Thermo Fisher Scientific's New Nicolet iS10 FT-IR Spectrometer Simplifies Infrared Spectroscopy for QA/QC and Investigative Analytical Laboratories

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced the launch of its new Thermo Scientific Nicolet™ iS™10 FT-IR spectrometer, powered by new OMNIC™ Specta™ software. This easy-to-use system simplifies spectroscopy, enabling chemists in analytical and investigative chemistry laboratories to take full advantage of the power of FT-IR and have complete confidence in their results. The new spectrometer will be exhibited at the Thermo Scientific booth 1741 at PITTCON 2008, being held March 3 – 6 in New Orleans.

Analytical laboratories increasingly require more efficient instruments to carry out analysis of raw materials and finished goods. For such analyses, FT-IR is a technique of choice. The Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 FT-IR spectrometer system significantly simplifies data analysis, sampling and instrument validation.

“Spectral interpretation has remained the most significant hurdle in FT-IR,” said Dr. Ian Jardine, vice president of global research and development for Thermo Fisher Scientific. “FT-IR rapidly gets the user from ‘sample to spectrum.’ However, getting from the spectrum to actionable information, such as identification, was often a highly subjective, iterative and laborious process requiring high levels of skill and time.”

Using revolutionary deconvolution protocols, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s new OMNIC Specta software, integrated with the Nicolet iS10, dramatically simplifies the interpretation process. “The software allows users to identify individual components in a mixture from a single spectrum in one simple step. Materials can be identified rapidly, and with complete confidence, in a fraction of the time by anyone with basic chemical knowledge,” added Jardine.

To give users further assurance of the reliability of their results, the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 incorporates Spectral Performance Verification (SPV). This function monitors the accuracy and performance of the spectrometer on a regular basis, giving users complete confidence in their results and avoiding the possibility of repeating tests. The instrument checks can be carried out overnight, ensuring that the system is fully prepared for the following day.

Due to its ease of use and general applicability, ATR is the most common FT-IR sampling technique. However, many users also require a second sampling accessory, such as an integrating sphere or transmission compartment. The Nicolet iS10 can be optionally configured with the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iZ™10 module, which allows two accessories to be installed at the same time. This eliminates accessory exchange time and the possibility of damage occurring during the exchange process, thereby simplifying the experiment.