Investigating Plastic–Metal Interactions in Aquatic Environments Using Laser Ablation ICP–MS and Chemical Markers

<h4><strong>Types of comparisons&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Interlaboratory comparisons mean organisation, performance and evaluation of measurements and tests on the same or similar items by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions. Comparisons are organised at all scientific levels, but the objectives, protocols and participants vary. In certification trials, the measurements are used to assign values to reference materials. In method validation studies (collaborative trials), the performance, e.g. trueness and precision of methods, is evaluated. The most accurate measurements are compared world-wide in ’<strong>key comparisons</strong>’.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Proficiency testing (PT) schemes</strong> – also known as ‘<i><strong>external quality assessment (EQA) schemes</strong></i>’ or ‘<i><strong>laboratory performance studies’</strong></i> – are one means of assessing the quality of routine measurements. PT schemes are the most common, and perhaps the most important, type of interlaboratory comparisons.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Advantages of PT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Participation in PT enables you to compare your results with those from other laboratories. It can also provide you with:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Regular, objective and independent assessment of the quality of your routine analyses;&nbsp;</li><li>Feedback that stimulates improvement of the technical work;</li><li>Comparative information about method and instrument performance;</li><li>An overview of the quality of specific analyses in a sector, country or region.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><strong>Limitations of PT&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Ideally, PT samples are similar in nature to routine samples, and sufficiently homogeneous and stable not to influence the evaluation of participants’ performance. Due to practical aspects, PT samples are sometimes processed, e.g. stabilised and/or freeze-dried. Participants should be aware of this.&nbsp;</p><p>PT schemes can be organised and evaluated in many different ways. There is no perfect protocol! For laboratories and their customers, and for accreditation and regulatory bodies, it can be important to know if the same result is judged differently by different PT providers.</p><h4><strong>Appropriate PT schemes&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The huge number of analytes, and the large variety in the way tests are performed, means that it is not always possible to find a scheme that meets a laboratory’s exact requirements. Before signing up for a scheme, carefully check that the test materials, and the analytes and their levels fit your routine measurement procedures. Is the frequency appropriate and does the provider’s report give you sufficient information?&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Role of PT in measurement quality&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Correct measurements require both internal and external ‘tools’. During the validation step, the performance of the method is established. Subsequent use of control charts will show if the measurements are under statistical control. Many laboratories choose to accredit their services, thereby agreeing to implement a quality management system and accepting regular external audits of their work. Participating in PT is an effective external means to check that the procedures are fit for purpose!&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Proficiency_testing_schemes_and_other_interlaboratory_comparisons_2_7688414cd9.jpg" alt="Eurachem: Proficiency testing schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Proficiency_testing_schemes_and_other_interlaboratory_comparisons_2_7688414cd9.jpg 206w," sizes="100vw" width="848" height="642"></p><h4><strong>Educational aspects&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>PT offers opportunities for education and training. Many providers have regular user meetings to discuss results and problem areas. Virtual PT schemes, using digital images of the samples, enable an unlimited number of participants, immediate feedback and repeated assessments.</p><h4><strong>Accreditation of PT providers&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Some providers choose to accredit their PT schemes. The work with organising and evaluating the results will then be assessed according to international guidelines, similar to calibration and testing laboratories.</p><h4><strong>Use of PT results&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Because PT schemes provide an overview of the analytical quality for specific applications, the results are increasingly used by laboratories’ customers, and by accreditation and regulatory bodies. PT helps identify measurement problems, which have a direct impact on trade, environmental monitoring, and health and safety.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>More information / further reading&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Information about PT providers and schemes can be obtained from your national accreditation body, from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.eptis.org/"><strong>EPTIS website</strong></a> or from other national or international organisations.</p>

Proficiency testing schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons

<p><strong>We are excited to announce that registration for the 12th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2026), along with the call for abstracts and travel grants for young scientists, is now officially open!</strong></p><h3><strong>Key dates</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>May 31, 2026: </strong>Application for Young scientist travel grant</li><li><strong>June 30, 2026</strong><ul><li>Application for participation as a Sponsor or Exhibitor or Media partner</li><li>Abstract submission for oral presentation</li><li>Reduced registration fee</li></ul></li><li><strong>August 31, 2026:</strong> Abstract submission for poster presentation</li><li><strong>September 30, 2026: </strong>Last minute posters submission</li><li><strong>November 3 - 6, 20026</strong>: 12th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2026) in Prague, Czech Republic</li></ul><h3><strong>Registration</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>Registration for RAFA 2026 is OPEN!</strong></a></p><p><strong>Early-bird registration until 30 June, 2026</strong></p></blockquote><p>After successful submission of your registration, you will receive by e-mail (i) an automatic confirmation of receipt indicating the total amount of payment due (either for bank transfer or for on-line payment by card), (ii) login to Member section where you can administrate your profile, submit your abstracts, and from <strong>September 2026</strong> register for satellite events, workshops and seminars. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your registration please contact us at <strong>RAFA2026@vscht.cz</strong>.</p><p>As soon as payment of registration fee is processed, you will also receive by e-mail (iii) confirmation of payment.</p><h4><strong>Important notice:</strong></h4><p>Registration fee of those who have submitted an abstract for oral or poster presentation has to be received until <strong>September 30, 2026</strong>, otherwise these contribution(s) will not be included into the Book of Abstracts and the Conference programme.</p><h4><strong>Registration Fees</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Smart rate (Until 30 June, 2026): </strong>€ 655</li><li><strong>Regular registration (Until 30 September, 2026):</strong> € 855</li><li><strong>Late registration (From 1 October, 2026):</strong> € 955</li><li><strong>Student rate*&nbsp;</strong><ul><li><strong>Until 30 June, 2026: </strong>€ 465</li><li><strong>From 1 July, 2026:</strong> € 605</li></ul></li></ul><p><i>* The proof of student status (e.g. copy of a student identify card) is requested as an attachment of the registration form.</i></p><h5><strong>The regular registration fee will include:</strong></h5><ul><li>Attendance at all scientific sessions, workshops, seminars, vendor seminars and other satellite events</li><li>Access to the poster and exhibition area</li><li>Conference kit (name badge, conference bag, conference documents, certificate of participation, certificate of presentation on request)</li><li>Final programme</li><li>E-Book of Abstracts</li><li>Coffee breaks</li><li>Buffet luncheons</li><li>Welcome drink</li></ul><p>In the registration form you can r<strong>egister free of charge for the welcome drink</strong> and you can also order <strong>ticket(s) for the conference dinner (€ 85).</strong></p><p><i>Please note that your registration is firm when your payment has been received.</i></p><h3><strong>Abstract submission</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>CALL for ABSTRACTS is OPEN!</strong></a></p><p>In order to submit an abstract, you must <strong>first register to attend RAFA 2026</strong>. <strong>After registration</strong> you will receive an <strong>access to the Member section </strong>where you can <strong>submit your abstract(s).</strong></p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;After successful submission of your abstract you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt of submitted abstract via e-mail. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your abstract please check at first your spam box-mail and then contact us at <strong>RAFA2026@vscht.cz</strong>.</p><p>Please ensure that your abstract does not contain spelling, grammatical or scientific errors. Even though modifications of your submitted abstract will be allowed in the Abstract section of the Member section until the deadline for the abstract submission, please be confident on the lack of errors in your final version prior to starting the submission process.</p><p>The abstract will be reproduced exactly as submitted. No proofreading will be done, although some corrections may be requested by the reviewers.</p><p>If you need to withdraw your abstract, a written statement reflecting the reasons for this decision must be sent to <strong>RAFA2026@vscht.cz</strong> no later than <strong>September 30, 2026</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Important notice:</strong></h4><blockquote><p><strong>1 registered participant can submit no more than 2 abstracts.</strong></p></blockquote><p>To apply for a young scientist’s oral presentation, as an indication please respect the rule that you should be born in 1991 or later.</p><p>The <strong>text of the abstract </strong>should be<strong> limited to 3000 characters including spaces</strong>. Tables and pictures are not allowed.</p><p><strong>Abstracts of oral presentations and posters</strong> will be included into the "<strong>e-Book of Abstracts</strong>" only after receipt of the conference registration fee. Any payment of the registration fee has to be received until <strong>September 30, 2026</strong>, otherwise contribution(s) will not be included into the e-Book of Abstracts and the Conference programme.</p><h3><strong>Special opportunities for young scientists:</strong></h3><ul><li>Dedicated slots for oral presentations within the main scientific programme</li><li>Competitive travel grants for young scientists</li><li>Award(s) for the best poster presentation(s)</li></ul><p>Whether you are a PhD student or an early-career researcher, RAFA 2026 offers a unique opportunity to present your work, gain international exposure and connect with leading experts in the field.</p><p><strong>Be part of this inspiring scientific event and join us in Prague!</strong></p>

RAFA 2026 - Registration & Call for Abstracts are now OPEN

Article

Events

Academy

Video

Food

Scientific article

Science and research

RAFA provides an overview of contemporary trends in ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discusses CHALLENGES / NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

Eurachem is a European network promoting international traceability of chemical measurements and good analytical practice. It provides expert guidance, supports method validation, uncertainty evaluation, proficiency testing, and facilitates discussion on technical and policy issues in analytical quality.

Eurachem

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Mettler-Toledo

Agilent Technologies

Milestone

LECO

<p><strong>This free online event is for chemists and engineers interested in learning new methods to design, monitor, and control flow processes. Each presenter will share presentations demonstrating the use of spectroscopy to track reaction performance in real-time for process and product optimization.</strong></p><p><strong>Program:</strong></p><ul><li>Novel developments in continuous flow reactor technologies</li><li>Advantages over batch processes</li><li>PAT for rapid analysis, optimization, and scale-up</li></ul><blockquote><h5><strong>Presenters</strong></h5><p><strong>Continuous Hydrogenation: Catalyst Screening to Continuous Processing using PAT and Data Rich Experimentation</strong></p><ul><li>Darren Whitaker, Associate Director - Takeda</li></ul><p><strong>Mechanochemistry: Chemical Synthesis without Bulk Reaction Solvent</strong></p><ul><li>Duncan L. Browne, Associate Professor in Organic Synthesis and Drug Discovery - University College London</li></ul><p><strong>Data-Rich Experimentations as Enabling Tool to Accelerate Small Molecule Process Development</strong></p><ul><li>Dr. Peter Sagmeister, Postdoctoral Associate - Massachusetts Institute of Technology</li></ul><p><strong>Approaching Acid Catalysis with Solid Acid in a Packed Bed Reactor</strong></p><ul><li>Zheng Zhao, Principal Chemical Engineer - Pfizer</li></ul></blockquote>

Mettler Toledo: Continuous Flow Process Optimization and Control

Continuous Flow Process Optimization and Control 

Novel developments in continuous flow reactor technologies, Advantages over batch processes and PAT for rapid analysis, optimization, and scale-up.

<header><h4><strong>Discover the Most Important Techniques for the Thermal Characterization of Food Products</strong></h4></header><main><div><div><h5><strong>Program</strong></h5><ul><li>Regulatory food standards and guidelines</li><li>Thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TOA, TGA, TMA, DMA, and DP)</li><li>Food applications</li><li>Techniques and field of application</li><li>Interactive Q&amp;A session</li></ul></div></div><div><div><div><p>Food plays a vital role beyond simply providing essential nutrients and nourishment—it is a pathway to good health. This evolving perspective has opened up new frontiers in food science, food technology, and the analytical testing of food products and ingredients.</p><p>Join our upcoming webinar to discover how thermal analysis techniques can be applied to investigate the properties of various food products and packaging throughout processing, storage, and quality control. We will showcase applications relevant to multiple segments of the food industry.</p><p><strong>Secure you spot now and don’t miss the opportunity to ask our experts your questions!</strong></p><h4><strong>Food: A Highly Regulated Industry</strong></h4><p>Food products have a direct impact on public health. As a result, international and national regulations mandate specific testing methods to ensure these sensitive products meet strict quality and safety standards. Thermal analysis is one such essential technique, playing a crucial role in characterizing a wide range of foods and packaging materials across various segments of the industry.</p><h4><strong>Important Thermal Analysis Techniques for the Food Industry</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>DSC:</strong> Important for determining melting behavior, used also for the heat of fusion, purity, polymorphism, glass transition, and oxidation stability.</li><li><strong>TGA:</strong> Mainly used to study evaporation, desorption &amp; vaporization behavior, thermal stability, kinetics of decomposition, and composition analysis.</li><li><strong>TOA: </strong>In this technique, visual observation is used to investigate melting behavior and polymorphism.</li><li><strong>TMA:</strong> Typically used to study expansion and shrinkage behavior of packaging films, as well as glass transition.</li><li><strong>DMA: </strong>This is the most sensitive method used for investigating glass transition.</li></ul><h4><strong>Typical Applications</strong></h4><p>Common applications include protein denaturization of dry milk powder (DSC), moisture content in edible oils (TGA), and the softening/melting of multilayer packaging film (TMA). However, the potential uses of thermal analysis techniques in the food industry are diverse and extensive!&nbsp;</p></div><div><div data-advanced-option="false" data-has-preview-image="false" data-video-id="" data-component-id="2110920040"><div style="max-width:1px;width:100%;" id="mediaContainerWrapper_2110920040"><div style="height:1px;width:1px;" data-external-url="" id="mediaContainer_2110920040" data-advanced-option="false" data-width="1" data-height="1" data-video-id="">&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div></main><div><div><div data-advanced-option="false" data-has-preview-image="false" data-video-id="" data-component-id="2110920040"><blockquote><div><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Teresa Dennenwaldt</div><p>Dr. Teresa Dennenwaldt obtained her PhD in chemistry in 2013 and completed a postdoc at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland in the field of electron microscopy and spectroscopy. In 2018, she joined METTLER TOLEDO as an application specialist for Thermal Analysis. In her current position, she expertly uses, teaches, and supports DSC, TGA, TMA, and DMA instruments at the METTLER TOLEDO head office in Switzerland.</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

Mettler Toledo: Thermal Analysis in the Food Industry

Thermal Analysis in the Food Industry

Join this webinar to learn key thermal analysis techniques for food products and packaging, regulatory requirements, and real-world food industry applications.

<h4><strong>Food &amp; Feed Sample Preparation Webinar Series</strong></h4><p><strong>Ensuring food and feed quality requires reliable determination of both contaminants and nutrients, yet sample preparation remains one of the most challenging and time-consuming steps in the analytical workflow. This webinar series introduces modern approaches to digestion and extraction that improve data quality, reduce reprocessing, and increase laboratory productivity. Through four dedicated events, covering heavy metals, organic contaminants, macro/trace minerals, and nutritional parameters such as fats, FAMEs, and amino acids, participants will discover optimized, practical workflows tailored to real-world food and feed testing.</strong></p><h4><strong>Session: Digestion of Food &amp; Feed for Nutrient Analysis: Macro and Trace Minerals</strong></h4><p>Nutrient profiling requires accurate digestion of food and feed samples to determine essential macro- and trace minerals. This webinar explains how microwave digestion platforms such as ETHOS and ultraWAVE enable complete dissolution across a wide range of matrices, including dairy, cereals, high-fat foods, and animal feed. We will outline acid selection, matrix-specific challenges, blank control, and strategies to minimize reprocessing. Attendees will learn practical workflows to support nutritional labeling and quality control.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Gianpaolo Rota (Application Specialist, Milestone Srl)</p></blockquote>

Milestone: Food & Feed Sample Preparation Webinar Series

Digestion of Food & Feed for Nutrient Analysis: Macro and Trace Minerals

Webinar on microwave digestion of food and feed for nutrient analysis, focusing on macro and trace minerals, matrix challenges, and reliable QC workflows.

Digestion of Food & Feed for Nutrient Analysis

<h4><strong>Food Safety Webinar Series: When Food Meets the Lab</strong></h4><p><strong>Food testing in the region still revolves around “legacy” contaminants that decide release, rejection, and recall discussions - veterinary drug residues, pesticide residues and fumigants, and toxic elements including species-sensitive forms, in different food matrices. This 3-part series is built for audiences where regulatory expectations reference Codex-based frameworks, country-specific legislative guidelines, and import/export-market requirements that influence testing scope, reporting limits, and confirmation criteria. Each webinar focuses on the analytical factors that drive outcomes: matrix effects and co-extractives, trace-level quantitation, transition/ion-ratio checks, interference control, and reportable result logic.</strong></p><p>Keynote expert speakers will set the regulatory context, give a glimpse of the current trends, and future implications. Agilent workflow segments map these needs to sample preparation nuances, LC-MS/MS for multi-class residues, GC-MS/MS and headspace GC for residue/fumigant markers, and ICP-MS plus LC-ICP-MS for heavy metals and speciation, including QC structures and data review patterns used in high-throughput labs, to name a few.</p><h5><strong>Webinar Series Details</strong></h5><ul><li>Register once to attend the complete 3-part series</li><li>Submit your questions beforehand</li><li>Access recorded sessions anytime within one year</li><li>Certificate of attendance will be provided to all attendees</li></ul><h4><strong>Part 3: Heavy Metals &amp; Speciation Edition</strong></h4><p>Toxic element testing continues to be a core requirement due to national contaminant limits and trade-facing specifications for Pb, Cd, Hg, As and related elements. This webinar separates total-element panels from speciation cases where chemical form affects interpretation, particularly arsenic species in rice/cereal products and marine foods. The session covers digestion strategy, contamination control, reagent blank behavior, and trace-level drivers of data quality: polyatomic/isobaric interference removal, drift control, internal standards, calibration verification, and batch acceptance logic. Speciation discussion includes species-preserving extraction, chromatographic separation choices, prevention of species interconversion, and interpretation of species profiles under matrix load.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Usharani Dandamudi (Senior Principal Scientist, FS &amp; AQCL, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), India)</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Vinay Jain (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, India)</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Food Safety Webinar Series: When Food Meets the Lab

Heavy Metals & Speciation Edition

Heavy metals and speciation webinar: ICP-MS and LC-ICP-MS workflows for Pb, Cd, Hg, arsenic species and trace-level food testing.

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div><p><strong>In this upcoming webinar, experts from LECO will explore the role of cement clinkers as a critical quality checkpoint in Portland cement manufacturing. Attendees will gain an overview of how clinker microstructure reflects raw material selection, kiln conditions, and cooling rates, and why clinker analysis enables faster feedback and process control than testing finished cement alone.</strong></p><p>The presentation will walk through best practices for metallographic preparation of cement clinkers, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing common preparation challenges such as clinker brittleness, porosity, and moisture sensitivity, ensuring that microstructural features are preserved for accurate evaluation.</p><p>Participants will also see examples of microscopic clinker features—including key phases, morphology, distribution, and porosity—and learn how these observations can be used to troubleshoot kiln operation, optimize processing conditions, and improve overall cement quality.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Steve Reilly (Metallurgist, LECO)</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

LECO: Cement Clinker Preparation and Microscopic Examination

Cement Clinker Preparation and Microscopic Examination

Webinar on cement clinker microstructure analysis, metallographic preparation, and process optimization in Portland cement production.

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div><p><strong>The webinar “TOC Determination in Soil and Waste” provides a comprehensive overview of current analytical possibilities for the determination of TOC400, TIC900, ROC, TIC, and TOC in solid environmental samples. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis plays a key role in the assessment of soils and waste materials, as it is an important indicator of organic matter content, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance. Reliable TOC data are essential for waste classification, landfill acceptance, soil quality evaluation, and environmental monitoring.</strong></p><p>During the webinar, results obtained using different standardized methods will be presented and critically compared. This includes ISO EN 17505, which is based on temperature separation, as well as EN 15936, which applies acid treatment for inorganic carbon removal prior to TOC determination. The strengths, limitations, and typical application areas of these methods will be discussed, with a focus on how methodological choices can influence analytical results and data comparability.</p><p>In addition to the methodological aspects, the webinar will offer a concise overview of suitable LECO instruments for TOC analysis in soil and waste samples. Instrument design, analytical performance, and practical considerations for routine laboratory use will be highlighted to support users in selecting the most appropriate solution for their specific analytical requirements.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Michael Jakob (Elemental Field Product Manager)</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

LECO: TOC Determination in Soil and Waste

TOC Determination in Soil and Waste

TOC analysis in soils and waste covering ISO and EN methods, instrument selection, and data comparability for environmental and regulatory workflows.

<p><strong>Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), provides a powerful and non-destructive approach for identifying materials without opening packages or containers. However, measurement success depends strongly on sample characteristics, container materials, and testing conditions. This webinar presents an experience-based overview of what SORS-enabled Raman spectroscopy can and cannot reliably measure using the Agilent Vaya Raman spectrometer as a representative platform. We will discuss classes of materials that are Raman-inactive or weak, samples prone to fluorescence or low signal, and common container materials that interfere with or block Raman measurements. Practical guidance will be provided on container thickness, color, and composition, as well as when black shielding or ambient light control is required. The session will help users quickly assess feasibility, set realistic expectations, and determine when Raman—or an alternative technique such as FTIR—is the appropriate analytical choice.</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Yanqia Wang, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)</p><p>Dr. Yanqia Wang started working for Agilent Technologies Inc. as a FTIR application Engineer in 2013, providing pre-&amp;post-sale application support. The products he covers from Bench-top FTIR microscopes to various Mobile FTIR spectrometers. Dr. Wang received his PhD of analytical chemistry from Duke University in 2004, doing dynamic IR spectroscopy research. Then he joined Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics at Duke University, doing Tissue Raman spectrometer instrumentation. Since 2007, Dr. Wang worked for Avery Dennison Corp. as a spectroscopist, providing molecular analytical support to the research &amp; development.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Molecular spectroscopy webinars

Seeing Through the Barrier: Practical Limits and Best Practices for Raman Sample, Container, and Test Conditions

Webinar on SORS Raman feasibility with Agilent Vaya. Learn limits, container effects, fluorescence challenges, and when FTIR is the better alternative.

Practical Limits and Best Practices for Raman

<p><strong>Quality control of jet fuel is important for many reasons, engine protection, environmental concerns, especially safety considerations. Currently testing labs use various analytical techniques for elemental analysis in jet fuel. As the regulations for metal contaminants require lower limits, advance analytical techniques for elemental analysis become more important. This presentation will showcase direct injection of jet fuel in ICP-MS without any sample preparations for elemental analysis, with detection limits in parts-per-billion levels. In addition, comparisons and discussions are made between the use of single quadrupole and triple quadrupole modes for certain analytes. The instrumentation setup and sample results will be discussed in this presentation.</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Yan Cheung, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)</p><p>Yan received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington. She joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist in the Life Science and Chemical Analysis team in April 2020. Yan has extensive experience in operating and method development in ICP-MS. Yan also has years of experience working in the oil and gas industry.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Atomic Spectroscopic webinars

Elemental Analysis in Jet Fuel with ICP-MS and ICP-QQQ

This presentation will showcase direct injection of jet fuel in ICP-MS without any sample preparations for elemental analysis

<p><strong>The precise and accurate measurement of 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios by quadrupole based ICP-MS presents unique analytical challenges, driven by isobaric interferences, matrix effects, and the need for stable and reproducible operating conditions. &nbsp;Tiple quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) offers effective strategies for addressing these challenges, however method performance is highly dependent on the appropriate selection and optimization of instrumental parameters. &nbsp;In this webinar, we will discuss the practical approaches for simplifying 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio analysis using the Agilent 8900. &nbsp;The presentation will focus on key method considerations, including reaction cell gas selection, mass‑shift strategies, tuning approaches, and control of instrumental and environmental variables that influence isotopic precision and accuracy. &nbsp;This webinar is intended for users seeking a straightforward, reliable path to high‑quality strontium isotope ratio measurements using Agilent’s 8900 and ICP-QQQ technology.</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Jeff Sayen (ICP-MS Application Scientist)</p><p>Jeffrey Sayen s an ICP-MS Application Scientist at Agilent Technologies with over 15 years of experience in analytical chemistry. He specializes in atomic spectroscopy techniques, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and Flame AA. Jeffrey is passionate about ICP-MS and enjoys delivering product and application overviews at customer sites, seminars, and industry events. Prior to joining Agilent, he held the position of Senior Field Application Scientist at another major instrument manufacturer, where he focused on analytical methodologies across a range of regulated industries. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Inorganic Chemistry from Michigan State University.</p></blockquote>

Isotope Ratio made easy: Optimizing Method Conditions in 87Sr/86Sr Ratios with ICP-QQQ

Discover practical ICP-QQQ strategies for accurate 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio analysis, including reaction gas selection, tuning, and interference control.

Method Conditions in 87Sr/86Sr Ratios with ICP-QQQ

<p><strong>Reliable analytical results depend on robust data validation and quality control practices. This session explores essential QC tools and techniques, including spike recoveries, duplicate analysis, and establishing limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ). We will discuss practical approaches for troubleshooting and improving confidence in your data. Whether you are new to QC or looking to refine your approach, this webinar offers actionable guidance for ensuring data integrity.</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Kristen Pisanko</p></blockquote>

Data Confidence: QC Strategies for Analytical Success

This session explores essential QC tools and techniques, including spike recoveries, duplicate analysis, and establishing limits of detection and quantification

Related content

RAFA 2026 - Registration & Call for Abstracts are now OPEN

Proficiency testing schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons

Investigating Plastic–Metal Interactions in Aquatic Environments Using Laser Ablation ICP–MS and Chemical Markers