Everyday sample prep solutions for simpler procedures and better results
In our daily lives, we’re all guilty of rushing through boring tasks or cutting corners, whether it’s to make things easier or simply to get to the good bits faster. Take cooking: generally, estimating your quantities rather than measuring them won’t have a big impact on the final dish – and it means you get to enjoy the food a little bit sooner! Sometimes, however, it’s worth paying extra attention to the instructions and spending a bit more time to get things just right. When you’re baking a cake, for example, the method matters …
And the same is true when preparing a sample for light-scattering analysis. It’s easy to overlook the importance of proper preparation, even – or perhaps especially – if you have years of experience. This can lead to problems, and even affect your results. But don’t worry: if you think your sample prep might be letting you down, Malvern Panalytical can help.
Four ways to fine-tune your sample prep
First, cutting down on cleaning and handling time is a good way to make life easier. Our single-use polystyrene cuvettes are a convenient solution, eliminating the need for cleaning. Plus, they mean you don’t have to decant your sample into a new container if you want to keep it: simply store the sample in the same cuvette.
Do you struggle to handle small sample volumes in fiddly containers? Try our low-volume, easy-to-load capillary cells and holders, which use an innovative snap-fastener method that reduces the risk of breaking your glass capillaries. They allow measurements to be taken from samples as small as 3μL – faster and with more peace of mind. What’s more, we also have disposable capillary cells for electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) techniques and dip cells for measuring zeta potential in aqueous and non-aqueous dispersants.
But it’s not all about the hardware: software can play a key role in upgrading your sample prep, too. Protocols like our Adaptive Correlation algorithm in the Zetasizer range can identify transient fluctuations in the data, meaning you can remove the effect of dust from calculations without having to filter samples or dispersants prior to measuring.
Finally, look at the big picture. By choosing the right instrument, you can minimize the amount of preparation you need to carry out in the first place. If you often analyze high-concentration samples, for example, make sure you opt for a light-scattering instrument that can handle those samples. This cuts out the dilution step entirely – and removes the risk of introducing errors!
Take time now; save time later
The power of good sample prep is not to be underestimated – but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help or make your procedures more efficient. We recommend you take the time to find the best instruments, features, and equipment to help take the pressure off your manual workload, leaving you free to concentrate on the results. With Malvern Panalytical, sample prep is a piece of cake!
For more information about sample prep support for our light-scattering systems (including our new Zetasizer Advance range), have a look at our white paper.
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