Nathan Hawkins
@nathhawkins
CEO Spectrometrics Limited Innovator, Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Lab Automation, Software & Spectral Libraries
Just discovered these useful gizmos. Brilliant innovation as the alternative was to dismantle a built in cupboard and move an electrical outlet (brick wall). Would normally do the latter, but seems a bit excessive to accommodate a powerline LAN extender. 2/pack so one has gone in my service toolkit!
This weekend, I’ll be attempting to bake some healthy desserts (as the full-fat versions are now banned from my diet) starting with a fat-free, no added sugar sponge cake (It may take several experiments to get it to work). #KitchenChemistry My salt free bread works surprisingly well.
And it’s available as a fully kitted out mobile atmospheric science lab too. Mobile lab also suitable as a mobile breath VOC, or biogenic VOC monitoring van for plant/microbial volatiles). @owlstonemedical.bsky.social @rothamsted.ac.uk @johninnescentre.bsky.social
#TeamMassSpec - ion molecule reaction mass spec (IMR-MS) has arrived in the UK/Europe. [It is a SIFT-MS]. enquiries@spectrometrics.com
#TeamMassSpec Bottled HPLC (and other lab) grade water really isn’t great for sustainability when you consider the carbon footprint of shipping tonnes of the stuff by road (let alone one vendor flying it in from the USA). Seriously folks, why do analytical chemists fear water purification systems?
#TeamMassSpec Beware Leak detection sprays. Fluorocarbon containing sprays decompose to form HF - will corrode the interface and between the flange and MSD plate housing. We caught this just in time (damage courtesy of previous owner) Al2O3 on side plate will need removing with a Dremel on Monday!
If the nut on your MSD transfer line is leaking with a new nut and ferrule, it usually means that the threads on the transfer are the problem. Replacing the transfer line costs about about £600 so it’s worth chasing the threads with a die first. You can buy a die from @spectrometrix.bsky.social
Arrived in Sheffield for #BOGS26. Looking forward to two days of organic geochemistry. Find me to learn how to: • Pimp your #MassSpec • SFC-EI/CI-MS • GC-FTIR & LC-FTIR • (easy) GC and LC-Pyro! enquiries@spectrometrics.com
Something of a busman’s weekend - only a small change from ducting GC exhausts (though normally customer’s facilities handle the big SDS Plus drill part of the job). Even some custom engineering with the back plate for the 150/125 mm reducing adapter.
After a 8h drive to Glasgow for a one day meeting on confirmation bias in forensics science - 🍕 & 🍻. Very topical after my meetings with DiscovIR-GC users last month - unanimously said DiscovIR-GC helps avoid confirmation bias of GC-MS alone in seized drug analysis. @unistrathclyde.bsky.social
This week I’ve been helping a local distributor install a DiscovIR-GC for a customer who had purchased four gas phase GC-FTIR ‘paperweights’ for seized drug analysis - getting some great data during training with real samples and correction mis-identification of designer drug/NPS isomers by GC-MS.
My Bank Holiday plan did not involve dealing with Commando mice, clearly trained by British Special Forces in the under stairs cupboard. One stared at me so innocently when perched on top of the marmite jar (top shelf) last night. The shelves are wall hung and the bottom one is ~45cm from the floor.
#TeamMassSpec - Game changer for GC/GC-MS installs (especially international) - permanently power the Workstation’s USB port and run a 5- or 8-port LAN switch from it. I’ve added thjs to my field service kit and @spectrometrix.bsky.social product catalogue! enquiries@spectrometrics.com
attending #IBioIC26? Find me to discuss your analytical challenges (from vVOCs to advanced polymer characterisation and everything in between) in #IndustrialBiotech! If we doesn’t have the right technology for you, I can probably connect you with somebody who does! enquiries@spectrometrics.com
#FridayTip - emptying and storing your stainless steel or Nalgene dewars upside down when you’ve finished for the day is a great way to keep them dry, clean and free of black mould.
#TeamMassSpec - tired of rotary pump oil changes turning into a slippery disaster? Buy a fluid extraction pump from @spectrometrix.bsky.social We’ve also developed a mini-extractor that’s great for field service engineers (or labs squeezed for storage space)!
As part of our committment to sustainability, @spectrometrix.bsky.social sends consumables out in reused boxes. In this case, the contents are possibly not as exciting as the picture on the box!
It is very satisfying when packing up a PAL3 to find that you not only have all the parts (including 88x0 side mounting kit), but can include an additional TrayHolder (not shown) free-of-charge!
At the start of my career a wise mass spectrometrist let me in on a secret - vibration isolators massively reduce the wear on the bearings (and gaskets) of your pump. 14-years running a facility (7-10 pumps) and we had zero oil leaks or pump failures on pumps fitted with them.
Bit wet, and will need a source clean, but it’s a definitely a good un! More SFC-EI-MS
Americans will never understand stepping on one of these barefoot. After 5mins being struck dumb by pain (even without breaking skin), I am now able to speak.
My fungal ID skills aren’t up to confirming whether my boletes are edible varieties (popular with the mice or squirrels)
I think the proportions on this may actually be an improvement on the original
Looking forward to the 45th BMSS meeting next month. @bmss-official.bsky.social
Windows 11 casualties - has to break out the trusty Windows 10 (originally Windows 7) to run Maestro -xt and MassTransit for data file/library conversion.
🧵 Quiet covers for #MassSpec pumps help cut noise in instrument labs, but if you really want to block out noise and enhance comfort, more sound insulation (replacement ceiling tiles, acoustic screens to wall and, if your reflooring, floor, panels) can improve the working environment for your people.
On my way to install a Caloratherm for a customer who is observing a significant difference in temperature gradient on scale up from analytical to semi-prep for mRNA vaccines. Trialling it is the only sure-fire way to find out if the technology can solve the problem! enquiries@spectrometrics.com