This study examines the combustion behavior of B4C/Bi2O3 pyrotechnic delay compositions as sustainable alternatives to conventional materials. Thermodynamic modeling and experimental testing were used to evaluate the influence of compaction pressure, particle size, and granule size on burning performance.Results showed that increased compaction reduced burning rates by lowering porosity and shifting combustion from convective to conductive mechanisms. Residue and gas analyses supported a multistage reaction pathway, demonstrating the potential of B4C/Bi2O3 formulations for environmentally improved pyrotechnic applications.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964">Sustainable Pyrotechnics: Combustion Behavior of B4C/Bi2O3 for Delay Compositions</a></h4>Danillo F. Vianna Cantini, Vojtěch Pelikán*, Eva Schmidová, Jiří PachmanACS Omega 2026, 11, 3, 4668–4683<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div>Pyrotechnic delay compositions are formulations designed to create a specific delay time, determined primarily by their burning rate. These compositions are essential in timing energetic events and are used extensively in both civilian and military applications. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> This broad usage leads to diverse motivations for studying such materials. In civilian contexts, such as mining, the focus is typically on safety and cost-effectiveness. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2)</a> For military purposes, reliability and precision are key factors, often with stringent performance requirements. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(3)</a>Pyrotechnic delay compositions are classified based on their combustion behavior into gassy or gasless types. In confined, sealed and obturated environments, gasless compositions are favored, to avoid gas buildup. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,4)</a> However, in unconfined or vented systems, gassy compositions are not problematic. For example, in fireworks, where combustion gases freely dissipate, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> or in vented housings like hand grenades or signaling devices, gassy delays are acceptable. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5,6)</a>In gassy compositions, the burning rate is influenced by the loading (or consolidation) pressure. Hot gases generated by the chemical reaction penetrate gas channels (voids) in the material, igniting unreacted material through a process known as convective heating. As loading pressure increases, these voids are gradually reduced, which diminishes convection and subsequently lowers the burning rate. In contrast, for gasless compositions, burning is driven by conductive heating, where heat is transferred through direct particle-to-particle contact, leading to the opposite effect. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7−9)</a>Historically, up until World War II, black powder served as the foundation for most delay elements. Nowadays, it continues to be utilized for this function and others, but on smaller scales. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> Some more recent and traditional formulations for pyrotechnic compositions include fuels like silicon, boron, tungsten, zinc, iron, zirconium, and manganese. Examples of these are Si/Pb3O4, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8,10)</a> B/BaCrO4 <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8)</a>, W/BaCrO4/KClO4, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5,6,11)</a> Zn/PbO2, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12)</a> Fe/BaO2, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(13)</a> Zr/KClO4, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8)</a> and Mn/PbCrO4/BaCrO4. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a>Currently, researchers are actively developing several new formulations for pyrotechnic delays. One of the main motivations for this is the need to transform these compositions into “greener” ones. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,2)</a> This means that compositions that could cause problems for the environment or human health should be avoided. To achieve this sustainability, the identification and replacement of known or potentially harmful, toxic, and carcinogenic compounds is vital. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(10)</a> Heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, toxic gases, volatile organic compounds and known causers of human health problems are examples of such substances to be removed. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2,5,15)</a>Specifically, there are several attempts to replace lead, barium, chromates, and perchlorates. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15)</a> The reason is that most of the established delay formulations used today contain these substances. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2,5)</a> Lead, barium and chromium (contained in chromates) are heavy metals and are known to cause serious health problems in human, specially to nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5,16)</a> Perchlorates are well-documented substances and are used in various pyrotechnic applications. However, they are widely recognized as contributors to thyroid issues. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a>From the above, it is clear that modern strategies in pyrotechnics are increasingly focused on developing new materials that prioritize both efficiency and sustainability. This shift imposes numerous restrictions, meaning that formulations must be designed with precise planning and thorough investigation to meet both performance and environmental standards.Boron could be considered the ideal fuel for pyrotechnic reactions due to its high energy content. However, it presents combustion issues for its limited reactivity due to boron oxide layer and boron agglomerates formation upon heating. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a> The boron oxide layer acts as a barrier, hindering oxygen (O) diffusion and consequently limiting the oxidation of boron. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(18)</a>Boron carbide (B4C) is a natural candidate for combustion processes due to its lower ignition point, which is attributed to its higher reactivity. This reactivity stems from the diffusion of carbon (C) particles, which oxidize into gaseous products. These gaseous products create diffusion channels that penetrate the boron oxide layer, breaking down the layer and agglomerates, thereby further improving the reaction. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(18,19)</a> B4C presents better combustion properties, with better burning stability and reliable self-propagation, resulting in better combustion efficiency. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17)</a>Bismuth trioxide (Bi2O3) is an attractive oxidizer for pyrotechnic delay compositions due to several advantageous properties. Its high oxygen content and efficient oxygen release facilitate sustained combustion, while its favorable thermal properties, including a relatively low melting and decomposition temperature, ensure that oxygen is available at precisely the right moment to support a controlled reaction. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(20)</a> Additionally, Bi2O3 high density allows for compact formulations, promoting consistent and reliable burn rates. Also, it has a low heat of formation (approximately −582 kJ/mol), which is crucial to minimize the energy required to initiate its decomposition. This enhances the overall reaction efficiency, allowing Bi2O3 to rapidly release oxygen without consuming excessive energy, thus ensuring sustainable and stable combustion. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8)</a>In addition to their technical advantages, Bi2O3 and B4C offer a significant environmental benefit: they are considered more eco-friendly compared to other materials commonly used in pyrotechnic compositions. Bi2O3 serves as a less toxic alternative to traditional oxidizers like lead-based compounds, reducing the risk of environmental contamination and exposure to harmful heavy metals. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,8,16)</a> Similarly, B4C contributes to cleaner combustion, producing fewer pollutants and minimizing the environmental impact. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> This makes both materials not only effective but also greener choices for sustainable pyrotechnic applications.<h4>2. Experimental Section</h4><h5>2.8. Material Characterization</h5>Particle and granule size distribution were measured with a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 (Malvern Panalytical). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was carried out with a TESCAN MIRA (TESCAN) to examine morphology and confirm particle size. A 40 cm3 combustion chamber was used to analyze pressure profile, quantify solid residues, and collect combustion gases for further analysis. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed using a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2392">Nicolet iS50 FT-IR</a> (Thermo Scientific) and standardized nitrogen (N2) background to identify gas-phase products. Thermal stability and water content assessments were conducted using TGA (NETZSCH TG 209 F3 Tarsus) and DSC (NETZSCH DSC 200 F3 Maia). Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was performed using a Bruker Quantax 200 (Bruker) for semiquantitative chemical composition analysis of the combustion residues. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed using a Rigaku MiniFlex diffractometer for complementary phase identification, while surface chemical states were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) using a Scienta Omicron ESCA2SR system.<h4>3. Results and Discussion</h4><h5>3.7. FTIR Analysis of Combustion Gases</h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964#fig10">Figure 10</a> compares the FTIR spectra of combustion chamber gases from stoichiometric (blue) and fuel-rich (red) tests, highlighting CO and CO2 as the main species, consistent with Horiuchi. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(18)</a> Normalizing their absorbance to concentration using standard references yielded CO2/CO ratios of 0.67 (stoichiometric) and 0.34 (fuel-rich). However, a quantitative analysis is approximate and inherently imprecise, as potential contamination during gas collection and measurement could affect the results, given the challenge of maintaining a completely controlled internal atmosphere. A small fraction of hydrocarbon species (e.g., CH4, C2H4, and C2H2) was also identified in both samples.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_10_Comparative_FTIR_spectra_of_combustion_gas_compositions_in_a_combustion_chamber_ac7b7daf84.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 3, 4668–4683: Figure 10. Comparative FTIR spectra of combustion gas compositions in a combustion chamber." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_10_Comparative_FTIR_spectra_of_combustion_gas_compositions_in_a_combustion_chamber_ac7b7daf84.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1956" height="989">While experimental results indicate a higher CO2 presence than predicted, the overall trend aligns with expectations─higher fuel content shifts combustion products toward less oxidized species. Notably, the identified gaseous products are relatively simple and exhibit low toxicity compared to halogenated or metal-containing species commonly found in traditional pyrotechnic formulations, supporting the potential of this system as a more environmentally friendly alternative.Since the reaction involves both condensed-phase reactants and products, characterizing the solid residues is essential to evaluate the extent of reaction and gain insight into the actual progression of the reaction pathway. For this, SEM imaging and EDS analysis were employed to investigate the morphology and elemental composition of the combustion residues.<h5>3.8. SEM and EDS of Burning Residues</h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964#fig11">Figure 11</a> presents the SEM analysis of solid residues from the combustion of B4. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964/suppl_file/ao5c10964_si_001.pdf">Figure S5</a> exhibits images of the other samples. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964#fig11">Figure 11</a>a shows the top view of the burned delay element, revealing the distribution of residues across the surface, while <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964#fig11">Figure 11</a>b provides a magnified view of a region rich in bright spherical structures. These spheres are likely bismuth that transitioned through a liquid or gaseous phase during the reaction and solidified upon cooling. This phenomenon of spherical formation due to phase transition is well-documented in the literature. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(33)</a><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_11_SEM_analysis_of_B4_after_burning_8fc7a8f520.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 3, 4668–4683: Figure 11. SEM analysis of B4 after burning: (a) top view (50 ×) of the burned delay element showing the distribution of solid residues across the surface; (b) magnified view (1 k×) of a region rich in bright spherical structures." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_11_SEM_analysis_of_B4_after_burning_8fc7a8f520.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2092" height="831"><h5>3.10. Surface Chemistry of Combustion Residues (XPS)</h5>Survey spectrum scans identified the main photoelectron lines corresponding to carbon, oxygen, boron, and bismuth. High-resolution scans for the O 1s, C 1s, B 1s, and Bi 4f regions of B4 are presented in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10964#fig19">Figure 19</a>, allowing detailed peak deconvolution and chemical assignment.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_19_XPS_high_resolution_spectra_of_O_1s_C_1s_B_1s_and_Bi_4f_regions_for_B4_5c6064d013.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2026, 11, 3, 4668–4683: Figure 19. XPS high-resolution spectra of O 1s, C 1s, B 1s, and Bi 4f regions for B4." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2026_11_3_4668_4683_Figure_19_XPS_high_resolution_spectra_of_O_1s_C_1s_B_1s_and_Bi_4f_regions_for_B4_5c6064d013.jpg 214w," sizes="100vw" width="2049" height="1498">The analysis confirmed B2O3 as a major surface product and indicated the presence of unreacted B4C in the B4 sample through B–C bonds. sp2 carbon was also detected in B4, suggesting possible graphite formation, as predicted in thermodynamic calculations. A2 showed more Bi3+ than B4, supporting that the stoichiometric composition had more residual Bi2O3, while the fuel-rich B4 sample promoted greater reduction to Bi0. The presence of Bi3+ on the surface observed may result from postcombustion reoxidation of Bi0. These results reinforce the proposed reaction pathway and the role of fuel excess in enhancing reaction completeness. In this analysis, the B 1s spectrum further confirms the absence of BN by the lack of B–N peaks, consistent with the EDS results, which also revealed no detectable nitrogen signal.All experimental findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of boron carbide and bismuth oxide reactions under both basic and applied conditions, particularly in delay compositions. These results provide new insights into the reaction pathway and the underlying combustion mechanism.<h4>4. Conclusions</h4>Stoichiometric formulations of B4C/Bi2O3, which ignited when not pressed, failed to burn after being lightly compacted; a fuel-rich composition is necessary to ensure combustion. The fuel-rich compositions ignited readily and maintained combustion without quenching. Water facilitated the granulation process and improved the final composition. With increasing loading pressure, burning rates decrease due to reduced convective heat transfer, leading the combustion process to transition toward a conductive regime. Particle size also impacted combustion, particularly with larger Bi2O3 particles, which influenced the combustion profile up to a certain threshold. Additionally, the granule size of the final composition was found to alter the burning behavior, with larger granules promoting faster combustion at lower pressures.Thermodynamic calculations provided an initial insight into the reaction process. The findings show that the reaction progresses through distinct stages: starting in a solid–solid preignition phase, transitioning to a solid–liquid phase as components melt, and culminating in a gas phase marked by significant product volatilization, illustrating a complete combustion evolution.FTIR analysis confirmed that the main gaseous products are CO and CO2, indicating reduced environmental toxicity. Elemental and phase analyses confirmed that the reaction followed the expected pathway, with Bi and B2O3 as the predominant products. No Bi2O3 was detected by XRD, indicating that the oxidizer was fully consumed in the bulk. Morphological analysis of the products suggests that, upon cooling, bismuth solidifies into small metallic spheres, while surface analysis indicates that B2O3 remains predominantly in the outer layer. Altogether, the results are consistent and complementary, reinforcing the reliability and scientific rigor of the study.All these observations accentuate the necessity of conducting experiments under application-specific conditions. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the combustion dynamics of low toxicity B4C/Bi2O3 mixtures but also underscore their potential for practical applications requiring precise delay times and environmental sustainability. The successful use of water as a green solvent further highlights the viability of developing sustainable pyrotechnic compositions. This research advances the field by providing valuable insights into optimizing performance while minimizing environmental impact through careful material selection and process control.</div>

Sustainable Pyrotechnics: Combustion Behavior of B4C/Bi2O3 for Delay Compositions

In the week from May 11, the following webinars await you in the field of atomic and molecular spectroscopy and spectrometry<blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinars">👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</a></h4>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database with over 5 500 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars.</blockquote><h5>1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Uncovering Microplastics: Identification, Quantification, and Exposure Assessment</h5><ul><li>Tu, 12.5.2026 08:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6136">Registration</a></li></ul>In this webinar, we will explore complementary analytical solutions for comprehensive microplastics characterization.<h5>2. SPECTRO Analytical Instruments: Elemental Analysis of Superalloys: Ensuring Performance in Extreme Applications</h5><ul><li>Tu, 12.5.2026 10:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6170">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how accurate elemental analysis ensures superalloy performance, with OES and XRF solutions for reliable quality control from lab to field.<h5>3. Agilent Technologies: What have you been smoking? Elemental Analysis in Cannabis and Cannabis Products with ICP-MS</h5><ul><li>Tu, 12.5.2026 20:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6063">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how automated calibration and dilution streamline ICP-MS food testing workflows, improving accuracy, traceability, and productivity while addressing rare-earth doubly charged interferences.<h5>4. AZoM: Faster REE Exploration Decisions with XRF Technology Explained</h5><ul><li>We, 13.5.2026 16:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6195">Registration</a></li></ul>Join the webinar to see how handheld XRF provides a significant advantage in today's fast-paced REE landscape.<h5>5. Bruker: Advancing Industrial Metrology Automation with Bruker's Dimension AFMs</h5><ul><li>We, 13.5.2026 17:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6172">Registration</a></li></ul>This webinar will explore how Dimension AFM platforms support increasing levels of automation, from scripted measurements to data-driven control.<h5>6. Anton Paar: Polymer Rheology: Impact of Humidity on Material Behavior</h5><ul><li>We, 13.5.2026 18:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5801">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how humidity impacts polymers and soft materials. Learn how moisture alters rheology, tackiness, curing, and flowability through real case studies across films, adhesives, foods, and powders.<h5>7. LECO: TOC Determination in Soil and Waste</h5><ul><li>Th, 14.5.2026 14:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6038">Registration</a></li></ul>Join this webinar to explore modern methods for TOC determination in soils and waste. Learn how standardized approaches, instrumentation, and method selection influence data quality and regulatory compliance.

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Routine chemical analysis typically involves several steps, e.g. selection of procedure, sampling, sample preparation, measurement, result calculation, uncertainty estimation, and reporting to customer. Based on the result, important decisions and actions are taken. The steps before and after the measurement are often referred to as “pre- and post-analytical”. There are many sources of uncertainty associated with this work, some of which can actually limit the overall quality.&nbsp;Proficiency testing (PT) and external quality assessment (EQA) schemes are effective means of assessing the quality of routine analyses. However, if there are specific procedures, either before or after the measurement, which are applied to the routine samples, but not to the PT test sample, the result reflects only the quality of part of the measurement process. Pre- and post-analytical PT/ EQA schemes are already widely used in laboratory medicine. The standard ISO 15189, that underpins accreditation of medical laboratories, stresses that EQA schemes should “... have the effect of checking the entire process including pre- and post-examination procedures ...”&nbsp;The examples in this leaflet illustrate the potential and importance of pre- and post-analytical PT/EQA. They are intended as an inspiration for the providers to further develop their external quality control activities.<h4>Pre- and post-analytical PT/EQA – a means for harmonisation&nbsp;</h4>By illustrating, e.g. lack of adherence to guidelines, or variation in sample preparation, or inconsistency in interpretation, pre- and post-analytical PT/EQA schemes pinpoint problems not apparent in other schemes. This may lead to improved harmonisation and changes to guidelines and standards.<h4>Example 1: Interpreting clinical chemistry information&nbsp;</h4>Patient background information together with analytical results can be used to check agreement of interpretational advice given by medical doctors. This type of scheme can, therefore, include both pre- and post-analytical aspects. The provider, e.g. through an expert group, ranks the quality of participants’ response and suggestions, and presents them in the report with comments.<h4>Example 2: Sampling requests in microbiology&nbsp;</h4>Using the scenario of food poisoning, pre- &amp; post-analytical aspects of sampling requests in a microbiology scheme can be highlighted. The provider gives information about food type, symptoms, and incubation time with a simulated sample. Participants choose which organism(s) to test for. The associated laboratory work involves examination of samples, report on method(s) of choice and results. Participants could, e.g. be asked to specify which toxins or pathogens are likely to cause the food poisoning and state whether or not they will disseminate information, e.g. to hospitals or food suppliers. The feedback report would then show the results of each participant together with the comments of the provider.&nbsp;<h4>Example 3: Toy testing&nbsp;</h4>Faulty design, usage and chance play a role in injury and death incidents related to children’s toys. Toy safety is the practice of ensuring that toys are safe, usually through the application of set safety standards. The PT provider sources a toy, performs visual assessment of its homogeneity, and distributes the samples. Participants are requested to assess the toy against the European standard EN 71 and they have to decide which clauses of the standard apply. The clauses chosen define the test(s) to be carried out. The feedback report will contain a “model answer” including clauses, tests and labeling requirements (when applicable).&nbsp;<h4>Example 4: Monitoring drinking water quality&nbsp;</h4>A post-analytical application can be underpinned by legislation and national regulations (Directive 98/83/EC). Participants receive a synthetic drinking water sample with properties close to one or more limiting values. They are requested to deliver results, uncertainties and a “pass/fail” recommendation to the customer. The recommendations of the provider are listed in the feedback report for educational purposes. Information can be fed back also to regulators to serve, e.g. as basis for further discussions.&nbsp;<blockquote><h5>More information / further reading&nbsp;</h5>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/">EPTIS website</a> or from other national or international organisations.</blockquote>

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Consumer products are complex mixtures that rely on careful formulations and precision chemistry to deliver the desired properties. These properties can be chemical, such as the peroxide content of an oxidizer, physical, such as polymer viscosity or fungible, such as the reserve acidity of a mixture. Measuring these and other types of properties typically requires a fleet of instrumentation and is often limited to raw material input and final product testing. These testing throughput limits place a high burden on the analytical lab, making product improvement difficult. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) is a laboratory tool that can relieve the throughput limitation and be deployed to multiple products and problems at the same time.
Register for this webinar to hear Alex Mattingly, Product Specialist at Chemlink Laboratories, explain how he uses NIR to address manufacturing challenges and increase production efficiency. He will show how he implemented NIR and developed the analytical methods to replace complex wet-chemical assays. Elena Hagemann, Metrohm USA Spectroscopy Applications Scientist, will give an overview of NIR spectroscopy and explain how the fundamentals of this technique make it well-suited for formulated products.
Join these experts after the presentation and get your specific questions answered during the live Q&amp;A.
<h5>Key Learning Objectives:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Discover how NIR gives quicker results and better response time than other analytical technologies </li>
<li>Gain understanding on how NIR can analyze pH and acidity of buffer systems </li>
<li>Understand how viscosity and molecular weight of PEGs can easily be determined using NIR</li>
<li>Learn how NIR method development is as simple as linking spectral information of representative samples</li>
</ul>
<h5>Who Should Attend:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Those in the consumer products industry, both specialty chemical and final product manufacturers looking to increase production quality and efficiency </li>
<li>Production and QA managers of all industries seeking solutions to get actionable data fasters </li>
<li>Product development chemists seeking to design products for quality and manufacturability</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Mattingly (Product Specialist, Chemlink)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Elena Hagemann (Applications Specialist, Metrohm USA)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Melissa O&#39;Meara (Forensic Science Consultant, C&amp;EN Media Group)
</blockquote>

C&EN: Slashing Inefficiencies in Consumer Product Manufacturing with NIR Spectroscopy

Slashing Inefficiencies in Consumer Product Manufacturing with NIR Spectroscopy

Alex Mattingly from Chemlink Laboratories will show how he implemented NIR and developed the analytical methods to replace complex wet-chemical assays.

Consumer Product Manufacturing with NIR Spectroscopy

While making a UV-Vis (-NIR) measurement is simple, making an accurate measurement requires an understanding of instrument parameters and their effects on the measurement. Parameters can include Baseline correction, spectral bandwidth, data interval, and more.
This presentation will provide an insight into these parameters.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Understanding UV-Vis (-NIR) Instrument Parameters

Understanding UV-Vis (-NIR) Instrument Parameters

While making a UV-Vis (-NIR) measurement is simple, making an accurate measurement requires an understanding of instrument parameters.

Just as important as the instrument on which you are going to make your uv-vis-nir measurement, is the accessory you are going to use. Will the accessory permit you to collect the information you need? An examination into the types of measurements and the accessory(s) needed to gather the desired data will be made in this discussion.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Deciding What Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

Deciding What Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

An examination into the types of measurements and the accessory(s) needed to gather the desired data will be made in this discussion.

Accessories You Need for a High End UV-Vis-NIR Instrument

Monitoring the quality of hydraulic and/or lube oils is critical to prevent premature wear of any kind of machinery. In this session we will look at this topic from a new perspective focusing on the combination of titration (potentiometric, thermometric, coulometric Karl Fischer titration) and Vis-Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS).
Combining titration (highly sensitive, specific, a widely used primary method) with Vis-NIRS (fast, non-destructive, results for multiple parameters at once) can make your oil condition monitoring and/or lubricant analysis much more efficient, especially, if your laboratory has to analyze large sample series every day.
Attending this session, you will learn and understand:
<ul>
<li>The specific advantages of each method (titration and Vis-NIR-Spectroscopy)</li>
<li>How and when to use these methods to measure critical chemical and physical parameters in lube and hydraulic oils</li>
<li>What thermometric titration is and how it helps to improve robustness of serial acid number testing</li>
<li>How to automate measurements of large sample series to increase efficiency and reproducibility</li>
<li>How Vis-NIRS for lubricant analysis complies with ASTM guidelines and can save costs and time</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Robert Tobler (Application Specialist Titration)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Robert Tobler studied chemistry at the Zurich University of Applied Science in Wädenswil, Switzerland. He joined Metrohm in 2015 as an application specialist titration. Since 2018 he has also been involved in stability measurement.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Nicolas Rühl, PhD (Product Manager Spectroscopy)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Nicolas Rühl is working in the Competence Center Spectroscopy since 2015. In this time, he has been in charge of developing the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy business at Metrohm. Nicolas has a Master in Business Administration and received his PhD in physical chemistry on single-molecule spectroscopy using Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy technologies.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Moderator: Tom Lynch CChem FRSC (Independent Analytical Consultant, International Labmate)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Tom has 35 years of experience in the petroleum industry, specialising in the delivery of forensic and problem solving /method development capabilities for BP Fuels and Lubricants businesses globally. He was also a member of the BP Science Council representing Analytical Science and led a BP wide Analytical Science network.Tom has published over 30 citable papers, 4 book chapters and has given over 60 presentations at conferences. He is a past Vice President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Analytical Division and a past Chairman of the RSC Separation Science Group. In addition, Tom is a recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal by the Chromatographic Society and a technical achievement award by the Energy Institute.
</blockquote>

Metrohm: Making your quality control of hydraulic and lube oils more efficient

Making your quality control of hydraulic and lube oils more efficient

Combining titration and Vis-Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for higher sample throughput & faster results

Efficient quality control of hydraulic and lube oils

Why are corrected baselines important in making a good uv-vis (nir) measurement? What are the components of a baseline and what do they tell us about the performance of the instrument? We will be examining these and other baseline questions during this presentation/demo.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Fisher, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark, an Application Scientist for Agilent Technologies, has over 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy. He has held roles in Agilent&#39;s UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and atomic absorption product portfolios. In addition to identifying industry trends and new business needs, Mark&#39;s responsibilities include application development, pre and post-sales support, as well as acting as a customer advocate for new product and technology opportunities. Mark received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: What’s in a UV-Vis-NIR Baseline

What’s in a UV-Vis-NIR Baseline

Why are corrected baselines important in making a good uv-vis (nir) measurement? What are the components of a baseline and what do they tell us?

Watch this on-demand webinar to learn more about the advantages of NIRS: Receive multiple parameters (e.g., moisture, viscosity, hydroxyl value) in less than one minute and reduce costs of your QC lab up to 90%!

Reduce costs in QC labs

Learn more about the advantages of NIRS: Receive multiple parameters (e.g., moisture, viscosity, hydroxyl value).

We are interested in the growth of new materials and investigate physical properties affected by size, chemical doping, interface, heterostructure, and external tuning parameters (light, magnetic field, etc.).
We are particularly interested in understanding the optical and dielectric properties of novel electronic materials that are fabricated in our lab in thin film form. Since the discovery of graphene, Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have merged as one of the most exciting systems to investigate properties at the nanoscale. In our lab, we have developed few-layer large-area MoS2 thin-films using a PVD-CVD growth process that can produce films with tunable properties [1]. For this talk, I will specifically focus on their broadband dielectric properties measured using Shimadzu UV3600 Plus [2]. Next, I will discuss our work on the influence finite-size in Topological insulator Bi2Se3 thin-films. Through a combination of quantum confinement and Burstein-Moss effect, we discovered a large optical blue-shift in Bi2Se3 as it approaches the 2D limit [3].
References
<ol>
<li>Viable route towards large-area two dimensional MoS2 using magnetron sputtering, H. Samassekou, A. Alkabsh, M. Wasala, M. Eaton, A. Walber, A. Walker, O. Pitkänen, K. Kordas, S. Talapatra, T.Jayasekera, Dipanjan Mazumdar, 2D Materials 4 021002 (2017).
</li>
<li>Broadband optical properties and electronic band structure of few-layer MoS2, Asma Alkabsh and Dipanjan Mazumdar, (unpublished) 2020.
</li>
<li>Optical evidence for blue shift in Topological insulator Bismuth selenide in the few-layer limit , Yub Raj Sapkota, Asma Alkabsh, Aaron Walber, Hassana Samassekou, Dipanjan Mazumdar, Applied Physics Letters, 110, 181901 (2017).
</li>
</ol>

Shimadzu: Optical and dielectric properties of novel electronic materials using Shimadzu UV-3600 Plus

Optical and dielectric properties of novel electronic materials using Shimadzu UV-3600 Plus

Broadband dielectric properties measured using Shimadzu UV3600 Plus.

Optical and dielectric properties of electronic materials

The integrating sphere accessory is the most frequently used accessory on UV/Vis/NIR instruments.
With an integrating sphere, one can measure just about any sample type including, solids, liquids, gels, creams, films, particle suspensions, skin, and other biologicals. In addition, samples that are turbid, cloudy, semi-transparent, or opaque can be easily measured as well. Integrating spheres are the Swiss Army Knife of spectroscopy. The ability to understand the measurement techniques of spheres is key to the evaluation of spectrophotometric materials characterization data.
The most common question materials characterization spectroscopists ask themselves is, “How do I measure this sample?” They ponder this as they are looking some unusual sample, like a rock or even a cockroach. And yes, they can both be measured with an integrating sphere accessory!
This webcast will consist entirely of spectra from a series of example samples that cover the range of specular and diffuse reflectance/transmission characteristics. We will concentrate on the decision-making process of how to measure these different sample types with both the stand-alone instrument and integrating sphere accessary. Included will be a detailed discussion of how to evaluate spectral data from the various sphere measurement formats. This webinar will also cover all the basic measurement configurations of integrating spheres and how to properly evaluate the sample’s material properties from collected spectra.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jeffrey L. Taylor, Ph.D. (Molecular Spectroscopy Guru, Industry Expert With Over 35 Years of Experience)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Jeffrey L. Taylor received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia College and State University with dual majors in Physiology and Organic Chemistry. He obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Georgia in Toxicology and later a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same school in Biochemistry and Spectroscopy.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
He has spent his career of over 35 years with major spectroscopy instruments manufacturers, mainly working as Field Product Specialist and Senior Staff Scientist. Areas of expertise include technical support of sales, customer support/training, applications design and development, software specification/evaluation, and instrumental design and evaluation. He is the author of numerous application notes, conference presentations and webcasts, and holder of several patents.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Taylor, although retired, maintains his desire to contribute to the field. He is currently a consultant for Shimadzu Scientific Instruments to assist with sales support, application support and development of web-based educational resources.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sudhir Dahal, Ph.D. (Product Manager - Molecular Spectroscopy, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sudhir Dahal is Product Manager of Molecular Spectroscopy group at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, USA. He joined the company after obtaining his PhD from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he researched and collaborated on developing novel spectroscopy-based technique for brain tumor cell detection. At Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, he and his group are responsible for overall sales support of molecular spectroscopy products in North America, Central America and parts of South America. The products include UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR, Fluorescence spectrophotometers and accessories.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
,His everyday responsibilities include, but are not limited to, teaching classes to sales/technical support engineers and customers, producing scientific literatures, researching new products and applications, representing Shimadzu at conferences and promoting the products through various marketing campaigns.
</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Measuring Diverse Samples With UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer: An Example Workflow and Evaluation Methodology for Integrating Spheres

Measuring Diverse Samples With UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer: An Example Workflow and Evaluation Methodology for Integrating Spheres

Spectra from a series of example samples that cover the range of specular and diffuse reflectance/transmission characteristics.

Measuring Diverse Samples With UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer

The development of next-generation advanced materials requires analytical tools that cover multiple hyphenated techniques to save material usage while gaining additional analytical insight from the sample.
In this talk, we will explore various applications across R&amp;D.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ron Rubinovitz (Senior Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Ron Rubinovitz earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, he is a senior applications scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, focusing on FTIR, IR microscopy, FT-Raman, Near-IR, and chemometrics. Ron has extensive experience in the field of vibrational spectroscopy. He has worked with a wide range of sampling techniques covering applications in pharmaceutical, industrial, and food industries.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Pushing the Boundaries in Material Research

Pushing the Boundaries in Material Research

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a highly flexible analytical technique that can be applied to a broad range of applications, from incoming raw material inspection to process monitoring.
In this presentation, we will review use cases of NIR, including laboratory measurements of hydroxyl value and content uniformity, as well as implementation of NIR and multivariate analysis for process control and monitoring.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Robert Jones (Senior Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Robert Jones earned degrees in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico and the University of California, Berkeley. After holding several positions as a research scientist, program manager, and project leader, Robert joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in April 2013. As an Applications Scientist, Robert’s primary focus has been on the development of spectroscopic solutions for a broad range of customers and markets.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Improving Manufacturing Quality and Efficiency via Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Improving Manufacturing Quality and Efficiency via Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Use cases of NIR, including laboratory measurements of hydroxyl value and content uniformity, as well as implementation of NIR.

ICPMS webinars focusing on NIR Spectroscopy - page 7