Thermo Scientific launches Nicolet iS50 FT-IR spectrometer

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today introduced the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 FT-IR spectrometer, the first research-grade FT-IR with one-touch operation. Building on the industry-leading reputation of the Magna, Nexus and Nicolet 6700 spectrometers, the Nicolet iS50 features purpose-built accessories and integrated analytical software capabilities to provide a truly all-in-one materials analysis platform that helps laboratories solve analytical challenges with unprecedented ease.

“The powerful OMNIC software suite is capable of converting spectra into composition information without the subjectivity normally associated with spectral interpretation. All of this adds up to an instrument that enables scientists to produce more results in less time than ever before”

The highly flexible system can be upgraded from a simple FT-IR bench to a fully-automated multi-spectral range system that can acquire spectra from the far- to the near-infrared. Users can initiate novel ATR, Raman and NIR modules at the touch of a button, enabling access to these techniques without manually changing system components.

The research-grade performance of the Nicolet iS50 makes it the ideal choice for academic laboratories. The ease of access to multiple techniques, combined with software designed to take the guesswork out of interpretation, dramatically improves efficiency in analytical laboratories focused on understanding the composition of complex materials.

The flexible system architecture of the Nicolet iS50 is designed to improve the speed of analysis while eliminating the possibility of operational errors that can occur while changing instrument components. The instrument's integrated diamond ATR allows users to obtain IR spectra in seconds, no matter what other accessories are installed, and a novel in-sample-compartment FT-Raman feature includes a video microstage for point-and-shoot Raman spectroscopy with no fluorescence.

The iS50 also features a new dual-purpose fiber-optic and integrating sphere module that enables collection of NIR spectra from a broad range of bulk samples. When equipped with the automatic beamsplitter exchanger, users can access all three techniques — ATR, Raman and NIR — by pressing the unique one touch buttons. This simplified operation makes the instrument ideal for laboratories worldwide, allowing scientists working in diverse fields, from pharmaceutical formulation to polymer development, forensics and art conservation, to answer more questions in less time and with greater confidence.

"Today's scientists must be more productive and possess a broader skillset than ever before," said Simon Nunn, global marketing director for Molecular Spectroscopy at Thermo Fisher. "In its simplest form, the Nicolet iS50 is a high-performance yet simple-to-use FT-IR spectrometer. When equipped with its optional modules, it becomes a powerful materials analysis workbench capable of extracting an incredible amount of information from a wide range of samples. All techniques are available at the scientist's fingertips — literally."

The Nicolet iS50 analyzes complex mixtures and materials using its GC-IR or TGA-IR capabilities. The new OMNIC Mercury software automatically isolates and identifies compounds eluted from a GC column or evolved from a TGA. This functionality is especially useful in TGA, where several compounds can evolve at the same time. Such analyses provide insight into subtle formulation differences in plastics and rubbers, which can lead to not-so-subtle differences in product performance and quality.

"The powerful OMNIC software suite is capable of converting spectra into composition information without the subjectivity normally associated with spectral interpretation. All of this adds up to an instrument that enables scientists to produce more results in less time than ever before," added Nunn.

The Nicolet iS50R, a full-featured research variant of the Nicolet iS50, is designed for advanced applications including vibrational circular dichroism, PM-IRRAS and time-resolved spectroscopy.

The Nicolet iS50 comes standard with automated performance verification using NIST-traceable standards, enabling high-quality and consistent data every day.