Instrumentation

A brief explanation of the primary uses for each of our instruments is included under each heading, along with a link to the manufacturer's website so the potential applications of each instrument can be assessed. Cost tables for the use of our equipment can be found here.

__Lachat QuikChem FIA+ 8000 Series ([|Lachat Instruments], Milwaukee, WI)__
The Lachat is designed to determine the concentration of a wide variety of solutes, primarily ions, from many different matrices. Our instrument is set up for reading P, NO2/NO3, and NH4 from water and KCl matrices. All Lachat detection techniques we use are built around a colorometric method for analytye determination. The primary problem with a Lachat is tha t particles tend to clog the thin tubes through which the sample and reagents flow, so every sample must be filtered prior to running.

__Rapid-Vap 790002 ([|LabConco], Kansas City, MO) - **//LIPIDS//**__
The Rapid-Vap is primarily used during lipid extractions, however it can also be used for a wide variety of solvent evaporations. The instrument is basically a programmable heating block that is capable of shaking, enclosed in a vacuum chamber.

__BioTek Synergy 2 Multidetection Microplate reader ([|BioTek], Winooski,__ VT)
Our plate reader can read any format of microplate, up to 1,536 wells. The instrument can incubate 3 ⁰C above ambient temperature, and take measurements according to a defined protocol generated by the user that may include timed measurements of any combination of absorbance, fluorescence, or luminescence over a prolonged period of time. The [|sensitivity] of the plate reader is remarkable.
 * __Absorbance__ measurements are done with a monochromator so virtually any visible wavelength can be quantified
 * __Fluorescence__ measurements are done with filter sets. Currently, we own the following filters: 360/40, 485/20, 530/25, 460/40, 528/20, 590/35, and 645/40.
 * __Luminescence__ measurements are not based on wavelength.

__Innova Photoacoustic Gas Analyzer 1412 ([|LumaSense Technologies], Santa Clara, CA)__
Our photoacoustic analyzer is configured to determine the concentration of CO2, CH4, N2O, temperature, and humidity from air samples. The instrument is connected to a computer to run, although it can run and collect data by itself. The photoacoustic does require electricity, so if field measurements are to be taken, access to an electrical outlet or generator is required. A computer does not need to accompany the photoacoustic to the field. My impression is that in the field, measurements would have to be either from the atmosphere, or connected directly to a chamber of some sort. Data can be stored in the photoacoustic if it is used without a computer, transferred to the computer dedicated to it, and then exported as a text file.