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Research Center for Instrumental Analysis

"SCIENT"

Established in February

2015, following an

investment of ten million

euros, Scient is a complex of

laboratories equipped with

the latest technology and

with a highly experienced

team made up of people with academic and technical training.

Given the variety of the analyses that can be performed and the

ability of the specialised personnel of preparing the samples and

obtaining and explaining the data, SCIENT can be considered an

outright solution for any research field. The centre targets the

scientific environment, as well as the economic one, offering

collaboration possibilities for countless research projects.

Next to the research activity, SCIENT also organizes training

sessions and seminars, which are addressed to anyone who activates

in the research field or performs laboratory analyses and wants to

learn about the analysis methods and techniques, as well as about

working with data and providing interpretation for the results.

To ensure the highest standards for the previously described

activities, the centre has 10 laboratories, which are equipped with

latest technology research equipment, conference room (with a

capacity for 80 people), study room, offices and a cafeteria, which add

up to a surface of 1300 sq. m.

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CHROMATOGRAPHY

Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography coupled with

Mass Spectrometry Laboratory – GC & GC‐MS

1. Gas Chromatograph with Mass

Spectrometer, Clarus SQ8T coupled

with HeadSpace HS40,

2. Gas Chromatograph with Mass

Spectrometer, Clarus SQ8T

3. Gas Chromatograph, Clarus 680 with

FID and PID detectors, with

autosampler and 650ATD thermal

desorption

4. Gas Chromatograph, Clarus 680 with

FID and ECD detectors, with

autosampler and HeadSpace HS40,

5. Gas Chromatograph, Clarus 680 with FID, PID detectors and

Purge & Trap

The gas chromatography laboratory provides the possibility to

analyse a wide array of volatile, semi volatile or non‐volatile organic

compounds. The wide range of available detectors ensures extended

detection capabilities. The MS detectors offer the possibility of

identification and structural confirmation of any unknown substance,

while the classic detectors ensure an easy detection and quantification of

any substance. The headspace, purge & trap and thermal desorption

accessories extend the range of substances that can be analysed, by

eliminating the restrictions concerning the sample’s volatility when

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introduced. The autosampler ensures a maximum level of reproducibility

of the sample/injection, as well as maximum productivity, allowing

unattended work for routine samples.

Liquid Chromatography Laboratory – HPLC

1. Liquid Chromatography System, FX15

DAD&FL

2. Liquid Chromatography System, FX15

DAD&RI,

3. Liquid Chromatography System, Flexar

UV/VIS&FL,

4. Liquid Chromatography System, FX15

with DAD and FL detectors

The liquid chromatography laboratory can analyse a wide array of

organic substances. Liquid chromatography is a separation science

extremely known for its capabilities. The existence of diode array

detectors can provide full UV spectrum acquisition during a

chromatographic run, while fluorescence and refractive index detectors

ensure the detection for a wide range of substances.

Three liquid chromatographs are ultra high pressure

chromatographs (UHPLC). They provide an extended working pressure

range and a reduced solvent flow rate. This reduces the creation of

environmentally hazardous waste. For the most demanding applications,

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two liquid chromatographic systems are equipped with additional

isocratic solvent delivery pumps for post or pre column derivatization.

Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Laboratory ‐ LC‐MS/MS

1. Liquid Chromatography System with

hybrid triple quadrupole Mass

Spectrometer – linear ionic trap,

QTRAP 5500

2. Liquid Chromatography System with

hybrid triple quadrupole Mass

Spectrometer – linear ionic trap,

3200 QTRAP

LC‐MS/MS is considered the most advanced technology in the liquid

chromatography field. These systems consist of two components: a high

pressure liquid chromatograph and a MS/MS detector. The liquid

chromatographs are designed for extended working pressure range and a

reduced solvent flow rate. This reduces the creation of environmentally

hazardous waste. The two existing mass spectrometers are one of high

sensitivity and one for routine analysis. The advanced mass spectrometer

is a state of the art instrument with extended capabilities for detection and

quantification of compounds at trace levels. It also provides compound

identification and development of future analysis methods. Both mass

spectrometers are equipped with the linear ion trap option and triple

quadrupol. This is one of the most advanced features available for mass

detectors enabling acquisition of spectra to identify compounds while they

are measured by MS/MS footprint.

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Chromatography Sample Preparation Laboratory – PPC

The laboratory is provided with all the

necessary instruments and accessories for storing

and preparing the samples that are about to be

analysed in the chromatography laboratories. The

SPE systems ensure the sample’s preparation by

extracting the targeted compounds from the

matrix.

SPECTROMETRY

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled

Plasma Spectrometry Laboratory – AAS & ICP‐OES

1. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer,

PinAAcle 900T

2. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer,

PinAAcle 900Z

3. Inductively coupled plasma Optical Emission

Spectrometer,Optima 8300DV,

4. Mercury analyser, SMS100

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This laboratory provides the possibility to analyse over 70 elements,

with detection limits from milligrams per litre (ppm) up to micrograms

per litre (ppt) from liquid samples. For best performances, the atomic

absorption spectrophotometers use monoelement lamps. The inductively

coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer allows quantitative, as well

as qualitative analysis for samples with an unknown composition. Using

the mercury analyser, concentrations of mercury as small as nanograms

per kilogram can be determined from solid samples. The samples are

minimally processed in the sample preparation room, using microwave

digestion.

Inductively coupled plasma Spectrometry Laboratory– ICPMS

1. Inductively coupled plasma Mass Spectrometer,

Nexion300S, Laser Ablation and ionic speciation

system The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

allows the quantitative as well as the semi quantitative

analysis of over 70 elements. The instrument has detection

limits up to nanograms per litre (sub‐ppt), which turns it

into the ideal solution for analyses where the purpose is the

quantitative determination of the elements of interest with a maximum

level of accuracy. In order to eliminate interferences, the system is

provided with a collision cell and a reaction cell with two gas lines, which

enable it to analyse the most complex samples. Also, the instrument has

laser ablation, which permits the analysis of solid samples without

processing them, and ionic speciation system for determining not only the

element content, but also the ionic species. The instrument can analyse

organic, as well as inorganic samples and it can be used for any field,

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including semi‐conductors research, where the highest degree of

sensitivity is required.

Infrared Spectrometry Laboratory – FTIR

1. FTIR Spectrometer, Frontier MIR‐FAR

2. FTIR Spectrometer, Frontier MIR/NIR with

Spotlight 400 Microscope

3. FTIR Spectrometer, Frontier MIR

4. Micro‐Raman inVia BASIS Spectroscopy

System

The FTIR spectrometer is coupled with a

Spotlight 400 microscope in order to characterize the samples by

determining the compound distribution and accumulations in the sample

through software generated images. The system offers the possibility to

analyse the samples in transmission mode, as well as in reflexion mode,

which makes it an extremely versatile instrument that can analyse almost

any kind of sample. The fields for which valuable information can be

provided vary from biology to manufacturing, pharmaceutics, biomedical,

biomaterials and even criminalistics, offering extremely important data

about sample identity depending on the distribution of the compounds in

the sample.

The Fourier Frontier FTIR and Frontier MIR spectrometers have

wide spectral ranges and numerous accessories, which makes them the

ideal instruments for a detailed characterization for samples of any kind,

from any field. The samples can be solid, liquid as well as gases, which

makes the systems appropriate in any situation. The instruments can

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perform qualitative as well as quantitative analyses, with their software

providing the option to build calibration curves. The fields for which the

instruments are of interest vary from materials characterization to

environmental analyses, chemical industry, pharmaceutics and research.

The micro‐ RAMAN inVia BASIS spectroscopy system allows

identification and mapping for very small samples. The samples can be

minerals, polymers, ceramics, cellular cultures, protein and many others.

Using the data

Thermal Analysis Laboratory – TA

1. Differential Scanning Calorimeter, DSC 8500

2. Dynamic Mechanical Analyser, DMA 8000

3. TG/DTA Analyser, 7300 coupled with FTIR

Spectrometer, Frontier MIR

4. Elemental Analyser CHNS‐O, 2400

The DSC 8500 differential scanning calorimeter

measures the difference between the necessary

amount of heat for heating a sample and a reference material, depending

on the temperature. This instrument is used to determine the phase

transformations in the samples, which can be endothermic or exothermic.

With the data provided in the heat flux‐temperature graphs, the enthalpies

of transitions that take place in‐phase can be calculated, which allows a

very accurate characterization of the samples. Differential scanning

calorimetry can be used to measure some characteristic properties of the

samples. The fusion and crystallization phenomena, vitreous transitions,

as well as oxidative phenomena and other chemical reactions can be

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studied with this instrument. The analysed materials range from food, to

polymers, medicine, liquid crystals, oxidative stability.

The DMA 8000 dynamic mechanical analysis system provides

valuable information by allowing the analysis of expansion, melting or

penetration coefficients, expansion or contraction coefficients in tension

geometry. The instrument includes the abilities of a classic thermo

mechanical analyser, applying a time or temperature constant mechanical

force. Also, the system can be cooled down to ‐190°C in 15 minutes, using

liquid nitrogen.

Coupled with the FTIR spectrometer, the TG/DTA analyser allows

the thermo gravimetrical and molecular analysis of the gases that result

from mass variation inside the FTIR spectrometer. The instruments in this

laboratory are ideal for advanced research analyses, routine testing for

polymers quality, composites, pharmaceutics and food industry.

UV/VIS and Fluorescence Spectrometry Laboratory – UV/VIS/FL

1. UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, Lambda 45

2. UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, Lambda 650 with

integrating sphere

3. UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, Lambda 650

4. Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, LS 55

The UV/VIS systems can be used for quantitative

determinations, kinetic reactions and spectres

scanning. Provided with reflexion and transmission

(integrating sphere) accessories, the instruments can perform analyses on

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solid as well as liquid samples, which makes them appropriate for fields

that vary from environmental analyses to solar cells material analyses. The

fluorescence spectrometer provides measurements in fluorescence,

phosphorescence, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence etc. The

instrument is ideal for several fields: medical, academic, environment,

agriculture, cellular biology, immunology, inorganics, and pharmaceutics.

Spectrometry Sample Preparation Laboratory – PPS

The laboratory is provided with all the

necessary instruments and accessories for

storing and preparing the samples that are

about to be analysed. The Multiwave PRO

microwave oven allows microwave digestion

for liquid and solid samples.

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