DLS technology MADLS and DSOI technology for ICP-OES: everything about these lab trends

Lab trends continue to develop at a rapid pace. In this blog we highlight two, both of which ensure that laboratory technicians have to perform fewer actions and therefore save time: DLS technique MADLS and DSOI technique for ICP-OES. Nicole Bos and Tineke Mink, from Sysmex, a supplier of high-end analytical laboratory equipment, talk about these innovations.

Chemical laboratory

Sysmex focuses largely on the medical lab world, such as blood and urine tests. But Bos and Mink are both involved in a different specialization within the company: Industry & Research. Bos as a sales engineer and Mink as an application specialist. “We go wherever products are recycled, made or developed,” says Bos.

Razor-sharp images

Bos doesn't have to think long about a lab trend: “The latest Zetasizer Ultra from Malvern Panalytical. This particle sizer quickly maps nano particle size distribution, thanks to the DLS technique MADLS (Multi Angle Dynamic Light Scattering).” This technique uses the correlation function of the backscatter, sidescatter and forward scatter angle combined. Bos: “This results in a particle size distribution with the best fit and the highest resolution. In some cases, MADLS even makes other costly and time-consuming techniques, such as electron microscopy, unnecessary. Bos calls the Zetasizer Ultra a very nice addition to a laboratory where laboratory technicians have to deal with nanoparticles. “Especially in biotech: because of the rapid screening during clinical studies and the further development of medicines.”

Revolutionary DSOI technology

Mink mentions a trend that can greatly simplify laboratory technician work during elemental analysis: ICP-OES with dual side-on interface (DSOI). This technology is up to twice as sensitive as systems with conventional radial plasma view. Mink: “We usually choose between radial or axial measurements during an ICP analysis. A radial measurement is more stable and accepts heavier matrices, but the sensitivity is not great. That is an axial measurement. But for this we have to considerably dilute samples that naturally contain a high matrix, and that takes a lot of laboratory technician time.” That is why Spectro released the DSOI technology. “Here, light is reflected from one side of the radial plasma through the plasma to the detector using a concave mirror. This way you catch much more light. This allows you to combine the matrix tolerance of a true radial plasma with detection limits that approach the detection limits of an axial system. In some cases, by excluding dilutions, the detection limits are even lower,” says Mink.

Robust and accurate

The advantages: higher matrix tolerance and lower detection limits, with fewer dilutions. Because diluting samples is usually a manual and time-consuming job. And it is precision work, where human error can easily lurk. The ICP-OES is robust and ensures accurate measurements.

Show trends at LabNL

The Sysmex experts will tell you all about the trends at the LabNL event; they are there with the equipment. For example, Bos and Mink can demonstrate user-friendliness. Mink: “We are curious about the conversations with existing and potential customers. We listen to their challenges, are happy to think along and advise on all possible laboratory solutions.”

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