Gold award for MS waves

Waters of Milford, Massachusetts, US, won the gold Editors' Choice award at PittCon 2007 for its Synapt HDMS mass spectrometer, which employs new ion mobility technology and software to enable the analysis of sample ions differentiated by size, charge, shape and mass. This improved specificity allows users to extract more information about samples, including the detection of previously unseen constituents. A key feature of Synapt HDMS is the patented Water Triwave technology which combines highly efficient ion mobility based measurement and separations with high performance quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Operational control and data acquisition and processing are performed through Waters MassLynx software. 
brian_J_Murphy@waters.com 

Detecting UV in miniature 

Paraytec of York, UK, won a joint silver Editors' Choice award at PittCon 2007 for its ActiPix D100 UV imaging detector which features increased sensitivity, sub-microlitre sample requirements, multiplexing capability (up to eight capillaries in one detector) and wide dynamic range (5-0.5 atomic units). This miniature ultraviolet detector, which can be placed in combination with existing lab hardware, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis, allows detection of peptides down to 100 ng/ml. 
info@paraytec.com

MS for proteins and peptides 

Thermo Fisher received a joint silver Editors' Choice award at PittCon 2007 for its LTQ XL linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with electron transfer dissociation (ETD). ETD produces c- and z-type peptide fragment ions, complementing the y- and b-type fragments generated during traditional collisionally induced ionisation of peptides by ion trap analysis; this improves protein/peptide characterisation. The EDT technology is also a powerful tool for the analysis of post-translational modifications analysis. Thermo's EDT source option hardware also supports multiple ion-ion reaction types, including protein transfer reactions. 
analyze@thermofisher.com 

World's smallest FT-IR 

Bruker Optics received a joint bronze Editors' Choice award at PittCon 2007 for its Alpha Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, claimed to be the world's smallest (8 x 11 inches footprint). Based on RockSolid design, the Alpha is insensitive to vibration, allowing it to be placed almost anywhere. User exchangeable QuickSnap sampling modules allow the analysis of solids, liquids and gases. Transmission, external reflection and attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared sampling accessories are available. A new sampling module incorporates a one-finger pressure applicator for faster and more reproducible ATR sampling. The Alpha is driven by Opus/Mentor software. 
Haydar.kustu@brukeroptics.com

Optical spectrometer 

Horiba Jobin of Stanmore, UK, received a joint bronze Editors' Choice award at PittCon 2007 for its Activa inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) which offers simultaneous analysis and background at multiple wavelengths within a wavelength analytical view.  This, claims Horiba Jobin, provides flexibility, speed, and high resolution, enabling users to select any wavelength from 160 to 800nm, choose the WAV (wavelength analytical view) mode, and personalise analysis speed and resolution. The Activa ICP-OES spectrometer uses a megapixel, back-illuminated charge-coupled device-type detector. 
info@jobinyvon.co.uk

Ultra-fast liquid chromatography 

Shimadzu of Milton Keynes, UK, introduced its new Prominence Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatograph (UFLC) at PittCon 2007, claimed to be up to 10 times faster than a conventional HPLC system using a 5 m m particle column. Key to the system is the SIL-20A autosampler, capable of a ten-second injection cycle while delivering <0.3 per cent residual standard deviation area repeatability.Prominence UFLC also reduces carryover by inhibiting the adsorption of samples and using wetted materials in the flow path. 
info@shimadzu.co.uk

TEM for all types 

Jeol of Welwyn Garden City, UK, launched the JEM-1400 high performance, high contrast, 120kV transmission electron microscope at Pittcon 2007. The instrument, which Jeol claims to be compact and easy-to-use, has an acceleration voltage of 40 to 120kV. It is suitable for structural biological, pathological, cryobiological, polymer and materials science applications. 
uk.sales@jeoleuro.com