Agilent 5900 ICP-OES Archives - Chemetrix

From Dust to Diamonds: How to Master Trace Metal Analysis in Modern Mining

Francois — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:13 +0000

In the high-stakes world of modern mining, the line between a profitable venture and a missed opportunity is thinner than ever. As high-grade ore deposits become harder to find, the industry is turning its attention to lower-grade materials and the vast potential of tailings reclamation. In this environment, the laboratory is no longer just a support service; it is the engine room of economic viability. When you are quantifying trace metals at ultra-low levels, even a microscopic speck of environmental dust can skew your data, potentially leading to false positives or masking the true value of a mineral deposit.

The mystery of the rising “Blanks”

If you’ve ever sat in front of your workstation wondering why your Blank and Background Equivalent Concentration (BEC) values are stubbornly high, you aren’t alone. It is a common frustration for geochemical analysts: your instrument is calibrated, your reagents are fresh, yet the background noise refuses to quieten down. These elevated values aren’t just technical nuisances; they directly impair your Limit of Quantification (LOQ). In a world where a $0.1\text{ g/t}$ difference in a gold tailings project can determine financial success, “noisy” data is a risk you cannot afford to take.

Understanding the noise: BEC and LOQ

To solve the problem, we first have to understand it. The BEC represents the total background signal of your analytical system – essentially the “noise” the instrument sees when no sample is present. When this noise is high, your instrument struggles to distinguish a genuine analyte signal from the background. This directly pushes up your LOQ, making it impossible to accurately quantify the lower concentrations that modern mining exploration demands. The root cause of these high values? It usually comes down to one single, persistent word: CONTAMINATION.

Clean up your act with expert training and standards

If your sample preparation isn’t meticulous, even the most advanced mass spectrometer will produce compromised results. Contamination is a silent thief that enters your workflow through water purity, reagent quality, and even the laboratory personnel themselves – common culprits include cosmetics, jewellery, and the powder in traditional gloves.

The Chemetrix Edge: We don’t just supply tools; we build expertise. Through the Chemetrix Lab Advisor, we provide your team with the specialised skills needed to identify and eliminate these “time traps”. By pairing this training with high-purity Inorganic Ventures Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), you ensure your calibration is built on a foundation of absolute purity.

Practical advice:

Stop the “Double-dip”: Never pipette directly from the stock bottle; transfer your working volumes into clean, secondary containers like pre-rinsed LDPE bottles.
Go gravimetric: Switch to weight-based (gravimetric) preparation. Mass doesn’t change with temperature, whereas volume does, leading to more reproducible and auditable results.

Technology that does the heavy lifting

While a clean bench is vital, the right hardware can act as your final line of defence against complex mineral matrices. Mining ores are notorious for their high levels of dissolved solids, which traditionally require extensive manual dilution – a process that introduces even more opportunities for human error and contamination.

The Chemetrix Edge: We recommend the Agilent 7850 / 7900 / 8900 ICP-MS series as the physical solution to these high-matrix challenges. These instruments are equipped with Ultra High Matrix Introduction (UHMI) technology, which uses clean Argon gas to “dilute” your sample aerosol before it even reaches the plasma.

Practical advice:

By using the Agilent 7850’s UHMI system, your lab can directly analyse samples containing up to $25\%$ total dissolved solids without manual liquid dilution. This not only saves hours of labour but practically eliminates the risk of dilution errors and reagent-born contamination.

From waste to wealth: The reward of precision

The ultimate goal of refining your workflow is simple: lower LOQs and higher confidence. When you master your contamination control, you unlock the ability to see value where others see waste. Successful tailings reclamation depends on this precision. By accurately monitoring recovery at trace levels, mining operations can turn legacy liabilities into profitable resources, contributing to a more sustainable and circular mining economy.

Take the next step towards cleaner data

Ready to lower your detection limits and boost your lab’s productivity? It starts with a partnership that understands your specific challenges.

Review your prep: Identify one source of potential contamination today (check those gloves!)

Audit your standards: Ensure your CRMs are matrix-matched to your ores for better accuracy.

Connect with Chemetrix: Let our team of scientists help you tailor a solution that combines Agilent’s world-class technology with practical, on-the-ground support.

Let’s advance science together. Contact Chemetrix today to explore how we can elevate your laboratory’s performance.

Beyond the Brew: Insights into Beer Testing

Francois — Mon, 19 May 2025 08:00:37 +0000

Beer is more than just a refreshing beverage – it’s a carefully crafted balance of ingredients, chemistry, and precision. From the selection of raw materials to the final pour, ensuring the highest quality requires rigorous testing at every stage. Modern analytical instruments have revolutionised beer analysis, giving brewers deeper insights into composition, consistency, and safety. At Chemetrix, we support brewers with cutting-edge solutions to maintain excellence in every batch.

The importance of beer analysis

For centuries, brewing has been both an art and a science. Today, breweries of all sizes rely on analytical testing to:

Ensure product consistency and quality control
Detect contaminants or unwanted elements
Monitor fermentation efficiency
Comply with safety and regulatory standards

Without accurate analysis, a beer’s taste, aroma, and mouthfeel could be compromised, potentially impacting consumer trust and brand reputation.

Key techniques in beer testing

Several advanced techniques are used to analyse beer, from raw materials to the finished product. The latest innovations in spectroscopy and chromatography allow for precise monitoring of chemical composition, ensuring every pint meets the highest standards.

Elemental analysis with ICP-OES

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is an essential tool in beer analysis, particularly for detecting and quantifying metallic elements. Metals such as iron, copper, and zinc can influence beer’s taste, stability, and shelf life. Excessive levels can lead to oxidation and undesirable flavours. The Agilent 5900 ICP-OES is a preferred instrument in the brewing industry, offering fast, multi-element analysis with exceptional sensitivity. By monitoring metal content, brewers can ensure consistency and prevent unwanted chemical reactions.

Agilent 5900 ICP-OES

Monitoring yeast growth with UV-Vis spectroscopy

Yeast plays a crucial role in fermentation, converting sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Monitoring yeast health and growth rate is vital for efficient fermentation. UV-Vis spectroscopy, such as the Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis, provides rapid and accurate yeast cell density measurements. This allows brewers to optimise fermentation conditions, reducing inconsistencies and improving beer quality.

Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for trace metal detection

Even trace amounts of heavy metals can impact beer’s stability and flavour profile. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) is used to detect elements like lead, arsenic, and cadmium at very low concentrations. The Agilent 240FS AA offers high-speed analysis with precision, ensuring contaminants remain below regulatory limits.

Agilent 240FS AA

📚 Download the The Chemistry of Beer and Analysis of Yeast Metabolites application note that demonstrates the comprehensive 2D-LC analysis of different types of beer using the Agilent 1290 Infinity 2D-LC solution.

How these techniques benefit brewers

By incorporating advanced spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques into their processes, brewers can:

Improve product consistency by controlling raw material variability
Extend shelf life by monitoring metal content and oxidation risks
Enhance fermentation efficiency by tracking yeast activity
Ensure compliance with food safety standards

🖥️ Watch the The Chemistry of Beer and Analysis of Yeast Metabolites webinar and discover how to successfully produce a consistent quality product and how analytical tests and analyses are implemented throughout each stage of the brewing process. >

Chemetrix: Supporting brewers

As the leading analytical instrument supplier in South Africa, Chemetrix is committed to providing breweries with state-of-the-art solutions for beer testing. Whether it’s ensuring the right mineral balance, optimising fermentation, or preventing contaminants, our cutting-edge instruments empower brewers with actionable insights.

The science behind beer analysis ensures that every sip meets the highest standards. With the right tools, brewers can combine tradition with technology, crafting consistently high-quality beer that delights consumers.

For more information on analytical instruments for beer testing, contact Chemetrix today.

Smart Lab Design: Maximising Space and Efficiency

Francois — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 08:00:41 +0000

Thanks to film and television, everyone thinks labs are generous spaces filled to the brim with the latest equipment. In the reality of the world of scientific discovery, where breakthroughs are born from the confines of laboratories, the paradox of limited space presents a unique challenge. The quest for efficient and innovative smart lab designs becomes imperative, transforming constraints into opportunities for creativity and optimisation.

The significance of space optimisation in lab design

Lab spaces, often regarded as the epicentres of innovation, are not immune to the constraints of real estate. The importance of space optimisation in lab design cannot be overstated, especially when faced with the challenges of limited square footage. Efficient use of space directly impacts workflow, collaboration, and the overall productivity of the lab.

Even the science world isn’t immune to the fact that rising operational costs for businesses means lab space costs more and budgets might not allow for that extra room. New labs just starting out might have a small space to work with and grow from there but it gives them a chance as well to find an efficient layout for business growth.

Maximising limited lab space

Having less space doesn’t have to be a big hurdle for a lab to overcome. With thoughtful planning and strategic design, it’s possible to make the most out of every available square meter. Here are some practical ideas to address the challenge:

1. Modular furniture: Opt for modular and flexible furniture that can be easily rearranged to accommodate changing research needs. This adaptability ensures that the lab layout can evolve without major renovations. Bench space that has wheels and clips means the configuration can be altered as the lab changes.

2. Vertical storage solutions: Utilise vertical space for storage. Shelving, cabinets, and other storage solutions that extend upward maximise storage capacity without encroaching on valuable floor space.

3. Shared workstations: Implement shared workstations and collaborative areas to reduce the need for individualised spaces. This fosters a sense of community and optimises the usage of available space.

4. Streamlined equipment selection: Choose compact and multi-functional equipment. Advances in technology have led to the development of instruments that offer robust performance while minimising the physical footprint.

Perfect examples of space-saving equipment include the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer, the world’s smallest FTIR, and the Agilent 5900 ICP-OES, which is the smallest ICP-OES on the market.

Innovative lab layouts and new instruments

Rather than viewing limited space as a hindrance, consider it an opportunity for innovation. Novel lab layouts that prioritise collaboration and flexibility can emerge from the constraints of space limitations.

Embrace open-concept designs, shared spaces, and fluid workstations that encourage dynamic interaction among researchers. Additionally, explore the latest advancements in analytical instruments designed specifically for compact labs. Instruments that integrate seamlessly, require minimal space and deliver optimal performance are key to navigating the challenges of limited lab space.

Space-saving solutions with Chemetrix

The quest for efficient lab design in small spaces is not just a practical necessity; it is an opportunity for creative solutions and innovative layouts. By adopting smart lab designs and leveraging space-saving instruments, laboratories can transcend the limitations of physical space, fostering an environment where groundbreaking discoveries thrive.

As laboratories embark on the journey to optimise their limited space, exploring space-saving analytical instruments becomes a critical step. Chemetrix offers a comprehensive portfolio of instruments designed to be user-friendly, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and maximise efficiency within confined lab spaces. To unlock the potential of space-saving solutions tailored to your lab’s unique needs, contact Chemetrix today. Together, we can redefine the boundaries of innovation, even in a small space.