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V]eeting i eportsMicrocomputers and chemistry

The inaugural meeting of the Microcomputer and Micro-processor Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry was heldat the Imperial College of Science and Technology, Londonon 10th July 1980. The morning session was preceded by theelection of the Committee of the Group.

The first talk, given by Mr James of the Imperial Collegeof Science and Technology Computer Centre, presented acurrent survey of microcomputers and the criteria whichshould be applied before purchase. He described the balanceof relative costs in running/buying a computer whereby hard-ware is becoming relatively inexpensive and software isbecoming more expensive. The second talk, given by DrNewton of AERE, Harwell, described how microcomputerscould be used for laboratory control applications and dataacquisition. Various forms of analogue/digital and digital/analogue convertors were described in detail.

The afternoon session started with two talks on specificapplications of microcomputers in the laboratory. The firstwas given by Dr Goddard of the Imperial College of Scienceand Technology who described the use of a ResearchMachines 380Z microcomputer to control an automatictitrator. The second by Mr. Huddleston of AERE, Harwelldescribed the use of a PET microcomputer for the acquisi-tion and processing of data from a nuclear microprobe. Thefinal talk was given by Dr Boswell of the Victoria Universityof Wellington, New Zealand. The relative merits of micro-computers and mainframe computers were described andthe arguments for and against the use of assembly languageas opposed to high level language were considered.

Although the venue for this meeting was not particularlysuitable, the content was very enjoyable and should ensurethe future success of this new group.

Allan Dennis

The 1980 Summer School ofAutomatic Chemical Analysis

Following the success of 1979, the Summer School ofAutomatic Chemical Analysis returned to the ChemistryDepartment of the University College of Swansea. TheSchool, held from the 6th to the 11 th July, was organised onthis occasion by Professor D Betteridge, Dr P B Stockwell andMr D G Porter. Comfortable accommodation and good mealswere provided at Neuadd Martin, hall of residence. The lectureprogramme was similar to the successful format of theprevious year covering the history of, and modern develop-ments in, automatic chemical analysis, aspects of laboratorymanagement, the interaction of modern electronics withchemical analysis and the automation of some particularanalytical techniques. The tutorial sessions generated a con-siderable amount of discussion and some new ideas wereexchanged, the course problem on the ways in which a smokingprogramme for tar and nicotine yields of cigarettes could beautomated generated a number of possibilities, some ofparticular novelty. The lecturers included Mr T G Alliston,Dr C R Loscombe, Mr D G Porter and Dr P B Stockwell, fromthe Laboratory of the Government Chemist-Dr J K Foreman

from the National Physical Laboratory; Dr D R Deans andMr D C M. Squirrel from ICI; Dr F L Mitchell from theClinical Research Centre; Mr P G Sanders from St Barthol-omew’s Hospital; Professor M B Denton from the Universityof Arizona; Professor D Betteridge from the UniversityCollege-of Swansea; Dr K Stewart from the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture; and Mr F B Fearn from Technicon.

T. G. Alliston

Fifth SAC Conference (SAC ’80)

During the week 20-26 July 1980, the Analytical Divisionof the Royal Society of Chemistry held the fifth in the seriesof triennial international conferences started by the formerSociety for Analytical Chemistry (SAC) in 1965.

This conference, held at the University of Lancaster,covered a wide range of analytical topics with a notable seriesof plenary lectures, together with both submitted lecturesand posters. In addition, workshop sessions were held inwhich participants exhibited apparatus constructed and usedin their laboratories; several of the Analytical Division’sconstituent groups organised discussion sessions on topicsrelevant to their interests; and a fairly sizeable manufacturer’sexhibition was put on. There was also a full social programme.

With such a varied programme it would perhaps beexpected that there would be much to interest those workingin the field of automation. This was only partially true.Certainly some of the contributors to theworkshop sessionsshowed automated apparatus with a spark of originality andthe Automatic Methods Group Discussion Session produceda worthwhile discussion on the use of graphical displays inmicroprocessor controlled, instrumentation. Yet relativelyfew of the 150 odd papers and posters dealt with automationper se. A visit to the manufacturer’s exhibition providedperhaps one clue- microprocessor controlled analytical instru-mentation is now very much in vogue and one cannot helpwondering if automation is not entering a new phase withless emphasis on individual laboratories developing their ownautomated procedures and instrumentation, arid more onthem using what is in many ways an excellent range ofcommercially available equipment. There is no question, ofcourse, that automation has come of age, and that the dedi-cated work of the pioneers has not been in vain. It would bea pity, however, if this were to be accompanied by a declinein individual innovation. Perhaps am being unduly pessi-mistic. hope so.

Looking briefly at the conference, particularly interestingitems at the workshop sessions included a novel micro-processor controlled centrifugal solvent separation system,developed at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist,and based on a combination of angular acceleration andcentripetal force to effect a separation of two immisciblesolvents absorbed into the pores of a porous nickle-chromealloy; a microcomputer controlled auto-titrator for the deter-mination of halides, developed by ICI Plastics Division; a dis-play of data acquisition and manipulation devices, based onthe use of low-cost computers (PET, APPLE, etc), and shownby the Instrumentation and Applied Physics Division, AERE,Harwell; and a low-cost, ’home-made’ computer controlledautomated flow injection apparatus for the determination ofphosphate, exhibited by Albright and Wilson Limited.

The Automatic Methods Group held an interesting anduseful discussion session on the subject ’Exploiting Micro-processors for Graphical Display’. This was chaired byProfessor Malmstadt and attended by some 50 people.Professor Malmstadt opened the proceedings with somegeneral comments on the use of microcomputers in analytical

Volume 2 No. 4 October 1980 223

Meeting Reports

instrumentation. He then introduced Dr D. Deans (ICIPetrochemicals Division) who spoke briefly on the types ofvisual information provided by graphical displays both forthe analyst and the laboratory manager. He particularlyemphasised the ability to display analogue information andmovement. Dr R. Smith (Loughborough University ofTechnology) then discussed the uses of graphical display in awide range of spectroscopic techniques, with particularreference to the display of data, results, operating conditions,statistics and reports. In the ensuing discussion topicsconsidered included interfacing problems, the use of ’touch-screens’ for diagnostic purposes, voice inputs, etc.

The main paper on automation Was presented by ProfessorMalmstadt in his plenary lecture on ’Analytical Instrumenta-tion for the 1980’s’ he discussed how microcomputers have

come to play an increasing role in the laboratory, using asexamples some of the work undertaken in his owndepartment.

In conclusion, SAC 80 continued the high standards setby its predecessors both in scientific content and in the rangeof social activities. It continues to provide an excellenttriennial opportunity for analytical chemists to meet theircolleagues world-wide. Bearing in mind my earlier commentsit will be interesting to see the developments in automationand computerisation over the three years before the nextSAC Conference. This reviewer hopes that his remarks on thedecline in contributions from the individual laboratory in thefield of automation will have proved to be too pessimistic.

Clive J. Jackson

NewLiteratureCirculatorsIn a new bulletin, Fisher Scientific high-lights three circulators for circulatingtemperature-controlled fluids throughexternal apparatus. The model 73 pro-vides +-0. IC control within its ambientto 150C temperature range. Thisimmersion circulator can be clamped tothe edge of a tank, aquarium or jar-style bath. Designed for close temper-ature control, the model 80 features aninsulated one gallon equilibration bath.Within its ambient to 150C temperaturerange, control accuracy is claimed tobe -+0.003 C. This circulator can beconnected to an auxiliary coolant sourcefor operation at temperatures frombelow 0C. Designed for low temper-atures model 90 heats or cools smallflasks and tubes to temperatures between-15 and 100C with -0.02C accuracy.It is equipped with a built-in refriger-ation unit and a one gallon bath. A!!three units provide thermoregulatorcontrol, solid state circuitry, high-capacity pump, stainless steel immersioncomponents and adjustable heaterwattas. Details of these circulators aregiven in Bulletin Number 531.Fisher Scientific Co, 711 ForbesA venue,Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.

ESR systemThe Sterilin Gazette, Number 11,features news on the Accu-Tech ESR(Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)system, which is now available in theUK from Stedlin. There is an article onthe ’Glassless Revolution’ with detailson the production of Petri dishes plusinformation on other products availablefrom this company.Sterilin Ltd, 43-45 Broad Street,Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8QZ, UK.

Benzene and toluene analysisA data sheet available from Techmationdescribes the analysis of benzene andtoluene in petrol to ASTM D3606 usinga Carle series S analytical gas chromato-graph. Application number 159-A usestwo columns connected by a backflushvalve, and reduces interference fromaliphatics. Separation of aromatics isbased on their boiling points. The seriesS uses an inbuilt precision valve controllerfactory-set for each 159-A instrument.Valve operation is critical, and resultsin an initial peak representing non-aromatics below C9, followed bybenzene, an internal standard, thentoluene. Total analysis time is claimedto be six minutes from injection of a2/.tl sample.Techmation L td, 58 Edgware Way,Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 8JP, UK.

Interface systemA new publication from Bio-RadLaboratories outlines the use of theCIRA 101 GC/IR interface, coupledwith its solid sample accessory, anddemonstrates the possibilities of thesystem by detailing the analysis of thesolvent system used in a commercialstamp-pad ink. The experimental detailis fully described and specifies all thechromatographic conditions, togetherwith a typical chromatogram and infrared spectra of the five componentsused in the solvent system. Concentrat-ions of the components range from1.2% water to 21% triethylene glycol.Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd, Caxton Way,Holywell Industrial Estate, Warlord,Hefts, ICD1 8RP, UK.

Equipment up-dateThe current issue of Fisher Scientific’sLaboratory Reporter (number 18:1)highlights the latest developments inlaboratory hardw.are, software and tech-nique. It features: the Jet-Clean washer-a programmable unit for cleaning mostlaboratory glassware; the coal analyser

a self-contained, microprocessor-controlled instrument that can analysea batch of 80 samples for residual

moisture, volatile matter, ash and fixedcarbon; and a new microcentrifuge thatcan handle sixteen 250 /al to 1.5 mltubes at speeds up to 13750 rpm. Theissue also gives details on HPLC-gradewater and newly formulated reagentsfor the sulphur analyser plus conveniencesupplies such as French curves, anadhesive cement and transparent storageboxes.Fisher Scientific Co, 711 ForbesA venue,Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.

Waveform processing systemsDatalab has produced a leaflet aboutwaveform processing systems. Thisfeatures a photograph of the system anda.definition of the concept of waveformprocessing. It explains that the essentialelements are a transient recorder tocapture analogue signals in digital form,and a backing store such as a magnetictape recorder to store the digital recordsfor subsequent recall and replay inanalogue form. The leaflet also showsa 19 channel transient recorder, assoc-iated with a magnetic tape recorder anda CBM model 3032 computer. Thefeatures of a system without the com-puter are listed and then the additionalfacilities made available by the additionof the computer are set out. This isfollowed by three examples of typicaldisplays by the computer.Data Laboratories L td, 28 Wates Way,Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4HR, UK.

Clinical diagnostic productsBio-Rad Laboratories have publisheda catalogue for their range of clinicaldiagnostic products. The cataloguedetails the company’s complete rangeof test systems including radioassaysystems for thyroid, anaemia and drugmonitoring; chromatography techniquesfor catecholamines, porphyria, leadpoisoning and diabetes management;enzyme systems for lipid chemistry;together with a complete range of humanbased sera and urine controls.Bio-Rad Laboratories L td, Caxton Way,Holywell Industrial Estate, Watford,Hefts, ICD1 8RP, UK.

224 Journal of Automatic Chemistry

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