Abstract: A method for detecting material in a sample using an ICP instrument includes preparing the sample for analysis by the ICP instrument using hydrogen gas. For example, hydrogen gas can be generated by initiating a hydride generation reaction with the sample. Further, hydrogen gas can be introduced to a component part of the sample. For instance, hydrogen gas can be added to an injector gas in a spray chamber of the ICP instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic preconcentration of fluid samples using alternating dual holding loops are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a first sample loop and a second sample loop alternately fluidically coupled with a sample source; a first valve to alternately introduce fluid from the sample source to the first sample loop and the second sample loop; a second valve to alternately receive fluid from the first sample loop and the second sample loop and to alternately provide access to the preconcentration column to fluid received from the first sample loop and the second sample loop; and a pump system configured to alternately introduce sample held in the first sample loop and sample held in the second sample loop to the preconcentration column via the first valve and the second valve.

Abstract: Humidification systems and methods to introduce water vapor to a laser-ablated sample prior to introduction to an ICP torch are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a water vapor generator configured to control production of a water vapor stream and to transfer the water vapor stream to at least one of a sample chamber of a laser ablation device or a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the laser ablation device, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to receive a laser-ablated sample from the laser ablation device and direct the laser-ablated sample to an inductively coupled plasma torch.

Abstract: A sample identification system for an automated sampling device is described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample holder having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of sample vessels therein, the sample holder having one or more corresponding sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder; and an identifier capture device configured to detect the one or more sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder and generate a data signal in response thereto, the data signal corresponding to at least an orientation of the sample holder relative to a surface on which the sample holder is positioned.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an auto-sampling system with syringe, valve configurations, and control logic that allow automatic, inline preparation of concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated phosphoric acid for analytic analyses. In implementations, the auto-sampling system includes independent syringe pumps connected to a valve system to dynamically introduce carrier, diluent, buffer, and eluent flows according to one or more modes of operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an auto-sampling system with syringe, valve configurations, and control logic that allow automatic, inline matrix matching of calibration standards to samples. In implementations, this accomplished with three independent syringes connected to a valve system to dynamically introduce carrier, diluent, and ultrapure stock matrix flows for each blank, standard, or sample.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a tray having a number of compartments for holding liquid samples and partitioning the liquid samples from one another. The liquid samples are prepared by adding an indicator configured to produce a characteristic change in light from the liquid samples when a target microbe metabolizes the indicator while the liquid samples are incubated. The system also includes a light sensor for sensing light from the liquid samples held in the tray while the plurality of liquid samples is incubated. The system further includes a processor coupled with the light sensor and configured to analyze the light from the liquid samples while the liquid samples are incubated to detect the characteristic change in light from one or more of the liquid samples if the target microbe is present in the liquid samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically packing resin into and unpacking resin from a reusable separation column for sample analysis are described. A reusable sample separation column embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a column body having a first end and a distal second end and defining an interior fluid flow pathway; a first port adjacent the first end and coupled to an inlet coupled to an expanded interior region, the inlet positioned between the first port and the expanded interior region to introduce resin slurry; an outlet coupled to a frit positioned between the outlet and the first port, the frit configured to retain resin of the resin slurry within the expanded interior region; and a second port coupled to a channel having a smaller cross-section than the second port, the channel configured to introduce a jet of fluid to resin positioned in the expanded interior region.

Abstract: A system for controlling peristaltic pumps includes a first peristaltic pump configured to drive a carrier fluid, a second peristaltic pump configured to drive a diluent fluid, a third peristaltic pump configured to drive an internal standard, spike or matrix solution, and a controller for adjusting respective flow rates of the first, second, and third peristaltic pumps. The controller is configured to run the second peristaltic pump at least at a minimum predetermined flow rate whenever the third peristaltic pump is active.

Abstract: Valve assemblies are described that provide segmented shuttle of liquid into sample vessels and automatic mixing via bubbles in the segmented liquid. A valve assembly includes a first valve member having ports configured to receive a pressurized gas, a first fluid, and a second fluid. The valve assembly also includes a second valve member coupled adjacent to the first valve member. The second valve member comprises a plurality of channels configured to interface with the first valve member. In a first configuration, the first fluid is loaded into an external loop. In the second configuration, the second fluid is eluted from the column into a vial in a segmented stream via bubbles of pressurized gas. Bubbles of gas automatically mix the eluted sample fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic sampling, digestion, and joining a plurality of sample introduction systems of a sample for subsequent analysis by ICP-MS are described.

Abstract: A system includes an analysis system at a first location and one or more remote sampling systems at a second location remote from the first location. A sampling system can be configured to receive a remote liquid sample. The system also includes a sample transfer line configured to transport gas from the second location to the first location. The sample transfer line is configured to selectively couple with a remote sampling system for supplying a continuous liquid sample segment to the sample transfer line. The system can further include a sample receiving line at the first location. The sample receiving line is configured to selectively couple with the sample transfer line and the analysis system to receive the continuous liquid sample segment and supply the sample to an analysis device.

Abstract: A sample introduction system providing variable online dilution of a sample is described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a spectrometry analysis system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an inline dilution environment, including a first valve assembly configured to prepare a sample by accepting at least one of the sample, a diluent, a carrier, or an internal standard, where the first valve assembly includes a first sample loop; and a second valve assembly configured to prepare the sample by accepting the sample from the first valve assembly, where the second valve assembly is coupled to the first valve assembly, and where the second valve assembly includes a second sample loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for integrated decomposition and scanning of a semiconducting wafer, where a single chamber is utilized for decomposition and scanning of the wafer of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to determine whether a sample transmitted through a transfer line from a remote sampling system contains a suitable sample to analyze by an analysis system. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample receiving line configured to receive a liquid segment a first detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a first location in the sample receiving line; a second detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a second location in the sample receiving line downstream from the first location; and a controller configured to register a continuous liquid segment in the sample receiving line when the first detector and the second detector match detection states prior to the controller registering a change of state of the first detector.

Abstract: A dual spray chamber apparatus is described. In one or more implementations, the dual spray chamber apparatus includes a first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving an aerosol and conditioning the aerosol to separate a first conditioned portion of the aerosol from a second portion of the aerosol. The first cyclonic spray chamber defines a first chamber interior and comprises an input port in fluid communication with the first chamber interior. The dual spray chamber apparatus also includes a second spray chamber coupled with the first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving the first conditioned portion of the aerosol and further conditioning the first conditioned portion of the aerosol. The second spray chamber defines a second chamber interior and comprises an output port for expelling a first further conditioned portion of the first conditioned portion of the aerosol from the second chamber interior.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for calibrating an analytical instrument analyzing a plurality of sample matrices in series. A system embodiment can include, but is not limited to, a sample analysis device configured to receive a plurality of samples from a plurality of remote sampling systems and to determine an intensity of one or more species of interest contained in each of the plurality of samples; and a controller configured to generate a primary calibration curve based on analysis of a first standard solution having a first sample matrix by the sample analysis device and generate at least one secondary calibration curve based on analysis of a second standard solution having a second sample matrix by the sample analysis device, the controller configured to associate the at least one secondary calibration curve with the primary calibration curve according to a matrix correction factor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automated column sparging of preconcentration columns for analytic testing. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a selection valve fluidically coupled with a gas source and with an eluent source, the selection valve including a mixing portion to mix gas from the gas source and eluent from the eluent source to provide a bubbled eluent stream; and a preconcentration column in fluid communication with the selection valve, the preconcentration column configured to receive the bubbled eluent stream from the selection valve and direct the bubbled eluent stream into an interior of the preconcentration column.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to concentrate a remote sample for analysis. A sample concentration system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of valves including at least a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve; a plurality of columns including at least a first column and a second column, the first column fluidically coupled to the first valve, the second column fluidically coupled to the second valve; and a flow meter coupled with the third valve, the flow meter fluidically coupled with each of the first column and the second column when the plurality of valves is in a first flow path configuration to measure an amount of the liquid sample passed through the first column and the second column, wherein the plurality of valves includes a second flow path configuration and a third flow path configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for speciation of chemicals of interest with inline and automatic dilution or addition of other fluids prior to or following speciation with subsequent analysis by ICP instruments are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a first valve having a first valve configuration to receive a sample into a holding loop coupled to the first valve and a second valve configuration to transfer the sample from the holding loop; and a second valve having a first valve configuration configured to receive the sample from the first valve and direct the sample to a speciation column to separate one or more species of the sample, the second valve further including a fluid addition port configured to receive a fluid into the second valve to mix with the sample after the sample exits the speciation column.