Metrology in chemistry: Part I. Current activities in Europe

 The paper (Parts I and II) reports the results of a survey carried out to assess the current situation in the field of metrology in chemistry within Europe and to identify future needs for work at the European level. Responses to a questionnaire covering 17 economic sectors and distributed to 17 countries plus the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), together with input from a project group, EURACHEM and EUROMET provided the basis of the study. The questionnaire responses clearly indicated that only a minority of countries had clearly defined responsibilities for policy, funding and technical leadership. Similarly only a small number of countries was able to provide any information about levels of funding. Nonetheless, a variety of work is in progress and in some countries the effort is considerable. In other countries discussion is in progress and /or work is beginning. Part I covers the protocol for the study and reports current activities. Part II reports suggestions for future work, a strategy for metrology in chemistry and recommendations for the EC Fifth Framework Programme. Received: 11 January 1999 / Accepted: 4 January 2000     

A practical approach to metrology in chemistry and biology

 The inherent difficulties of measurement in chemistry and biology have made it necessary to open discussion forums solely devoted to bench level work. This contribution summarises the conclusions of the Standards, Measurements and Testing Project (SMT4-CT96-6505) of the European Commission, devoted to the application of metrology in chemistry and biology. The objective of this project was to provide orientations and some recommendations which could partially satisfy end-users needs in the near future. Received: 29 September 1998 · Accepted: 21 December 1998     

A participatory improvement activity of the EC-JRC to improve metrology in chemistry in EU candidate countries

In 2000, the European Commission-Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (EC-JRC-IRMM) set up a project to improve the scientific basis for metrology in chemistry (MiC) in EU candidate countries. Several activities were initiated (training, fellowships, sponsoring seminars, conferences and participation in the International Measurement Evaluation Programme – IMEP). A particular initiative, discussed here, was to assist each of the national measurement institutes of these countries to write a status report on MiC. Most importantly, the report was intended to be the end-product of a process to document the current status of MiC. Intentionally, this process involved not only the providers of services in MiC but all the major stakeholders in this activity (e.g. major field laboratories, accreditation bodies, regulatory bodies, educators, professional bodies). The status reports are intended to be the first step of the future improvement process. In those countries where writing of the status reports has been started (Slovenia, Poland, Bulgaria and Estonia) the first signs are that this process leads to better co-operation and particularly a better understanding of what the future role and activities of each of these stakeholders should be. Correspondence to N. Majcen     

The role of the Czech Metrology Institute in the field of metrology in chemistry

 The main role of a national metrological institute is to assure metrological traceability in the country. Metrology in chemistry is a developing field with specific features quite different from physical metrology and it is very difficult to establish a metrological system in chemistry based on the work of a single national institute, especially in small countries. For this reason the Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) has helped to establish the Association of National Reference Laboratories (METROCHEM) which is responsible for ensuring the traceability of chemical measurements in the Czech Republic. CMI is expected to carry out reference material certification (according to the Law on metrology) and develop special fields (electrochemistry, moisture and protein in grains).     

TrainMiC®: a programme for life-long learning in metrology in chemistry

This article gives an overview of the programme TrainMiC^®, a European programme for Life-Long Learning in metrology in chemistry. It explains its raison d’être and puts it into perspective to other European and EU member states initiatives. The TrainMiC^® system (http://www.trainmic.org) is described in detail. It is explained how it has developed into a truly unique system which is operational across many parts of Europe (19 countries) via national teams. These teams use shareware pedagogic tools. The learning content has been harmonised at the European level by a joint effort of many experts across Europe working via an Editorial Board. The material has been translated in ten different languages. Possible future evolution of this Life Long Learning programme is discussed.     

Streamer-Like Electrical Discharges in Water: Part I. Fundamental Mechanisms

Electrical discharge plasma formed in liquid water is under intensive investigation for many possible applications in biomedical, environmental and chemical engineering as well as for general scientific issues in plasma chemistry and other engineering applications. The subject of pulsed breakdown of water has additionally begun to assume importance due to growing interest in decontamination, purification of water containing chemical impurities and industrial sludge, and also in the emerging area of bio-electrics. This review paper focuses on the plasma physics (Part I) and chemistry of electrical discharges in liquid water and the chemical effects of plasmas on the degradation of organic molecules (Part II). This part discusses dielectric liquid breakdown and its mechanisms, streamer propagation and the effect of electrode polarity on streamer dynamics.     

Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 20'2010

Issue no. 20 is a regular issue comprising 17 contributions distributed over 7 distinct parts. Part I has 3 research articles on particle analysis. Part II has 2 research articles dealing with hyphenated techniques such as CITP‐CZE and CE‐ESI‐MS. Part III reports a variety of methodologies and systems for proteins and proteomics that are described in 4 research articles. Gel DNA: theory and visualization are treated in 2 research articles making up part IV. Part V has 2 contributions that describe CE systems for water analysis. The following Part VI is on affinity and Immunoaffinity CE and has 2 research articles. The last 2 articles in this issue (Part VII) are on MEEKC and free flow electrophoresis. Featured articles include: Dielectrophoretically patterned carbon nanotubes to sort microparticles ((doi: 10.1002/elps.201000104 )) Analysis of 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate in human blood, serum and urine by on‐line coupling of capillary isotachophoresis and zone electrophoresis ((doi: 10.1002/elps.201000193 ))     

Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 6'2010

Issue no. 6 is a regular issue consisting of 18 full research papers. The first paper is a “Fast Track” contribution involving microchip electrophoresis of Alu elements for gender determination and inference of human ethnic origin. The remaining 17 papers are distributed over 5 different parts: Part I is on some trends in CEC; Part II deals with enantioseparations; Part III describes some novel detection approaches; Part IV has investigations on proteomics and proteins; Part V tackles the subjects related to pathogens, bacteria and the binding of aptamers to small solutes.     

The certification of a new paint reference material

The use of paint as a coating for toys intended for sale on the European market is controlled by a European Standard (EN 71-3: 1994-European Standard for the Safety of Toys, Part 3—Migration of Elements). This work is the result of a preliminary study organised by the European Commission to produce a new paint reference material which can be used to validate the test methods given in the European Standard. The migration of elements from painted panels and comminuted paint produced by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, (U.K.) was studied. Several methods were used in this certification exercise and this work reports the recults of neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the migration of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Se and Sb into a simulated stomach environment. Replicate extracts obtained from paint samples gave a precision of within 10% for most elements by both analytical techniques for the paint panels and for the comminuted paint sample. This preliminary study has shown that the standard method can provide reproducible results for each of the paint materials studied and indicates that the study should be continued to produce a fully certified paint reference material.     

Teaching metrology and quality in chemistry based on methods of mathematical statistics and e-learning

Chemistry students do not usually have the necessary background in mathematical statistics to study metrology and quality principles in chemistry. Even when the students have studied mathematical statistics, it is helpful to refresh their statistical knowledge, focusing on specific applications to metrology and quality in chemistry. Therefore, when planning a course for teaching metrology and quality it is important to achieve a harmonized interaction of metrological and quality issues with the supporting statistical issues. Additional possibilities for learning the relevant subjects originate from the Internet (e-learning). Such a lecture course developed and delivered during the five years since 2003 at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is discussed in the paper.     

Phosphorus versus Sulfur: Discovery of Benzenephosphonamidates as Versatile Sulfonamide-Mimic Chemotypes Acting as Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

The first zinc-binding group (ZBG) to have been identified as inhibitor of the metallo-enzymes carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) was the sulfonamide. From then on several classes of zinc-binders have been described. This work reports the benzenephosponamidates as a new chiral aromatic sulfonamide-mimic ZBG able to meet the requirements for effectively binding the enzyme active site. Several low micromolar CA I, II, VII, IX inhibitors were thus detected. Kinetic studies, QM-polarized ligand docking, and MM-GBSA in silico methods were used to characterize this newly identified CA inhibitor chemotype.     

Failures of the global measurement system. Part 2: institutions, instruments and strategy

Between 1998 and 2007, the governing body of the Treaty of the Metre conducted three strategic reviews of future global measurement needs. This critical review examines those reports with a view to determine whether or not this institution is capable of resolving the impasse, discussed in Part 1, that has existed for many decades in the manner of communicating the results of chemical measurements. Examining both the main substantial recommendation and the explicitly stated common presuppositions of the three reports leads to the regretful conclusion that the institution can neither resolve the impasse nor meet significant future global measurement needs. Therefore, the onus is on chemistry itself to consider carefully the units with which the results of chemical measurements may be communicated clearly and concisely to their users without the semantic confusions inherent in the International System (SI) of measurement units discussed in Part 1. At the larger level, the institutional failure of the Treaty to fully grasp the dynamism of 21st century science, technology and industry raises concerns for world trade and global economic coordination.     

Basic equations and uncertainties in isotope-dilution mass spectrometry for traceability to SI of values obtained by this primary method

A current interest in chemistry concerns traceability of analytical measurements to the International System of Units (SI) and the estimation of their uncertainties in accordance with principles of metrology, that is, measurement science. “Primary methods of measurement” achieve traceability to SI directly without intermediate reference standards or materials and without significant empirical correction factors. Isotope-dilution mass spectrometry should be regarded as such a method. It has the potential of smallest presently achievable uncertainties for analytical measurements directly or for the certification of reference materials including those with abnormal isotopic composition. A simple explanation of the method including its basic equations is given. Full uncertainty estimation is emphasized in terms of these equations. The wider use of concepts of metrology in chemistry is discussed.     

Metrology in Iceland: a status report

 The metrology system in Iceland has been reviewed and developed in the light of the increased needs of industry and other users of the system, in some cases to comply with the requirements of the agreement between the European Union and the European Economic Area which the Icelandic government signed in 1992. After a short historical review, the current legislation is explained, the metrological infrastructure is described, and the plans for the coming years are discussed. Received: 27 November 1995 Accepted: 18 December 1995     

Dosage electrochimique du cobalt: I. Etude des Courbes Intensité— Potentiel du Système cobalt(III)/cobalt(II) en Milieu Picolique

Electrochemical determination of cobalt. Part I. Studies of current—voltage curves of the cobalt(III)/cobalt(II) system in picolinic acid mediaAs a preliminary to the development of electrochemical determinations of cobalt in steels, current—voltage curves at a platinum electrode were studied for the systems coblt(III)/cobalt(II) and iron(III)/iron(II) in media containing picolinic acid as complexing agent. Iron(III) oxidizes cobalt(II) in this complexmg medium, and the iron-(II) formed can be determined by an oxidant such as cerium(IV).     

气相色谱-质谱联用法测定塑料产品中的溴系阻燃剂

溴系阻燃剂是目前全世界范围内使用的主要阻燃剂,常用的有十溴联苯醚、四溴双酚A、四溴双酚A-双(2,3-二溴)丙醚、六溴环十二烷、三溴苯酚、十溴联苯乙烷等。溴系阻燃剂的分解温度大多在200~300℃左右,与各种高聚物的分解温度匹配,因此能在最佳时刻以气相及凝聚相同时起到阻燃作     

IMEP in support of the comparability of measurement results across the Romanian chemical metrology infrastructure

On the basis of quantitative chemical measurements many important decisions are made in support of legislation or in industrial processes or social aspects. For this reason it is important to improve the quality of chemical measurement results and thus make them comparable and acceptable everywhere. The measurement quality is important to enable an equivalent implementation of the European Union regulations and directives across an enlarged EU. In this context, the European Commission–Joint Research Centre–Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement (EC-JRC-IRMM) set up a programme to improve the scientific basis for metrology in chemistry (MiC) in EU candidate countries in the framework of EU enlargement. Several activities were initiated, such as training, fellowships, sponsoring of seminars, conferences and participation in interlaboratory comparisons. To disseminate measurement traceability, IRMM provides through its International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) an interlaboratory tool to enable the benchmarking of laboratory performance. IMEP emphasizes the metrological aspects of measurement results, such as traceability and measurement uncertainty. In this way it has become a publicly available European tool for MiC. The Romanian Bureau of Legal Metrology – National Institute of Metrology (BRML-INM) actively supports the participation of Romanian authorized and field laboratories in IMEP interlaboratory comparisons. This paper describes the interest of Romanian laboratories participating in this programme, the analytical and metrological problems that became relevant during these exercises and some actions for improvement. The results from Romanian laboratories participating in IMEP-12 (water), IMEP-16 (wine), IMEP-17 (human serum) and IMEP-20 (tuna fish) are presented. To conclude, the educational and training activities at national level organized jointly by the Romanian National Institute of Metrology (INM) and IRMM are also mentioned.     

Quaternary liquid-liquid equilibria: Experimental determination and correlation of equilibrium data. Part III. New methods of representation and correlation of liquid-liquid equilibria in quaternary systems

Part III of this work describes two new methods of representation and correlation of liquid-liquid equilibria in quaternary systems. These methods are appropiate for the interpolation of new nonexperimental equilibrium data. The methods suggested are applied to the quaternary systems presented in Parts I and II of this series (Ruiz and Prats, 1982a,b).     

基于化学的“化学测量学与技术”新工科专业建设建议

The background of the establishment of "chemistry metrology and technology" as an emerging engineering education major based on chemistry is analyzed. Based on the national development strategy, aiming at the urgent demand of interdisciplinary talents for the rapid development of chemistry metrology and technology, the necessity of setting up the major of "chemistry metrology and technology" based on chemistry is demonstrated. Based on the investigation of professional talents in instrument development enterprises and application fields, some suggestions on the program of "chemistry metrology and technology" major including orientation, objectives, graduation requirements and professional training are provided. Some requirements of the curriculum, teaching staff and teaching conditions are put forward.