Rigaku Analytical Devices Acknowledged at the Prestigious 2016 R&D 100 Awards

Rigaku Analytical Devices, a leading pioneer of handheld and portable spectroscopic analyzers, is delighted to announce that the Rigaku KT-100 Katana handheld Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer for metal analysis has been selected by an independent judging panel and the editors of R&D Magazine as a finalist in the Analytical/Test category of the 2016 R&D 100 Awards.

The Rigaku KT-100 Katana handheld LIBS represents the latest development in elemental analysis offering a new and improved method for metals analysis for scrap metal recycling, quality assurance of metals used in fabrication, and positive material identification in mission critical industries. Designed with customer needs in mind, the KT-100™ Katana™ provides rapid alloy grade and composition identification and verification. The KT-100 Katana offers superior light element measurements, a capability that is lacking with currently available handheld metal analysis devices.

The KT-100 Katana also the first and only handheld metal analyzer to have passed rigorous durability tests. To guarantee protection against dirty and harsh work environments, the analyzer was designed to withstand the toughest testing requirements of United States Military Standard MIL-STD-810G. The tests included rigorous vibration, shock and drop testing to evaluate its durability and reliability when exposed to environmental stress. As the first handheld metal analyzer to have passed these tests, and with an IP 54 rating for use in wet environments, the KT-100 Katana is truly optimized for use in harsh and demanding environments.

Now in its 54th year, the R&D 100 Awards serve to identify true innovation across industry, academia, and government-sponsored research. Following Rigaku’s Progeny™ ResQ™ analyzer winning an R&D 100 Award last year, the recognition for KT-100 Katana reinforces the company’s mission to deliver advanced spectroscopic analyzers that enable customers to achieve rapid lab-quality results at any time, any place.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious R&D 100 Awards in the Analytical/Test category for the second year running,” said Bree Allen, President of Rigaku Analytical Devices. “The inclusion of the KT-100 Katana on the shortlist recognizes the significant achievements of our engineers as well as the need for continued technological innovation in moving lab-quality analysis to the field in a rugged handheld form factor that can be utilized by users of all skill levels and educational backgrounds.”

The winners of the 2016 R&D 100 Awards will be announced on November 3, 2016 at the official gala banquet at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Oxon Hill, Maryland (Washington, D.C). The event will also include a two-day technical exhibition, the 2016 R&D 100 Awards & Technology Conference.