The Analytical Scientist Innovation Awards 2024: 15–11
The countdown begins! We reveal the first five innovations to make this year’s Innovation Awards.
| 4 min read | Technology
15 – BEAM
The first dedicated single-point spectrometer – “unleashing the full power of FT-NIR spectroscopy”
Produced by Bruker Corporation
Unlike single-point analyzers based on filter or diode-array technology, the BEAM uses FT-NIR technology, based on Bruker’s RockSolid interferometer, to ensure it can perform the same applications with the precision, accuracy, and long-term stability you would expect from a high-end lab-based system. The BEAM is compact and lightweight, making installation more straightforward – with dedicated mounting brackets or Tri-clamp flanges – in any setting and orientation at pipelines, chutes, or over conveyor belts. The system’s dual-lamp operation mode aims to ensure uninterrupted system availability, and service intervals are extended for optimized productivity and efficiency.
Potential impact
Designed for on-the-spot quality control, the BEAM is IP65 protected, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. The BEAM is ready to integrate with existing process control systems and adapt to future technological advancements.
What the judges say…
“New step in applicability and affordability of FT-NIR measurements.”
“Innovative process analytics with FT-NIR.”
14 – EVOQ DART-TQ+
Chromatography-free triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry for point-of-need (PoN) routine analysis
Produced by Bruker Corporation
The new EVOQ DART-TQ⁺ mass spectrometer simplifies high-throughput testing with its integrated DART ion source, eliminating the need for upfront chromatography. With a 20-second analysis time per sample, it provides a fast solution for routine food and environmental testing. By bypassing traditional chromatography methods, it enhances productivity and uptime, while lowering cost of ownership. The EVOQ DART-TQ⁺ also offers a quick switch-over to LC-MS mode for water and food testing with chromatography.
Potential impact
In a press release, Jeffrey Zonderman, President of the Bruker Applied Mass Spectrometry division, said: “With the world’s first fully integrated DART-TQ-MS system, we are pioneering chromatography-free workflows for the applied markets and for point-of-need mass spec applications. We are excited to introduce the EVOQ DART-TQ+, a simplified system with greater ease of use, shorter analysis times, lower cost of ownership, and significantly reduced solvent usage – all major steps in the evolution of ‘MS for the masses’.”
13 – Vericheck ddPCR Replication Competent Lentivirus Kit and Vericheck ddPCR Replication-Competent AAV Kit
Quick and cost-effective solutions for the absolute quantification of replication competent lentivirus and AAV genes
Produced by Bio-Rad Laboratories
To support the safe and effective production of cell and gene therapies, Bio-Rad’s Vericheck ddPCR Replication Competent Lentivirus Kit and Vericheck ddPCR Replication-Competent AAV Kit provide rapid, cost-effective solutions for the absolute quantification of replication competent lentivirus (RCL) and replication competent adeno-associated virus (RCAAV) genes, potentially indicating a replication-competent virus (RCV).
Potential impact
Replication competent viruses (RCVs) are viral particles that can infect cells and replicate, resulting in the production of more infectious viral particles. They can be created through recombination events involving the transfer plasmids that encode the viral genome, packaging plasmids, and the cell line utilized to generate the virus. It is crucial for the safety of emerging cell and gene therapies that samples undergo RCV testing at various stages of the production process.
What the judges say…
“Effetive, relatively inexpensive kits will be widely useful.”
“Providing an important capability to gene therapy development efforts.”
12 – Pegasus BTX The smallest and most sensitive GC-TOFMS on the market
The smallest and most sensitive GC-TOFMS on the market
Produced by LECO
The Pegasus BTX is the newest addition to LECO’s benchtop GC-TOFMS series. It features the StayClean ion source, fast full-spectrum acquisition rates, and a linear dynamic range spanning five orders of magnitude. A new ion path and detector design deliver femtogram-level sensitivity, making it suitable for both targeted and non-targeted analyses.
Potential impact
Designed for labs analyzing complex matrices across industries such as petroleum, life sciences, environmental science, pharmaceuticals, and food safety, the Pegasus BTX provides high sensitivity and robust performance.
What the judges say…
“Another nice invention from Leco: a GC-MS with a small footprint.”
11 – Agilent ProteoAnalyzer System
Automated parallel capillary electrophoresis system for protein analysis
Produced by Agilent Technologies
The Agilent ProteoAnalyzer system is a parallel capillary electrophoresis instrument that automates the capillary electrophoresis-sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE-SDS) analysis of reduced and non-reduced protein samples. Able to separate 12 samples in as little as 30 minutes, this system is designed to eliminate the laborious process of SDS-PAGE gel preparation, staining/destaining, and analysis.
Potential impact
The Agilent ProteoAnalyzer system brings added efficiency, versatility, and reliability, particularly in protein QC workflows. Automating the separation, data processing, and simplifying sample preparation steps streamlines the analysis workflow, which improves efficiency and reduces training and related labor costs. The system also can analyze a wide range of sample types, from crude lysates to purified fractions. It can analyze different sizes and types of proteins in a single run and consistently deliver accurate results, reducing the need for time-consuming and costly reanalysis.
What the judges say…
“Automated simultaneous CE system – key for high throughput.”
“An interesting alternative tool for those individuals running slab gels.”
