Touchstone© software

Touchstone Software , SpinOff Software, Copyright of SpinOff Technical Systems, Benfleet, Essex, UK. 

The interface provides efficient transfer of samples into the Merlin, and, most importantly, a rapid flush-out there is no hold up of mercury (which is a feature of the commonly used atomic absorption techniques). To aid the transfer of mercury vapour, the tin(II) chloride regime is used, together with a gas/liquid separator designed for this task. Mercury is sparged from the reaction vessel into the Merlin Detector. Full automation is provided by using a simple standard DIO card fitted into an IBM compatible computer system with the PSA Touchstone software. This is an easy-to-use menu-driven system which controls the modules used in the instrumentation, calibrates the system, collects, collates and reprints the results, and which finks to host computer systems. 

Two features of the complete system are worth stressing the autosampler design and its control and implementation with the specific software. TTie Touchstone software was designed by specialists in instrumentation with a great deal of experience of analytical chemistry. It uses computer techniques to give the analyst what is required, and it achieves its objectives easily and reliably. It is also easily understood by people who are not computer specialists. 

As the pressure for the validation of analytical results to be validated increases, the computer software and the system have had to be modified so that they can operate in a hands-off fashion to a set protocol design. The Touchstone software provides this with the Program facility. Procedures and instruments can be changed within a single run. 

The complete system can be controlled by a computer with special software designed for this type of analysis and is available from PS Analytical (UK) as a Touchstone Package (PSA 30.0). The carrier liquid and sample plug is transported using a multiroller peristaltic pump at a rate predetermined to suit the analysis of interest. Silicone tubing of 0.8 to 1.0 mm internal diameter is normally used and is found to be best for most organic solvents. A sample loop used for injection is usually in the volume range of 150 to 500 pi with an internal diameter 0.8-1.0 mm and is made of solvent resistant plastic. The best volume of loop is predetermined for a particular sample and analyte concentration. 

Cusumano, M., Selby, R. (1995). Microsoft secrets How the world s most powerful software company creates technology, shapes markets and manages people. New York Touchstone. 

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