Keeping at the forefront of environmental chemistry developments is no easy feat, but with a passion for progression, SOCOTEC’s environmental chemistry team ensures it drives innovation and best practice in every aspect, from people, to methodologies and even equipment. Here, Thejaswi Taylor, Laboratory Manager and Andrew Daley, Team Leader, Environmental Chemistry, tell us how they have been a part of researching and developing the next generation in nutrient analysis technology.
Keeping at the forefront of environmental chemistry developments is no easy feat, but with a passion for progression, SOCOTEC’s environmental chemistry team ensures it drives innovation and best practice in every aspect, from people, to methodologies and even equipment. Here, Thejaswi Taylor, Laboratory Manager and Andrew Daley, Team Leader, Environmental Chemistry, tell us how they have been a part of researching and developing the next generation in nutrient analysis technology.
The Aquakem 600 analyser has long been the stalwart of every environmental chemistry laboratory in the UK. For over a decade, the recognisable machine has analysed water and environmental samples, from waste water, to soil digests and even process water, but all good things must come to an end. The use of the Aquakem 600 will gradually be phased out, bringing in the opportunity for innovation and improved performance in nutrient analysis.
Step up the SmartChem 600, the new generation discrete analyser. This fully automated, direct read analyser combines the latest technology in discrete analysis with an innovative and unique design that guarantees accurate and reproducible results.
Given our reputation as a leading Environmental Chemistry laboratory, we now have a development agreement, working alongside LabMedics’ Technical Director to implement and validate the SmartChem 600. The machine, which boasts up to 600 tests per hour, has been developed by AMS Alliance and will be distributed by LabMedics. To date, only four laboratories in the UK are testing the SmartChem 600 and we’re delighted to count ourselves in the small number of labs currently carrying out validation on the machine.
The SmartChem is already carrying out Ammonia, Chloride, Chromium VI, Total Organic Nitrogen, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Phosphate for us. These tests are carried out across five matrices, ground water, surface water, landfill leachate, trade effluent, and laboratory produced leachate. Further to this, the progression from its Aquakem 600 predecessor is clear; fully automated operation, 6 mm or 10 mm optical path for increased accuracy and complete range of reagents and methods are just some of the aspects that offer more simplicity. Moreover, a 200 sample capacity, continuous loading and barcode reading for samples allows for greater productivity.
Early stage validation is also demonstrating that the SmartChem 600 can help us to meet our sustainability targets, with green technology, limited space occupancy, reduced volume of waste and use of washable cuvettes; we’re already pleased with the environmental performance of the equipment.
To reinforce the innovative relationship between SOCOTEC, formerly ESG, and LabMedics, we welcomed 30 representatives of AMS Alliance, from all over the world, to our laboratory in Bretby just last week. The visitors came from various backgrounds across the globe, including environmental, pharmaceutical, and clinical science. We were proud to note how impressed they were with the laboratory, with the group showing a lot of interest in the different instrumentation and leading methodologies that we use on a daily basis.
To top off the visit, the SmartChem was a real draw, particularly as delegates were able to see the latest nutrient analysis technology in use and ask questions about its advantages, ease of operator use, as well as its capabilities, all of which impressed them.
We are excited to keep working with LabMedics on the next stage of validation for the SmartChem 600 and hope that we will be included in validating their future innovative technologies.
We would like to hear about the latest innovations that you have been involved with and do get in touch if you would like to talk to us about SmartChem, or any other next generation environmental chemistry technology.
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