The future demand for geological reference materials

Geological RMs (G-1 and W-1) were introduced in 1951 for the purpose of validating the accuracy of silicate rock analysis by dc arc spectrography. Since then the introduction of an array of other spectrographic methods has greatly enhanced research into geological processes. The range of elements that could be determined was expanded, and the detection limits for measurement was lowered repeatedly through the years. The development and use of reference materials was critically important in supporting this rapid expansion of geological research. Essentially, all RMs are of importance to the geosciences community since G-1 and W-1 have been prepared and distributed by national geological institutions, first by the USGS or the CRPG, rather than by national metrology institutions. These geological institutions are not yet certifying their RMs according to ISO Guides. The International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG) is seeking to meet this higher metrological requirement. Since the inception of the IAG certification program in 2003, five powdered silicate rock materials have been issued to meet the demand with respect to calibration, method validation, traceability, etc. for whole rock major and trace element analysis. The introduction of microanalytical techniques nearly decades ago and the more recent advent of MC-ICP-MS have become new driving forces in geochemical research. The first opened the possibility of performing in situ elemental composition studies at the ??m scale. The second led to the discovery of small isotope composition variations of mass- and non-mass-dependent processes in ??non-traditional?? stable isotopes (e.g., Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, W, and Hg) through cosmo- and geochemical processes. Coupling the two techniques expands in situ analysis to isotopic studies. These developments have created great demand for (certified) RMs for both isotope ratio and microanalytical measurements for the geochemical community that is not yet being met. Homogeneity at a ??m scale and unmatched matrices of the natural minerals or synthetic doped glasses hamper the progress in certification of RMs for the microanalytical measurement community. A challenge for the production of isotope RMs is to prepare an RM solution with an isotopic composition similar to the natural systems under investigation. Refined cadmium and nickel metals, for example, have fractionated isotopic compositions far above the range observed in natural systems of interest. Yet, the calibration RM cannot fulfill its purpose when the uncertainty of its isotopic composition exceeds that of the unknowns being measured against it. In this regard, the IAG has recently certified a calibration solution for the determination of Os isotopic ratios. It is also working through member organizations, USGS, and MPI for Geochemistry (Mainz) to develop appropriate microanalytical standards. In addition to these current and future challenges, establishing metrological traceability of geological reference materials in the absence of starting points developed by national metrology institutions is a major issue that needs attention in all future certifications.     

Present and future of expert systems in food analysis

This paper presents an overview of the most relevant contributions in the field of expert system (ES) applications in chemical analysis of foods, along with a critical discussion of future, would-be developments. It illustrates the possibilities offered as well as the fact that quality control laboratories should be aware of the power of artificial intelligence that modern computer technology affords. It is worth noting that the applications described are straightforward with a certain versatility and can, therefore, be implemented for other analytes and/or food samples. Special attention is devoted to the promising distributed knowledge-based systems due to their potential advantages over the existing centralized approaches, as inferred from a recent example of application to the on-line monitoring of some key chemical parameters in the course of a food production process. Short and middle term predictions concerning the potential of ES in food analysis are also made.     

Towards autonomous environmental monitoring systems

The concept of micro total analysis systems (muTAS) or Lab-on-a-chip is based on the twin strategies of integration and miniaturisation that have been so successful in the electronics industry. This paper will look at the materials issues, particularly with respect to the new polymeric materials that are becoming available, and strategies for integrating optical (colorimetric) detection. The influence of breakthroughs in apparently unrelated areas on the range of chemistries that can be applied will be illustrated. For environmental monitoring, the further integration of wireless communications with micro-dimensioned analytical instruments and sensors will become the ultimate driving force. The emergence of these compact, self-sustaining, networked instruments will have enormous impact on all field-based environmental measurements.     

Chemosensors for motor management systems of the future

The growing demands to reduce polluting emissions from motor vehicles can be satisfied only by using new concepts of engine management. These concepts require new chemosensors for their implementation. Their center piece is a new lambda probe for the improved monitoring of idling operation or cylinder fluctuations. Sensors are also required for monitoring catalytic converters and regulating the catalytic reactions of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust from Diesel engines. At Siemens, research is being pursued into new sensors for these applications. The sensors are based on the effect of the gases on the electrical conductivity of semiconducting metal oxides. The latter can be manufactured as a thin film by reactive sputtering, thus allowing their easy integration into microsensor systems. In addition to the fast lambda probe for cylinder-selective measurement, research is being focused on sensors for hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and ammonia. The laboratory investigations have led to the discovery of suitable metal oxides for detecting the relevant gases. Prototypes of the fast lambda probe with a response time of less than 10 ms and a constant operating temperature up to 1000°C have been successfully tested on engine test benches.     

Rapeseed reference materials for glucosinolate analysis

Summary The use of rapeseed cake is limited by the presence of a number of antinutritional factors the most important of which are glucosinolates. Introduction by EEC of a premium to produce rapeseed with low glucosinolate content has brought the need for reference material and accurate official methods of analysis. This paper summarises the work, begun at the end of 1987, to prepare three batches rapeseed materials (cleaning, mixing and packaging) for an intercomparison of methods. Details are presented of homogeneity and stability studies and the results of the intercomparison are discussed. One of the batches was prepared in sufficient quantity to serve as a reference material and the reference value for the total glucosinolate content of this sample was obtained from the results of the intercomparison.

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Rapssamen-Referenzmaterial für die GlucosinolatanalyseEntwicklung von Rapeseed BCR RM 190 und Ergebnisse eines Ringversuchs

     

Certified reference materials for thermal analysis

Eight inorganic substances recommended by ICTA as temperature standard reference materials for DTA and DSC were studied: KNO₃, KClO₄, Ag₂SO₄, K₂CrO₄, quartz, K₂SO₄, BaCO₃ and SrCO₃. The content of pure component in each of these substances was determined by classical chemical analysis. The temperatures and the heats of polymorphic transformations of these substances were measured with a Perkin-Elmer DSC-2 differential scanning calorimeter, and DTA studies were performed on a MOM 1500 D Q-derivatograph. The plot heat of transformation by DSCvs. DTA peak area is advanced as a calibration line for the approximate estimation of quantitative DTA effects. The substances studied will be certified as temperature standard reference materials for use in DTA and DSC.

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Zusammenfassung Acht von der ICTA als Temperaturstandard-Referenzmaterialien für DTA und DSC empfohlene und im Lande verfügbare Substanzen wurden untersucht: KNO₃,KClO₄, Ag₂SO₄, K₂Cr₂O₄, Quarz, K₂SO₄, BaCO₃ und SrCO₃. Der Gehalt der Substanzen an diesen Verbindungen wurde klassisch chemisch-analytisch bestimmt. Temperaturen und Enthalpien der polymorphen Umwandlungen wurden mit dem Gerät DSC 2 (Perkin-Elmer) bestimmt, DTA-Untersuchungen erfolgten mittels Derivatograph Q 1500 D (MOM). Eine Darstellung (Umwandlungsenthalpie aus DSC-Messung) über der DTA-peak-Flä-che wird als Eichgerade für die näherungsweise quantitative Bewertung der DTA-Effekte vorgeschlagen. Die genannten Substanzen sollen als Temperaturstandards für DTA und DSC geprüft werden.

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(-, -, , , , , ), . . -2 -, Q- 1500 . ( ) — . .

     

Comparison of two hard-sphere reference systems for perturbation theories for mixtures

The Carnahan—Starling equation of state for hard spheres can be extended to mixtures using either a one-fluid theory, or the generalization of scaled-particle (or Percus—Yevick theory) proposed by Boublik and by Mansoori and coworkers. The two reference systems are combined with a perturbation term of the van der Waals form; they are then used to correlate the phase behavior of binary mixtures of nonpolar molecules differing significantly in molecular size. In each case, one adjustable binary parameter (a₁₂) is used to correlate vapor—liquid equilibria over the entire composition range. Predicted Henry's constants and liquid densities for the saturated mixture are compared with experiment. The Boublik—Mansoori hard-sphere-mixture equation is superior to the Carnahan—Starling One-Fluid theory, expecially in the dilute region.     

Temperature standard reference materials for thermal analysis

The feasibility of the use of potassium nitrate and potassium perchlorate as temperature standards in Differential scanning calorimetry has been studied. The solid-state phase transition temperatures of KNO₃ and KClO₄ were determined by means of DSC. The metrological properties of these salts as calibration materials were examined. The reliability of KNO₃ and KClO₄ calibrations was investigated by twofold determination of the bismuth melting temperature after the apparatus had been calibrated with indium and lead, and with KNO₃ and KCl_O4. Conclusions were drawn concerning the suitability of these salts for use as DSC temperature calibrants.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Möglichkeit der Verwendung von Kaliumnitrat und Kaliumperchlorat als Temperaturstandard für DSC untersucht. Die Bestimmung der Temperaturen für Feststoff-Phasenumwandlungen von Kaliumnitrat und Kaliumperchlorat wurde mittels DSC erreicht. Weiterhin wurden die meßtechnischen Eigenschaften der untersuchten Salze (KNO₃ und KClO₄) als Bezugssubstanzen geprüft. Die Zuverlässigkeit der Kalibrierung mittels KNO₃ und KClO₄ wurde durch eine zweifache Bestimmung der Schmelztemperatur von Wismut überprüft: einmal nach der Kalibrierung des Gerätes mit Indium und Blei und andererseits nach der Kalibrierung mit Kaliumnitrat und Kaliumperchlorat. Angesichts der Resultate kann man feststellen, daß die untersuchten Salze zur Temperaturkalibrierung in der DSC geeignet sind.

     

Development of reference materials for microbiological analysis

The reliability of reference materials (RMs) depends on properties such as fitness, robustness, commutability, stability and homogeneity. The development of RMs for microbiological analysis is especially challenged through questions around the stabilisation and recovery of viable cells, the dispersion of precise numbers of cells, matrix effects and, when using molecular techniques, the presence of nucleic acids (e.g. DNA) of dead and live target organisms. However, RMs are indispensable tools for quality control in microbiological analysis. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), as part of the European Commission, concentrates its efforts on the development of RMs to support the development, implementation and monitoring of EU legislation. A special focus is given to highly precise RMs for presence/absence and enumeration tests in microbiological food and water analysis. Another group of new RMs certified by the IRMM comprise DNA-based materials to control the identity of micro-organisms in qualitative assays. All of these activities serve to improve quality control in microbiological analysis. Presented at ‘BERM-10’, April 2006, Charleston, SC, USA.     

Towards clinical proteomics analysis

To understand accurate protein dynamics, a highly reproducible proteomics analytical method is required. The acquired thus knowledge will lead to the diagnosis, treatment and protection against diseases. This review deals with proteomics analysis from a view of sample pre-treatment, sensitivity and reproducibility of the methods, including two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). and fluorogenic derivatization (FD)-LC-MS/MS.     

Towards a more accurate reference interaction site model integral equation theory for molecular liquids

A systematic approach for increasing the accuracy of the reference interaction site model (RISM) theory is introduced that uses input from simulation results to produce very accurate site-site pair correlation functions for single component molecular liquids. The methodology allows the computation of the "RISM bridge function." Realistic molecular liquids such as water, alcohols, amides, and others are investigated, and the merits and limitations of the method for each of these liquids are examined in relation to the known deficiencies of the RISM theory.     

Soil SO-1 reference material for trace analysis

Summary The preparation of soil SO-1 reference material is described as well as an evaluation of the results provided by 30 laboratories for 41 elements, including outlier rejection step by four concurrent tests. The influence of different chemical pretreatment methods preceding various instrumental analytical techniques is also discussed. Based on the numbers of outliers, confidence limits and numbers of different analytical methods used for a given element some criteria for the classification of the results are proposed.

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Referenzmaterial Soil SO-1 für die Spurenanalyse

     

Development of food reference materials for nutritional analysis

Summary The development of five reference materials for major nutritional properties, whole milk powder, pork muscle, wheat and rye flour, and haricots verts beans is described. Homogeneity and stability of these materials proved to be adequate. A preliminary intercomparison of methods showed that results for total fat and total dietary fibre were method dependent. Evaluation of methods used for available carbohydrates revealed poor solubilisation and hydrolysis of starch in some laboratories. This intercomparison has given valuable information for the final certification of these materials.     

Are certified reference materials a victim of quality systems? The need for working matrix-certified reference materials

The use of natural matrix-certified reference materials by commercial environmental laboratories is increasing rapidly. These materials are now an essential component of the quality systems of most commercial environmental laboratories. The use is increasing faster than existing producers, principally government agencies, can meet. The use of data from well established laboratory proficiency schemes is shown to be one alternative way of producing natural matrix-certified reference materials designed for use as day-to-day within-batch control materials.