<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 23rd March 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezGCMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>LECO,</strong> <strong>Shimadzu </strong>and <strong>Waters Corporation</strong> and brochure by<strong> Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. LECO: Determination of Nitrogen in Fertilizer</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CN_FP_928_NITROGEN_FERTILIZERS_203_821_615_4d4b013a08.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Nitrogen is one of the most important elements for plant development and is the macronutrient that is most often found to be deficient in arable soils used for crop production. Nitrogen plays a key role in the formation of enzymes and proteins, which promotes lush, vigorous growth and development in plants that often leads to an increase in the yield from the plant. Fertilizers are utilized to re-introduce nitrogen back into arable soils. Fertilizers can be grouped by their makeup and/or origins into categories including inorganic and/or synthetic (including nitrates, ammonium, and urea) and organic (including compost materials and manures). The accurate and precise determination of nitrogen in all fertilizer types is not only important in the process of blending and preparing the fertilizer material for use, but also will have significant impact on the commercial value and guarantee of the fertilizer.&nbsp;</p><p>The CN928/FP928 is a macro combustion carbon and nitrogen/protein determinator that utilizes a pure oxygen environment in a high-temperature horizontal ceramic combustion furnace designed to handle macro sample mass. A thermoelectric cooler removes moisture from the combustion gases before they are collected in a ballast. The gases equilibrate and mix in the ballast before a representative aliquot (3 cm<sup>3</sup> or 10 cm<sup>3</sup> 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 a thermal conductivity cell (TC) for the detection of nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>).</p><h4><strong>Instrument Model and Configuration&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Thermal conductivity detectors work by detecting changes in the thermal conductivity of the analyte gas compared to the constant thermal conductivity of the 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 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=CN928"><strong>CN928</strong></a>/<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=FP928"><strong>FP928</strong></a> 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. 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.</p><h4><strong>TYPICAL RESULTS&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Data was generated utilizing a single standard, forced through origin calibration using ~ 0.1 g of NIST 913b Uric Acid (33.23% N). Alternatively, LECO 503-530 LCRM Urea may be used for calibration.</p><h3><strong>2. Shimadzu: Evaluation of Microscopic Foreign Matter in Recycled Plastics Using Dynamic Image Analysis, Infrared Microscopy, and SEM-EDS</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00861_en_7485baba21.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>&nbsp;It is easy to evaluate the size and quantity of microscopic foreign particles, which are key quality criteria of recycled plastics.</li><li>With the microcell method of DIA, microscopic foreign matter can be detected and counted quickly using a small sample quantity.</li><li>Infrared microscope and SEM-EDS systems provide information about the morphology and composition of microscopic foreign matter that is useful for improving recycling processes.</li></ul><p>One of the quality criteria for recycled plastic flakes and pellets is the content of foreign matter. Quantitatively evaluating the size and quantity of foreign particles contained in flakes and pellets is important for examining foreign matter removal processes intended to improve pellet quality and optimize manufacturing processesfor products made with recycled materials.&nbsp;</p><p>In this article, pellets of virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (hereafter PET) were dissolved in hexafluoro-2-propanol (hereafter HFIP), a solvent for dissolving PET, to prepare suspensions of insoluble microscopic foreign particles. These suspensions were measured with a dynamic particle image analysis (DIA) system (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=iSpect+DIA-10"><strong>iSpect DIA-10</strong></a>) to evaluate the size and number of insoluble microscopic foreign particles (patent pending). In addition, part of the suspensions were diluted tenfold and filtered through a membrane filter to collect the insoluble microscopic foreign particles on the filter. The morphology and composition of the collected microscopic foreign particles were evaluated using a digital microscope, an infrared microscope system (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=IRTracer-100"><strong>IRTracer-100</strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AIM-9000"><strong>AIM-9000</strong></a>), and an SEM-EDS system. These evaluations enabled comparison of the sizes, quantities, and types of foreign particles contained in virgin and recycled materials.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>By using an iSpect DIA-10 system to measure suspensions prepared by dissolving two types of PET pellets (virgin and recycled) in HFIP, we obtained particle images of insoluble foreign matter and evaluated size and concentration of particles. That enabled quantitative comparison of particle size and count in microscopic foreign matter contained in virgin and recycled materials.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition, after diluting the pellet suspensions, the insoluble microscopic foreign matter in the diluted suspensions was collected on filters. The morphology and composition of the microscopic foreign matter were evaluated using an infrared microscope and SEM-EDS system. The results indicated that the suspensions contained organic substances, such as cellulose and amide-based compounds, and inorganic substances and metals that contain elements such as C, O, Ca, and Al (suggestive of carbonates and metallic aluminum).&nbsp;</p><p>Thus, the iSpect DIA-10 enables simple quantitative evaluation of the size and number of microscopic foreign particles in PET pellets using only small sample quantities. Furthermore, composition evaluation by infrared microscope and SEM-EDS systems provides useful information for investigating the origin of foreign matter, examining measures to reduce foreign matter, and evaluating impacts on final products. If similarities in size and shape are observed, particle images obtained with iSpect DIA-10 can also potentially be used to estimate particle composition.</p><h3><strong>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Ensuring safer and effective pharmaceutical formulations by X-ray diffraction</strong></h3><ul><li>Brochures and specifications</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/PF_41381_xrd_solutions_pharma_9b89684165.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>From drug discovery and preformulation studies to the efficient scaling up in the manufacturing process in the plant and finally through QA/QC validation, X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a vital analysis method in the characterization of different physico-chemical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). XRD is a gold standard method and required technique in the determination of polymorphic and salt screening, % of crystallinity and stability/reactivity studies of the final API.&nbsp;</p><h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2297"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ SolstiX™ XRD Software</strong></a><strong> with Security Suite extends ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometers to 21 CFR Part 11 regulated labs&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Protect stored electronic data related to quality assurance within manufacturer’s computer systems&nbsp;</li><li>Put controls in place to keep records authentic, incorruptible, and confidential&nbsp;</li><li>Electronic signatures for the user to take responsibility for the electronic data in the system&nbsp;</li><li>Requirements in the data record: date and time of scan, name of the unique signer, and technological controls to ensure security (e.g. passwords)&nbsp;</li></ul><h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2143"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ EQUINOX 100 X-ray benchtop diffractometer</strong></a><strong> is designed to exceed your analytical needs&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Ideally suited for rapid screening of various formulations, finger printing or detection of counterfeit products&nbsp;</li><li>Polymorphism and crystallinity determination, crystallite size calculation, quantitative phase analysis, reactivity and stability of materials, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>XRD experiments on standard powders, bulks, tablets, small quantities, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>Real-time full pattern XRD based on our unique PSD detector technology&nbsp;</li><li>X-ray source based on micro-source technology with no external water cooling</li><li>Unique dual-mode capability: reflection and/or transmission&nbsp;</li></ul><h5><strong>Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ EQUINOX 100 XRD for structural analysis&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Easy-to-use simultaneous full pattern XRD based on unique real time PSD detector technology&nbsp;</li><li>Unique dual-mode capability on a benchtop XRD instrument: reflection and/or transmission mode&nbsp;</li><li>XRD experiments on various samples with sample spinner, capillary stage, sample changer or in controlled environment</li></ul><h5><strong>Top XRD benefits for pharma&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Structural characterization technique&nbsp;</li><li>Nondestructive technique&nbsp;</li><li>Small amount of sample needed for analysis&nbsp;</li><li>Unique diffraction patterns and quick response&nbsp;</li><li>Analysis on mixtures as well as amorphous content&nbsp;</li><li>Easy determination of induced structural changes</li></ul><h3><strong>4. Waters Corporation: SIMI: A Different Approach to Revealing Dangerous Subvisible Impurities</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/720009094_en_fb955e89ec.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Foreign particulate matter, also known as extrinsic particles, has become a serious threat to patient safety in recent years, with cases linked to severe immunogenic reactions, deaths, and costly recalls.<sup>1</sup> In 2021 alone, Takeda recalled 1.6 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in Japan after several patient deaths were linked to steel particulates shed from a malfunctioning pump.<sup>2</sup> Over the span of seven years, from 2014–2017, there were more than 110 drug recalls as a result of glass delamination,<sup>3–4</sup> and several more due to remnant crystals,<sup>5</sup> owing to the difficulty of identifying the presence and source of foreign particulate matter. To prevent against such threats, manufacturers require high throughput technologies to better identify foreign particulate matter in real time.</p><h4><strong>Results and Discussion</strong></h4><h5><strong>Shining a Light on Extrinsic Particles with SIMI</strong></h5><p>Side illumination membrane imaging (SIMI) is a proprietary illumination, imaging, and analysis technique exclusively available to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2190"><strong>Aura instruments</strong></a>. Utilizing the principles of darkfield microscopy,<sup>6</sup> SIMI is conducted on an Aura membrane plate using an oblique illumination source which emits light at an angle parallel to the surface of the plate.&nbsp;</p><p>Compared to backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI), which utilizes brightfield microscopy (epi-illumination) where particles scatter the incident light isotropically (i.e., at all angles), side illumination membrane maging (SIMI) is a technique that is specifically designed to detect light scattering from high refractive index particles, as well as those that protrude out of the plane from the membrane surface. A particle’s average SIMI intensity is measured in a relative scale where the inherent SIMI scattering of the membrane is defined as SIMI = 0. Positive SIMI values indicate particles protruding out of the membrane, as is the case with microplastics, fibers, and other common extrinsic particles, whose average SIMI intensities vary from 0–255. On some occasions, like with metallic particles and absorbing oils, particles will have reduced light refraction relative to the membrane and thus display negative SIMI values, varying from 0 to -122.&nbsp;</p><p>The majority of foreign, extrinsic particles exhibit a high refractive index and are mechanically rigid in structure, causing them to protrude from the membrane surface and scatter side illumination to a high degree, ideal for SIMI analysis. In contrast, biologic particles exhibit the opposite properties—low refractive index and malleable structures, causing them to lie flat with minimal side scatter profiles, which is best analyzed with BMI or fluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM). Utilizing all three microscopy approaches is most ideal to facilitate the determination of all extrinsic (non-biologic) and inherent (biologic) particles in biologic formulations.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>SIMI is a unique approach to providing additional characterization of subvisible particles and is available in all Aura models to help rapidly identify foreign material in biological samples with a high degree of specificity. A key tertiary imaging mode in addition to BMI and FMM, SIMI provides selective, orthogonal morphological information to identify tall and rigid materials, a defining feature of most extrinsic particles (Figure 11). While particle sizing and counting is done via BMI, SIMI provides illumination, imaging, and analysis that can be useful across a variety of biological products to reveal foreign subvisible particles from the earliest to the latest of stages in the bioprocess.</p>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 13, 2026

<ul><li><strong>Category:</strong> Certified Reference Material</li><li><strong>Analyte:</strong> Calcium (Ca)</li><li><strong>Product code:</strong> ANS009</li><li><strong>Primary starting material and purity:</strong> CaCO₃ 99.999%</li></ul><p><strong>Matrix:</strong> 2% HNO₃ (v/v) prepared from sub-boiling distilled HNO₃ (ANALPURE®) and ultrapure demineralized water, filtered through a membrane filter with a pore size of 0.22 µm (resistivity ≥18 MΩ·cm)</p><blockquote><p><strong>Certified concentration value and expanded uncertainty (k = 2) at 20 °C: </strong>1,000 ± 5 mg/L</p></blockquote><h3><strong>Specifications</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Batch number:</strong> 1050</li><li><strong>Date of manufacture:</strong> 29 August 2023</li><li><strong>Shelf life:</strong> 5 years from the date of manufacture</li></ul><h4><strong>Application</strong></h4><p>For calibration and validation of analytical methods used for the analysis of aqueous solutions, such as atomic spectroscopy (AAS, AFS), molecular absorption spectrometry, and certain electroanalytical methods.</p><h4><strong>Characterization and traceability</strong></h4><p>This CRM is certified based on gravimetric preparation, which also ensures direct traceability to the SI unit – kilogram. The certified value, its uncertainty, and traceability were verified by complexometric methods (using SRM NIST 928) or instrumental analytical methods (AAS, AES, ICP-OES) using CRM AN9009(1N) through a short, uninterrupted calibration chain.</p><h4><strong>Content of trace impurities in the prepared solution</strong></h4><ul><li>Maximum 0.5 mg/L (total)</li></ul><h4><strong>Homogeneity and stability</strong></h4><p>The calibration solution is homogeneous, and its stability is guaranteed throughout the entire shelf life, provided it is stored under the conditions specified below.</p><h4><strong>Storage and instructions for use</strong></h4><p>This CRM must be stored and kept in its original packaging at temperatures between 5 and 30 °C. The manufacturer guarantees the stated shelf life and expiration date only if the material is handled properly.</p><p>The solution temperature must be 20 ± 0.5 °C before each use. The date when the bottle was first opened must be recorded on the certificate. The expiration date, which depends on the date of first opening, must also be recorded on both the certificate and the label.</p><p>After use, it is recommended to protect the bottle neck with a layer of parafilm. Small residual amounts in the bottle (less than 10% of the original content) should no longer be used. For this reason, especially in the case of dark bottles, it is advisable to record each withdrawn volume, for example directly on the bottle.</p><p>Do not pipette directly from the bottle, and do not return any poured-off liquid back into the original packaging (bottle).</p>

Aqueous Calibration Solution ASTASOL® ANS009

<p><strong>Anna Vanluchene&nbsp;from UCT Prague’s&nbsp;Department of Chemical Engineering has received a&nbsp;prestigious start-up grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund. However, she did not receive funding right away. In this interview, she describes how she developed ten versions of her&nbsp;</strong><i><strong>Illuminating Flow</strong></i><strong>&nbsp;project idea (combining photocatalysis with flow reactors for pharmaceutical synthesis). She explains why she considers perseverance to be crucial when applying for grants, how international experience has influenced her approach to team management, and how her research can reduce the chemical industry’s&nbsp;dependence on fossil fuels and imports from China.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg 127w," sizes="100vw" width="1128" height="1387"></p><h5><strong>What did the Dagmar Procházková Fund grant mean to you?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;consider it to be a&nbsp;great success. It is the first injection of funding that will allow me to ensure full independence for my research endeavour, to start my own research group, and to fund students so I&nbsp;can get started properly.</p><h5><strong>What have been your previous experiences with grants?</strong></h5><p>During my doctorate, a <i>cotutelle</i> (international doctorate under dual supervision), I&nbsp;was funded by a&nbsp;grant from the French government. Then I&nbsp;worked at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS) and received a&nbsp;Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship to go abroad. The idea for my now-funded project was developed about two years ago and, since then, I&nbsp;have gradually developed and adapted the idea for various grant calls. I&nbsp;submitted about ten different versions of the proposal. I&nbsp;did not receive a&nbsp;grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund last year, but this year, my application was successful.</p><h5><strong>This probably requires a&nbsp;great deal of patience and perseverance.</strong></h5><p>Certainly, because the success rates for most grants have been declining for some time. But as a&nbsp;motivational example, I&nbsp;will tell the story of Timothy Noel, a&nbsp;Belgian professor of chemistry living in the Netherlands. He applied for the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant, which is among the most sought-after in Europe, seven times. But no failure deterred him and eventually he succeeded and opened the door to potentially massive grant funding. He was already one of the world’s&nbsp;top scientists in the field at that time and openly described his journey on his blog <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.noelresearchgroup.com/2022/03/17/my-personal-story-to-obtain-an-erc-grant-7-submissions-4-interviews-and-6-heartbreaks/"><strong>blog</strong></a>.</p><h5><strong>What advice does this convey to other grant applicants and early career researchers?</strong></h5><p>Start early, read a&nbsp;lot, don’t&nbsp;give up, and—most importantly—apply repeatedly. Learn from rejections and overcome possible frustration from failures. Read blogs and books by successful people, where you will find not only the glorious results of their work, but also the hardships they faced over their entire journeys. Of course, building your team and laboratory is impossible without finances. I&nbsp;myself still hope that I&nbsp;will be able to receive even bigger grants in the future.</p><h5><strong>How has your international experience influenced your scientific approach?</strong></h5><p>A&nbsp;lot and on several levels. Different laboratories teach you how to do&nbsp;things differently. You gain varied experience about how different institutions function. You see other people’s&nbsp;positive motivations, their ability to be ambitious without negativity, their involvement in institutional matters, their openness to cooperation with companies (e.g., tech transfers, spin-offs). The most important thing is to broaden your horizons. I&nbsp;see going abroad as a&nbsp;necessity. What I&nbsp;have taken away the most is drive, great support, and the idea that scientific output is not just about metrics, but also about dedication to one’s&nbsp;topic.</p><h5><strong>What is your </strong><i><strong>Illuminating Flow: Transport Phenomena in Photocatalysis</strong></i><strong> about, in layperson’s&nbsp;terms, and how is it unique?</strong></h5><p>Most of today’s&nbsp;chemical industry is still based on thermal processes and fossil fuels. Photochemistry enables electrification, where the energy source is photons delivered by LEDs, which can generate electricity from renewable sources. Current research focuses mainly on chemical reactions and their mechanisms, but as a&nbsp;chemical engineer, I&nbsp;focus on designing processes and reactors suitable for industrial use. In batch reactors, light fades rapidly with distance from a&nbsp;source, so much of a&nbsp;reaction mixture is not illuminated. Flow reactors solve this problem, but they bring new challenges such as working with solid catalysts and subsequently scaling up production and achieving higher production rates of the desired chemicals at a&nbsp;given scale.</p><p>One can imagine a&nbsp;transparent tube with a&nbsp;catalyst on the walls, upon which light shines and through which reactants flow. This project has a&nbsp;unique emphasis on engineering solutions and overall process efficiency.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg 241w," sizes="100vw" width="1228" height="799"></p><h5><strong>So, were you inspired by a&nbsp;gap in the market to connect photocatalysis with transport phenomena?</strong></h5><p>Exactly. I&nbsp;combine my areas of expertise: microfluidics, photocatalytic degradation of organic substances (CAS), and synthesis (MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship). The idea itself is not new, and pharmaceutical companies are very interested in “greener” photochemistry, but in practice, there is often a&nbsp;lack of appropriate engineering solutions and apparatus for industrial use.</p><h5><strong>What are the practical applications of your work and what substances are you focusing on?</strong></h5><p>Mainly on pharmaceuticals and on the synthesis of so-called fine chemicals, which are often the building blocks for the production of pharmaceuticals. There is also a&nbsp;geopolitical dimension to this, i.e. less dependence on imports from China and sustainable synthesis in Europe where it makes economic sense.</p><h5><strong>And what chemicals are you specifically talking about?</strong></h5><p>For example, building blocks for advanced synthesis, compounds prepared by trifluoromethylation reactions, or products of oxidation reactions with singlet oxygen. At the same time, we focus on reactions that are, in the classical design process, less safe or technologically demanding, where new approaches, such as photochemistry in flow reactors, could be safer and have better process control. Of course, this is not a&nbsp;universal solution for all types of reactions.</p><h5><strong>The goal of this project?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;plan to start a&nbsp;fully functional laboratory and research team, create high-quality experimental data on selected molecules and based on them, try to build cooperation with industrial partners. Without data, it is impossible to come to companies with just an idea. Within three years, I&nbsp;would like to have results that can be realistically presented and further developed.</p><h5><strong>What are the main challenges in transport phenomena during photocatalysis?</strong></h5><p>The methodology for repeatability of experiments in photochemistry is relatively demanding and there are unforeseen obstacles in building apparatus. Also, the scale-up from microliters to a&nbsp;larger scale.</p><h5><strong>What methodology will you use, and how big are the microreactors and their flow rates?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;have two different directions in methodological design. The first direction involves microreactors the size of a&nbsp;laboratory slide. You make a&nbsp;structure using a&nbsp;laser, and then you have to cast it and make a&nbsp;microreactor. This allows you to quickly adjust the geometry of the reactor. This method is, of course, not applicable in the commercial setting, but it is ideal for studying transport phenomena and precise measurements.</p><p>The second direction involves reactors that are flow cells. These are already larger, approximately 15 x 15 centimetres, and their flow rates are in the order of millilitres per hour. This is the initial scale that we will further increase during the project.</p><h5><strong>There is a&nbsp;big difference between a&nbsp;flow rate of microlitres per hour and industrial needs. Will it not work differently in reality?</strong></h5><p>Our research will focus on studying the phenomena themselves for now, and scaling will be addressed later. In addition, we will combine the experimental data obtained with computer simulations that will help design suitable conditions for a&nbsp;larger scale. For some high-value fine chemicals, these scales, combined with continuous operation or parallelization of reactors, may already be practically usable.</p><h5><strong>What catalysts will you use and how will you attach them to the reactor walls?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;am focusing on heterogeneous photocatalysis, and we will mainly use graphitic carbon nitride and its more advanced modifications. These are semiconductor materials that can be synthesized relatively easily and are suitable for immobilization on glass reactor walls. A&nbsp;key part of this project is the creation of a&nbsp;stable catalytic layer for long-term flow-through operations. To increase the contact of reactants with the catalyst, we will also consider multiphase modes, for example, gas bubbling, in order to disrupt the otherwise laminar flow.</p><h5><strong>Why did you choose this field and the Department of Chemical Engineering?</strong></h5><p>During my postdoc in Belgium, the department had an opening for an Assistant Professor position that caught my attention and I&nbsp;applied for it. I&nbsp;did my undergraduate, graduate, and initial doctoral studies here, and I&nbsp;love the department. I&nbsp;have a&nbsp;Bachelor’s&nbsp;degree in Chemistry.</p><h5><strong>Are you collaborating with anyone?</strong></h5><p>We collaborate with BUT Brno focusing on creating layers and immobilizing catalysts on glass, as well as with the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. And as for organic synthesis, we are connected with Ghent University via postdoc internships. At the same time, my colleague Viola Tokárová and I&nbsp;received a&nbsp;Czech Science Foundation grant in cooperation with BUT Brno and Masaryk University, with our part of the project focusing on the use of flow reactors for photochemical reactions and testing the antibacterial properties of photocatalytic materials. And I&nbsp;am writing other grant proposals in which I&nbsp;am trying to build new collaborations.</p><h5><strong>What does the creation of an independent research group at UCT Prague look like?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;started by renovating the premises that were assigned to me and gradually building my team. It is important for research work to have Ph.D. students; I&nbsp;have already hired one and we will recruit more. In addition to building the group, I&nbsp;will engage in securing further funding for the group, so I&nbsp;will be writing more grant proposals. It is important to think far enough in advance when it comes to prospective funding for a&nbsp;research group.</p><h5><strong>What type of students are you looking for?</strong></h5><p>The laboratory and team I&nbsp;are building will be very multidisciplinary, just like the area I&nbsp;am working on. That is why I&nbsp;am looking for students who are attracted to true multidisciplinary research, those who, for example, have knowledge of engineering, but who don’t&nbsp;mind a&nbsp;little bit of pure chemistry. One student in their own right does not have to (and cannot) know every subject, so I&nbsp;will ideally have a&nbsp;team consisting of different people with different research backgrounds. Motivated, DIY-type students who would rather enthusiastically build or invent something themselves than conduct repetitive measurements. Organic or analytical chemists will also find their place here. If this topic is interesting to students in any way, they can definitely contact me. I&nbsp;am also open to interdepartmental cooperation with other UCT Prague Faculties.</p><h5><strong>How would you describe your path to photocatalysis/chemical engineering?</strong></h5><p>Studying Chemistry as an undergrad gave me a&nbsp;broad perspective, but I&nbsp;was gradually narrowing my focus and eventually chose engineering. Chemical engineering intrigued me with its logic and was the easiest for me to grasp at the time. But I&nbsp;have always enjoyed working on projects more than the studies themselves. Even during my Bachelor studies, I&nbsp;really enjoyed and was interested in the Professor Štěpánek Group’s&nbsp;projects, where I&nbsp;was doing something completely different than I&nbsp;do&nbsp;now. I&nbsp;only got into photochemistry during my time at CAS and then, during my postdoctoral fellowship, I&nbsp;devoted myself to electrochemistry. My current focus is, thus, a&nbsp;natural interlinking of all these areas. Consequentially, I&nbsp;developed an awareness of the necessity to become independent and return to the department with my own, different research agenda, which, in my opinion, is an important and correct basis for establishing my own research group.</p><h5><strong>What is the biggest challenge of this project for you?</strong></h5><p>The transition from being a&nbsp;postdoc to a&nbsp;leadership position is a&nbsp;big change for me and I&nbsp;think it is not talked about enough. It means a&nbsp;shift from my own experimental work to leading a&nbsp;team, planning and delegating tasks, and motivating students. From a&nbsp;practical point of view, one of the main challenges is the transfer of reactions from the microscale to functional systems, the construction of reactors, the immobilization of catalysts, and generally confirming that this direction makes sense in the long term and that it has future potential.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="830" height="839"></p>

I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea

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The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

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Thermo Scientific Neoma MS/MS MC-ICP-MS

The Neoma MS/MS MC-ICP-MS is the first dedicated collision/reaction cell MC-ICP-MS with unique pre-cell mass filtering technology, allowing you to separate out isobaric interferences.

<div><div id="product-description"><p><strong>Separate out isobaric interferences to achieve new levels of precision and accuracy in your isotope research. There are some situations when even the highest resolution is not enough and isobaric interferences cannot be resolved, even with the best ICP-MS instruments available. Thermo Scientific™ Neoma™ MS/MS MC-ICP-MS provides the solution.</strong></p><p>The Neoma MS/MS MC-ICP-MS is the first dedicated collision/reaction cell MC-ICP-MS with unique pre-cell mass filtering technology, allowing you to separate out isobaric interferences and opening up new avenues in the field of laser ablation MC-ICP-MS and beyond.</p></div><div><h3><strong>Modes</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Full transmission mode:</strong> High-precision isotope analysis without utilizing the collision/reaction cell technology. Additionally, the pre-cell mass filter can be used to remove matrix elements, boosting sensitivity and improving abundance sensitivity.</li><li><strong>Collision/reaction cell mode:</strong> For isotope systems with significant isobaric interferences, patented pre-cell mass filter technology removes matrix elements that might act to cause secondary reactions in the CRC.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:650/468;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Neoma_MS_MS_MC_ICP_MS_0986e1671d.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ Neoma™ MS/MS MC-ICP-MS." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Neoma_MS_MS_MC_ICP_MS_0986e1671d.jpg 217w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="468"></figure><h3><strong>Applications</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>In-situ Rb-Sr dating:</strong> Unprecedented precision for dating geological samples by a combination of the pre-cell mass filter, the collision/reaction cell and the multicollector detector array.</li><li><strong>Interference-free Ti isotope analysis:</strong> The pre-cell mass filter can be used to remove molecular and doubly charged interferences, and the collision/reaction cell can be used to remove isobaric interferences.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001006_sr_ioms_b_isotopes_an001006_en_90167475a4.pdf"><strong>In-situ boron isotope analysis of biogenic carbonates</strong></a>: Unprecedented accuracy LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis by using the pre-cell mass filter to remove interferences from scattered Ca<sup>4+</sup> ions on <sup>10</sup>B</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_001035_ioms_mc_icp_ms_neoma_potassium_an001035_em_en_913d82d28d.pdf"><strong>K isotope analysis</strong></a>: Interference of <sup>40</sup>Ar<sup>+</sup> can hamper the precision and accuracy of the K isotope analysis. Remove the <sup>40</sup>Ar<sup>+</sup> interference with either: (1) the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/BRE0014262">eXtra High Resolution (XHR)</a> of Neoma MC-ICP-MS, or (2) for smaller sample sizes, the use of H<sub>2</sub> and He in the collision/reaction cell to neutralize <sup>40</sup>Ar and <sup>40</sup>ArH</li></ul><h3><strong>Technology options</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Extended choice with 24 amplifier array:</strong> Ion current amplifiers are mounted in a doubly shielded, evacuated and thermostatted housing with a temperature stability of 0.01°C/hour, to guarantee baseline and gain stability.</li><li><strong>Enhanced variable detector array:</strong> Precise alignment of all 11 cups with ion beams of different dispersions to ensure the flexibility to cover isotopic applications from Li through to U, in low or high resolution, and without compromising the native dispersion of the mass analyzer.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/BRE0025160"><strong>Jet Interface</strong></a>: The Jet Interface, in combination with a desolvating nebulizer system, increases sensitivity by 10 to 20 times compared to standard wet plasma.</li><li><strong>Choice of resolution:</strong> 3 different mass resolutions for maximizing the sensitivity of your analysis whilst allowing interferences to be resolved.</li><li><strong>Flexibility of detector types:</strong> A flexible, three-detector system spanning &gt;9 orders of magnitude in signal intensity range (1 cps – 6 Gcps). The central channel is equipped with a dual-mode detector that can be switched from Faraday cup to SEM ion counter, and with the proprietary relay matrix, any amplifier can be assigned to any of the Faraday cups via software.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAMGAATFAPTMZZZ"><strong>10<sup>13</sup>Ω amplifier technology</strong></a>: Ensures fast response times with extremely low noise characteristics. The benefits of Faraday cups can be realized at low signal intensities (30 kcps – 3 Mcps), delivering external precisions that approach the ultimate limits of counting statistics.</li></ul></div></div>

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