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

Science on the Front Lines: Cleanup of a Benzene Spill

Development of a Flow-through Cell for Ultrasonic Extraction (UE)─Single Particle (SP)─ICP-MS─an Approach for Nano/Microparticle Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Measurement results are only fit for purpose if the measurement uncertainty (MU) is reliable and has a magnitude small enough for the intended use. The target MU is the maximum admissible uncertainty defined for a specific measurement goal.&nbsp;In compliance assessment, the MU should be small enough to enable identification of deviations from compliance relevant to the interests to be protected (such as public health or industrial productivity). Too large an uncertainty would not provide the required protection, while an uncertainty that is too small could mean the use of unnecessary expensive measurements.&nbsp;The Eurachem/CITAC guide on ‘Setting and Using Target Uncertainty in Chemical Measurement’ suggests how to set upper boundaries for the uncertainty based on the intended use of the result [1].&nbsp;The impact of the MU on decisions is illustrated in a fictional scenario.&nbsp;<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_2_daf2cb4ec8.jpg" alt="Eurachem: Setting Target Measurement Uncertainty" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_2_daf2cb4ec8.jpg 150w," sizes="100vw" width="740" height="770">Mr. Reis is a farmer planning to sell oranges to a juice producer. The juice producer checks oranges for thiabendazole pesticide residues and Brix level (degrees Brix provides a measure of orange juice sweetness). The producer only accepts oranges with thiabendazole residues below 1 mg kg-1 and a Brix level above 55 °Bx, paying more if the Brix level is above 65 °Bx.&nbsp;Mr. Reis contracted Laboratory C to analyse his oranges before shipping them to the producer knowing that the customer also checks the oranges in its laboratory. Mr. Reis was very happy with the results provided by Laboratory C although the pesticide residue analyses were expensive.&nbsp;The producer accepted the oranges but decided to pay less than expected.&nbsp;After asking the juice producer, the detailed results of both laboratories were compared. This showed that although the results were metrologically compatible they supported different decisions on the oranges’ price.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_3_aa7c28e61a.jpg" alt="Eurachem: Setting Target Measurement Uncertainty - Laboratory C" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_3_aa7c28e61a.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="927" height="192"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_4_4588f40881.jpg" alt="Eurachem: Setting Target Measurement Uncertainty - Juice producers Laboratory" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_4_4588f40881.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="911" height="195">The measurement of thiabendazole residues performed by Laboratory C is associated with an extremely low uncertainty making measurements more expensive than necessary. However, the uncertainty associated with the determination of the Brix level is too large, making compliance decisions too uncertain.Measurement results are only fit for the intended use if the measurement uncertainty (MU) is smaller than a maximum acceptable value (i.e. the target MU).&nbsp;Even if the customer or the regulator does not define the target MU, the laboratory should define it to decide if the measurement is fit for the intended use. The Eurachem/CITAC guide [1] suggests the use of different indicators of the measurement quality requirement to define the target MU. Information used to define the target MU is presented from the most likely to become harmonised to the ones supported with less adequate data. The following figure presents this hierarchy of adequacy with numbers from #1 to #9.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_01cd73bb2c.jpg" alt="Eurachem: Setting Target Measurement Uncertainty" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Setting_Target_Measurement_Uncertainty_01cd73bb2c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900"><blockquote>Approaches to defining the target MU described in the Eurachem/CITAC Guide, where utg and Utg represent the target standard and expanded uncertainties, respectively. (the numbers in the bottom of the circles identify the sections of the Guide)</blockquote>

Setting Target Measurement Uncertainty

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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.

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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.

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Environmental laboratories face increasing pressure to boost sample throughput while maintaining high data quality across various matrices, including natural waters, soils, and sediments. These samples often have high levels of dissolved solids and complex interference profiles, making fast and reliable multi-element analysis difficult with traditional ICP-MS methods. This work describes a high-throughput ICP-MS/MS workflow for routine environmental analysis that combines discrete sampling with advanced interference control using a single helium mode.&nbsp;<blockquote>Presenter: Yan Cheung, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)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.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Analysis of Environmental Waters by 9500 ICP-QQQ in Advanced Helium Mode

Analysis of Environmental Waters by 9500 ICP-QQQ in Advanced Helium Mode

Boost environmental lab throughput with the Agilent 9500 ICP-QQQ. Learn how advanced helium mode resolves interferences in complex matrices

Environmental Analysis via 9500 ICP-QQQ Helium Mode

Understanding the chemical stability of MXenes under realistic operating conditions is essential for their reliable use in ion separation and electrochemical systems.&nbsp;In this webinar, we highlight the application of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES, Agilent-5900) as a powerful analytical tool to quantitatively evaluate elemental evolution during MXene degradation.&nbsp;By tracking dissolved species in the solution, ICP-OES enables precise assessment of metal leaching and oxidation under pH and temperature control. Furthermore, we investigate the ion selectivity of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene channels and their underlying physicochemical origins. We demonstrate that the interlayer spacing and surface chemistry critically regulate ion mobility, leading to pronounced Li+ selectivity among monovalent and multivalent ions. In these studies, ICP-OES 5900 serves as an indispensable analytical platform, helping us establish a fundamental basis for the application of MXenes in ion separation technologies.<blockquote>Presenter: Yuan Zhang (Research Assistant Professor, Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, Drexel University)Dr. Yuan Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor at the Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, Drexel University. An Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and a Cotswold Postdoctoral Fellow, she earned her Ph.D. in Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Germany. Her expertise spans materials science and electrochemistry, focusing on molecular-scale ion transport, 2D MXene nanofluid, and energy storage.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Elemental Evaluation of MXene Degradation and Application in Ion Separation

Elemental Evaluation of MXene Degradation and Application in Ion Separation

Study MXene stability and ion separation with Agilent. Learn how the 5900 ICP-OES tracks degradation, oxidation, and lithium selectivity

Evaluating MXene Degradation & Ion Separation via ICP-OES

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) is a powerful technique for investigating catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions. In this live webinar, subject matter specialists from Michigan State University, Specac, and Thermo Fisher Scientific will discuss how in situ DRIFTS can be used to study dry reforming of methane over ceria-supported catalysts and provide insight into the surface species and reaction intermediates involved in catalytic CO₂ utilization.The session will explore DRIFTS experimental setup considerations, approaches for relating spectral observations to catalyst behavior, and examples of how researchers use in situ spectroscopy to investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions. Presenters will also discuss complementary characterization techniques, including CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS, and their role in catalyst research workflows.Attendees will be able to gain practical knowledge that can help strengthen catalyst characterization strategies, support experimental design, and improve interpretation of catalyst behavior in heterogeneous catalysis research.<h4>Key takeaways</h4>By attending this webinar, you can learn several aspects about this specific method of analysis:<ul><li>Apply in situ DRIFTS to investigate catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions</li><li>Monitor adsorbed species and reaction intermediates during dry reforming of methane</li><li>Relate spectral observations to catalyst behavior and reaction mechanisms</li><li>Investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions in ceria-supported catalyst systems</li><li>Evaluate when to use complementary techniques such as CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS</li><li>Incorporate DRIFTS into catalyst characterization workflows to support more informed research and development decisions.</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4><ul><li>Catalysis researchers</li><li>Materials scientists</li><li>Surface scientists</li><li>FTIR and vibrational spectroscopy users</li><li>Academic researchers studying heterogeneous catalysis</li><li>Scientists involved in catalyst development and characterization</li><li>Researchers working in CO₂ utilization, carbon management, and sustainable catalysis</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Md Monir Hossain, PhD Candidate, Michigan State UniversityResearcher focused on heterogeneous catalysis, carbon utilization, and DRIFTS studies of ceria-supported catalysts for dry reforming of methane.Presenter: Jim Delaney, Applications Team Lead, SpecacLeader of global spectroscopy application development and customer engagement efforts, supporting advanced research and industrial spectroscopy workflows.Presenter: Lena Woodis, PhD Product Manager, Thermo Fisher ScientificVibrational spectroscopy veteran with more than 15 years of experience in chemical instrumentation, FTIR spectroscopy, and analytical technologies.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

In this webinar, subject matter specialists will discuss how in situ DRIFTS can be used to study dry reforming of methane over ceria-supported catalysts.

Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

Renewable energy resources such as solar are promising complements to the combustion of fossil fuels. However, the intermittent and diurnal nature of sunlight necessitates economical and efficient energy storage technologies. A promising approach to both storing solar energy and generating combustible liquid fuels is driving the transformation of abundant energy-poor feedstocks (CO2, H2O) into energy-dense liquid fuels using energy from solar photons, known as “artificial photosynthesis.”&nbsp;One approach for artificial photosynthesis is to immobilize fuel-producing molecular catalysts onto light-absorbing semiconductor materials to create “hybrid photoelectrodes,” allowing for both the stability of heterogenous surfaces and the tunability of molecular catalysts. The Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) is a multi-institutional energy innovation hub which aims to advance hybrid photoelectrodes for the light-driven generation of liquid fuels from CO2 and H2O. A variety of chemical techniques, including sonochemical hydrosilylation, π-π stacking, and electrochemical grafting, are utilized to anchor ruthenium and rhenium molecular CO2-reduction catalysts to a silicon surface.&nbsp;To study the efficacy of these catalyst loading techniques, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (employing an Agilent 7850 ICP-MS) is leveraged to quantify catalyst surface coverage. Silicon samples are digested in an HNO3/HCl matrix to solubilize ruthenium and rhenium metal centers. As each anchored molecular catalyst contains one metal center, surface coverage estimates can be drawn by pairing ICP-MS data with the dimensions of the catalyst and the size of the silicon photoelectrode. From these data, key conclusions are drawn which correlate anchoring technique, reaction time, and silicon morphology to the loadings of these molecular catalysts. This information provides a guiding framework for next-generation designs of hybrid photoelectrodes.<blockquote>Presenter: Jillian L. Dempsey (Director, Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) and an Associate Editor for ACS Electrochemistry)Jillian L. Dempsey is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently the Director of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) and an Associate Editor for ACS Electrochemistry.Jillian received her S.B. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 where she worked in the laboratory of Prof. Daniel G. Nocera. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, she carried out research with Prof. Harry B. Gray and Dr. Jay R. Winkler at the California Institute of Technology, receiving her PhD in 2011. From 2011–2012 she was an NSF ACC Postdoctoral Fellow with Daniel R. Gamelin at the University of Washington.In 2012, Jillian joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research group explores charge transfer processes associated with energy capture and conversion, including proton-coupled electron transfer reactions and electron transfer across interfaces. Her research bridges molecular and materials chemistry and relies heavily on methods of physical inorganic chemistry, including transient absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry.She has received numerous awards including the Harry B. Gray Award for Creative Work in Inorganic Chemistry by a Young Investigator (2019), the J. Carlyle Sitterson Award for Teaching First-Year Students (2017), a Sloan Research Fellowship (2016), a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering (2015), the Agnes Fay Morgan Research Award (2020), the University Award for Advancement of Women (2021), and the Brown Investigator Award (2026).</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Rebecca E. Powers (Graduate Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)Rebecca (Becca) E. Powers is a fourth-year graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Prof. Jillian L. Dempsey’s research group.Becca graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry and B.S. in Physics from Creighton University in 2022. At Creighton University, she researched in the laboratories of Dr. Kayode Oshin and Dr. Janet Seger. While pursuing degrees in both chemistry and physics, Becca conducted research across both fields, including work on the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Becca was selected as both a Clare Boothe Luce fellow and a Goldwater Scholar during her undergraduate studies.Becca joined Prof. Jillian Dempsey’s lab in 2022 and began researching as a part of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE). Her research explores the chemical and physical properties of semiconducting photoelectrodes for photon capture and solar fuel generation. Becca’s research utilizes a large range of techniques, including electrochemistry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (TRIR). Becca’s outreach and research efforts have been recognized with a Prof. James Tamage Dobbins Award and UNC Chemistry Graduate Student Award for Research Excellence.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: ICP-MS for Hybrid Photoelectrode Characterization

ICP-MS for Hybrid Photoelectrode Characterization

Learn how the Agilent 7850 ICP-MS quantifies catalyst surface coverage on hybrid photoelectrodes to advance artificial photosynthesis and solar fuel research

Hybrid Photoelectrode Characterization via ICP-MS

Laboratories are under growing pressure to handle increasing volumes of samples and data while operating under tighter regulatory inspection, all without compromising turnaround times or traceability. In this context, many organizations attempt to extend existing workflows and legacy tools, which can introduce inefficiencies, increase manual effort, and create compliance risks. At the same time, it is not always clear which digital solutions are best suited to address these challenges.This presentation illustrates how modern digital laboratory environments streamline routine activities by minimizing manual tasks and embedding compliance directly into everyday workflows. Drawing on a real-world use case, we show how automated capture of data from multiple sample measurements at the point of execution enables a continuous, sample-centric workflow.By removing manual interventions and paper-based processes, laboratories can improve efficiency and visibility, support faster and more reliable decision-making while remaining responsive to evolving customer demands.<h4>Learning Points</h4><ul><li>The role of different systems (LIMS, SDMS, ELN) within the digital lab landscape and how they differ from each other's</li><li>How WebLab manages laboratory operations from a sample perspective, enabling you to track every sample, stage, and next action across workflows</li><li>How automated data capture from connected instruments helps reduce errors, lower contamination risks, and accelerate sample processing</li><li>You will see, through a real-life example, how integrated digital workflows improve data quality, accelerate reporting, and increase operational efficiency</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4>Professionals working in small to mid‑sized laboratories, including:<ul><li>Directors and Managers of Analytical, QC, or Contract Labs</li><li>Lab Operations and QA/QC Leaders</li><li>Digitalization and IT at organizations transitioning from paper, Excel, or legacy systems to LIMS</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Peter Bellstedt, PhD (Director of Business Development and Product Manager at SciY)Peter studied Biochemistry at the University of Jena before completing a PhD on the structural characterization of a DNA repair protein using solution and solid-state NMR. He was then appointed as the head of the NMR Spectroscopy Platform in Jena, Germany, where he pioneered the implementation of modern, highly efficient data-driven workflows. After five years, he moved to the University of Zurich, Switzerland, as a principal investigator, where his lab focused on structure-based drug discovery. This year, he brought his wealth of experience to the LOGS by SciY team, focusing on efficient workflow solutions for research labs and facilities on a global scale.</blockquote>

SciY: From Legacy Workflows to Paperless Labs: Track Every Sample, Process, and Decision

From Legacy Workflows to Paperless Labs: Track Every Sample, Process, and Decision

Transition from paper to a paperless lab. Discover how WebLab, LIMS, and automated data capture streamline sample tracking and boost compliance

Paperless Labs & Sample Tracking: Digital LIMS Workflows

Fentanyl and synthetic drugs have fundamentally changed how law enforcement handles narcotics testing, raising the stakes for officer safety, operational speed and evidence handling. In this live discussion, Rhode Island counterdrug analyst Erik Burmeister will share how testing workflows actually work in the field today, from roadside seizures to controlled environments.Learn how agencies deploy tools like handheld Raman, trace detection and traditional methods to safely identify substances while maintaining investigative momentum. Through real-world examples, this webinar will explore key decision points, current limitations (including lab backlogs) and practical lessons you can apply within your own agency.<h5>By joining this webinar, you will learn:</h5><ul><li>How agencies are improving officer safety during narcotics identification.</li><li>Where handheld tools fit within real-world testing workflows.</li><li>When to conduct on-scene versus controlled environment testing.</li><li>Key limitations and decision points in narcotics identification today.</li><li>Operational benefits agencies are seeing from modern identification tools.</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Erik BurmeisterErik Burmeister is a seasoned intelligence and law enforcement professional with over 20 years of service in the Rhode Island Army National Guard, including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. For the past nine years he has served as a criminal analyst with the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program. Through this role Burmeister has spent seven years assigned to the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, followed by two years with the Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit. His work focuses on supporting state and federal efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen intelligence-driven policing.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Dr. Adam J. HopkinsAdam has served as the Spectroscopy Product Manager at Metrohm USA since 2016, supporting the development and application of handheld and laboratory spectroscopic solutions for substance identification and chemical analysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, where he specialized in nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Prior to joining Metrohm Hopkins spent several years developing spectroscopic technologies for standoff and noncontact sensing applications, with expertise in Raman spectroscopy, LIBS and other advanced analytical techniques. Through his work with law enforcement, forensic, and industrial organizations, he helps agencies evaluate and implement technologies that support safer, faster identification of unknown substances in the field and laboratory. Hopkins has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings and is the inventor on three patents related to spectroscopic technologies.</blockquote>

Metrohm: Safer Narcotics Identification in the Fentanyl Era - Lessons from Rhode Island State Police

Safer Narcotics Identification in the Fentanyl Era: Lessons from Rhode Island State Police

Learn how Rhode Island State Police use handheld Raman tools for safe fentanyl identification and faster field drug analysis in this live webinar

Safer Narcotics & Fentanyl Identification: Field Workflows

In this webinar we will discuss raw material verification testing through transparent and non-transparent packaging using the new Agilent Vaya Raman system. Vaya is the first handheld Raman spectrometer incorporating spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) technology for the quick identification of raw materials through containers. SORS reduces the need for sampling, saving cost, and resources by testing incoming goods quickly in the warehouse. Vaya combines the capabilities of conventional Raman systems with SORS for maximum sample/container compatibility. A range of container/material combinations will be discussed.<blockquote>Presenter: Luciana Terra (Application Scientist, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Luciana Terra has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Alfenas (Unifal-MG) as well as a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, on Chemometrics, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), where she developed work focused on petroleum quality and derivatives using high-resolution Mass Spectrometry, NIR, and chemometrics methodologies. As part of her Ph.D., she also worked at the University of Calgary in Canada. While completing her Master’s Degree at Unicamp, Luciana developed a new methodology for drug polymorphism detection using NIR imaging and chemometrics tools for quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2019, she joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist for Molecular Spectroscopy in UV-Vis, Fluorescence, IR, and Raman techniques, at Agilent Technologies, in Brazil.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Verifying Raw Materials with a Handheld Instrument

Verifying Raw Materials with a Handheld Instrument

Master raw material verification through non-transparent containers with the Agilent Vaya handheld SORS Raman system. Reduce sampling costs and downtime

Handheld SORS Raman: Raw Material Testing with Agilent Vaya

An accessory to make absolute specular measurements for specific angles has been available for decades. It's limitation is that it is not easily adaptable to measuring absolute reflectance at any given angle. The Cary 7000 with its unique accessory design has changed the difficulty of the measurement from being a limitation to one of ease. Adding the desire to measure both reflectance and transmission at the same angle increases the design problem which previously was dealt with by using two accessories, one for reflectance and one for transmission. This approach led to uncertainties in knowing the measurements were being made on the same spot. This presentation will look at the design of an absolute reflectance accessory along with the ease of use to be able to collect absolute specular measurements at nearly any user desired angles.<blockquote>Presenter: Scott Melis, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Scott Melis has a PHD in Physics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and started with Agilent in 2021 as a Molecular Spectroscopy Application Scientist. In his graduate work, Scott studied nanoparticle formation and growth for a variety of applications. Projects that he worked with include developing processes to deposit and characterize semiconducting molecular nano-cocrystals for use in optoelectronic devices as well as controlling polymer nanoparticle size through rapid mixing conditions.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Absolute Specular Reflectance made Easy in UV-Vis-NIR

Absolute Specular Reflectance made Easy in UV-Vis-NIR

Master absolute specular reflectance and transmission measurements in UV-Vis-NIR. Learn how Agilent Cary 7000 enables variable-angle testing

Absolute Specular Reflectance in UV-Vis-NIR: Cary 7000

<h5>The Problem&nbsp;</h5>Most researchers developing LNPs are stuck in the shade with one-by-one LNP makers that either run costly single use consumables or need a whole extra run to clean the mixer and flowpath before pressing on with more formulations. They tie researchers to the lab bench, and often consume more reagents than you’d ideally want. At the end of the day, this means fewer samples processed, with more hands-on time and higher per experiment costs&nbsp;<h5>The Solution</h5>Sunscreen stops formulation labs from getting burnt by high costs, wasted reagents and laborious sample processing with 100% re-usable mixers and automated sample processing in a 96 well plate format. Using as little as 400 µL of sample per formulation and running a sample every 3-4 minutes, you get more formulations in less time from less material – all while you bask in the extra hours you thought you’d never get back.&nbsp;<h5>The Proof&nbsp;</h5>In this virtual seminar we’ll shed light on how Sunscreen’s automation enables fully hands-free LNP formulation, learn about the benefits of mixing LNPs with Sunnies, and check out the impact of Sunscreen vs one-by-one approaches.&nbsp;<blockquote>Presenter: Ben Knappett, PhD (Sr. Product Manager, The Sunny Suite, Unchained Labs)Ben Knappett is the Sr. Product Manager for the Sunny Suite, Unchained Labs’ automated microfluidic nanoparticle synthesis instruments, used primarily for LNP encapsulation in drug delivery, vaccines, and gene therapy applications. Ben received his MChem degree from Durham University, and completed a PhD in nanoparticle synthesis and characterization at the University of Cambridge. Ben previously worked for Particle Works as Head of Science and Applications, playing a key role in the development and commercialization of the instruments that now make up the Sunny Suite.</blockquote>

Unchained Labs: Make your LNP formulation workflow shine with Sunscreen

Make your LNP formulation workflow shine with Sunscreen

Automate LNP formulation with the Sunscreen system. Learn how 96-well plate automation and reusable mixers reduce reagent waste and speed up workflows.

Automated LNP Formulation Workflows: Sunscreen Platform

Precious metals testing demands speed, accuracy, and confidence. Whether verifying purity, identifying alloy composition, or supporting incoming inspection and quality control, organizations need analytical results they can trust. In this webinar, discover how modern ED-XRF technology enables fast, nondestructive elemental analysis and helps streamline precious metals testing workflows. The new SPECTROSCOUT kt has been designed specifically for users who require reliable assay results, easy operation, and flexible deployment directly where measurements are needed.Join our experts for an in-depth introduction to the SPECTROSCOUT kt and learn how it delivers accurate precious metals analysis in as little as 30 to 90 seconds. You'll see how advanced ED-XRF technology supports the determination of gold, silver, and other precious metal concentrations while helping users improve throughput, reduce uncertainty, and make informed decisions faster. The webinar will also explore key applications including jewelry testing, hallmark verification, recycling, refining, and point-of-sale analysis.<h5>What You'll Learn</h5><ul><li>How the SPECTROSCOUT kt enables fast, nondestructive elemental analysis of precious metals and alloys</li><li>How advanced ED-XRF technology delivers reliable purity verification and alloy identification</li><li>How a compact, portable analyzer can improve productivity and testing flexibility across multiple environments</li></ul><h4>Join us live:</h4><ul><li>10:30 AM CEST (Berlin); 4:30 PM SGT (Singapore) — Time Slot 1</li><li>11:00 AM EDT (New York); 5:00 PM CEST (Berlin) — Time Slot 2</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dirk Wissmann&nbsp;Dirk Wissmann is the Product Manager for XRF instruments at SPECTRO Analytical Instruments and is responsible for the strategic development of the complete product line including application development and product support. Dirk’s experience in spectroscopy began with his graduate work in physics at the university in Siegen, Germany. He moved to SPECTRO in 1990 with assignments in quality control, training, application development, and marketing.</blockquote>

SPECTRO / AMETEK: Introducing the SPECTROSCOUT kt: Accurate Precious Metals Assays — Anywhere

Introducing the SPECTROSCOUT kt: Accurate Precious Metals Assays — Anywhere

Learn how SPECTROSCOUT kt enables rapid ED-XRF analysis of gold, silver, and alloys for purity testing, hallmarking, recycling, and quality control.

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