Latest News from MarkesUSUS

Markes to exhibit (Stand #107) at Separation Science Singapore 2010

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:49:15 GMT

Markes International will have a joint booth (#107) with ALMSCO International at the Separation Science Singapore 2010 conference in August.

Markes' material emissions specialist, Dr Caroline Widdowson, will be giving a talk at the conference entitled "Innovations to Facilitate Easy and Reliable Implementation of TD-GC/MS Measurements by Manufacturing Industry"

Novel use of automated sample re-collection for extending dynamic range

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:08:14 GMT

ALMSCO International has published an application note titled "Accurate & reliable analysis of beer using time-of-flight technology for gas chromatography". The application note describes the novel use of automated re-collection (SecureTD-Q) for extending dynamic range as applied to the analysis of beer. The application note discusses the use of Markes' SPE-tD cartidges for sorptive extraction followed by thermal desorption-GC/MS using the UNITY thermal desorption system.

Making use of the UNITY flow splitting and sample re-collection facility, "high/low" analysis of the beer is undertaken. A double-split method "dilutes" the sample to characterise the high-abundance components. Simultaneous sample re-collection on the UNITY thermal desorption system enables follow-up analysis of the same sample using a single split to load more sample onto the column. This provides accurate measurement of the minor components of the beer.

The full application note can be downloaded from the ALMSCO International website

* ALMSCO International is a division of Markes International Ltd

New accesories & consumable products catalogue

Wed, 05 May 2010 16:44:07 GMT

Markes International has recently published the 2010/2011 edition of its popular thermal desorption accessories and consumable products catalogue.

For your personal copy please email Markes

The catalogue can also be viewed online from the eShop.

Product launch | New Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:03:53 GMT

Specialist analytical thermal desorption instrumentation manufacturer Markes International Ltd. has announced the launch of a new higher temperature and larger capacity version of its popular Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™ (μ-CTE™) for the measurement of (semi-) volatile organic compounds (SVOC) such as formaldehyde from materials.

The innovative new Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor will enable the manufacturing industry to achieve in-house product testing to assist compliance with new legislation such as REACH, CARB and EC Construction Products Directive/Regulation.

“The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractors are effective small scale devices for the quality control of formaldehyde and (S)VOC emissions from a whole host of products and materials” said Elizabeth Woolfenden, Director, Markes International. “They allow companies to screen products for chemical emission levels in-house and with fast turn around in a way that complements more lengthy reference tests by third party laboratories. This has proved to be a very popular approach with users of the existing Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor.”

The new instrument complements the Markes range of chemical emissions monitoring technology and allows four samples (each up to 114 ml volume) to be evaluated simultaneously at temperatures up to 250°C. Bulk or surface-only emissions of (S)VOC, including key phthalate plasticisers, can be sampled from a whole variety of materials including construction products, semi-conductor/PC components, car trim, carpets, paints, textiles and children’s toys. The μ-CTE is usually used in combination with sorbent tubes and offline thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS. Additionally, Markes μ-CTE units are compatible with DNPH cartridges for formaldehyde emissions screening by HPLC.

New legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), Californian green chemistry initiatives (AB 1879 & the CARB formaldehyde rule) and the EC Construction Products Directive/Regulation is driving industry to monitor the release of (S)VOC from its products. These new regulations require products and materials to be sent to independent test laboratories for certification of chemical release and additional quality control of chemical emissions. However, QC of chemical release from materials requires much faster and lower cost tests than the three- and 28-day reference methods used for product certification; the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractors are particularly useful for in-house QC/screening of chemical emissions levels.

Further information on the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor

Product launch | New thermal desorption unit | TD-100™

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:07:16 GMT

Specialist analytical thermal desorption instrumentation manufacturer Markes International Ltd has announced the launch of its new thermal desorption (TD) instrument for gas chromatography (GC).

The new TD-100 thermal desorption system is the latest in a line of innovative and technologically advanced thermal desorption systems from the company. The system is based on the established and reliable thermal desorption technology for which Markes is renowned. The TD-100 incorporates sample re-collection for repeat analysis, electrical cooling to lower running costs and maintain instrument "up time" and is compatible with all TD-compatible compound types (VOC, SVOC and reactive species; high concentration right down to trace level samples).

A low-cost, fully automated instrument, the TD-100 couples to any make of GC or GC/MS and complies with standard methods. It is a high capacity instrument capable of the sequential analysis of up to 100 sorbent tubes, which is perfect for high-throughput laboratories and offers reliable and unattended operation for extended periods of time. To make sample and tube tracking hassle-free and to eliminate the chance of errors, the TD-100 includes RFID sample sorbent tube tracking technology (TubeTAG) as standard.

The TD-100 has been designed for the sampling and analysis of trace toxic and odorous chemicals (VOC and SVOC) in air/gas and materials. Relevant application areas include materials emissions testing (for example, compliance with construction products regulations or REACH), environmental/indoor air monitoring, workplace air monitoring, food, flavour and fragrance profiling, civil defence and forensics .

Markes International is pleased to announce its participation in The Second Generation Locator for Urban Search and Rescue Operations (SGL for USaR).

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:55:47 GMT

Markes International is pleased to announce its participation in The Second Generation Locator for Urban Search and Rescue Operations (SGL for USaR).

This EU funded project involves contribution from 21 partners across Europe to advance effective and reliable locations of casualties following disasters. Markes will contribute expertise in the identification of VOCs, which can act as markers for the presence of trapped casualties in and under ruins, and the location and differentiation of deceased casualties.

Futher details can be found on the SGL website, here

TDTS87: A cryogen-free method for monitoring trace greenhouse gases in air

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:54:31 GMT

In response to the Kyoto Protocol, ‘Clean Development Mechanism’ (CDM) regulations are being enacted in a number of countries to facilitate and control greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trading. Many of the new regulations require the monitoring of bulk greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane and some require additional consideration of other lower level and more analytically challenging compounds. Examples of this include proposed amendments to the European Emission Trading Scheme Directive 2003/87/EC1 and Australia’s recent government white paper on a low pollution future.

The full technical/application note available for download here.

Chemical Warfare Agents and use of Thermal Desorption-GC-MS to achieve improved trace-level detection (T. Murphy, G. Roberts & G. Davies)

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:49:19 GMT

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) (1993) outlawed chemical warfare agent (CWA) use and specified that destruction of agent stockpiles should advance within set deadlines. Ongoing CWA-related research projects (for example, civil defense, agent destruction, and protection) require monitoring of airborne CWA concentrations at the lowest possible level and with accurate identification. The use of handheld devices in these situations is compromised by their lack of sensitivity and their tendency to give false positives. Thermal desorption (TD), combined with GC–MS, is the only technique offering sufficient sensitivity and specificity for identifying and measuring trace CWAs. This article discusses the analysis of a wide range of CWAs at current exposure limits and describes a number of recent beneficial developments in TD and associated analytical technologies for the identification and quantification of CWAs at these levels.

This article has been published in LC-GC's Spectroscopy supplement on Homeland Security. The article can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/d36377

Markes International picks up two prestigious business awards

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:48:49 GMT

For the second year in succession Markes International Ltd. (Llantrisant, UK) has been awarded two highly prestigious awards: 'International Business of the Year', and 'Company of the Year' by the Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Club.

Markes beat strong competition to win the coveted awards. The 'International Business of the Year' award is given to the company showing outstanding performance in building a commercially successful and sustainable international business. The 'Company of the Year' award recognises outstanding performance made by a company in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

Markes director, Alun Cole, received the awards from TV actress and celebrity, Ruth Jones (BBC TV’s Gavin & Stacey), and BBC TV news anchorman, Jamie Owen.

Press release can be downloaded here

Agilent Technologies and Markes form global thermal desorption GC, GC/MS collaboration

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:47:49 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and LLANTRISANT, UK, Feb. 27, 2009 – Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) and Markes International Limited today announced a strategic alliance for global distribution and market development of analytical thermal desorption (TD) instruments used with gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) systems.
Under the agreement, Markes TD systems and accessories are available globally as original equipment manufacturer items through the Agilent sales force and supported by the Agilent service organization. Additionally, the two companies have agreed to collaborative development and promotion of TD-GC and TD-GC/MS applications.

Press release can be downloaded here