January 31st, 2012
 Although Innovatech Labs doesn’t specialize in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) testing for emissions, this type of FTIR analysis has been getting quite a bit of news lately because state and federal emissions and air quality compliance rely on the results of FTIR testing to measure environmental air quality. While Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology is a powerful tool, it can involve a number of drawbacks. Obtaining air quality data that can withstand legal scrutiny requires significant expertise and an impeccable quality control system not unlike the chain of command for evidence held over in a criminal case.
Reasons for Compromised Data
Tags: FTIR analysis, ftir testing
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January 17th, 2012
 Imagine yourself working in a space station on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. You’ve just taken some soil and atmospheric samples and are sending them “overnight” to our lab for analysis. They will then be injected into our gas chromatograph for GC/MS testing. Sounds like an exciting phase of your career!
This science fiction scenario is being played out on Titan now, as you do your job here on Earth, minus the human element. With its thick atmosphere and organic-rich chemistry, Titan resembles a frozen version of Earth, several billion years ago, before life began pumping oxygen into our atmosphere.
Posted in GC/MS, Innovatech Labs | No Comments »
December 8th, 2011
 The explosion in the growth of technological applications incorporating new materials and covering a range of industries from nanotechnology to photovoltaics has created consequent growth in the need for FTIR lab testing for organic materials. Materials characterization measures the range of wavelength absorbed by a material such as crystals, polymers, composites, liquids and liquid crystals.
Following are a few FTIR sampling methods used by university researchers, scientists and process engineers alike.
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)
Posted in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Innovatech Labs | No Comments »
November 11th, 2011
 If anyone ever doubted that FTIR analysis is a lifetime study, he or she hasn’t scanned a life sciences or chemistry research library lately. With the advent of the Internet, much of what was once only available in print form is now available in an online and digital format as well.
Following is a breakdown of what we think to be some of the best resource materials to learn more about FTIR, in particular, and spectroscopy, in general.
FTIR Tutorials
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November 3rd, 2011
 When we hear the term “forensic science,” we often think of the popular CSI crime shows. CSI stands for “crime scene investigation.” But, did you know that chemists, biologists and researchers all are involved with investigative chemistry across industries?
Manufacturers stand to lose millions of dollars in lost time and product if their adhesives or solvents, for example, are contaminated. Plastics and electronics manufacturers rely on FTIR testing to determine if their polymer based parts meet their specifications and quality standards.
Forensic Chemists: The CSI of Manufacturing Processes
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October 4th, 2011
Often, manufacturing isn’t finished when a product leaves the production line. Many products – for example, biomedical devices, electronics, and plastics– still have to be tested for cleanliness and contamination. And, sometimes, ion chromatography is the only technique that affords the necessary quantitative analysis.
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September 9th, 2011
 What is GC/MS?
To ensure product quality and consumer safety, many manufacturers turn to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Combining aspects of both gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, GC/MS is a materials-analysis technique used to perform a specific test to positively identify a specific substance in a sample. Consequently, it is also considered the “gold standard” for forensic substance identification.
How do you analyze a Sample?
In the GC/MS process, a sample is first injected into a gas chromatograph, where components are separated according to size and/or polarity. Then, the components pass into a device known as a mass selective detector. It’s at this stage that a mass spectrum is obtained and compared against standard reference libraries in order to identify unknown components in the sample.
This is a preview of Specific Substance Testing: The Definitive Guide to GC/MS . Read the full post (389 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)
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August 19th, 2011
 Companies in industries across the board are searching for ways to understand material composition, provide better quality control of their products and identify materials and contaminants. FTIR Testing (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, a technology using absorbance infrared radiation makes all this possible.
What is FTIR Testing?
FTIR Testing is an analytical technique used to identify organic and some inorganic materials. Samples can be identified through the application of infrared radiation (IR). As the sample absorbs the infrared light, the absorbance of energy at the various wavelengths is measured to determine the material’s molecular composition and structure.
This is a preview of Using Light To Unlock Secrets: The Definitive Guide To FTIR Testing . Read the full post (376 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
Tags: definitive guide, ftir, ftir testing
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February 25th, 2011
 Differential scanning calorimetry is a process widely used for both quality testing and research in different industries. DSC is a technique to measure the difference in heat required to increase the temperature of a sample versus a known reference sample.
Using this technique, researchers and testers are able to gather critical data before, during and after creation of different products for industries including the pharmaceutical industry, food science and more.
To understand this process and what it does for different industries, let’s take a look at three industry examples for Differential Scanning Calorimetry:
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January 10th, 2011
 To understand the composition of surfaces or interfaces of a particular product, manufacturers may rely on an analytical technique called: Auger Electron Spectroscopy.
This information is important to product manufacturers as it tells the story behind product contaminations, stains and passivation layers. With this information, solutions to these problems become available. This ensures the quality of the product and upholds the safety of their customers.
To understand the overall Auger Electron Spectroscopy process and how it helps manufactured product production, before and after, please refer to the following:
Auger Electron Spectroscopy
This is a preview of Auger Electron Spectroscopy to Uphold Product Quality and Safety . Read the full post (274 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
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Although Innovatech Labs doesn’t specialize in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) testing for emissions, this type of FTIR analysis has been getting quite a bit of news lately because state and federal emissions and air quality compliance rely on the results of FTIR testing to measure environmental air quality. While Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology is a powerful tool, it can involve a number of drawbacks. Obtaining air quality data that can withstand legal scrutiny requires significant expertise and an impeccable quality control system not unlike the chain of command for evidence held over in a criminal case.
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