EUROPE

Author: Michel MARITON; James THEPOT; Denis CATTELAN; Olivier ACHER – HORIBA Jobin Yvon is committed to serving the scientific and spectroscopy communities. These are fast moving communities, and in order to keep a leading position, innovation is a must. The scientific community is also a major innovation source, and as a consequence it is of foremost importance for HORIBA Jobin Yvon to work with academia. The objective of this paper is to present some of our current innovation practices in HORIBA Jobin Yvon, that combine a variety of interactions with academia and internal innovation efforts, to better serve Scientific Instrumentation users.

Author: Philippe NERIN – This article retraces the evolution of technologies for leucocyte differential, which is a key feature of hematology analyzers. It is emphasized here the way HORIBA Medical started using simple and robust technologies, based on CIS (Cell Impedance Signal) for 3 part DIFF, and then evolved toward more sophisticated bio-photonics designs including cut edge technologies, considered as pioneering works in the field of flow cytometry. This article was presented by myself at ISLH 2012, in Nice, France, at the luncheon session attended by about 200 worldwide customers.

Author: K. AUGSBURG; H. SACHSE; S. KRISCHOK; R. HORN; M. RIEKER; U. DIERKS – Over the last years, brake dust has become a topic in different fields. The first research to brake dust after the abolishment of asbestos was done to understand the staining of the wheel. Since then, several attempts were made to understand the synthesis, composition and distribution of brake dust because of the growing awareness of environmental and health effects, for example with antimony and copper in the brake pads. The published measurements for the number and size of brake particles vary widely.[1-5] This is mainly because of the complex and susceptible characteristics of a brake system and the limited resolution of many measurement systems. With every change in temperature, braking speed, braking pressure, pad formulation, brake type and history of the friction partner, differences in the properties of brake dust particles will be recognizable. One approach to measure the size of the particles is to analyze a sample of collected brake dust in a scanning electron microscope. The handicap of this method is the characteristic of the debris to agglomerate and to deposit dependent on the particle size. A precise analysis of airborne particulate matter requires a more complex methodology which is known from the combustion engine particle measurement. HORIBA offers equipment to detect the particle size from ~2 nm up to 600 nm, for example the MEXA-2100SPCS*1 with a DMA*2 3081 classifier and a CPC*3 3776. *1: Solid Particle Counter System *2: Differential Mobility Analyzer *3: Condensation Particle Counter

Author: Cornelius OERTEL; Kurt HERKLOTZ; Jorg MATSCHULLAT – Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are climate relevant trace gases in the atmosphere and are involved in acidic precipitation as well as in ozone formation and destruction. NOx originates from natural processes like thunderstorms and especially soil microbial activity next to anthropogenic emissions (mainly combustion processes). The gases play a crucial role in soil-atmosphere feedback processes. Our research aims to investigate NOx-emissions from soils under different land use, geographical and meteorological conditions. Such emissions could be quantifi ed in both field and laboratory experiments with a closed static chamber in combination with HORIBA’s NOx-analyser APNA-360. The instrument showed its ability to reliably measure nitrogen oxide soil emissions.

Author: G. REQUIRAND; J. MOREAUX; A. CARAUX; S. RAIMBAULT; B. KLEIN – Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a B cell neoplasia characterized by the accumulation of malignant cells in the bone marrow. Immunophenotyping has become a critical tool in the management of hematological malignancies including Multiple Myeloma (MM) with an increasingly importance with diagnosis and monitoring of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD). Here, we review the advantages of Multi-parameter Flow Cytometry (MFC) to distinguish normal and malignant plasma cells, for treatment response assessment, prognostic classification and treatment management.

Author: Barbara HORING; Helmut SCHURMANN; Jurgen PITZ – In engine, powertrain or e-motor test applications electrical dynamometers connected by shafts to the specimen have to simulate or replicate the load the specimen would see in the real world. Increasing demands on measurements signal quality, speed range and acceleration rates on one side and signifi cant improvements in dynamometer performance on the other side caused the shaft connection becoming a key limiting factor. Therefore HORIBA Europe GmbH has started a research project together with the Institute of Lightweight Design of the TU Darmstadt with the support of public funding by the Hessen Agentur GmbH. The article gives a short introduction to the application and to fi ber polymer composites and reveals some differences to metal constructions. Furthermore it discusses the main aspects of the carbon shaft design as well as the construction of the fi rst prototype.

Author: HORIBA ABX SAS; *UMR-MD3 Aix-Marseille University – Manuela PASTORE, Sylvie VERIAC, Laurence CHAUVET, Alexandra URANKAR, Sylvain LEDROIT, Patrick BRUNEL, Sebastien LEGRAS, Christophe DUROUX,　*Veronique SINOU, *Daniel PARZY – We present here the advances that HORIBA Medical R&D implemented in its hematology analyzers to progress against malaria. On one hand we describe the utilization of the Microsemi CRP for the screening of novel malaria infections in the field thanks to the combination of platelet count and CRP measure. On the other hand we present the application of DNA staining technology integrated into an ABX Pentra 60 derivative system for the precise measure of parasitemia. Based on HORIBA Medical reagent specificity, the simultaneous use of two fluorochromes was adapted to direct dilution and automation. This analytic method allows enumeration of parasitized red blood cells.

Author: G. CAUET; J. GINEYS; N. TEMUROK; A. DAYNES; P. NERIN – A new homogeneous immunoassay of whole blood C-reactive protein based on the use of magnetic field-assisted agglutination of polyclonal anti-CRP coated superparamagnetic particles is described. These particles self-organize into linear chains under an appropriate magnetic field which considerably increase the colliding frequency and thus, the probability to form links between ligand and receptor. Therefore, reaction rates are highly accelerated so that results are obtained well before the system has reached equilibrium. This immunoassay can be adapted to perform high sensitivity as well as high speed assays depending on analyte concentration. The high capabilities of magnetic agglutination immunoassay allow the integration of a whole blood CRP immunoassay to an existing high speed hematology analyzer. The feasibility of such a concept is reported with a prototype that combines the sampling process of a hematology analyzer with an immunodetection module. As a result, a complete whole blood CRP analysis cycle is achieved in less than one minute. The successful application of these investigations should reinforce the competitiveness and leading position of HORIBA medical in whole blood immunoassay.

Author: Damien ISEBE; Jean-Philippe GINEYS – This paper describes how to numerically tackle the problem of counting and sizing particles by impedance measurement in an orifice-electrode system. The model allows to simulate the particle dynamics submitted to strong hydrodynamic stresses through a microorifice and to compute the voltage pulses generated by the modification of the inner dielectric medium. This approach gives important information about particles size distribution and allows to quantify the role of trajectory and orientation of particles on the size measurement.

Author: Elodie LY-MORIN; Sophie BELLON; Geraldine MELIZZI; Chiraz FRYDMAN – Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is an optical technique used to follow molecular interactions (binding) in real time without labeling. It provides information on kinetic processes (association and dissociation rates), binding affinity, analyte concentration and real time molecule detection. This article describes the principle of SPR imaging for high-throughput measurements. An example of a clinical application for the capture and characterization of a potential biomarker of breast cancer is illustrated.

Author: Patrick CHAPON; Agnes TEMPEZ – Over than 70% of recent papers published with GD data refer to HORIBA Jobin Yvon instruments and several key patents give us a world leading position in the field. In this article we will illustrate the latest developments in GD Spectrometries through a survey of recently published articles. Pulsed RF Glow Discharge OES and Plasma Profiling TOFMS provide rapid depth profile composition of thin and thick layers of conductive and non conductive layers with excellent depth resolution, sensitivity and multi-element capability. Thus, they contribute to the development of new advanced materials and, being fast and easy to operate, they are changing the way people consider surface analysis.

Author: A. COTEL; P. PICHON; A. LIARD; Y. BERNARD; F. DESSEROUER; O. NICOLLE – High performances diffraction gratings are usually key components for many scientific applications. Diffraction gratings are used in scientific studies to analyze, measure, propagate or tailor the light sources issued from nature, laser radiation or synchrotron radiation. The three main scientific applications we present are based on three different grating types: Laser Pulse Compression Gratings, Space Flight Gratings and XUV Synchrotron Gratings. These high performances diffraction gratings for scientific applications are designed and manufactured by HORIBA Jobin Yvon SAS (HJY part of HORIBA Scientific) at Longjumeau (France) in the Optical Components Division.

Author: Daniel SCHEDER; Matthias SCHRODER; Marcus RIEKER; Hiroshi KAWAMURA – Proposed legislation as well as new after-treatment devices that comply with recent regulations lead to the need for further analysis capabilities in terms of nitrogen exhaust components such as NO and NO2, NH3 and N2O. This study compares conventional methods, which face difficulties when measuring these compounds, with a new analyzer utilizing Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL). After a short description of optical absorption spectroscopy in general and the QCL technology in particular, system setup and sample handling with a QCL analyzer are described. The second part covers a variety of tests conducted at different locations within the HORIBA Group and at different end user laboratories. Subjects discussed include synthetic gas tests that verify the viability of the QCL analyzer as well as engine tests that show the analyzer in comparison with conventional methods for measuring nitrous gases under real test bench conditions. Further aspects such as urea conversion with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and NO2/NOx ratio are discussed. The study shows that QCL technology is capable of mastering the growing challenges facing emission testing.

Author: Les HILL – The globalisation of automotive exhaust emissions testing and measurement procedures has been in progress for a number of years and has already been introduced for vehicles such as motorcycles, on road heavy-duty vehicles (trucks/buses) and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM). The latest vehicle category for which a Global Technical Regulation (gtr) is to be developed in the Light Duty Vehicles. The paper reviews the history and current status of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) program and the development of the new regulation for its world wide application. The document will also compare the draft WLTP requirements and procedures with those of the USA who have recently introduced their own draft procedures (CFR 1066) and highlight potential conflicts.

Author: Wilma TRAVNICEK; Stefan KARWISCH; Grischa P. FEUERSANGER – The following article contains the modification of a NOx-analyzer (APNA-370) for monitoring of hazardous ammonia in ambient air at agricultural sites. HORIBA’s APNA-370 was originally designed to determine NOx/NO/NO2 in ambient air, using the reduced pressure Chemiluminescence (CLD) method with a cross flow modulation (according to EN 14211). With the implementation of an additional converter, ammonia is transformed into nitrogen monoxide at an efficiency rate of 95 %. Therefore the modified NOx-analyzer is suitable for quantitative determination of ambient ammonia. The Hessen Agency for Environment and Geology (HLUG) used the method of ammonia permeation, which has been proven to produce a reliable span gas. The evaluation of the permeation method has revealed an error range of approximately 1 %. Currently a type approval for a NH3-analyzer does not exist in Europe. Therefore we related to the next relevant criteria. The instrument was validated according to the conforming standards of the German (VDI 4202-1/4203-3) and European (EN 14211) type approval test.

Author: Jaroslav LIBAL – HORIBA’s ENDA-5000 Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) is used for continuous monitoring of NOx, SO2, CO, CO2 and O2 in stack gas, produced by stationary sources like power plants, boilers, gas turbines, furnaces, chemical plants, etc. Prior to the introduction of new CEMS to the European Market, the whole system must be tested and approved by the European certification agency, for example TUV in Germany or MCERT in the U.K. There are lots of test procedures, which are applied to CEMS during the certification process in the laboratory as well as in the field under real process conditions. CEMS units must comply with the conditions that are specified in European standard EN 15267-3.[1] One of the most important items is the test for resistivity of CEMS system against disturbing or interfering chemical components.

Author: E. BLUEM; J. VASSILAKIS; M. THIERCELIN; M. AUBÉ; H. BIRK – To address new requirements in semiconductor Dry Etch and PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) industry, HORIBA Semiconductor has introduced a unique generation of (Multi) Sensor dedicated to Fault detection, Chamber health monitoring and Advanced Process Control. Hardware and Software issues are developed so that EV-140 P may be adapted to all etchers (clusters and single chambers) and to help researchers, engineers and Fab’s to manage actual but also future products and technologies. Based on innovative technologies like smart sensors, unique software architecture, including analytical methodology and sophisticated signal processing, this platform allows satisfying all the needs of in-situ plasma process control. Our paper describes, first, Recipe Designer engineering flow and then results obtained in Fab’s for Endpoint and chamber health monitoring applications, like immediate Misprocessing detection, Preventive maintenance setting, Statistics and Multi-run Viewer for quality control in order to secure wafers during critical process.

Author: Pierre BACHELIER – High end instruments for Hematology market is a tremendous request both from hospitals and screening platforms where high reliability and throughput are required. To address this challenging market, the Nexus product was designed and manufactured as an improvement of the existing Pentra DX120 blood analyzer. The main improvements concern hardware and software, including the use of a new laser technology, some pneumatic improvements, additional functionalities in the Pentra ML Data Management and an ergonomic evolution including a new cover integrating a color touch screen. The Pentra Nexus comes out in two versions, the Pentra DF Nexus, making cell blood count, and the Pentra DX Nexus adding the 5 diff formula, erythroblast and reticulocyte parameters to the cell blood count (Figure 1). This article sets out the major technical developments of the Pentra DX Nexus.