Cool new tool from Thames Restek gets to grips with a burning issue

To tackle a burning safety issue, Thames Restek has introduced a cool new product called the Claw to its extensive range of chromatography accessories. This clever device easily and effectively removes hot liners from injection ports without the risk of burning fingers.

The Claw can safely and cleanly remove liners, O-rings or small objects from the injection port. Once removed, the hot objects can then be safely placed in a clean 4mL vial in the Claw Holder until ready for re-use.

Made of durable aluminium, the Claw is suitable for use with any size or make of liner and can handle temperatures up to and exceeding 400 degrees centigrade.
Storage vials are easily replaced when dirty, providing a cost-effective way to store and protect consumables. The Claw can be purchased with or without the holder kit, which conveniently stores the Claw and up to four vials.

With 20 years experience in the industry, Thames Restek provides an unrivalled range of quality chromatography equipment and accessories from key manufacturers including the US Restek Corporation as well as Parker Balston, Valco and Hamilton. The company prides itself on its ability to react quickly to customers' requirements and the extensive technical knowledge of its team.

For further information, view website: www.thamesrestek.co.uk   

The Mitos Capillary Electrophoresis Chip A
separates species on their size to charge ratio

Dolomite, now offer the glass Mitos Capillary Electrophoresis Chip A to separate small quantities of biological molecules by capillary electrophoresis. Measuring only 15 x 45 x 2 mm, this electrophoresis chip combines a cross channel design with a 20 µm channel depth and a 30 mm long channel for accurate analysis of the separa

tion.
With excellent chemical compatibility, the Mitos Capillary Electrophoresis Chip A separates species in the interior of the microchannel based on their size to charge ratio. The high surface to volume ratio of the microchannels enables the application of high voltages without overheating the samples. Furthermore, an extremely smooth channel surface, in combination with a wide pressure and temperature range make it ideal for a broad range of applications.

Dolomite also allows users to custom design chips with straight channels up to 150 mm in length, for improved detection sensitivity. Furthermore, the electrophoresis chip can be fabricated with a channel depth varying from 250 nm to 300 µm, allowing accurate analysis of different sample volumes. The thickness of the top and base layers can range from 150 µm to 5 mm, and the entire chip can be fabricated from quartz, if required. With excellent optical transmission and high visibility, this chip allows excellent access for microscope-based inspection systems.

For further information on the Mitos Capillary Electrophoresis Chip A as well as the full range of microfluidic capabilities available from Dolomite including pumps, inter

The 1ml Microreactor Chip enables rapid amalgamation
of fluid streams, and is ideal for solution phase chemistry

Dolomite are also offering the 1ml Microreactor Chip, a glass microfluidic device designed for the mixing and reacting of two or three liquid reagent streams. Ideal for solution phase chemistry, including compound synthesis and reaction kinetics studies, this chip enables rapid mixing across a wide range of flow rates.

The chip has three glass layers that are accurately aligned and thermally fused. Each glass layer has etched microchannels providing a total reaction volume of 1ml, which is very high for a microfluidic device. By using multiple glass layers it is possible to achieve interdigitated mixing of the input streams. Interdigitated mixing involves splitting and recombining the input streams to reduce diffusion distance and hence mixing time.

First developed for leading chemistry automation innovator, Syrris, the 1ml Microreactor Chip was designed to form part of Syrris' Africa microreactor flow system. Ideally suited for applications such as reaction optimization, nanoparticle synthesis and kinetic studies, the 1ml Microreactor Chip is an integral part of the Africa system providing rapid mixing across a range of flow rates as well as providing faster and cleaner reactions.

Quick connection and disconnection of fluid pipes is enabled via the chip's compatibility with an innovative chip holder and header. Measuring at 35 x 90 x 4.5mm, this chip has a reaction volume of 1000µl. With the ability to heat or cool the fluid before mixing, the reactor chips can be mounted onto the heating module using a microreactor adaptor to provide an operating temperature ranging from -20 to 300°C. 

With high visibility levels, this chip allows excellent access for optical analysis systems. Furthermore, a wide temperature and pressure range along with excellent chemical compatibility makes this microfluidic device ideal for a broad range of microfluidic applications.

For further information on the 1ml Microreactor Chip and the full range of microfluidic capabilities available from Dolomite including pumps, interconnects, chips, valves, etc. view website: www.dolomite-microfluidics.com  Refer to page 285

Experimental apparatus designed to investigate
interactions between small molecules and solids

Working towards a PhD at North Carolina State University's Department of Chemistry under the guidance of advisor James D. Martin, Research Graduate Robert Wilcox is using a microbalance head, logging software and accessories supplied by CI Electronics of the UK. Wilcox has incorporated the microbalance head within experimental apparatus that he designed himself in order to investigate interactions between small molecules and solids.

As well as the PTFE-coated Mk2-M5 microbalance head, Mr. Wilcox is also using a DISBAL control unit, LabWeigh software package, cables and accessories from CI Electronics. However, he manufactured his own glassware to create the sample enclosure and other elements of the apparatus.

Commenting on the modular design of the microbalance, he says: "It was great to be able to purchase the microbalance in the form of a cost-effective kit so I could build up the instrument to suit my needs. I am really pleased with the way it all turned out, and it all runs very smoothly. CI Electronics was extremely helpful before I placed the order, providing lots of information to help me design the instrument. In use, the microbalance head has proven to be robust and reliable, so I have not needed to contact CI Electronics for any ongoing technical support."

Before building the new instrument, Robert Wilcox had used a conventional thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), but this gave poor control at the low temperatures at which he wanted to operate, and the performance at low vapour pressures was restricted. Using his own set-up, Mr. Wilcox is able to flow a gas over the solid sample, control the temperature and record the absorption time using CI's LabWeigh software.

This approach has enabled him to study the reaction kinematics and map phase diagrams as part of his research into interactions between small molecules and solids. Because of the microbalance's ability to measure with microgram accuracy, Mr. Wilcox benefits from being able to use relatively small sample sizes.

For further information, e-mail sales@cielec.com  or view website: www.cielec.com