Axiom Analytical, Inc. has announced its fibre-optic coupled FST-600N Series NIR transmission sampling systems. Available in both manual and auto-sampling versions, they provide the ability to analyse pharmaceutical and chemical samples over pathlengths ranging from zero to 5 mm. The operation of the FST-600 is based on the use of a moveable fibre-optic probe. This is mounted on a rack and pinion stage with an electronic pathlength readout. Samples are contained in cuvettes or plastic bags. Both heated and multisampling stages are available. The auto-sampling version of the FST-600 features computer control of path length and sample sequencing. This allows the system to be programmed to sequentially analyse multiple samples either at a fixed path length or a series of path lengths.

The Perten Instruments website is now available in German and French.  www.perten.com

Applied Analytics has experienced double digit growth in 2009, with success in key markets such as Brazil, the US, Japan and the Persian Gulf.  www.a-a-inc.com

Chemical studies of exoplanets—planets that orbit not the Sun, but distant stars—rely on spectroscopy. Such studies used to be the domain of space observatories and of the world's largest ground-based telescopes. Now, a new data analysis technique successfully pioneered by a group of astronomers from the US, the UK and Germany has brought exoplanet spectroscopy to a much smaller (and more wide-spread) class of ground-based telescopes.

Ocean Optics has expanded the wavelength capabilities of several of its miniature fibre-optic spectrometers. The XR series, available for the USB2000+, JAZ-EL2000 and USB4000, covers all wavelengths from ~200 nm to 1050 nm.

The new SimPlus software from Perten Instruments allows users to monitor and administrate multiple DA 7200 instruments (on-site or remote installations) from one location, access data and results, update calibrations and create reports.

MicrOptix Technologies has launched a new family of sample adaptors for the i-LAB hand held analysing spectrometer, which opens up a wide array of visible and NIR range measurement possibilities for i-LAB users.

Vixar has announced a new line of multi-wavelength lasers packaged in a small form factor housing, targeting industrial sensing, spectroscopy and medical sensing applications.

Children as young as five months old will follow the gaze of an adult towards an object and engage in joint attention, according to research at Birkbeck, University of London, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. The findings, published in Biology Letters (doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.1069), suggest that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.

Children as young as five months old will follow the gaze of an adult towards an object and engage in joint attention, according to research at Birkbeck, University of London, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. The findings, published in Biology Letters (doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.1069), suggest that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.

Espinosa Alonso, a chemist from Utrecht University, The Netherlands, used four different spectroscopic techniques to study catalysts in the course of their preparation: UV-vis-NIR-microspectroscopy, IR microspectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tomographic energy dispersive diffraction imaging (TEDDI). Whilst MRI and TEDDI are already frequently used in other research fields, but they are not commonly used to study the preparation of catalysts.

The 14th International Conference on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR-2009) was held from 7 to 16 November in Bangkok, Thailand.

We are pleased to bring you photos and videos from:

The conference The exhibition The social programme

A.M.C. DaviesNorwich Near Infrared Consultancy, 75 Intwood Road, Cringleford, Norwich NR4 6AA, UK. E-mail: td@nnirc.co.ukTom FearnDepartment of Statistical Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. E-mail: tom@stats.ucl.ac.uk

Introduction

This column has been developed from two recent publications by Tom.1,2 My thanks to NIR Publications for allowing us to use Reference 1 essentially unchanged.

Tony

It is common practice in near infrared (NIR) calibration to apply pre-treatments designed to correct for the scatter effects usually seen in absorbance data. These pre-treatments can interfere with interpretation of the spectra. This is illustrated here with the aid of two rather extreme artificial examples.

Foss NIRSystems has introduced Service Pack 3 for Vision 3.50 and, at the same time, released DSP 27, which replaces DSP 26 and all previous versions.

A new 3/4 inch vis/NIR reflection probe from getspec, with internal standard and integrated redundant light sources, has been designed especially for rough process conditions, aiming to achieve high levels of long-term stability and reliability.

The new Tandem II from Bruker Optics is a fully automatic tablet testing system for on-line pharmaceutical process monitoring solutions, combining FT-NIR spectroscopy for tablet content uniformity and physical tablet tests of weight, thickness, diameter and hardness.

The getProbe 3302 SET from getSpec is a new integrated sphere with an integrated halogen light source in the sphere.

Using deuterium light sources, the dominant alpha-peak at 625 nm disturbs a balanced emission spectra, which means the dynamic range of the used measuring instrument cannot be used efficiently.

id Quantique, represented in the UK and Ireland by Photonic Solutions, has announced a reduced noise level for its id201 single photon detection module at NIR wavelengths.

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This series of conferences has produced some memorable dinners and entertainment, and this was a cracker! Course after course. Videos from Karl Norris (“father” of NIR spectroscopy) and Fred McClure, another pioneer, who couldn’t attend. A slideshow of people and events from the previous conferences, presentations and the appointment of many of those involved in the fantastic organisation of the conference as honorary Hungarian cowboys and girls by Professor Karoly Kaffka, another of the first generation of NIR pioneers, and to cap it all, an unforgettable display of Thai dance, music and theatre.