 4000–10000 cm⁻¹)
• DTGS detector installed in mainframe (mid-IR performance)
• Micro-well plate reader accessory (transmission and DRIFTS modes, dedicated detector, downward CCD camera)
• OMNIC, OMNIC Specta, TQ Analyst, and Array Automation software modules

Main results and discussion

• TGA-IR of an epoxy resin: The combined dataset (TGA weight-loss profile and time-resolved IR spectra) enabled direct correlation of mass-loss events with evolving gas-phase species. OMNIC Specta’s multi-component search and deconvolution successfully identified four different gases evolving simultaneously despite small TGA sample masses (~1 mg), demonstrating high IR sensitivity and favorable signal-to-noise for trace vapor detection.
• NIR diffuse-reflectance for polymer analysis: Using the Smart NIR integrating sphere in the iZ10, spectra of polyethylene samples with different densities were recorded. Partial least squares (PLS) calibration built in TQ Analyst showed robust discrimination and quantitation potential, indicating the system can be used to develop calibrations transferable to ruggedized FT-NIR instruments (e.g., Antaris) for production environments.
• High-throughput microplate screening: The micro-well plate reader coupled with Array Automation allowed transmission-mode classification of bacteria (example from cheese production). Automated imaging and spectral capture increased daily throughput from under 50 to several hundred samples, illustrating substantial productivity gains for screening applications under expanding regulatory demands. DRIFTS mode was noted as useful for forensic screening of powders and ores.
• System validation and workflow efficiency: The iZ10 module uses the same ASTM-based performance verification wheel and automatic validation routines as the iS10 mainframe, eliminating the need for separate validation equipment. Independent sealing and desiccation of compartments, barcode-driven compartment selection, and seamless software switching improve throughput and reduce risk of operator error.

Benefits and practical applications

• Enhanced laboratory productivity: A second fully functional compartment permits concurrent configuration for different experiment types and rapid switching, effectively adding an economical auxiliary spectrometer.
• Reliable data quality: Shared automated performance verification (ASTM-based) and common validation hardware maintain confidence in measurements across compartments.
• Broad applicability: Demonstrated use cases include polymer and composite analysis (TGA-IR deformulation), incoming raw-material ID and calibration development (NIR integrating sphere), microbiological screening (microplate transmission), and forensic/drug or ore screening (DRIFTS mode).
• Accessible advanced analysis: Integrated spectral deconvolution and chemometrics enable users with varying skill levels to extract multi-component information and build quantitative models without specialized third-party tools.

Future trends and potential applications

• Tighter integration of hyphenated techniques: Wider adoption of TGA-IR and other coupled approaches for detailed deformulation and process troubleshooting, supported by automated, time-synchronized data handling and improved spectral deconvolution algorithms.
• Advanced chemometrics and machine learning: Growth in ML-driven classification and regression models (beyond PLS) for microplate assays, NIR calibrations, and complex mixture analysis, including transfer learning for ruggedized field instruments.
• Increased automation and sample handling: Expanded use of robotics, barcode-driven workflows, and sample-tracking to further boost throughput and traceability in regulated environments.
• Portable and process analytical implementations: Translation of laboratory-developed NIR and chemometric models to robust, on-line or at-line analyzers for manufacturing and supply-chain verification (e.g., Antaris-class instruments).
• Improved detectors and optics: Broader spectral coverage, higher sensitivity detectors, and optimized extended-range optics to improve detection limits for gas-phase species and low-mass TGA samples.

Conclusion

The Nicolet iS10 FT-IR paired with the iZ10 module illustrates a pragmatic modular strategy to expand analytical capability without increasing complexity. By combining validated performance, software-driven compartment management, and a suite of accessories (TGA-IR, Smart NIR sphere, microplate reader), laboratories can address a broad range of tasks—deformulation, incoming material verification, high-throughput screening, and forensic screening—while maintaining data quality and increasing throughput. The platform’s integrated chemometrics and automated workflows lower the barrier to extracting actionable information from complex spectral data.

References

• Lefier D.; Beccard B.; Bradley M. Classification of Bacteria using FT-IR. Thermo Scientific Application Note 51396.
• Bradley M. Multiplying Productivity: The Nicolet iZ10 Module. Thermo Scientific Technical Note 51504.