A team led by scientists from CEITEC Masaryk University has uncovered the infection mechanism of tailed bacteriophages – a group of viruses that infect bacteria. These phages target, among others, Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of bacterial infections that is often resistant to antibiotics. The bacterium belongs to a group of Gram-positive bacteria characterised by an exceptionally thick cell wall. Although the infection mechanisms of some other bacteriophages have been described previously, the way tailed phages infecting Staphylococcus aureus and other thick-walled bacteria invade their hosts had remained unknown. The researchers have now revealed how such a bacteriophage breaches the protective barrier of the bacterial cell and delivers its genetic material inside. Their findings could contribute to the development of new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common sources of bacterial infections in humans. It can cause skin infections, pneumonia, and even life-threatening bloodstream infections. Moreover, many of its strains have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, increasing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as bacteriophage therapy.“Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and have been infecting bacteria for billions of years. Yet we still do not fully understand how they overcome the cell wall of certain Gram-positive bacteria. By reconstructing the bacteriophage structure before and after it attaches to a bacterial cell, we were able to reveal this process,” says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/jan-binovsky-ph-d/u91173?page=publication">Ján Bíňovský</a> of CEITEC Masaryk University, who led the study together with Marta Šiborová.Bacteriophage 812, investigated in this study, specifically infects Staphylococcus aureus. The researchers discovered that once it recognises the correct host, the protein structure at the tip of its tail undergoes extensive rearrangements. Individual components of this structure, which resembles a lunar landing module, reorganise into a new configuration that enables the virus to firmly attach to the bacterial surface. At the same time, a mechanism is activated that triggers contraction of the phage tail.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_01c86d5e42.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Phage before attachment to the bacterial cell." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_01c86d5e42.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4339" height="1600"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_2_53422574db.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Phage attached to the bacterial cell." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_2_53422574db.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4085" height="1600">“The process resembles the release of an extended spring. The bacteriophage tail contracts to approximately half of its original length, and the released energy drives the central tube through the bacterium's protective layers. The virus can then deliver its genetic material into the cell and initiate infection,” explains Marta Šiborová.Unlike many other bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus possesses an exceptionally thick cell wall. The researchers therefore investigated in detail how the bacteriophage overcomes this barrier. They found that the virus employs a combination of mechanical force and enzymatic activity. Some components of its infection apparatus likely disrupt teichoic acids, which form the outer protective layer of the bacterial cell wall. Other proteins then degrade peptidoglycan, the main structural component of the cell wall. Finally, the bacteriophage penetrates the inner lipid membrane, allowing its central tube to enter the bacterial cell.The findings show that the bacteriophage does not function as a simple "needle", but rather as a sophisticated nanomachine composed of dozens of cooperating proteins.Although this is fundamental research, the findings may prove important for future medical applications. Bacteriophages are considered one of the promising alternatives for treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.“If we want to use bacteriophages therapeutically in the future – or even engineer them for specific medical applications – we first need to understand in detail how they work. Our study provides fundamental insight into how bacteriophages recognise their hosts and initiate infection,” says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/pavel-plevka-ph-d/u26854">Pavel Plevka</a>, structural biologist and head of a research group at CEITEC Masaryk University.<blockquote>The study, published in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">EMBO Journal</a>, also involved researchers from the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.</blockquote><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_3_fba5a65145.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Plevka Lab: How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria: Black = protein structure at the tip of the tail after the conformational change; red = portion of the tail that has begun to contract; blue = portion of the tail that remains extended." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Jak_zabit_zlateho_stafylokoka_novy_pohled_na_viry_ktere_si_poradi_s_bakteriemi_3_fba5a65145.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="782"><blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">Conformational changes of the baseplate regulating tail contraction of Staphylococcus phage 812</a></h4>Ján Bíňovský, Marta Šiborová, Maryna Zlatohurska, Jiří Nováček, Pavol Bárdy, Roman Baška, Karel Škubník, Tibor Botka, Martin Benešík, Roman Pantuček, Konstantinos Tripsianes &amp; Pavel PlevkaEMBO J (2026)<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9">https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00834-9</a>&nbsp;<h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>

 How to Kill Staphylococcus Aureus: A New Insight into Viruses That Can Defeat Bacteria 

Wastewater treatment plants struggle every day with substances that don’t simply disappear from the water. The removal of nitrogen compounds is very important at these plants. If too much of these substances remains in the water, they harm rivers and the life within them. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/5403">Karel Havlíček </a>from CXI TUL was a co-investigator on the HYMNA project, which combined two well-known treatment technologies into a single system. And he added something to them that isn’t commonly used at treatment plants: nanofibers.The full name of the project is “Hybrid MBR-MBBR System Using Nanomaterials for Advanced Wastewater Treatment.” The acronym is HYMNA. “It sounds a bit grand,” laughs co-investigator Karel Havlíček from the Department of Environmental Protection Technology. But the goal was indeed grand. The water that flows out of a treatment plant isn’t always as clean as it could be. And that’s a problem worth solving.<h4>A Screen and Beads</h4>Behind the acronyms MBR and MBBR lie two technologies that treatment plants typically deploy separately. But Karel combined them into a single process and demonstrated that together they can work significantly better. He validated the combination in practice and used it to design a technology with a clear procedure, measurable results, and the potential for real-world application.The MBR functions as a fine screen. The membranes trap impurities, organic matter, and undissolved particles. But even then, the process isn’t complete—nitrogenous compounds still remain in the clarified water.To address this, Karel Havlíček and his partners implemented the second part of the technology: MBBR. Small plastic beads with holes and nanofibers inside move freely in the tank with the help of aeration. Microorganisms grow and live on the surface of the nanofibers, converting ammonia nitrogen into nitrates.Why does this matter? Ammoniacal nitrogen is toxic to fish; it damages their gills and, at higher concentrations, kills them. An excess of nitrogen triggers algae blooms, causing the water to turn green, depleting oxygen levels, and suffocating aquatic life.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_2_6559ff2373.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_2_6559ff2373.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>Beads with a Nanofiber Core</h4>The beads are no accident. Karel inserted nanofiber carriers—a fine fibrous material to which microorganisms quickly and firmly attach—into plastic bodies with holes. He had already proposed this concept in his dissertation.The path to the final design was not straightforward. Originally, it was a nanofiber layer. However, it gradually washed off the beads. They replaced it with yarn, which holds its shape. The result is a utility model for new biomass carriers.The main advantage is the speed of colonization. On conventional materials, colonization takes much longer. Microorganisms colonize the nanofibers quickly. This is crucial, especially where the water is hostile or toxic to them.Industrial wastewater is often so polluted that bacteria cannot survive on conventional carriers. On a nanofiber surface, however, they manage to attach themselves before the environment destroys them. The system then works even where other technologies would fail.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_3_290e60625f.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_3_290e60625f.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>A Surprising Number</h4>The most important factor was how the system would handle ammonia nitrogen. The team even tested extreme concentrations of up to eighty milligrams per liter. And that’s not just fine-tuning. That’s a stress test pushing the limits—one that could cripple or completely halt the activity of the purifying microorganisms.The system handled it. At the outflow, they measured less than one milligram per liter.“We achieved a level that even a conventional treatment plant often can’t handle,” Karel said, expressing his surprise.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_4_00a10f7915.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_4_00a10f7915.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>Container-Based Treatment Plant</h4>Combining the two technologies brought an added benefit. The system can function not only as a post-treatment unit following a standard treatment plant but also as a standalone modular treatment plant. No construction is needed; the system can be delivered, connected, and put into operation.“Industrial facilities will especially appreciate this. Companies that currently transport contaminated water in barrels as hazardous waste could handle part of the treatment themselves,” explains Karel. According to him, this would mean less waste, less logistics, and lower costs for companies.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_5_15c7bfefc3.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_5_15c7bfefc3.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="768" height="1024"><h4>A Myth That Didn’t Pan Out</h4>Apart from the main project, Karel’s team asked themselves another question: Can microorganisms in a standard wastewater treatment plant biofilm on carriers break down micropollutants—that is, traces of medications or pesticides that end up in the water?Some studies suggested that this might be possible.But the enthusiasm quickly faded. “No degradation occurs. The micropollutants simply accumulate in the system,” Karel states. The system captures them but does not destroy them. That requires more powerful methods, such as ozone or UV radiation.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_f8251f3b2e.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Kulicky_s_nanovlakennym_srdcem_Takhle_se_da_cistit_voda_lip_f8251f3b2e.jpg 110w," sizes="100vw" width="724" height="1024"><blockquote>The HYMNA project, part of the TREND program of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, in collaboration with ENVI-PUR, s.r.o. (principal investigator) and Pražské vodovody a kanalizace, a.s.</blockquote>

Beads with a nanofiber core. This is a better way to purify water.

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 27th July 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, Shimadzu and Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: High-Precision Determination of Phosphorus and Potassium in Fertilizers by ICP-OES</h3>Accurate nutrient analysis of fertilizers using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5800">Agilent 5800 ICP-OES</a> and standard bracketing<ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_fertilizers_standard_bracketing_5800_icp_oes_5994_9311en_agilent_83cbca87fd.pdf">Full PDF for download</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>Accurate characterization of fertilizer nutrient content is critical for optimizing plant growth, maximizing yield, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Fertilizers must comply with strict regulatory specifications, particularly for declared NPK (nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium) ratios, which define the relative nutrient content supplied to crops. Even small deviations from the specified ratio can impact plant yield, regulatory compliance, customer confidence in the product, as well as its commercial value.&nbsp;Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is a well-established technique for multi-element analysis of complex samples, so is ideally suited to meet the precision and accuracy requirements of fertilizer testing.1,2 However, applications that require very tight tolerances, such as NPK verification, benefit from enhanced calibration approaches as even small deviations from reported values can have large financial implications for the manufacturer.Using Agilent ICP-OES instruments, standard bracketing calibration based on a standard–sample–standard measurement sequence, minimizes the impact of sample-to-sample variability and matrix effects.3,4 This approach further improves analytical precision and accuracy compared to conventional external calibration, making it a particularly valuable method for analyzing fertilizers with tightly controlled specifications.&nbsp;In this study, an Agilent 5800 Vertical Dual View (VDV) ICP-OES, equipped with an Agilent SPS 4 autosampler and controlled using Agilent ICP Expert Pro software,5 was used to determine P and K concentrations and corresponding NPK ratios in a standard reference material (SRM) and two commercially available fertilizers. The standard bracketing method was adapted from ISO methods 11494 and 114956,7 and adjusted for fertilizer analysis. The performance of the method, when combined with real-time data processing tools, was evaluated for accuracy and precision.<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=5800">Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES </a>was configured with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=SPS+4+autosampler">Agilent SPS 4 autosampler</a>, which provided automated sample delivery to the instrument (Figure 1). The 5800 ICP-OES was equipped with an Agilent SeaSpray nebulizer, double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, and one-piece VDV torch with a 1.8 mm internal diameter (ID) injector. All components were controlled by Agilent ICP Expert Pro* software. Instrument operating parameters are listed in Table 1.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES standard bracketing method for high-precision determination of phosphorus and potassium in fertilizers. The method delivered excellent performance, with relative standard deviations below 0.1% and excellent agreement with expected NPK values, with recoveries ranging from 99 to 102%. The combination of gravimetrically prepared standards, internal standard correction, and bracketing calibration minimizes analytical variability and ensures reliable results for fertilizer quality control.&nbsp;In addition, Agilent ICP Expert Pro software streamlines analysis through real-time calculations and automated quality control tools, improving laboratory efficiency and reducing the risk of reporting errors. This approach provides a robust and practical solution for high throughput fertilizer testing laboratories, enabling precise NPK verification that strengthens regulatory compliance, reduces the risk of mislabeling, and supports accurate product pricing.<h3>2. Shimadzu: Multifaceted Evaluation of Frozen Tempura Batter Coating Focusing on Food Texture</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00987_en_f919b540e7.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The “deliciousness” of foods consists of multiple factors, including taste, smell, and visual appeal. However, texture, sometimes called “mouthfeel,” is also one extremely important factor. Mouthfeel refers to the physical sensations experienced when food is placed in the mouth or chewed, and is expressed by various onomatopoeic words such as “crisp” and “chewy.” Among these, the packaging of some foods uses onomatopoeic terms to emphasize the appeal of their distinctive textures, and this has become an important “selling point” for consumers when deciding which product to select.&nbsp;In the development of food products, the method of evaluating texture has become a key point. Sensory methods have long been used, but because sensory evaluations depend on the human senses, they are easily influenced by differences between individuals conducting the evaluation and their physical condition.Thus, the difficulty in ensuring repeatability is an issue. As an additional issue, technical training for the panelists who conduct evaluations also requires time and labor. To compensate for these problems, evaluation methods based on measurement of physical properties with instruments may be used. This approach eliminatesthe human error that had been a problem with sensory evaluations, enabling objective evaluations.&nbsp;Food texture is also complexly influenced by the interactions of various factors, such as the ingredients contained in the food, their amounts, and the cooking method. Since differences in these factors may appear in the structure and surface condition of foods, observation and measurement of the internalstructure and surface condition of foods make it possible to analyze and understand the factors that contribute to texture, allowing more efficient food product development from the physical viewpoint. This article introduces an example of an analysis of the differencesin texture that occur due to differences in the heating method from the aspects of evaluation of physical properties and structural and surface observation, using frozen tempura asthe testsample.<h4>Experiment&nbsp;</h4>In this experiment, four instruments were used for evaluation of mechanical properties and structural and surface observation. Table 1 shows the names of the instruments, the purpose of the experiment, and the corresponding sectionsin this article. The test samples used here were commercially-available frozen tempura, which features “moistness” when prepared by microwave oven cooking and “crispness” after microwave oven + oven cooking. The “Moist” type is prepared by heating for 1 min in a microwave oven, and the “Crisp” type is prepared by additional heating in an oven after microwave heating. Since the heating time in the oven is adjusted depending on the sample size required by each instrument, the specific sample preparation procedure and the flow of the tests will be described in the sections concerning each instrument.<h5>Evaluation of Coating Surface Roughness by Laser Microscope&nbsp;</h5>The laser microscope was used in high-magnification measurements of the roughness of the sample surface and color observation (color images). It is possible to grasp the differences in the batter coatings of the “Moist” and “Crisp” types from changes in roughness and also changes in color. Fig. 11 shows the appearance of the OLS5500 laser microscope used here. In this instrument, optical resolution is enhanced by using a singlewavelength 405 nm laser beam, and topographical information can be acquired by reflective confocal laser microscopy. Color images of the same field can also be obtained by using a white LED.In this experiment, the samples were prepared by the following procedure in order to observe the same areas of the “Moist” and “Crisp” samples. First, the entire kabocha tempura was heated for 1 min in the microwave oven, after which part of the sample was cut off and observed on the stage (Fig. 12). Following this, the observed sample was heated in the oven and placed on the stage again, and the “Crisp” sample was observed (Fig. 13). To observe the shape of a wide area of the sample, an alignment (“tile-stitching”) function was used. The image acquisition condition was the ultra-high speed mode using a 20x objective lens.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>A sensory evaluation and evaluation of physical properties using a texture analyzer, and structural observations from the macro to the micro level using an X-ray CT, laser microscope, and SEM were conducted for frozen tempura with different food textures depending on the heating conditions. The impression of the food texture, or “mouthfeel,” obtained in the sensory evaluation was quantified in the form of physical property values by using the texture analyzer, and the factors that formed the grounds for those numerical values were then evaluated based on the results of various types of observation. As a result, it was suggested that differences in food texture correspond to changes in the food structure and oil content.&nbsp;In this experiment, different samples were examined with four types of instruments. However, if physical property tests can be carried out with the samples as-is after observation of the same areas, a more direct and high accuracy analysis is considered to be possible. Moreover, in this experiment, the food texture was changed by using different heating methods, but in cases where the ingredients (flour, oil) or the deep-frying method is changed, there is a possibility that different factors from those in this study may contribute to the texture. As demonstrated in this experiment, although “food texture” is often grasped sensorily, as suggested by the term “mouthfeel,” this property can be visualized scientifically in terms of the structure and physical properties of the food and the condition of the oil content by combining multifaceted evaluations using multiple instruments. This technique is expected to become an effective approach for reproducing and controlling the target texture in food product development and quality design.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Bauxite analysis with Niton XRF analyzers</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/bauxite_analysis_with_niton_xrf_analyzers_an1795_en_93b319a76e.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Globally, bauxite is the primary source of aluminum (Al) ore and anchors a major industry in many countries, including China, Australia, and Brazil. As such, grading Al concentration is of paramount interest in the mine as is the need to determine concentrations of penalty elements. The desired goal is to conduct all the analysis in a way that maximizes productivity.&nbsp;<h4>Application&nbsp;</h4>Analysis of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and iron (Fe) presents unique challenges. Accurate analysis of all three is critical for ore grading and understanding their influence on the processing and production of the primary metal of interest. Relying on lab-analysis only in bauxite mining operation often results in costly time delays and reduced productivity while waiting hour if not days and weeks for the results.&nbsp;With the ruggedized, dust- and splash-proof <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1997">Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL3t GOLDD+ XRL Analyzer</a>, near lab-quality analysis of Al, Si and Fe can be generated on sites, enabling quick decisions in at remote mines. Indeed, the Niton XL3t GOLDD+ analyzer provides rapid and accurate elemental analyses of bauxite ore enabling to map chemical concentrations in realtime, identify excavation hotspots and detect penalty elements.&nbsp;<h4>Handheld XRF analyzer&nbsp;</h4>Thermo Scientific Niton Handheld XRF analyzers, including the Niton XL3 GOLDD+ analyzer, easily analyze elements from magnesium (Mg) to uranium (U) to fill all exploration and mining needs. These instruments make it easy to perform trend analysis by averaging readings in real-time or by downloading results later to a PC. They deliver fast, accurate elemental analysis for intensive metals exploration and production whether base metals, precious metals, or even rare earth elements.<h4>Comments&nbsp;</h4>The correlation coefficients and repeatability data for the key elements in bauxite analysis demonstrate the excellent accuracy and precision of the handheld Niton XL3 950 GOLDD+ analyzer, indicating that the Niton XL3 GOLDD+ instrument is ideal for fast mine or field analysis. The instant chemical information it provides allows the user to make critical decisions with minimal downtime, keeping projects running and productive. Additionally, they provide information that minimizes the expense and time of shipping samples for analysis and increases savings. The Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analyzer is a great addition to any process in the life of the mine.

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 31, 2026

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Application

Environment

Water

Science and research

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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The Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations of the Technical University of Liberec, also known as CXI TUL, was founded in 2009. Our mission is to support TUL's long-term vision of collaboration with industry and innovation.

CXI TUL

Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope

The Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope is an easy-to-use confocal Raman system with automated calibration, high stability, and flexible laser options for a wide range of applications.

The Thermo Scientific™ DXR3 Raman Microscope is a modern, easy-to-use point-and-shoot Raman microscope designed to provide faster, more reliable access to Raman data than ever before. Advanced imaging capabilities combined with automated system calibration deliver exceptional stability, reproducibility, and confidence in Raman measurements—even for non-specialist users.Thanks to Automated X-axis Calibration, the DXR3 system maintains long-term accuracy and reliability while minimizing user intervention. With a flexible choice of lasers and gratings, the DXR3 Raman Microscope is ideally suited for applications across pharmaceutical research, academia, advanced polymers, microplastics, and many other demanding fields.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_6_1dd5de4a21.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_6_1dd5de4a21.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="299"><h3>Key capabilities</h3><ul><li>New Particle Analysis functionality for rapid identification and analysis of microparticles</li><li>High-performance confocal Raman microscopy in a robust, fully integrated design</li><li>Fully automated alignment and calibration with no tools or manual procedures required</li><li>Real-time preview, automated fluorescence correction, auto-exposure, and cosmic ray rejection</li><li>System status indicator providing at-a-glance confirmation that the instrument is optimized and ready for data acquisition</li><li>Three-path fine-beam autoalignment to maintain peak performance and sampling integrity</li><li>Active laser power regulation ensuring consistent sample excitation throughout the lifetime of the laser</li><li>Advanced spectrograph design with no moving parts for simplified operation and highly robust detection and calibration</li><li>Pre-aligned, lock-in-place components with automatic recognition and stored alignment, enabling system reconfiguration in seconds</li><li>Interchangeable lasers and components shared across the DXR3 Raman family</li><li>Optional automated polarized Raman spectroscopy for structural information complementary to chemical data</li><li>Add new excitation wavelengths without tools or service engineer intervention</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_2_e366caa151.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_2_e366caa151.jpg 204w," sizes="100vw" width="631" height="483"><h3>Laser safety</h3><ul><li>Microscope independently certified as Class 1 laser safe (Note: optional fiber-optic accessories and certain other optional components are Class 3B laser devices and require appropriate laser safety precautions and eyewear)</li><li>Laser is physically blocked from the visual viewing path, preventing eye exposure during sample observation</li></ul><h3>Validation and compliance</h3><ul><li>Complete DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ validation package available, including extensive documentation and automated software protocols</li><li>OMNIC™ D/S software supports compliance with 21 CFR Part 11</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_3_62f6baad12.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_3_62f6baad12.jpg 178w," sizes="100vw" width="630" height="553"><h3>Exceptional analytical performance</h3><ul><li>Spatial resolution down to 540 nm on ideal samples</li><li>Confocal depth resolution as fine as 1.7 µm on ideal samples</li><li>Full spectral range of 3500–50 cm⁻¹ captured in a single CCD exposure, eliminating stitching artifacts</li><li>Extended spectral range up to 6000 cm⁻¹ available with the 532 nm laser</li><li>Support for multiple excitation lasers: 455, 532, 633, and 785 nm (high-brightness and high-power options)</li><li>Automatic fluorescence correction available for all excitation lasers</li><li>Research-grade Olympus viewing optics</li><li>Automatic intensity correction enabling spectral comparability between instruments and across different excitation lasers</li><li>Multidimensional wavelength calibration ensuring accurate calibration across the entire spectral range</li><li>Proprietary Triplet spectrograph delivering exceptional peak shape and maintaining focus at all wavelengths</li><li>Software-controlled switching between confocal and high-energy collection modes</li><li>Proprietary algorithms for automated cosmic ray rejection and high-quality laser line filters for artifact-free spectra</li><li>Depolarized lasers to eliminate confusing sample orientation effects</li><li>Active laser power monitoring ensures reproducible excitation power over the laser lifetime and after laser replacement</li><li>Optimized gratings for each excitation laser, avoiding performance compromises associated with shared gratings</li><li>Proprietary autoalignment maintains the system in like-new condition</li><li>Smart-Backgrounds technology automatically removes the CCD dark energy profile</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_5_ca01560747.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3_Raman_Microscope_5_ca01560747.jpg 210w," sizes="100vw" width="633" height="471"><h3>Recommended applications</h3><ul><li>Forensics – trace evidence analysis and illicit drug identification</li><li>Pharmaceuticals – polymorphism studies, particulate contamination, and diffusion analysis</li><li>Art restoration and conservation – identification and characterization of pigments, resins, glazes, and inks</li><li>Archaeology – characterization of horn, shell, bone, and ceramic artifacts</li><li>Solar materials – silicon crystallinity and photovoltaic material characterization</li><li>Polymers – inclusions, gel defects, weathering effects, laminate layers, and crystallinity</li><li>Failure analysis – characterization of particulates and small surface features</li><li>Gemology – rapid identification of colored stones, differentiation of natural and synthetic diamonds, characterization of inclusions and adulterants</li><li>Nanotechnology – graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), DLC coatings, and other nanostructures</li><li>Academic research – materials science, biological studies, and a wide range of applied research fields</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3xi_Raman_Imaging_Microscope_9_5d3708416c.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific DXR3 Raman Microscope" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_DXR_3xi_Raman_Imaging_Microscope_9_5d3708416c.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="650"><h3>Specification</h3><ul><li>Depth (Metric): 68 cm</li><li>Description: DXR3 Raman Microscope</li><li>Electrical Requirements: 100/240 V, 47/63 Hz</li><li>Electronic Records and Signatures: 21CFR Part 11</li><li>For Use With (Application):&nbsp;<ul><li>Pharmaceutical</li><li>Microplastics</li><li>Forensics</li><li>Polymer/Chemical</li><li>Petrochemical</li><li>Material Science</li><li>Nanomaterials</li><li>Academia</li><li>Energy Storage</li><li>Art Restoration/Conservation</li></ul></li><li>Height (Metric): 61 cm</li><li>Laser Power: Fine Laser Power Control: Power controlled and reported at samples in 0.1 mW increments</li><li>Model: DXR3</li><li>Operating Temperature Range: 16°C to 27 °C</li><li>Resolution:&nbsp;<ul><li>Spatial: 1 µm</li><li>Confocal Depth: 2 µm</li></ul></li><li>Wavelength Range:&nbsp;<ul><li>455 nm</li><li>532 nm high brightness</li><li>532 nm high power</li><li>633 nm high brightness</li><li>633 nm high power</li><li>780 nm</li></ul></li><li>Weight (Metric): 66.5 kg</li><li>Width (Metric): 94 cm</li><li>Type: Microscope</li><li>Unit Size: Each</li></ul>

Products from category Microscopy - page 1

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