Differential Scanning Colorimeter (DSC)

DSC is a thermal analysis technique in which the heat flow into or out of a sample is measured as a function of temperature or time. DSC analysis is used to measure melting temperature, heat of fusion, latent heat of melting, reaction energy and temperature, glass transition temperature, crystalline phase transition temperature and energy, precipitation energy and temperature, denaturalization temperatures, oxidation induction times, and specific heat or heat capacity.

Applications: The DSC can utilize to analyze metal alloys, such as measuring metalalloy melting temperatures, the heat of fusion, metal magnetic or structure transition temperatures and heat of transformation.

X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful non-destructive technique for characterizing crystalline materials. It provides information on structures, phases, preferred crystal orientations, and other structural parameters, such as average grain size, crystallinity, strain, and crystal defects. X-ray diffraction peaks are produced by constructive interference of a monochromatic beam of X-rays scattered at specific angles from each set of lattice planes in a sample.

Applications: This technique is commonly used in many fields, including the Pharmaceutical industry, forensic science, geological science, ceramic and glass industry, etc. For example, in the ceramic industry, XRD is used to determine elemental composition analysis, the arrangements of those elements, defects, and quantity of elements and compounds.

High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

HPLC allows for selective and highly sensitive detection of trace and molecular-species specific compounds. This is commonly used to separate the components in a mixture, to identify each component, to quantify separated components, and to obtain the chemical profile or fingerprint of a crude mixture.

Applications: Applications of this technique include pharmaceutical applications, environmental applications, food and flavor, and applications in clinical tests, etc. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, the HPLC is used to test the products and to detect the raw ingredient used to make them, i.e., qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Polarized Microscope (Petrology)

Polarized Microscope is mainly used in geological studies for geological specimens in particularly for anisotropic materials (like minerals) which exhibit birefringent properties.
These anisotropic objects and substances can be studied under a polarizer, which increases the quality of image contrast more than other observation techniques, such as dark or bright field due to their birefringent optical properties. The polarizer which allows certain light waves or vibrations to pass through it focuses the different wavelengths and vibrations of light onto a
single plane. The relationship of the polarizer and analyzer determines the amount of light absorbed, reflected, refracted and/or transmitted through the microscope. This light is used to acquire images and information about the specimens.

Applications: In addition to geological applications, this method is used in fields such as medicine, chemistry, biology and metallurgy to analyze various anisotropic materials including some ceramics, polymers, and wood etc.

Agilent 7890 Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC- MS) is an analytical method that combines the features of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. The GC-MS is composed of two major building blocks: the gas chromatograph and the mass spectrometer. This hybrid analytical technique couples the separation capabilities of GC with the detection properties of MS to provide higher efficiency of sample analyses. While GC can separate volatile components in a sample, MS helps fragment the components and identify them based on their mass. GC-MS provides enhanced sample identification, higher sensitivity, an increased range of analyzable samples, and faster results.

The Agilent 7890 is a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph that provides superior performance for all GC applications. The System features accurate temperature controls, precise injection systems, and high performance Electronic Pneumatic Control (EPC) modules for good retention time and area count repeatability. The Agilent 5977 GC/MSD is the latest in the series of single quadrupole GC/MS systems.

Applications: This instrument is ideal and focus on applications such as environmental monitoring, chemical, petrochemical, food, forensic, pharmaceutical, and material testing. Monitoring of environmental pollutants is one of the main applications of GC-MS. It is widely used in the detection of dibenzofurans, dioxins, herbicides, sulfur, pesticides, phenols and chlorophenols in air, soil and water. Aromatic compounds such as fatty acids, esters, aldehydes, alcohols and terpenes found in foods and beverages can be easily analyzed using GC-MS. The technique can also be used to detect – spoilage or contamination of food. The analysis of a wide range of oils such as lavender oil, olive oil, spearmint oil and essential oils, perfumes, fragrances, allergens, menthol and syrups are also possible using GC-MS. Technique is ideal for the analysis of inorganic gases and aromatic solvents, detection of impurities and allergens in cosmetics. It is also used in the synthesis of cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyvinyl, and synthetic fibers.

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is a technique in which free gaseous atoms absorb electromagnetic radiation at a specific wavelength to produce a measurable signal. The absorption signal is proportional to the concentration of those free absorbing atoms in the optical path. AAS offers excellent sensitivity for most elements with limited interference. For some elements, sensitivity can be extended in to the sub-ppb range.

Applications: Atomic spectroscopy is used for quantitative analysis of metal elements in water, soil, plant material and ceramics. In health care, it is used to analyze ionic metal elements in blood, saliva, urine samples. The elements analyzed routinely include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc, further some heavy metals like iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, and in urine and blood. Also, the AAS is used in the food industry, petroleum industry etc.