Shimadzu Analytical and Measuring Instruments

Significance of Topic

Shimadzu’s extensive portfolio of analytical and measuring instruments plays a pivotal role in modern science and industry, underpinning high‐performance quality control, research and development, and regulatory compliance. By integrating technologies ranging from high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) to X‐ray analysis, thermal analysis, and material testing, these solutions facilitate critical assessments in pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, materials science, and beyond.

Objectives and Overview of the Catalog

This catalog presents a comprehensive suite of Shimadzu instrumentation organized by analytical domain: chromatography (liquid, gas, supercritical fluid, and two‐dimensional), mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole, time‐of‐flight, MALDI‐TOF, ICP‐MS), spectroscopy (UV‐VIS, NIR, FTIR, XRF, atomic absorption and emission), life science systems (proteomics, genomics, imaging), X‐ray and surface analysis (fluorescence, diffractometry, EPMA, XPS), environmental measurement (TOC analyzers, gas analyzers), material testing (forces, fatigue, hardness, rheometry), and physical properties measurement (thermal analysis, TGA, DSC, particle sizing, balances). Each section highlights flagship models alongside support systems, software, and automation options.

Used Instrumentation

• Liquid Chromatographs: Nexera X2 (UHPLC), Prominence UFPLC, Nexera UC (SFC/SFE), Nexera-e (2D‐LC), Nexera MX (multiplex LC-MS).
• Gas Chromatographs and GC-MS: Nexis GC-2030, GCMS-TQ8050, GCMS-QP2020, AOC autosamplers, headspace units.
• Mass Spectrometry: LCMS-8060/8050/8045/8040/2020/IT-TOF/Q-TOF, MALDI-8020/7090, DPiMS-2020.
• Spectroscopy: UV-VIS (UV-1900/2600), NIR (LABNIRS), FTIR (IRSpirit, IRTracer-100), fluorescence, ICP-OES/AAS.
• X-ray/Surface Analysis: EDX-7000/8000, XRD-6100/7000 OneSight, EPMA-8050G, AXIS Supra (XPS), SPM/AIM microscope.
• Environmental: TOC-L series, TOC-4200 on-line, NOA/NOx analyzers, CGT gas analyzers.
• Material Testing: AG-Xplus universal testers, CFT rheometers, fatigue systems (EMT, EHF), hardness testers, rheology, MCT compression tester.
• Particle Sizing: SALD-7500nano, MultiNA electrophoresis, MOC moisture analyzers.
• Data Systems: LabSolutions CS/DB, Insight, CLASS-Agent, PACsolution, LIMSsolution.

Main Results and Discussion

Shimadzu instruments emphasize high sensitivity, stability, and speed across diverse techniques. UHPLC systems offer sub-0.5 mAU noise photodiode array detectors, i-PDeA deconvolution, and i-DReC dynamic range extension. SQ triple quadrupole mass spectrometers achieve MRM speeds of 555 channels/sec, positive/negative switching in <5 ms, and sub-pg detection. Advanced imaging (iMScope), MALDI-TOF MS, and ultrahigh‐throughput LC-MS (Nexera MX) enable biomarker discovery and high-content screening. FTIR OneSight detectors provide world‐leading stray‐light suppression, while EPMA and XPS systems deliver sub-nanometer resolution and high‐energy MS/MS. Automatic sample preparation (CLAM-2000) and integrated software platforms streamline workflows and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Environmental analyzers achieve low-ppt detection with mini-torches and eco-modes, while materials testing machines provide servo-digital control with 0.2 ms sampling and energy saving.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Shimadzu’s integrated solutions deliver:

• Enhanced throughput through multiplexed analyses, auto-sampling, and automated method development.
• Reduced operating costs via low reagent consumption, energy-saving modes, and maintenance-free designs.
• Regulatory compliance with built-in validation, audit trails, and secure data management across spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Cross-disciplinary applicability from drug discovery, QC, environmental monitoring, food safety, and advanced materials research to industrial process control.
• User-friendly interfaces, remote monitoring, and cloud connectivity to support decentralized laboratories and field applications.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Miniaturization and portability of high-performance instruments will expand point-of-care and on-site testing.
• Integration of AI and machine learning for automated peak annotation, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance.
• Sustainable analysis via green chemistry LC solvents, reduced argon usage, and energy-efficient thermal management.
• Expansion of single-cell, spatial omics, and real-time process analytical technologies (PAT) in biopharma and life sciences.
• Digital twins of laboratory workflows integrating LIMS, ELN, and instrument data for end-to-end sample tracking and compliance.

Conclusion

Shimadzu’s comprehensive analytical instrumentation portfolio addresses evolving scientific and industrial challenges by combining cutting-edge performance with ease of use, automation, and sustainability. By integrating hardware innovation, software intelligence, and service support, Shimadzu empowers laboratories to achieve higher productivity, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

References

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