Scientists from the CTLAB at CEITEC Brno University of Technology used a new industrial CT scanner to examine the Bastion ballistic helmet manufactured by the U.S.-based company Ballistic Armor Co. Without making a single cut, the scanner revealed the helmet's internal structure, including its individual protective layers, and confirmed the absence of manufacturing defects. The results demonstrate the technology's potential for quality control and the development of protective equipment for the defense industry.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_4be342238c.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: Bastion Helmet by Ballistic Amor Co. scanned at CTLAB CEITEC." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_4be342238c.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique widely used in medicine. Using X-rays, CT scanners produce detailed 2D cross-sectional images or 3D models of internal organs, allowing physicians to examine the inside of the human body without surgery and identify structural changes in tissues. Industrial CT scanners at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ctlab.ceitec.cz/">CTLAB CEITEC</a> operate on the same principle but use significantly higher X-ray energies than medical systems. This enables researchers to inspect larger and more complex objects with exceptional precision while keeping them completely intact through non-destructive testing.The laboratory's newest scanner, the Waygate Technologies phoenix v|tome|x L450, installed only at the end of last year, is unique in the research environment. Its size and power allow it to penetrate, for example, steel objects up to 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) thick while maintaining a resolution of only a few tens of micrometers.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_4_bf54aa6ef1.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: Anna Smith from Ballistic Armor Co. and Michaela Škaroupková from CTLAB CEITEC." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_4_bf54aa6ef1.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">"Based on its technical capabilities, we knew this system could analyze highly complex composite materials. That's why we challenged it with the Bastion ballistic helmet from Ballistic Armor Co.," explains Tomáš Zikmund from the X-ray Computed Micro- and Nano-Tomography Laboratory at CEITEC Brno University of Technology (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ctlab.ceitec.cz/">CTLAB CEITEC</a>). The helmet is designed to provide protection against handgun ammunition.The helmet is manufactured from Aramid fibers, better known by the trade name Kevlar. Aramid is widely used in ballistic protection and aerospace applications because of its exceptional strength, durability, and low weight. Combined with the helmet's other materials, it forms a highly complex internal structure that only the most advanced CT systems can visualize.<h3>CT Helps Ensure Quality Without Damaging the Product</h3>As part of the study, the Bastion helmet was exposed to X-rays for several hours. The result was a highly detailed 3D model of its internal structure, clearly revealing the individual ballistic layers as well as the soft padding materials—all without cutting the helmet apart. The analysis also detected no manufacturing defects."Results from non-destructive CT inspections like this improve our understanding of how protective equipment is built and help manufacturers maintain the highest standards of quality and safety," says Anna Smith, Director of Business Development at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ballisticarmorco.com/">Ballistic Armor Co</a>.Non-destructive CT analysis, however, is not a substitute for standard ballistic testing, which remains essential for verifying that protective equipment meets the required ballistic resistance specified by applicable standards. Instead, the technology serves as an effective tool for routine manufacturing quality control, verification of production consistency, and regular audits of products whose ballistic performance has already been validated.According to Tomáš Zikmund, the successful test marks another important milestone in demonstrating the capabilities of the laboratory's new CT system for defense applications. Earlier this spring, the research team showcased the scanner by examining an airsoft rifle, non-destructively verifying the correct placement of mechanical components and wiring while also inspecting the materials for pores and microcracks.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_3_9a68c9c71c.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: Bastion Helmet by Ballistic Amor Co. scanned at CTLAB CEITEC." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_3_9a68c9c71c.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">These studies demonstrate that industrial CT has an important role to play in the defense sector. In many cases, it can complement destructive quality-control methods used during manufacturing by enabling detailed inspections without disassembling or damaging the product. Modern CT technology provides deep, highly precise, and completely non-destructive inspection. It does not, however, replace conventional ballistic testing, which remains the only method capable of verifying the required level of ballistic protection."Our goal is to strengthen collaboration between science, technology development, and the defense industry," Zikmund concludes. "We believe our technology can help manufacturers not only improve production quality but also gain valuable insights into the behavior of materials and the design principles behind modern protective equipment."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_2_1559697260.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: Bastion Helmet by Ballistic Amor Co. scanned at CTLAB CEITEC." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_2_1559697260.jpeg 104w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2400"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_5_8dab8c31ab.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: CEITEC BUT/CEITEC BUT with the permission of Ballistic Armor Co.: Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut: Anna Smith from Ballistic Armor Co. and Michaela Škaroupková from CTLAB CEITEC." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Profesionalni_ochranne_vybaveni_pod_rentgenem_Vyzkumnici_z_CEITEC_overili_kvalitu_balisticke_prilby_bez_jedineho_rezu_5_8dab8c31ab.jpeg 103w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2420">

Professional Protective Gear Under X-Rays: CEITEC Researchers Verify the Quality of a Ballistic Helmet Without Making a Single Cut 

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 3rd August 2026? 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 other document by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Determination of Toxic Elements in Durian and Jackfruit Using an Agilent Automated ICP-MS System According to China GB 5009.268</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_icpms_durian_5994_9351en_agilent_fcafe537c7.pdf">Full PDF for download</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>Fruit is an essential part of daily human nutrition, providing vital vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.3 The Chinese market, with over 1.4 billion people, has become one of the largest fruit markets in the world. It is expected that China's total fruit consumption will reach about 312 million tons by 2025.4 Additionally, fruit imports are projected to exceed 9 million tons annually, underscoring the country's strong domestic demand and reliance on imported supplies.&nbsp;Within this context, China has become a major export destination for Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, and others. Thanks to favorable climate conditions and a wide variety of tropical fruit cultivars, these countries have strategically increased their fruit exports to satisfy Chinese market demand. Specifically, products such as durian and jackfruit have gained significant popularity, playing an increasingly vital role in regional agricultural trade.&nbsp;However, the biggest challenge for those countries when entering the Chinese market is strict food safety regulations, especially limits on trace elements and heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) sets very low Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs, Table 1). Additionally, the large, continuous volume of fruit exports makes time a critical factor, as any delay can affect product quality and reduce its economic value. This situation places significant pressure on testing laboratories, requiring the development of stable, rapid, and accurate methods to ensure continuous and reliable operations.&nbsp;To address these challenges, the Agilent ICP Workflow Automation System offers a practical solution. The ICP‑MS 7900 provides high-throughput, highly sensitive, and precise measurements of trace elements and heavy metals, including Pb, Cd, Hg, and As. The combination of ADS2 and AVS helps reduce sample turnaround time and cost per analysis. The Advanced Dilution System (ADS2) automatically performs important tasks such as preparing a multipoint calibration from a single stock standard up to 400 times, diluting samples above the calibration range, or, if there is an internal standard recovery issue, eliminating the need for manual dilution. The Advanced Valve System (AVS) automatically rinses the sample introduction system while the next sample is being analyzed, virtually eliminating the delays typical of conventional analysis. Using controlled argon bubble injection between the sample and rinse solution prevents mixing, reducing uptake and rinse times. This study describes the use of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7900">Agilent 7900 ICP-MS</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=SPS+4">Agilent SPS 4 autosampler</a>, AVS, and ADS2 auto-dilution for the analysis of four toxic elements in durian and jackfruit samples using the China GB 5009.268 method.1<h4>Results and discussion&nbsp;</h4><h5>Automatic calibration standards and Instrument stability&nbsp;</h5>A 7-point calibration curve automatically prepared using the ADS 2 demonstrated excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.05–10 µg/L. Using a 1/x weighted regression without forcing the calibration through the origin, all analytes achieved coefficients of determination (R²) ≥ 0.995 (Figure 3), with back-calculated concentrations within 90–110% of their theoretical values, confirming the suitability of the calibration range for routine quantification. The integrated automation workflow significantly improved laboratory productivity by completing calibration preparation and analysis in approximately 1.5 minutes per sample. By minimizing manual operations and operator intervention, the ADS 2 reduced the risk of contamination and human error while enabling higher sample throughput for routine food safety testing.&nbsp;To evaluate instrument stability during continuous operation, the variation in internal standard recoveries was monitored throughout an analytical sequence of more than 70&nbsp;consecutive samples. The recoveries of the three internal standards across different measurement modes remained consistently within the ±20% acceptance limit throughout the analytical sequence (Figure 4). Blank samples interspersed between concentration intervals showed no evidence of carryover, demonstrating effective system cleanliness and analytical robustness. These results confirm the excellent long-term stability and robust matrix tolerance of the Agilent 7900 ICP-MS, providing reliable performance for high-throughput routine food safety testing.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>The Agilent 7900 ICP-MS, integrated with the SPS 4 autosampler, ADS 2, and AVS, delivers a fully automated, high-throughput workflow for routine trace-level multi-element analysis. By eliminating manual standard preparation and minimizing operator intervention, the solution reduces labor costs, improves data consistency, and empowers laboratories to maximize productivity and analytical capacity to meet increasing testing demands.&nbsp;Excellent sensitivity, long-term stability, and robust interference removal, together with satisfactory recoveries, repeatability, and reproducibility for As, Cd, Pb, and Hg at an LOQ of 5 µg/kg, demonstrate reliable analytical performance. Compliance with Chinese regulatory requirements further position the Agilent automation solution as a cost-effective platform for high-volume food safety testing and export quality assurance, enabling laboratories to confidently support the growing demand for exports to the Chinese&nbsp;market.<h3>2. Shimadzu: TOC Evaluation of Surfactants</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01160_en_539fba0ba2.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h5>User benefits</h5><ul><li>TOC can be evaluated accurately using the TC-IC method, even for foaming surfactants.&nbsp;</li><li>The ASI-L autosampler enables automatic, continuous measurement of multiple samples, improving analytical efficiency.</li></ul>Surfactants are important chemicals widely used in detergents and dispersants for pharmaceutical equipment cleaning processes, chemical manufacturing processes, and environmental water management. If surfactant residues remain after such processes, they can not only affect manufacturing processes and final product quality, but also increase the organic load in wastewater and environmental water. Therefore, quality control is also needed for organic matter derived from surfactants.&nbsp;Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is effective for evaluating the quality of surfactants. In general, the NPOC (non-purgeable organic carbon) method is often selected for TOC measurement in terms of sample volume and analysis time requirements. On the other hand, because surfactants have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups in their structure, they tend to foam even at low concentrations. When such samples are measured by the NPOC method, which involves acid addition and sparging, foaming can cause the sample to overflow from the syringe vessel inside the instrument into the waste line. That can result in measurement valuesthat are lower than the true value.&nbsp;This article compares TOC measurement results for surfactants obtained by the NPOC method and the TC-IC method using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=TOC-L">Shimadzu TOC-L total organic carbon analyzer</a>, which uses the combustion oxidation method.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Table 5 summarizes the results obtained by measuring sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate solutions, used here as representative surfactant samples, by the NPOC method and the TC-IC method. With the NPOC method, the TOC recovery rates were below 50 % for all samples, whereas the TC-IC method produced satisfactory TOC recovery rates close to 100 % for all samples.Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate solutions (carbon concentration: 0.5 mg/L) is also used in Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) recovery tests. For surfactants that readily foam, such as in this example, NPOC measurements involving acid addition and sparging may affect measurement accuracy due to sample loss. For such samples, accurate TOC values can be obtained by using the TC-IC method. In addition, by using the ASI-L autosampler, multiple samples can be measured automatically and continuously.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: How rhodium plating can affect gold XRF results</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=315&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=niton">Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XRF Analyzers</a> can help precious metals professionals detect rhodium (Rh) plating and interpret gold (Au) results with confidence.<ul><li>Other document (smart note)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/rhodium_plating_can_affect_gold_xrf_results_sn1862_en_331edc099a.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h4>Benefits of XRF in jewelry analysis&nbsp;</h4>Niton XRF analyzers provide capabilities that can enhance a jeweler’s operations in several ways:&nbsp;<ul><li>Identify Rh-plated gold items during routine testing&nbsp;</li><li>Reduce confusion around unexpected Au readings&nbsp;</li><li>Support more confident buying, selling, refining, and verification decisions&nbsp;</li><li>Help explain results to customers, suppliers, and trading partners&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Reduce risk in precious metals trading&nbsp;</h4>In precious metals trading, small differences in reported gold concentration can affect pricing, settlement, customer trust, and supplier relationships. Recognizing Rh plating helps users avoid unnecessary disputes, retesting, or destructive testing when the surface finish is influencing the measurement.&nbsp;<h4>Best practices&nbsp;</h4>One should always check the result for Rh when Au appears lower than expected.&nbsp;<ul><li>Test multiple locations, especially where plating may vary&nbsp;</li><li>Look for worn or unplated areas when appropriate&nbsp;</li><li>Interpret Au results in the context of surface finish and item history&nbsp;</li><li>If appropriate, remove the rhodium plating prior to XRF analysis to evaluate the underlying alloy&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>The bottom line&nbsp;</h4>Rhodium plating can make a properly karated gold item appear to return a lower Au result when it is evaluated by XRF. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=315&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=niton">Niton XRF analyzers</a> can detect Rh at the surface, helping precious metals professionals recognize plating, interpret results correctly, and make more confident decisions.

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 32, 2026

In late February 2025, a train carrying benzene derailed in Hustopeče nad Bečvou, and within hours, a race was on to save the groundwater and surface water. One of the most toxic industrial substances began seeping into the gravel-sand subsoil. While fieldwork was underway to prevent the spread of contamination, decisions were already being made in the CXI TUL laboratories regarding how to subsequently clean up the contaminated rock environment.The accident ranks among the most serious environmental incidents in the Czech Republic in recent years. After a tanker train derailed, hundreds of metric tons of benzene leaked; due to the highly permeable geological subsoil, it quickly seeped into deeper soil layers and into the groundwater. The combination of the substance’s high toxicity and local conditions complicated both the emergency response and the subsequent remediation. The key was to stop further spread, determine the extent of the contamination, and establish a remediation strategy for the entire site.It was at this stage that CXI TUL became involved in the solution. At the request of the renowned remediation company DEKONTA, a.s., a team led by RNDr. Jan Němeček, Ph.D., began testing the feasibility of the in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) method. This technology is designed to break down benzene directly within the rock matrix, without the need for extensive excavation of contaminated soil or the pumping out of large volumes of groundwater. The goal was simple: to find a method that would work quickly, safely, and under the actual conditions of the affected site.<h4>Benzene Remediation: Technically Simple, Complicated in Practice</h4>Benzene is a highly toxic and carcinogenic substance that rapidly penetrates into groundwater in permeable subsoil, where it dissolves and spreads further as the water flows toward surface water bodies. Benzene also binds to rock particles and migrates in the form of vapors into overlying unconsolidated layers.Scientists in Liberec therefore tested in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technology under laboratory conditions. The goal was to find an oxidant capable of breaking down benzene directly underground into less hazardous substances.The tests evaluated two main options: activated hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate. Both substances removed up to 99.99% of the benzene, but there was a difference in their kinetics and impacts on the natural environment. Activated hydrogen peroxide achieved nearly complete degradation of the contaminant within a single day. Activated sodium peroxodisulfate was slower and also significantly altered the chemistry of the water; it acidified the environment and increased the sulfate content in the water, which poses an additional environmental burden.For field applications, the researchers therefore unequivocally recommended activated hydrogen peroxide.<h4>Dosage Matters</h4>It was not just the oxidant’s effectiveness that was key. It was equally important to determine how the chemical reaction would behave in a real geological environment. The team of scientists therefore also analyzed what is known as soil oxidant consumption (SOD). It turned out that a significant portion of the oxidizing agent does not react solely with benzene but is also consumed to a significant extent by the rock environment itself, particularly by natural organic substances present in the fine-grained fraction of the soil.An oxidant consumption value was determined specifically for the local composition of the aquifers, which is essential for the correct dosing of chemicals in the field so that the remediation is not only effective but also economically viable and safe for surrounding ecosystems.<h4>One Year After the Accident: Research Turns into Real-World Assistance</h4>While the public often perceives university science as a distant world of laboratories and grant projects, it is precisely situations like this that demonstrate its practical impact. The results of the work by researchers at CXI TUL did not remain confined to academic studies but directly influenced decisions regarding the technology used to clean up one of the largest environmental accidents in recent years.

Science on the Front Lines: Cleanup of a Benzene Spill

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Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

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LECO Cornerstone TF Tube Furnaces deliver high-temperature crucible baking up to 1350 °C, reducing contamination, improving carbon and sulfur accuracy, and cutting energy costs by up to 60%.

The LECO Cornerstone TF Tube Furnaces are versatile, energy-efficient resistance furnaces designed to bake crucibles and significantly reduce contaminants that can interfere with carbon and sulfur analytical results. Engineered for both high- and lower-volume laboratories, the TF series improves data accuracy, repeatability, and operating efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption.<h4>Key Features</h4><ul><li>Long-life molybdenum disilicide heating elements with an operating temperature range from 800 °C to 1350 °C</li><li>Integrated digital furnace controller displaying set point or actual temperature with built-in overtemperature protection</li><li>TF4 Quad Tube Furnace<ul><li>Six heating elements</li><li>Enables simultaneous baking of crucibles in four combustion tubes</li><li>Ideal for demanding, high-volume installations supporting two to four analytical units</li></ul></li><li>TF2 Dual Tube Furnace<ul><li>Four heating elements</li><li>Efficient solution for lower-volume laboratories supporting one to two systems</li></ul></li><li>Increased crucible capacity and optimized furnace design deliver up to 60% lower energy consumption compared to previous models, significantly reducing operating costs</li></ul><h4>Impact of Crucible Preheating on Analytical Results</h4>Preheating crucibles in the TF furnaces has a pronounced effect on carbon and sulfur accuracy. When 528-018 crucibles were baked at 1250 °C for 15 minutes, results for a high-purity iron reference material (certified at 5 ppm carbon and 2 ppm sulfur) showed dramatically improved accuracy and reduced variability.<ul><li>Baked crucibles produced results close to certified values with low standard deviation</li><li>Unbaked crucibles showed elevated carbon and sulfur levels</li><li>Baked but touched crucibles demonstrated significant contamination, highlighting the importance of proper handling after baking</li></ul>These results confirm that controlled crucible baking is essential for achieving low-level carbon and sulfur determinations with confidence.<h4>Energy Efficiency</h4>The redesigned TF furnaces use approximately 60% less energy than previous models. At continuous operation with a full crucible load and a furnace temperature of 1350 °C, operating cost comparisons clearly demonstrate substantial savings in power consumption, making the TF series both an analytical and economic advantage for modern laboratories.<h4>Models</h4><ul><li>TF4 – Quad Tube Furnace</li><li>TF2 – Dual Tube Furnace</li></ul>

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Science on the Front Lines: Cleanup of a Benzene Spill

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News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 32, 2026