News- New General Manager for Oxford Superconducting Technology
- Oxford Instruments launches new solution for EDS on TEM: AZtecTEM
- Oxford Instruments strengthens its market leading position in the neutron scattering market
- Successful Oxford Instruments Seminar in Shanghai attracts industry and academia
- Oxford Instruments wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation 2012
- New X-Strata920 offers rapid and reliable XRF coating thickness measurement and materials analysis
- Pre-close Trading Update
- New Managing Director for Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology
- Are my antiques worth anything?
- Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance announces the European launch of the AffirmoEX at Analytica.
- Oxford Instruments strengthens relationship with Green Imaging Technologies
- New eShop for cryogenic spares and the coolest place to shop!
- noLab@TU/e Cleanroom tools up with additional plasma systems
- Technology and Devices International, Inc. (“TDI”)
- Oxford Instruments, Release of AffirmoEX, the world’s smallest footprint EMR system.
- Partnership with Active Spectrum to develop, manufacture, sell and support Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) products
- The Coldest Point In Central London
- New Handheld XRF Analyser X-MET7500 For Professional Materials Analysis Of Light Elements
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center(SUNUM).
- XRF analysers used to reduce ‘hidden hunger’
- Oxford Instruments hosts Nanoscale Plasma Processing Seminar in Shanghai
- Oxford Instruments announce the winner of the 2012 Nicholas Kurti Science Prize
- Oxford Instruments selected to supply tools to the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology for Graphene research.
- Significant technological presence in the Northwest of England facilitated by Oxford Instruments
New General Manager for OST
Oxford Superconducting Technology (OST), based in Carteret, New Jersey, USA, has just announced the appointment of Jeff Parrell as General Manager with immediate effect.
Jeff is currently Vice President and has been with OST for 15 years working in a number of key roles across the business.
Jeff will report to Scott Reiman, President of OST, who comments, “Our business strategy demands an organisation that can meet the challenge of expanding markets, new products, and growing numbers of customers and employees. Jeff’s new appointment will ensure that OST continues its current growth plans, and I am confident that with Jeff heading the strong Executive Team in place at the company, this will be achieved.” Jeff’s promotion to General Manager will give Scott more time to focus on his new position as Managing Director of a group of businesses with Oxford Instruments’ global Industrial Products sector.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our highly skilled team and I look forward to working with them to build on the success of recent years”, comments Jeff, “My focus will be on developing and managing the business to ensure it is in the right shape for future growth.”
Published Date: 01 May 2012 New General Manager for OST
Oxford Superconducting Technology (OST), based in Carteret, New Jersey, USA, has just announced the appointment of Jeff Parrell as General Manager with immediate effect.
Jeff is currently Vice President and has been with OST for 15 years working in a number of key roles across the business.
Jeff will report to Scott Reiman, President of OST, who comments, “Our business strategy demands an organisation that can meet the challenge of expanding markets, new products, and growing numbers of customers and employees. Jeff’s new appointment will ensure that OST continues its current growth plans, and I am confident that with Jeff heading the strong Executive Team in place at the company, this will be achieved.” Jeff’s promotion to General Manager will give Scott more time to focus on his new position as Managing Director of a group of businesses with Oxford Instruments’ global Industrial Products sector.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our highly skilled team and I look forward to working with them to build on the success of recent years”, comments Jeff, “My focus will be on developing and managing the business to ensure it is in the right shape for future growth.”
Published Date: 01 May 2012 New solution for EDS on TEM: AZtecTEM
Oxford Instruments NanoAnalysis, a world leader in microanalysis software and systems, has announced the launch of AZtecTEM, EDS software for the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Since the launch of the AZtec microanalysis system for the Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) in April 2011, the TEM community has been eagerly awaiting the introduction of AZtecTEM.
AZtecTEM packs innovative tools and technologies into a platform specifically designed for the TEM user. It unleashes the potential of the latest generation of large area SDDs, the X-MaxTEM, to enable high quality data acquisition even when counts are low. Unique Tru-Q analysis algorithms bring new levels of certainty and detail to sample analysis. For the first time, TEM users will be able to see true chemical variations in real-time using AZtec’s overlap corrected TruMap and TruLine scans. At the same time, AZtecTEM uses predictive and reactive routines to automatically correct microscope drift, vital when collecting data at the nanoscale.
Dr. Ian Barkshire, Managing Director NanoAnalysis, commented, “Working at the frontiers of nanotechnology, we have developed an enviable reputation for innovation and quality of analysis. AZtecTEM is the result of our 30 years of TEM experience being applied to solve real world TEM challenges.”
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Published Date: 01 May 2012 Market leading position in the neutron scattering market Oxford Instruments has been selected to supply a new neutron scattering magnet in China which will be delivered next year to the China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR).The system ordered is a 7 Tesla vertical field magnet using Oxford Instruments’ helium recondensing cryostat technology. Recondensing cryostats use a cryocooler to capture evaporated gas and turn it back into liquid helium. Using recondensing technology considerably decreases the helium consumption of these magnets while enabling the stringent magnet designs required by neutron scattering applications.
In recent years, Oxford Instruments has installed similar systems in major neutron scattering facilities in Europe, the US and Australia. This includes the ISIS Neutron Source (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot), the ILL neutron facility (Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble), and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
The CARR is a high-performance, multi-purpose, safe and reliable nuclear reactor with ancillary experimental terminals. The reactor, situated inside China Institute of Atomic Energy in Fangshan district, Beijing, covers an area of about 2.3 hectares and has a power of 60 megawatts. CARR owns the most advanced technology among all neutron beam research reactors of the same type in Asia and is one of the most advanced nuclear reactors in the world. The CARR will start full operation next year.
Dr John Burgoyne, Business Manager of the Magnet Systems Group at Oxford Instruments says: “We feel privileged to have been able to develop this product in close collaboration with world’s leading neutron scientists and sample environment leaders from ILL and ISIS. The further orders we have received since then demonstrate that this range of products is particularly well-suited to neutron scattering facilities. We are delighted to contribute to furthering scientific knowledge through innovation of class leading technology.”
Phil Pickering, Sales manager for OINS commented: “The Neutron scattering market accounts for a significant part of our total business and offers a significant growth opportunity in emerging markets where new facilities are being constructed. Recent orders in China, Japan and Australia strengthen even further an already strong position in that market acquired by working closely with key institutes in Europe and the United States.”
Published Date: 25 April 2012 Seminar in Shanghai attracts industry and academia
The recent Nanoscale Plasma Processing Seminar organised by Oxford Instruments in Shanghai attracted over 70 attendees from both academia and production, from China and Taiwan. The company organises these events worldwide several times per year, and has previously co-hosted with prestigious organisations such as the IOS-CAS in Beijing, LBNL, Caltech and Cornell in the USA, Universities of Southampton and Glasgow in the UK, and TU/e in the Netherlands. As a leader in systems and processes for plasma etch and deposition, the company was honoured that so many invited guest speakers participated, all specialists in their field from China, Taiwan and Europe. Process and Applications experts from Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology gave a number of talks on the company’s technologies and process solutions.
These events held by Oxford Instruments aim to encourage interest in developments within industrial and research communities using Plasma and Ion Beam Etch and Deposition process techniques. They are an ideal means for participants to learn more about latest techniques and findings in an informal atmosphere where participation and interaction are encouraged. Talks included Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Photovoltaics (PV), Deep Silicon Etch and Ion Beam technologies during the full one day programme. Guest speakers included: Prof Erwin Kessels, University of Eindhoven (TU/e), Netherlands; Chu Ann-Kuo, Professor of Department of Photonics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan; Dr. Zhenghua YE, SITP (Shanghai Institute of Technology Physics); Dr. Juncong SHE, Sun Yat-Sen University, China; and Jerry Wang, Manager of Microsystems Technology Center, ITRI, Taiwan.
Mark Vosloo, Sales, CS and Marketing Director, Oxford Instruments comments, “We were pleased to have attracted such a large and high calibre audience to this Seminar in Shanghai, and are extremely honoured that so many distinguished guest speakers gave their time to speak about their work in Plasma Processing. Our Seminars offer a fantastic opportunity for the wider Plasma Processing community to meet andshare their experiences, and to learn more from leading international experts in their field.”
More Seminars are planned worldwide for 2012.
Published Date: 23 April 2012 Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation 2012Oxford Instruments is proud to announce that its NanoAnalysis Division has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation 2012. This award was granted for innovations made during the development of an X-ray instrument that, when used in an electron microscope, can measure the elemental composition of a feature one thousand times finer than a human hair. Such a capability is vital to the nanotechnology world.
This is the fifth Queen’s Award won by the NanoAnalysis division and the thirteenth for the Oxford Instruments Group overall.
Established forty years ago in High Wycombe, UK, NanoAnalysis provides a range of nanotechnology tools for electron and ion-beam microscopes. The product cited in the award, the X-Max, enables scientists to map the chemical composition of a sample with features that are measured in tens of nanometres (a nanometre is one millionth of a millimetre). Applications include semi-conductor development, materials science, renewable energies and forensics. Users include the most prestigious academic institutions and businesses around the world.
X-Max innovations mean that it is up to ten times faster than previous generations, it is much more sensitive, and the results are more accurate. Users can dramatically improve their productivity and can explore ever smaller regions in the nanoworld.
Dr. Ian Barkshire, Managing Director NanoAnalysis, commented, “Working at the frontiers of nanotechnology, we are proud that we have developed an enviable reputation and the largest user community in the market. It is pleasing that our innovations and commercial success have been recognised again by the Queen’s Award committee.” Published Date: 21 April 2012 X-Strata920 For Coating Thickness Measurement
- Improved stability and reliability
- Enhanced performance
- Compliant with safety and security requirements
- New ergonomic sleeker design
- Easy to use and fast to learn
Oxford Instruments is pleased to announce the new X-Strata920 X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser for coating thickness measurement and materials analysis. It combines a large area proportional detector and Oxford Instruments’ micro-focus X-ray tube, providing a high-intensity, small spot X-ray beam for superior sample excitation. This combination guarantees the best accuracy in its class, with analysis results obtained in seconds to ensure better process control and cost efficiency.
So whether you analyse solder alloys as part of your quality control process, or assay gold jewellery for valuation, or plating thickness in component manufacture, we believe the X-Strata920 is an ideal solution for your business, providing reliable analysis you need at a price you’ll like.
X-Strata920 performs excellent analysis and characterisation of multi-layer analysis across a wide range of industrial markets, including electronics, metal finishing, alloys and precious metals assay. For these industries, the X-Strata920 offers a number of benefits:
- Increase productivity with better process control
- Minimise production cost of the plating process and maximise production output
- Rapid, non-destructive analysis of jewellery and other alloys
- Rapid analysis of up to 4 coating layers
- Field-proven technology and better reliability ensuring value for money year after year
- Easy to use, with minimal user training required
The X-Strata920 is designed with ease of use, accuracy and value for money in mind. A large sample area can be analysed in one measurement cycle using the X-Strata’s multi-point analysis function. If a problem area is identified the operator can return to specific points with pin point accuracy for detailed investigation. With the analyser’s embedded camera and live video imaging, precise sample placement is assured. The X-Strata920 even allows unattended operation to ensure minimal downtimes of your production process.
The X-Strata920 comes with a choice of calibration packages tailored for a wide range of materials screening applications; the analyser is supplied with over 800 pre-loaded, easy-to-select application parameters/methods.
To build consumer confidence the X-Strata920 meets international test methods such as ASTM B568 and ISO 3497.
With its advanced security and safety features, the X-Strata920 provides a simple user interface for the routine operator whilst assuring manager level access for system set up and preventing unauthorised use through its auto lock function. The improved reporting function allows seamless export to Excel within seconds and export in custom reports, including statistical data analysis and sampling images.
Published Date: 17 April 2012 Pre-close Trading Update
Oxford Instruments plc, a leading provider of high technology tools and systems for industry and research, is today issuing a trading statement ahead of entering its close period.
The Company continues to make good progress in line with its “14 Cubed” objectives and currently expects adjusted profit before tax* for the year to 31 March 2012 to be at the upper end of market expectations.
Oxford Instruments’ preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2012 will be released on Tuesday 12 June.
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* Adjusting items comprise profit or loss on disposal of business lines, certain impairments, amortisation of acquired intangibles, reversal of acquisition related fair value adjustments to inventory, acquisition costs and mark to market gains or losses in respect of certain derivatives.
Enquiries:
Oxford Instruments plc Tel: 01865 393 200
Jonathan Flint Chief Executive
Kevin Boyd Group Finance Director
MHP Communications Tel: 020 3128 8100
Rachel Hirst
Ian Payne
Published Date: 11 April 2012 New Managing Director for Plasma TechnologyOxford Instruments Plasma Technology has just announced the appointment of Dan Ayres to Managing Director with immediate effect. Dan previously held the position of General Manager at the company, and prior to this was Operations Director. With over 10 years experience within the Oxford Instruments Group, Dan has held roles in the fields of Operations, Product Management and Project Management.
Dan Ayres will report to Jonathan Flint, CEO of Oxford Instruments plc, who comments, “Our business strategy demands an organisation that can meet the challenge of expanding markets, new products, and growing numbers of customers and employees. Dan’s new appointment will ensure that Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology continues its current growth plans, and I am confident that with Dan heading the strong Executive Team in place at the company, this will be achieved.”
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our highly skilled team and I look forward to working with them to build on the success of recent years”, comments Dan Ayres, “In line with our strategic plan we will focus on innovating improved etch, deposition and growth solutions to meet our customers’ needs for new systems, continuous performance improvement and after-sales support. We will support our focus on innovation by investing in improved business processes to ensure we deliver a healthy and growing business for our employees, shareholders and other stakeholders”
At the same time, Mark Vosloo, Sales & Customer Support Director has taken over responsibility for all customer facing functions including strategic marketing and holds the new title Sales, CS & Marketing Director. This promotion will ensure that Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology aligns even more effectively with our customers and the provision of high technology products and services geared to their specific requirements.
Published Date: 05 April 2012 Are my antiques worth anything?The British Museum in London recently offered its visitors an opportunity to have their antiques analysed by Oxford Instruments as part of the Museum’s Science Day on the 18th March 2012.
Oxford Instruments showed that X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is a fast, simple and non-destructive technique to identify what exactly something is made of. Visitors brought along various, mainly metallic, samples to be analysed on Oxford Instruments’ XRF analyser, the X-Strata980. Some visitors decided to have the jewellery they were wearing analysed for karat or gold content. The results of such an analysis can be helpful to validate authenticity and to estimate the value of antiques or jewellery.
During the day some of the British Museum’s own known replica pieces were also analysed. The results confirmed that some artefacts such as Egyptian statues were made of a brass composition, highlighting they could not possibly be genuine as those alloys didn’t exist in Egyptian times!
Interest in this event was very high and Oxford Instruments people were busy analysing a range of pieces all day. “Our participation in the British Museum’s Science Day has helped make high technology and science accessible and interesting for the general public, as well as showing that it can be fun as well”, said XRF Marketing Manager, Neil Dagger.
Oxford Instruments XRF analysers measure coating thickness and material composition of plating, coatings, and thin films, containing elements from Titanium through Uranium. The instruments measure five layers and fifteen elements of a sample with common element correction. The X-Strata performs excellent analysis and characterisation of multi-layer analysis across a wide range of industrial markets, including electronics, metal finishing, alloys and precious metals assay.
Published Date: 04 April 2012 European launch of the AffirmoEX at Analytica
Oxford Instruments, the supplier of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) solutions for QA laboratories in the food, agricultural, healthcare, polymer and energy sectors, announce the European launch of the AffirmoEX™ Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) system Analytica in Munich, April 17-20th.
Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance is looking forward to Analytica in Munich as the venue for the European launch of the AffirmoEX. With applications in the foods sector, it is the natural complement to Oxford Instruments' well-established MQC nuclear magnetic resonance systems. It will also provide the perfect solution to the academic market place where the EMR technique has become under-used due to the obsolescence of existing instrumentation, and the (until now) prohibitively high cost of buying a new instrument.
Having successfully launched this important addition to its range of benchtop instrumentation at Pittcon 2012 in Orlando, Oxford Instruments' Product Marketing Manager, John Paul Cerroti, commented: "The biannual Analytica meeting is Europe's premier instrumentation show and is the natural venue to attract many key decision makers." Continuing, he said "we are delighted at the enthusiastic response to the introduction of the AffirmoEX at Pittcon. It is clear that benchtop EMR has an important role to play in giving our customers better insight into their products and processes."
A number of academics visited Oxford Instruments' Pittcon booth and their reaction indicated that the capabilities of the AffirmoEX and its positioning for the teaching environment are spot on. There was plenty of excitement at the possibilities of re-introducing electron magnetic resonance to the undergraduate chemistry curriculum.
The AffirmoEX will make its European debut at Analytica, Europe's premier biannual science event. analytica 2012 will focus on innovative and applied product and system solutions for the entire laboratory whether in science, research or industry. The Oxford Instruments stand is in Hall A2, #133/232.
Published Date: 03 April 2012 Oxford Instruments strengthens relationship
Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance division and Green Imaging Technologies (GIT) work to together in the supply of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) solutions for special core analysis in the petroleum sector. GIT Systems software provides fast, accurate, non-destructive analysis of core plugs and is a proven asset in reservoir characterization. Reservoir properties such as capillary pressure, porosity, bound water, wettability and relative permeability can all be measured or modeled from rapidly acquired NMR data derived from the GeoSpec family of NMR Core Analysers. GeoSpec is the industry standard with installations in almost every major oil producer and SCAL laboratory world-wide. Oxford Instruments’ partnership with Green Imaging Technologies guarantees complete hardware and software integration which makes it possible for any core analysis laboratory to obtain comprehensive NMR core analysis results without the need for an in-house NMR expert.
Speaking about the partnership, GIT’s CEO, Jill Green, says “It has allowed us to build an enhanced NMR system that is ideally suited for studying unconventional reservoirs. The newly released spatially resolved pore size distribution measurement will change how flooding studies are conducted. Newly developed acquisition techniques allow the NMR to accurately measure smaller pore networks found in unconventional reservoirs like shales. We have improved the hardware with automated calibration tools and, with new research interface software, researchers and more advanced users may now customize how they use the NMR instrument. Working in tandem with Oxford Instruments’ R&D team, we are able to respond to user needs quickly. This is illustrated by the newly integrated development environment (research interface) which allows our users to pulse program, view results and perform processing within a single software interface. It presents a new paradigm related to measurement reliability and repeatability.”
GeoSpec2 instruments are all equipped with Q-Sense, Oxford Instruments’ ground-breaking technology for improved signal-to-noise and ultra-short echo times – both features essential for accurate measurements on tight rocks and shales. GeoSpec models for routine measurements of relaxation distributions generally operate at 2MHz, in order to reduce artefacts caused by ferromagnetic material in the samples, and to mimic the operation of the NMR logging tools. Higher field versions are also available for special applications. GeoSpec instruments are available in three different magnet sizes, to accommodate cores of different diameter from 1” up to full core. For full details on hardware and software, please visit www.oxford-instruments.com/rockcore. Published Date: 03 April 2012 New eShop for cryogenic spares
Oxford Instruments NanoScience, world leader in the supply of superconducting magnets and instrumentation for research at low temperatures, launches its new Cryospares website www.cryospares.com, the one stop shop for all your cryogenic spares and accessories needs.
The new site offers online ordering via secure SSL payment or by providing a purchase order number. Customers can also generate their own quotation, manage their account and track their orders online.
We offer the most extensive range of cryogenic spares and accessories with over 800 products including a range of laboratory essentials, cryogenic accessories, thermometry and vacuum accessories. The website also includes the new MercuryiTC cryogenic temperature controller and MercuryiPS magnet power supply as well as a range of optical cryostats.
For more information, please visit www.cryospares.com Published Date: 29 March 2012 Cleanroom tools up with additional plasma systems
The open-access facility for state-of-the-art nanotechnology-related research, NanoLab@TU/e in the Netherlands, continues to expand its capabilities, with the recent addition of two new Oxford Instruments plasma systems.
“The PlasmaPro System100 RIE and PlasmaPro System100 ICP-PECVD tools are multi-purpose systems that complement the already existing tool set dedicated to the processing of III-V photonic devices, many of which are Oxford Instruments tools”, said Prof Erwin Kessels, Plasma & Materials Processing Group, Dept. of Applied Physics, TU/e. “They strengthen our capabilities for our own research as well as that for our partners within the NanoLabNL initiative. They also complement the extensive ALD-capability of our clean room, that already contains the two FlexAL and one OpAL plasma and thermal ALD systems from Oxford Instruments.”
Prof Kessels continues, “With the capability to run both F- and Cl- chemistries, the PlasmaPro System100 RIE tool will be used for “standard” processing of silicon-containing materials (SiO2, Si3N4, Si) as well as for etching more “exotic” materials such as NbN.”
The etching of niobium nitride thin films is used to fabricate nanostructured superconducting single-photon detectors. For this application TU/e needed to define a ultranarrow (50 nm) constriction in a 5 nm-thick NbN film, by electron-beam lithography and etching with F-based chemistry.
When the resulting device is cooled down to 4 K and biased close to the critical current, a single-photon absorbed in the constriction region (and only there) gives rise to a superconducting-resistive transition, producing a voltage pulse. This results in a single-photon detector with a spatial resolution of few tens of nm, which could be used for near-field imaging with unprecedented sensitivity.
Mark Vosloo, Sales and Customer Support Director at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology recognises the importance of this additional system sale, “Our broad, flexible and reliable system and process offering has lead to a number of nanotechnology research institutes globally becoming established as Oxford Instruments centres of excellence. Several long term relationships have developed between research centres and our Company, and TU/e is one of the establishments where we are delighted to collaborate. Our customers rely on our experience to provide the most advanced and innovative technology and service, to achieve their scientific goals.”
Published Date: 27 March 2012 Technology and Devices International, Inc. (“TDI”)Oxford Instruments plc (“Oxford Instruments”) has formed a strategic partnership with Ostendo Technologies Inc (“Ostendo”), to exploit an emerging technology which has the potential to improve the manufacturing of High Brightness LEDs.
Oxford Instruments has transferred its ownership of TDI, a wholly owned subsidiary which develops hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE) technology for use in the production of High Brightness LEDs, to Ostendo, a privately owned company based in California. Oxford Instruments has received 0.65 million shares of Ostendo common stock plus $0.65 million in cash of which $0.15 million will be paid six months after the closing date. Oxford Instruments will also receive a royalty when certain HVPE reactor sales are realised.
Under the terms of the transaction, Oxford Instruments is subject to certain restrictions on the transfer of the stock in Ostendo and consequently until a liquidity event, will ascribe no value to the Ostendo stock acquired. The cash component of the proceeds of the disposal will be used in Oxford Instruments’ existing business.
The gross assets which are the subject of the transaction are $0.6 million. TDI had a loss after development expenses in the year to March 2011 of $4.3 million including amortisation of acquired intangible assets of $1.9 million.
Chief Executive, Jonathan Flint, said “The capability to produce semiconductor materials using HVPE has the potential to improve products used in solid state lighting and displays. Ostendo are well placed to use this technology and Oxford Instruments is delighted that it will continue to be developed by them. This partnership with Ostendo should allow us to maximise value from our technology investment in HVPE.”
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Issued for and on behalf of Oxford Instruments plc
For further information please contact:
Oxford Instruments Plc +44 (0) 1865 393200
Jonathan Flint, Chief Executive
Kevin Boyd, Group Finance Director
Lynn Shepherd, Group Director of Communications
MHP +44 (0) 20 3128 8100
Rachel Hirst/Ian Payne
Published Date: 22 March 2012 AffirmoEX, the world’s smallest footprint EMR system
Oxford Instruments, the supplier of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) solutions for QA laboratories in the food, agricultural, healthcare, polymer, and energy sectors, announces the launch of the AffirmoEX Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) system to add to its family of benchtop instrumentation solutions.
Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance launches an important addition to its range of benchtop instrumentation at Pittcon 2012 in Orlando. With applications in the foods sector, the AffirmoEX is a natural complement to Oxford Instruments’ well-established MQC nuclear magnetic resonance systems. It will also provide the perfect solution to the academic market place where the EMR technique has become under-used due to the obsolescence of existing instrumentation, and the (until now) prohibitively high cost of buying a new instrument.
The AffirmoEX is an affordable system occupying minimal bench space, and does not require the large magnets and cooling systems needed by older style systems. It will be offered with a curriculum package for teaching professionals to bring the technique back into the laboratories of the 21st century with a modular program backed with online and written documentation.
Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR), also known as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and as electron spin resonance (ESR), was first introduced more than sixty years ago, developed simultaneously but independently in Kazan, Russia and Oxford, England. EMR measures unpaired electrons in a sample. Unpaired electrons are characteristic of free radicals and of complexes containing transition metal ions. EMR is a highly selective technique making it the first choice for free radical and transition metal oxidation state investigations. Furthermore, EMR lends itself admirably to a number of application areas. Many common reactions follow free radical chemistries. These include oxidation, free radical polymerisation and a wide range of biochemical processes. Similarly, understanding the oxidation state of inorganic transition metal complexes gives vital information to the analysis of processes such as those associated with catalysis.
Oxford Instruments’ Product Marketing Manager, John Paul Cerroti, says “AffirmoEX is a perfect pairing with our existing NMR products. The technologies lie in the same field, but the applications are complementary, and bring real value to our customers both in academia and industry.” Talking about the principal markets for the product, he continued “Our key markets for the AffirmoEX will initially be academia, both for teaching and research, the food industry and the transport and engineering industries. However, as EMR has such a wide range of potential applications, we expect to be discussing the value of EMR with many other industries very quickly.”
Published Date: 12 March 2012 Partnership with Active Spectrum
Oxford Instruments, the supplier of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) solutions for QA laboratories in the food, agricultural, healthcare, polymer, and energy sectors, announces a partnership agreement with Active Spectrum to add their micro-EMR technology to the Oxford Instruments family of benchtop instrumentation solutions.
Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance and Active Spectrum, a California-based technology company located in Foster City, have entered an agreement to develop and manufacture Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) products that will be sold worldwide by Oxford Instruments. The agreement will enable Oxford Instruments to expand their range of benchtop QA products through the offering of Active Spectrum’s innovative micro-EMR technology. With applications in the foods sector, it is a natural complement to Oxford Instruments’ established MQC nuclear magnetic resonance systems. The collaboration will also provide a new, practical and affordable way to reinvigorate the teaching of EMR in universities and colleges, where the technique has become under-used due to the obsolescence of existing instruments, and the (until now) prohibitively high cost of buying a new instrument.
Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR), also known as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and as electron spin resonance (ESR), was first introduced more than sixty years ago, developed simultaneously but independently in Kazan, Russia, and Oxford, England. EMR measures unpaired electrons in a sample. Unpaired electrons are characteristic of free radicals and of complexes containing transition metal ions. EMR is a highly selective technique making it the first choice for free radical and transition metal oxidation state investigations. Furthermore, EMR lends itself admirably to a number of application areas. Many common reactions follow free radical chemistries. These include oxidation, free radical polymerisation and a wide range of biochemical processes. Similarly, understanding the oxidation state of inorganic transition metal complexes gives vital information to the analysis of processes such as those associated with catalysis.
The first fruit of the partnership, the AffirmoEX benchtop EMR instrument, will make its debut at the Pittsburgh Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, March 11-16. The AffirmoEX is an affordable system occupying minimal bench space and does not require the large magnets and cooling systems needed by older style systems. It will be offered with a curriculum package for teaching professionals to bring the technique back into the laboratories of the 21st century with a modular program backed with online and written documentation.
Speaking about this collaboration, Oxford Instruments’ Product Marketing Manager, John Paul Cerroti, describes a perfect fit for the two companies and their complementary technology. “Oxford Instruments has a strategy of developing by organic growth, partnering, and acquisition. The collaboration with Active Spectrum falls right in the middle of this strategy.” Continuing, he said “EMR is a perfect pairing with our existing NMR products. The technologies lie in the same field, but the applications are complementary, and bring real value to our customers.”
Active Spectrum CEO, James White, echoed this opinion. “Oxford Instruments offers a great distribution and sales channel and our product is a good fit with their existing NMR product lines. We look forward to significant growth in our business through this partnership.”
The AffirmoEX will make its European entrance at the Analytica International Trade Fair and Conference in Munich, April 17-20, and again at the ACHEMA world forum for the process industry in Frankfurt in June, 18-22.
Published Date: 12 March 2012 The Coldest Point In Central London
An Oxford Instruments Triton™ Cryogen free dilution refrigerator has just found a new home at the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) which is now the coldest point in central London.
This new state of the art Cryofree® dilution refrigerator system has just been installed in the laboratory of Prof Sir Michael Pepper and will enable research at temperatures as low as 8.5 mK (or -273.142 centigrade) without the need for liquid helium. It also integrates with a Cryogen-free superconducting magnet providing a magnetic field up to 12 Tesla.
The Triton will be used to study the behaviour of electrons in semiconductor nanostructures with particular importance for future quantum information systems. Examples of interesting research topics include the formation of Wigner Lattices in the transition between one and two dimensions, behaviour of electron spins in materials with high spin-orbit coupling, development of new techniques for the high frequency pumping of single electrons, with a precise measurement of the fundamental electron charge, and new concepts for formation and read-out of qubit information.
A number of major research institutions, companies and universities are now interested in this field, which has developed into an important part of nanotechnology.
Prof Sir Michael Pepper commented: “We are delighted with the performance of our new Triton Cryofree® dilution refrigerator. It achieved 8.5 milliKelvin on the first run and we have already been able to collect meaningful experimental results after only two months of operation. The fact the system doesn’t require any liquid helium and allows for quick sample change via a bottom loading probe means it is possible to concentrate on the experiments.
Because of the reliability of the system and the absence of any need to refill with helium, it is now possible to perform experiments remotely, at home or when travelling.”
Published Date: 08 March 2012 New Handheld XRF Analyser X-MET7500
Oxford Instruments is proud to launch a new member of its handheld XRF analyser X-MET7000 series, the X-MET7500. The X-MET7500 delivers fast and accurate analysis of the widest variety of materials, including trace elements and light elements (from magnesium) analysis, without the need for helium purge or vacuum pump.
It is the ideal screening tool:
- Metal industries: Positive Material Identification
- Metal recycling; Scrap sorting
- Gold and Precious Metals verification, including tramp elements in jewellery
- Mining processes: Ore exploration, on-site excavation control
- Environmental screening: Heavy metals in soils
- Lead and other hazardous substances in paint, toys and other consumer goods
- RoHS / WEEE / ELV compliance screening
- Treated wood recycling
- Drywall analysis: low sulfur analysis
These rugged and rapid multi element XRF analysers, X-MET7500 and X-MET7000, provide you with the exceptional level of analytical performance for which Oxford Instruments has been known for more than 50 years.
This new look and feel now is packed with top-of-the-range features, a new user-friendly software, powerful reporting tools and the longest battery life on the market. The X-MET7500 comes with the same benefits as the X-MET7000 and with additional analytical capability. To ensure total flexibility, the X-MET7500 includes Oxford Instruments’ X-ray tube and Silicon-drift detector (SDD).
The X-MET7000 series offers an improved, intuitive and easy-to-read graphical user interface. Large functional icons make learning how to use the instrument simple and quick. The bright and high contrast 4.3” Blanview® transmissive LCD touch screen ensures optimal outdoor viewing, even in direct sunlight. Its ease of use guarantees maximum productivity. Both handheld XRF analysers come with a new enhanced data download reporting flexibility. The result screen and reports can be easily customised, e.g. to show only pass/fail messages. The rugged, yet light and compact design of the X-METs withstands the harshest environments and weather conditions.
With quality, flexibility and reliability built in, powerful analysis, all day lasting battery, clear bright screen and a range of additional new features designed with the customer in mind, why compromise? Take a closer look at the new X-MET7000 series from Oxford Instruments.
Published Date: 07 March 2012 Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research Center
Oxford Instruments is delighted to have delivered a suite of flagship instruments to SUNUM (Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center) Istanbul, Turkey. The Suite consists of two high cooling powered TritonTM 400 Cryogen-free dilution refrigerators with top-loading sample insertion and integrated 12T magnets along with a 8T Cryogen-free magnet and integrated Variable Temperature Insert. In collaboration with NanoMagnetics, who supplied Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM), Oxford Instruments were able to achieve SPM measurements in the TritonTM Cryofree® top-loading dilution refrigerators. The SUNUM centre is a high tech facility which aims to support cutting-edge-scientific and technological research related to nanotechnologies. Ministers of the Turkish government, The President of the Board of Trustees and The Rector of Sabanci University will visit the centre on the 10th March to inaugurate the official operation.
Published Date: 07 March 2012 XRF analysers used to reduce ‘hidden hunger’
Researchers use Oxford Instruments X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysers on rice samples to reduce ‘hidden hunger’
Using Oxford Instruments benchtop XRF analyser the X-Supreme8000, researchers from Australian Flinders University found a faster, cheaper and more efficient way to determine the natural nutrient content of rice and pearl millet. This research will help farmers to develop more nutrious food crops that could reduce “hidden hunger”.
Hidden hunger is caused due to lack of zinc and iron in the diet. With rising poverty and growing population, grains like rice make up the biggest part of a diet for many people in the third world. Whilst rice provides the calories, it may lack vitamins and minerals leading to malnutrition. It is estimated that hidden hunger affects more than 2 billion people worldwide.
The researchers tested XRF technology to determine seeds which have a higher nutrient value. Oxford Instruments XRF benchtop analyser showed that this technology has several advantages. First, XRF analysis is much more cost efficient. Current analytical methods cost about $20 per sample while using XRF is as little as a couple of cents. Second, XRF analysers are extremely easy to use, with minimal training required and no complex sample preparation. Finally, XRF technology allows non-destructive analyses, which means tested seeds can be planted immediately if they show the desired nutrient value.
A recent study published in the journal Plant and Soil, demonstrates the high level of analytical accuracy and in field instrumentation proves reliability of XRF technology for this application. Now, with support and funding of the organisation HarvestPlus, XRF technology is taken to third world countries to develop and deliver nutritious food crops. Oxford Instruments’ X-Supreme8000 benchtop analysers have been set up in research laboratories in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Mexico and the Philippines with more than 20 scientists trained to use the instruments.
“This application is a great demonstration of the numerous benefits associated with analysis using XRF, i.e. fast, accurate, simple to use. Further expansion of the use of XRF into other applications is expected”, says Neal Robson, Oxford Instruments Product Manager for XRF benchtop analysers“
Published Date: 07 March 2012 Nanoscale Plasma Processing Seminar in Shanghai
Following the great success of their Seminar hosted with the IOS-CAS in Beijing last year attended by over 100 participants, Oxford Instruments will hold a one day Seminar on 19th March in Shanghai, focussing on Nanoscale Plasma Processing.
This one day event, being held the day before Semicon China 2012, will feature talks by a number of invited guest speakers, specialists from China, Taiwan and Europe, in addition to Process and Applications experts from Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology.
These academic and industrial experts will discuss topics including Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Photovoltaics (PV), Deep Silicon Etch and Ion Beam technologies during the full one day programme.
In addition to Oxford Instruments speakers, talks from guest speakers include:
- Introduction to ALD and its applications, including photovoltaics; Prof Erwin Kessels, University of Eindhoven (TU/e), Netherlands
- Etch & deposition process in the OPTO and MEMS application device; Dr. Chu Ann-Kuo, Professor of Department of Photonics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan
- Infrared Focal Plane Arrays (IRFPAs) detector for space applications; Dr. Zhenghua YE, SITP (Shanghai Institute of Technology Physics)
- Micro/Nano fabrication and characterization of Si field electron emitters; Guest Speaker: Dr. Juncong SHE, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
- ALD used in the MEMS application; Jerry Wang, Manager of Microsystems Technology Center, ITRI, Taiwan
Jeffrey Seah, Asia Business Manager, Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, who will open the Seminar comments: “We are anticipating a large audience at this Seminar in Shanghai, and are extremely honoured that so many distinguished guest speakers have accepted our invitation to speak about their work in Plasma Processing. Our Seminars are a great opportunity for the Plasma Processing community to come together, to share their experiences, and to learn more from leading international experts in their field.”
Based on the success of the 2011 Seminar in Beijing, Oxford Instruments anticipates a very high level of interest from both academic and production participants, attracted by such an interesting programme and prestigious speakers.
Published Date: 06 March 2012 Winner of Nicholas Kurti Science Prize
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Ronald Hanson from the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology is the 2012 recipient of the Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize.
Dr. Hanson is a leading young investigator in the field of quantum nanoscience. His PhD, postdoc and the recent years as group leader have all resulted in research of extraordinarily high-impact. During his PhD work, his research was key to the early spin qubit success. After his PhD, he became one of the pioneers of quantum science in diamond.
Professor George Pickett of Lancaster University, chairman of the committee of senior scientists who assess the nominations, commented: “The work of Ronald Hanson on the behaviour of spins in quantum dots and diamond had very much impressed the committee, and we are happy to award him this year’s prize and wish him well in continuing the work in the future.”
The Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize, sponsored by Oxford Instruments, is intended to recognise and promote outstanding achievements of young scientists in the field of physical sciences research and to support their career development. It is named after Professor Nicholas Kurti known for his distinguished work in ultra-low temperature physics at the Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford University. The prize winner receives a €8000 cash prize, a unique trophy and certificate. The winner also has the opportunity to present his work at a conference of his choice.
Previous winners of the prize include Prof. Mathias Kläui, Dr Christian Rüegg, Dr. John Morton, Prof. Lieven Vandersypen, Sir Prof. Kostantin Novoselov, Prof. Dr. Andreas Wallraff and Dr. Silvano De Franceschi.
Published Date: 02 March 2012 Supplier Of Tools For Graphene ResearchOxford Instruments is delighted to have been selected by the Quantum Nanoelectronics Group from the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN), in Barcelona, to supply tools to be used for Graphene research.
The Quantum NanoElectronics group specialises in the electrical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene. As part of the contract, Oxford Instruments will provide a Triton Cryogen-free dilution refrigerator integrated with a 8 Tesla superconducting magnet. These tools will be used to study the Quantum Hall Effect in these nanostructures. The contract also includes a 5 year maintenance and service contract to take care of all the critical preventative maintenance involved with using Cryogen-free instruments. The equipment will be delivered in March this year.
Prof Adrian Bachtold, Principal Investigator of the Quantum Nano-Electronic Group and scientific staff at the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology in Barcelona, commented: “We are working on a project to take advantage of the unique properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene for the fabrication of nanoelectromechanical resonators. We are looking forward to receiving our new Triton Cryofree® dilution refrigerator and integrated magnet, which will be used to study these resonators in the quantum limit. The interaction with the personel of Oxford Instruments has been very pleasant and I am impressed by the short delivery time of the cryostat.”
Published Date: 28 February 2012 Significant technological presenceLancaster University based in the UK is populating part of its new world-class Lancaster Quantum Technology Centre (LQTC) with Oxford Instruments’ plasma systems as part of its strategy for the development of physical sciences.
The versatile and proven Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology PlasmaPro NGP80 and PlasmaPro System100 ICP Etch systems were chosen for their flexibility and suitability to enable the many applications that the multi-user LQTC wishes to run in its cleanrooms. With an extensive process library of over 6,000 recipes and its excellent customer support, service and training packages, Oxford Instruments’ systems were the ideal choice for the LQTC.
Head of the Semiconductor Physics & Nanostructures Research Group at Lancaster University, Professor Tony Krier, comments, “These new Oxford Instruments etch tools will enable us to run dry plasma etching and nano-patterning on a range of semiconductors including narrow gap antimonides and dilute nitrides for mid-infrared light sources and detectors. They will also be used for development of novel solar cells, quantum dot memories, nano-electronic structures, and much more.
Prof Krier continued, “The new clean room facility provides a focus for industrial and academic researchers with interests in fabricating nanoscale structures to enable them to investigate quantum phenomena. We chose Oxford Instruments because of the excellent technical specification and well founded reputation of the processing tools backed up by expert specialist support.”
“Oxford Instruments was founded as a result of the pull-through of science into the marketplace, and we are delighted to be part of this significant development in UK scientific research capabilities”, says Mark Vosloo, Sales & Customer Support Director at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, “Like the LQTC, Oxford Instruments uses innovation to turn smart science into world class products, meeting the needs of the 21st century and beyond.” Published Date: 21 February 2012
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