Ultraviolet/Visible Spectrophotometry
We operate a DU series 520 spectro-photometer from Beckman for MDI (isocyanate), color and formaldehyde analysis. The instrument is also used for some graduate student projects.
Beckman DU520 UV/Vis Spectrophotometer
Equipment such as the GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatographic) unit below was obtained in a collaborative venture with Professor Barb Zeeb (Royal Military College).
J2 Scientific Accuprep MPS
"The AccuPrep MPS for GPC Cleanup performs cleanup of a wide range of sample matrices including foods, tissues, grains, plants and environmental samples such as soil, sludge, and hazardous waste for EPA (SW-846 Method 3640A), CLP, FDA, USDA and USDI analysis.
The new AccuPrep MPS has the core features that previous AccuPrep systems have been known for: Solvent Level Sensing warns when solvent is low and pauses operation if the level is not replenished; Probe Tracking feature minimizes probe contact with the sample and increases rinsing efficiency; and Septum Piercing allows sample and collect vials to be sealed, ensuring the integrity of the sample".
The J2 Scientific Accuprep MPS unit has a 1 meter methylene chloride column, loaded with s-X3 Biobeads. The unit is primarily used to separate plant lipids from PCBs. The extracts are then quantitated for PCB concentration.
©Copyright J2 Scientific
Visit the
Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Hydride generation is a technique in which a reduction step is employed to convert certain elements to volatile metal hydrides. The atomization efficiency is thus greatly increased with a corresponding decrease in detection limits.
The technique has been in use for several decades and interferences are few and well known. Elements such as arsenic are routinely analyzed.
The ASU has a Vapor Generation Accessory (VGA77) from Agilent Technologies (formerly Varian) with electrothermal controller unit (ETC60) and furnace that is available for analyses by special request.
A Varian FS240 with an ETC60 controller, VGA77 unit and furnace was setup in 2005 and 2006 (shown below) to support the cleanup project located in Cape Dyer, (DYE-M), Nunavut, Canada. The unit was setup to analyze for arsenic in soil samples. The mobile laboratory was operated north of the arctic circle.
Other lab equipment such as a muffle furnace, centrifuges, platform shaker tables, end over end agitators (TCLP - toxicity characterization leachate procedure), rotary evaporators and Buchi Synchor concentrators are available and used as standard.
​