Send us a text The week our team recaps the “Back to Basics” series on Bench Boost. They discuss topics covered in previous episodes, including pipetting, instrumentation, calibration standards, stability, solubility, lab math, detection limits, and plasma fundamentals. Liv highlights the importance of proper sample preparation and pipetting techniques. Thomas explains the selection of appropriate instrumentation like AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS, and the necessity of instrument tuning, calibratio...
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Send us a text The week our team recaps the “Back to Basics” series on Bench Boost. They discuss topics covered in previous episodes, including pipetting, instrumentation, calibration standards, stability, solubility, lab math, detection limits, and plasma fundamentals. Liv highlights the importance of proper sample preparation and pipetting techniques. Thomas explains the selection of appropriate instrumentation like AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS, and the necessity of instrument tuning, calibratio...
Send us a text The week our team recaps the “Back to Basics” series on Bench Boost. They discuss topics covered in previous episodes, including pipetting, instrumentation, calibration standards, stability, solubility, lab math, detection limits, and plasma fundamentals. Liv highlights the importance of proper sample preparation and pipetting techniques. Thomas explains the selection of appropriate instrumentation like AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS, and the necessity of instrument tuning, calibratio...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, our team discusses the versatility and utility of 3D printers in the lab. They delve into the various uses of 3D printing, such as fabricating custom parts, prototyping solutions, and creating unique lab tools. The team explains the two main types of 3D printers (FDM and SLA) and the materials they use. They share practical examples of how 3D printing has solved specific problems in their lab, like creating custom auto-sampler racks and holders. ...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, Ashley, Liv, and Mike delve into the fundamentals of how the plasma functions in ICP-OES and ICP-MS instruments. They explain the process of plasma interaction with sample aerosols, covering steps from desolvation to ionization. The discussion also includes the structure of plasma, its temperature variations, and how it can be manipulated by adjusting gas flow and RF power. They highlight the importance of ionization buffers and the differences b...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, our team answers various listener questions on topics such as the use of Unisolv reagents for rare earth element analysis, best practices for replacing leaching solutions, digestion protocols for iron in rabbit brain tissue, interferences in Indium analysis by ICP-OES, and safe analysis of samples prepared with HF. The discussion provides practical advice and technical insights into digestion processes, sample contamination, and equipment compati...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, our team discusses detection limits. They cover the differences between instrument detection limits and method detection limits, detailing how each is calculated and the importance of optimizing conditions to achieve the lowest possible detection limits. The discussion includes practical tips for enhancing detection limits through sensitivity adjustments, stable measurements, and proper sample preparation. The need for periodic reevaluation of de...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost Mike, Ashley, Autumn Phillips, and Liv discuss food testing procedures for trace metals with a focus on Thanksgiving, talking how to best analyze turkey brine. They cover various technical considerations, including dilution factors, contamination avoidance, and proper sample preparation techniques for accurate measurement. Specific methods recommended by the FDA, such as EAM 4.4 and 4.7 for multi-element analysis using ICP-OES and ICP Mass Spec, a...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, Mike, Ashley, Autumn, and Liv discuss fundamental laboratory math. They cover essential formulas used in elemental analysis, including the C1V1=C2V2 formula for preparing solution standards, calculating dilution factors, and performing serial dilutions. They also explain percent recovery as a method accuracy check and contrast the units of PPM and PPB. The discussion includes molarity, its importance in chemistry experiments, and how to convert c...
Send us a text In this Back-to-Basics episode, Mike is joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones, R&D Chemist Autumn Phillips, and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to break down the fundamentals of solubility—how much of a compound can dissolve, what happens when stable solutions suddenly form solids, and how to predict and prevent precipitation in analytical work. Using examples like calcium carbonate, the team walks through concepts like Ksp, ion products, the common-ion effect, ...
Send us a text In this special episode, Mike is joined by Technical Support Chemist Ashley Jones, R&D Chemist Autumn Phillips, and Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to recap Inorganic Ventures’ 10th Annual ICP Conference. Held at IV’s headquarters in October, the event brought together scientists, partners, and guests for three days of presentations, hands-on labs, and collaboration. The team reflects on standout sessions covering topics like microwave digestion, ICP instrument mainten...
Send us a text In this episode, Mike is joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to tackle listener-submitted questions from the lab. First, they unpack whether a standard additions curve from one sample can be applied to others—exploring when it’s valid, what risks come with instrument drift, and why true matrix matching matters. Then, they take on a tough scenario: how to handle high-throughput analysis of true unknown mineral samples using ICP-O...
Send us a text In this episode of our Back-to-Basics series, we explore solution stability — why metals sometimes fall out of solution and how to prevent it. Joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski, Mike breaks down the chemistry behind hydrolysis, charge density, and how acid strength and complexing agents like chloride and fluoride can stabilize your standards. The team also revisits Le Chatelier’s Principle, showing how equilibrium shifts can b...
Send us a text In this episode, we tackle real-world technical support questions submitted by listeners. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we explore three unique challenges: Stabilizing nitrite (NO₂) standards for ion chromatography and why pH control is the key to preventing unwanted oxidation.Calculating tolerance intervals, including how to use statistical tools to set confident, population-based limits in your data.Troubles...
Send us a text In this episode of our Back to Basics series, we explore the critical role of tuning solutions, check solutions, and calibration standards in ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down why proper calibration and routine checks are essential to maintaining instrument performance and ensuring accurate, reliable data. From wavelength and mass calibration to tuning for sensitivity and minimizi...
Send us a text In this episode, part of our Back to Basics series, we dive into three of the most widely used elemental analysis techniques: Atomic Absorption (AA), ICP-OES, and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down how each method works, where they excel, and the challenges that come with them. From AA’s simplicity and cost-effectiveness, to the multi-element strength of ICP-OES, to the ultra-trace detection p...
Send us a text This week we’re celebrating a huge milestone—our 100th episode! To mark the occasion, we’re kicking off a brand-new Back to Basics series with a focus on pipetting—the foundation of accurate lab work. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down common pipetting errors, compare manual vs. electronic pipettors, and share essential tips for mastering technique. From pre-wetting tips to proper immersion depth, pip...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to answer technical support questions straight from graduate students in the lab. From tackling the stubborn insolubility of silver chloride to mastering rapid zeolite digestion with the UniSolv method, the team breaks down the chemistry and offers practical, lab-ready solutions. Key topics include: Why silver chloride resists dissolution — and how excess chloride shifts ...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to unpack two common technical support questions. From concerns about the radioactivity of uranium and thorium standards to troubleshooting unstable tin recoveries in food analysis, the team shares practical solutions and clear explanations you can bring back to your lab. Key topics include: Radioactivity levels of uranium and thorium standards — why they’re safe to handl...
Send us a text In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth sits down with R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to dive into real-world technical support questions from the lab. From the tricky behavior of mercury in cannabis matrices to the best way to store custom blend standards, the team shares practical advice and insights you can apply directly to your work. Key topics include: Challenges in mercury analysis on ICP-MS — washout, volatilization, and matrix effectsPractical t...
Send us a text In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures team continues their overview of SEAL-compatible Discrete Analyzer Reagents—this time focusing on four essential nutrient and anion methods: chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and ammonia. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes break down the key reactions behind each method, including: The iron thiocyanate reaction for chlorideTurbidimetric analysis of sulfate via barium sulfate formationThe molybdenum blue reaction for phosphateA safer variant of the B...
Send us a text In this episode, the team dives into colorimetric methods for silica and nitrate analysis using SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents developed by Inorganic Ventures. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes walk through the chemistries behind the molybdate silica method, cadmium coil nitrate reduction, and hydrazine-based nitrate reduction—along with practical maintenance tips for keeping your reduction efficiency in check. They also discuss how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL instruments, ...
Send us a text The week our team recaps the “Back to Basics” series on Bench Boost. They discuss topics covered in previous episodes, including pipetting, instrumentation, calibration standards, stability, solubility, lab math, detection limits, and plasma fundamentals. Liv highlights the importance of proper sample preparation and pipetting techniques. Thomas explains the selection of appropriate instrumentation like AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS, and the necessity of instrument tuning, calibratio...
