Instrumentation, developments anticipated

Table 39.4 summarizes simple rules of thumb for designing microfluidic systems developed from the pressure-strain solutions presented in Section 39.4. Based on the resolution of the available instrumentation and anticipated modulus, these recommendations can be adjusted for film thickness and span as required. The broad generalizations of Table 39.4 can be specified more quantitatively using the results shown in Figures 39.9 through 39.11 that is, critical values of pressure and deflection can be identified such that deflections are within a specified percenfage of the analytical solutions. 

The Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement (ILI) Program aids in the purchase of laboratory equipment for use in undergraduate laboratories at all levels. Annual funding has been 23 million for the past 5 years and is anticipated to remain at this level for the near future. Typically, 2300 proposals are received, resulting in approximately 600 awards per year. ILI has two components The major one accepts proposals for equipment only, the other, known as Leadership in Laboratory Development, seeks to support the development of exemplary national models for laboratory curricula by providing funds for personnel and supplies as well as for equipment. Five percent of the ILI budget is devoted to Leadership projects, and preliminary proposals are required. A 50% institutional match for equipment costs is necessary for all ILI proposals. The maximum allowable request from NSF is 100,000. In the 1992 competition, 60 proposals to initiate or improve materials science laboratories were received 15 were from departments of chemistry, the remainder from engineering units. 

Additionally, use of a commercial AI shell for expert system development has been demonstrated without the need to learn computer programming languages (C, Pascal, LISP or any of its variations), nor to have an intermediary knowledge engineer. Although this development effort of 4-5 man months was on a minicomputer, adaptation of EXMAT to the microcomputer version of TIMM is anticipated. The completed implementation of EXMAT will support the belief that AI combined with intelligent instrumentation can have a major impact on future analytical problem-solving. 

Selected topics in Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry instrumentation are discussed in depth, and numerous analytical application examples are given. In particular, optimization ofthe single-cell FTMS design and some of its analytical applications, like pulsed-valve Cl and CID, static SIMS, and ion clustering reactions are described. Magnet requirements and the software used in advanced FTICR mass spectrometers are considered. Implementation and advantages of an external differentially-pumped ion source for LD, GC/MS, liquid SIMS, FAB and LC/MS are discussed in detail, and an attempt is made to anticipate future developments in FTMS instrumentation. 

The TDM of TKIs is thus likely to become a very rapidly evolving field, with new targeted anticancer agents approved at a regular pace. Further developments for the TDM of several new TKIs are therefore anticipated to occur within the next few years. In that context, not only a facilitated access to powerful mass spectrometry instruments, but also the availability of robust methodologies for TKIs and tamox-ifen/metabolites analysis is a necessity for academic hospital centers that provide TDM service for targeted anticancer therapy. In particular, bioanalytical methods... 

In considering the three most prominent analytical techniques for quartz, i.e. colorimetric, infrared (IR) and x-ray diffraction, it was possible to immediately exclude the x-ray diffraction procedure for use because the instrument was not available and the cost of purchasing such a unit was considered to be prohibitive in view of the relatively small number of samples anticipated. The Talvite (1) colorimetric procedure has previously been employed without particular success. This method was generally considered to be unacceptably tedious, time-consuming and of questionable accuracy. For these reasons and because the infrared instrumentation was available, it was decided to focus our preliminary efforts on the development of an infrared procedure. 

It will be clear from this subsection that much skillful and imaginative instrument design, by a number of different groups, has been directed towards the development of far-infrared spectroscopy. Quite apart from the developments in laboratory spectroscopy, the impact on astronomy in this region of the spectrum is of major importance. A high power tunable far-infrared source can serve as the local oscillator for the detection of far-infrared interstellar radiation. We can anticipate exciting developments in this field. 

The development of sophisticated analytical instruments, mainly based on mass spectrometry, enabled several analyses for bioanalysis of chemical warfare agents. Tox-icokinetic studies at relevant levels (down to 10 pg/ml blood) can now be performed. Exposures to CWAs can be verified up to several weeks after exposure, because of the persistence of the biomarkers but also thanks to the sensitive and selective instrumentation. It is anticipated that future equipment will be even more sensitive, enabling exposures that occurred weeks after the event to be tracked down. 

The next step is either to select an existing system for the analysis task or to pnrchase a new system. When a new system is purchased, it is often purchased not just for a specific analysis but also for use in general applications in the laboratory. In this case, the Reqnirements Specifications should include a representative mix of the anticipated applications, and the FSs shonld be set such that the instrument can handle all of the requirements. Next, the nser shonld look for an instrument on the market that best meets these requirements. If the selected system does not provide all of the fnnctions — for example, regarding software — the user can decide whether to develop these himself or ask the vendor or a third party to do so. 

When new analytical tools become available, more often than not considerations of responsibility to the patient, practicality, and economy will keep the clinical chemist from accepting such newly developed techniques without careful deliberation. It appears that presently atomic abso tion spectroscopy is slowly finding entrance into medical research and service laboratories, and there is reason to expect that this technique will find wider use and greater application than emission flame spectroscopy. Virtually all metals, with very few exceptions, can be determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. It is anticipated that this technique not only will replace currently used analytical methods for metals, but will also make feasible the routine determination of elements now impractical by conventional means. Furthermore, the operational stability of available instruments and the simplicity of actual performance of measiurements make this technique well suited for automation, by addition of an automatic sample feed and automatic recording. 

The anticipated developments in neutron sources and instrumentation will provide exciting new opportunities for the study of polymers, soft matter, and complex fluids. Rather than try to cite specific detailed examples, broad areas of potential exploitation and current trends will be highlighted. The examples described in the earlier section of this paper indicate a distinct trend towards the study of complex multi-component or multi-phase systems, the use of complex environments (flow, pressure, confinement), the study of complex interfaces (for example, liquid-liquid interface), and non-equilibrium in situ studies. 

In the application of SANS to bulk polymeric systems, the anticipated developments in instrumentation and flux will provide the opportunity to extend the work of McLeish et n/., and probe polymer conformation under extrusion and in flow. Measurements as a function of position will enable complex spatial distributions of velocity and stress within an extruder to be mapped. Measurements with partial deuterium labelling will allow further development of the structure/rheology relationship in polymer processing. 

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