autosamplers, we know we can rely on METTLER TOLEDO."

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1 Lab Analytical solutions in the laboratory 16 News Optimized Titration Workflow for Secure and Efficient Processes Titration workflows at Syngenta were operator-dependent when handling samples and data. The SmartSample solution has improved the security and efficiency of the quality control workflows of this agribusiness leader. With numerous production plants around the globe, Syngenta is one of the world s largest names in agribusiness, manufacturing crop protection products and commercial seeds. The company is also involved in biotechnology. Their plant in Monthey, Valais, Switzerland is responsible for the production of numerous pesticides. Syngenta s titration system is mainly used to determine trace amounts of cyanide and chloride as well as running standard acid-base titrations. Quality and process controls are a high priority for Syngenta. Mr. Kilic, group leader of Analytics, explains, "We are responsible for several control processes. Reliable and efficient laboratory equipment is, therefore, essential. When it comes to balances, titrators and autosamplers, we know we can rely on METTLER TOLEDO." Risks at sample and data handling The standard workflow for a series of titration samples previously involved weighing the samples at a balance, manually noting each weight and ID, typing the data into the titrator and placing the sample beakers on the autosampler rack in the correct order. Data transcription errors or incorrect sample order on the rack were a familiar scenario when dealing with many samples, thus requiring the user to repeat the analysis. Optimized titration workflow Workflow optimization at Syngenta was desirable in order to improve process security and improve upon lean organization

2 Titration Automation RFID tags can be attached to the beaker via a sleeve, the sample is weighed and the ID defined at the Excellence balance strategies. One of the key factors involved was secure sample and data handling. The SmartSample solution at the Monthey plant now provides the seamless interaction of an Excellence T70 titrator, an In- Motion Flex 100 ml AutoSampler and an Excellence XPE204 balance. SmartSample is as simple as it is compelling. All sample data is written on an RFID tag attached to the beaker directly at the balance. The InMotion autosampler, equipped with an RFID reader, automatically extracts this information and transfers it to the titrator. It is impossible to mix-up sample data as the information always stays with the sample. Easy and secure operation Lab assistant, Mr. Abbet, describes the workflow, "I weigh the sample, define the sample ID and press one button to write the data onto the tag. This saves time typing in weights and prevents potential er- rors. Then I put the beakers on the rack in any order and start the analysis." In conclusion Mr Kilic states, "METTLER TOLEDO to me stands for quality and robustness which is also what we demand of our analysis. We like the new SmartSample system and are pleased that we can further optimize our workflow." Text: J-L Roulin, Sales Consultant, Switzerland Publisher Mettler-Toledo GmbH Laboratory Division Im Langacher CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland Production LAB Division Marketing Global MarCom Switzerland Subject to technical changes. Mettler-Toledo GmbH 01/16 Printed in Switzerland. Sample beaker with RFID tag Weight and sample Info is written to RFID and XPE balance Sample is automatically analyzed using the data on the RFID on the InMotion sample changer 2 METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16

3 Liquidator96 simultaneously pipettes in 96 wells Quality qpcr data is assured thanks to Liquidator s excellent reproducibility Highly Reproducible PCR Advances Malaria Research Researchers at Stockholm s Karolinska Institute are investigating drug resistance in malaria infections. Pipet-Lite XLS+ multichannel pipettes ensure the necessary reproducibility of their PCR experiments. The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, is investigating the genetics of drug resistance in malaria-causing parasites. By fully sequencing genes from organisms, which exhibit drug resistance, they can identify single nucleotide polymorphisms that give rise to this resistance and lead to clinical failures. Accurate genotyping is therefore vital to their work. The role of pipetting in PCR workflows Pipetting plays a key role in these experiments. Since each patient sample can contain genetic material from three or four different strains of parasite, it is vital to maintain the correct ratios of genetic material throughout the PCR workflow to understand the process of drug resistance. Rainin multichannel pipettes are the best fit due to the high number of samples and replicates they process for PCR. Associate Professor J Pedro Gil is especially satisfied with the reproducibility achieved, We have a number of Pipet- Lite XLS+ multichannel which are used exclusively for PCR reaction set-up, to avoid the risk of contamination, and are able to achieve very good reproducibility, even with the very low quantities of starting material we work with. XLS+ Multichannel As their research moves forward, the number of samples processes for PCR also increases. In order to improve the efficiency of their pipetting, the department has purchased a Liquidator96, able to pipette micro-volumes in 96 wells simultaneously. Text: Benjamin Harink, Rainin Marketing Manager METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16 3

4 Moisture Determination Ten Years Reliably Testing Moisture Content in Chicken Soup A Chinese company tests the moisture content of its popular chicken bouillon powder 18 hours a day, six days a week. Five HG63 moisture analyzers have been operated continuously in this tough environment for nearly 10 years. Recent tests, undertaken by the company, confirm that the instruments continue to deliver highly reliable results. Optimum moisture content is essential to granulated chicken bouillon quality and shelf-life. With five moisture analyzers in operation, and each test taking ten minutes, the test is carried out 500 times each day. Under these strenuous conditions, METTLER TOLEDO HG63 moisture analyzers have provided quality managers with high durability and repeatable performance for years. However, as their fleet of analyzers approached their 10th birthday, plant management had a desire to test the performance of these workhorses to ensure they were still functioning reliably. Testing for accuracy Under the direction of Product Manager Claas Boerger, the company performed an equipment trial so plant managers could be sure about their analyzers performance. To gauge analyzer performance, quality managers were guided through a series of 30 tests, each comprised of six measurements per machine. Comparing measurements given by the same instrument provided a measure of repeatability; comparing measurements across all five provided a measure of reproducibility. Using the same batch of boullion, 8 g samples were placed on 10-minute cycles at a standard drying temperature of 102 C with moisture content values of ~0.8% declared as the target value. The repeatability values, with several samples measured under the same conditions on each instrument were all excellent at less than 0.03%. The overall mean moisture content, measured with the same sample but on different instruments, was 0.797% with a standard deviation of so clearly in line with the 0.8% target. After seeing these results, quality control managers had full confidence that they were meeting moisture content targets, thus ensuring their soup s shelf life, consistency and flavor. Such solid performance is a testament to the durability and accuracy of METTLER TOLEDO instruments over time. This carefully-guided analysis proved that all machines continue to provide the reliable results necessary to keep the plant and quality managers happy. Plans for the future In addition, METTLER TOLEDO recommended the use of their standard reference test substance, SmartCal, as part of the company s ongoing quality man- Samples ready for processing Moisture analyzers in the QC lab are working 24 hours a day, six days a week QC managers are satisfied with the performance of their moisture analyzers and SmartCal 4 METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16

5 agement program. SmartCal contains a defined amount of moisture and, with a simple 10-minute drying program, can verify moisture analyzer performance. Logging SmartCal test results is an ideal way to monitor moisture analyzer performance over time and provides an early indication of whether performance may be drifting out-of-specification. With SmartCal samples in hand, quality managers can test their machines at any time, giving them full confidence in their results. Text: Claas Boerger Moisture Product Manager Visit our website for information on our new generation of halogen moisture analyzers the same traditional build quality but with the newest technologies. METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16 5

6 Materials Characterization High-speed Thermal Analysis Spots Flawed Polymers Two polypropylenes of the same kind, which showed significant differences in their mechanical properties, were studied using DSC and Flash DSC. The Flash DSC 1 identified the mechanical properties of these two materials, thanks to its high-speed heating rate. Certain process-induced effects, such as the melting behavior of crystals formed in production, can only be studied with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) if reorganization processes are suppressed, i.e. during the first heating round. Flash DSC suppresses these reorganization processes thanks to high-speed heating rates. A comparison: DSC vs. Flash DSC Two polypropylenes (PP) of the same kind, but produced under different methods, were studied with DSC and Flash DSC in order to better understand the melting behavior of crystals. Figure 1 shows the results obtained using conventional DSC measured at 10 K/ min. The measurement curves show that the samples cannot be distinguished from one another using these measurements. The high-speed sensor in the Flash DSC1 suppressess reorganization processes during the first heating round Figure 2 displays the Flash DSC measurement curves of the first heating runs of the two samples measured at 100 K/sec. The curves show clear differences. The peak temperature of the melting peaks differs by about 8 K. This means that sample A (mass about 50 ng) consists of crystallites that are more stable, larger and melt at higher temperatures than sample B (mass about 80 ng). Flash DSC measurements allowed the two materials to be clearly distinguished in contrast to conventional DSC measurements. This is due to the high-speed heating rate of the Flash DSC, which was 625 times faster than the conventional DSC, preventing the reorganization in the sample during melting. Text: Matthias Wagner Thermal Analysis Product Manager Figure 1: Conventional DSC measurement curves at 10 K/min Figure 2: Flash DSC measure ment curves at 100 K/sec 6 METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16

7 ph VPac and certificate ph Performance Verification for Reliable and Traceable Results Because ph result accuracy can vary over time, system performance should be regularly verified. The METTLER TOLEDO VPac ph verification kit eliminates all the risks of conventional performance verification. ph measurement accuracy strongly depends on factors, such as the ph sensor, the calibration procedure and even user handling. The sensor, which is the core piece of the whole measurement system, decreases in performance level over time and this directly influences result accuracy. Furthermore, events, such as a new installation or setup change involve risks. It is, therefore, crucial to verify the performance of a ph system on a regular basis in order to maintain measurement accuracy. Performance verification on a professional basis The VPac ph verification kit is an easy way to verify the performance of a ph measuring system. The kit contains two test solutions of unknown ph value (one acidic and one alkaline) together with instructions for preparing the ph system and measuring the solutions. The measured values are entered onto an online verification page for immediate evaluation. Simply download a conformity certificate to confirm the suitability of the tested ph system. If the system fails, non-conformity information containing clear trouble-shooting instructions is provided. The VPac can be used for any ph system and provides easy and unbiased performance verification. Traceable solutions and a certificate (Figure 1) provide documentation for your audit trail. Text: Angela Stutz ph Lab Product Manager METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16 7

8 UV/VIS Spectroscopy Speed Up Your UV/VIS Measurements Accurate Results within Seconds The new series of UV/VIS spectrophotometers from METTLER TOLEDO combines state-of-the-art optical technology with intuitive One Click user interface in a compact design to deliver accurate results within seconds. It is the ideal partner for optimizing your spectroscopic workflows and data management tasks to meet regulatory guidelines. Increased efficiency FastTrack technology enables instant instrument readiness and full spectrum scans within a second without jeopardizing accuracy. Reliable results FastTrack technology has been designed to meet your expectations regarding instrument performance. Be at ease that you get results you can trust. Simple operation Easy to learn and customizable to each user s needs the intuitive user interface guides you step by step and lets you start applications with only OneClick.

9 Automated performance verification Compliance with regulations has never been easier. CertiRef automatically verifies all performance parameters and generates a comprehensive report. Methods library Pre-defined METTLER TOLEDO methods are available and ready for use, or for adaptation to your specific application needs. Plug & Play accessories Select the right accessory for every application, from various sample holders to automation devices for increased operation performance. Connectivity with LabX Combine all analytical instruments from METTLER TOLEDO with a single powerful PC software, which allows full data and workflow management. ABC of UV/VIS Spectroscopy Guide A comprehensive 360 overview about UV/VIS theory, instrument technology and industry segment specific applications. A valuable guide to enlighten your view on UV/VIS spectroscopy.

10 Product Highlight Trusted Results at Your Fingertips Worry-free Weighing With customers demanding short lead times and reliable delivery dates, a trustworthy balance that is simple and easy to use is essential for accurate results. The robust MS-TS balances incorporate advanced security features to consistently deliver reliable results. An intuitive touchscreen with graphical user interface and more than 10 built-in applications makes daily weighing tasks simple even for untrained operators. Always meet process tolerances The MinWeigh function puts a red warning onto the screen. The digits remain red until the net sample weight lies above the pre-programmed minimum value. Easy to operate display The 7 extra-large, color, TFT touchscreen display is operable with cotton, silicon and rubber gloves. An intuitive user interface and 18mm digits makes routine tasks more comfortable. Extended balance lifetime The full die-cast aluminum housing not only protects the weighing cell from environmental influences and impacts, but also remains resistant to harsh chemicals, including acetone METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16

11 Unattended, Representative Sampling Even in Extreme Conditions Sampling chemical reactions for offline analysis is standard practice. However, the sampling process is not always a precise operation and can be challenging with reactions at elevated temperatures or reactions where slurry exists. EasySampler TM 1210 was designed to eliminate these challenges with its automated and robust inline method of taking representative samples from reactions, even in extreme conditions. Representative samples The patented probe enables the capture and immediate quenching of reaction samples. This is particularly advantageous for monitoring low temperature and air sensitive chemistry. Heterogeneous reactions EasySampler captures reaction samples, including the solids, into a pocket of fixed volume. Solids dissolution begins immediately, delivering a dissolved sample for precise and accurate analytical data. Unattended 24/7 Samples are taken, quenched, diluted to a user-specified concentration and transferred to vials all at the simple the touch of a button. Sample sequencing can be programmed for unattended reaction sampling. METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 16 11

12 METTLER TOLEDO Service Effective Right Away with METTLER TOLEDO Service Take the stress-free route to instantly meet your productivity, quality and regulatory requirements. Rely on METTLER TOLEDO s trained experts when it comes to professional installation and operator instructions. METTLER TOLEDO Service offers competence and expertise in the following four areas: Installation Pacs Professional installation and configuration User familiarization Equipment qualification Calibration and Certificates Easily understandable and audit-proof certificates Internationally approved procedures Selected according to your requirements User Training Tailored to your needs Trained by the expert of the manufacturer Extended Care Extended warranty Preventive maintenance Priority technical assistance Mettler-Toledo GmbH Laboratory Division Im Langacher CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland For more information Local contact: