The PCAF had validated various methods for each instrument. Many of these are described in "Our Research" section of this webpage. We are also interested in developing new methods with you to help support your research. Please contact us to discuss oppourtunities for method developments. Below you will find a list of the instruments we have available:
Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer
ICP-MS Model: Perkin Elmer NexION 1000
The ICP-MS detects and quantifies trace elements in solid extracts and liquid samples. The system offers the ability to analyze samples in multiple modes (KED and DRC using a H/He mix specialty gas) which can eliminate some polyatomic interferences and in these modes permits the analysis of high abundance isotopes. This model has a sample introduction module with an integrated All Matrix Solution for high dissolved solids. It also offers Extended Dynamic Range to detect high- and low-level elements in a single sample run.
Applications: Environmental, forensics, biomedical, pharmaceutical, energy and food safety
Ion Chromatography Coupled to Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer
IC Model: Metrohm 940 Ion Professional IC Vario
ICP-MS Model: Perkin Elmer NexION 1000
The IC separates ionic metal species in time and the ICP-MS quantifies the species. The system offers the ability to analyze samples in multiple modes (KED and DRC using a H/He mix specialty gas) which can eliminate some polyatomic interferences and permits the analysis of high abundance isotopes. This instrument is used in speciation analysis (As, Cr and Hg).
Applications: Environmental, forensics, biomedical and food safety
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
Model: GBC 908AA
Atomic absorption spectroscopy is used to quantify metals in solid extract and liquid samples. This system is best suited for the analysis of samples containing major elements (calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) or samples with high concentrations (mg/L) of metals. The 908AA model has a four lamp turret which allows for the quantification of four elements simultaneously. This system is used to analyze elements in the ppm range.
Applications: Environmental, forensics, biomedical, pharmaceutical, energy and food safety
Microwave Digestion System
Model: Questron QWave
The microwave digestion system facilitates chemical extraction of metals from solid samples for later analysis. This model has a 12-position carousel that can accommodate up to 1 g of sample and 12 to 50 mL of chemical reagent (application specific). The QWave has IR temperature sensing for remote temperature sensing of all vessels.
Applications: Environmental, forensics, biomedical, pharmaceutical, energy and food safety
Elemental Analyzer
Model: Thermo Scientific FlashSmart
The elemental analyzer is used to analyse the concentration (weight percentage) of CHNS/O in solid or liquid samples. The FlashSmart model is a fully automated combustion/pyrolysis system that can be operated in over 20 configurations and requires minimal sample preparation. The instrument utilizes helium and argon as carrier gas.
Applications: Organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, environmental, petro-chemistry, energy, marine science and food safety
Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
LC Model: Water’s Acquity H Class Plus
MS Model: Water’s Acquity QDa (Q-MS)
The UHPLC separates organic compounds in time and the Q-MS identifies each compound. This instrument is used for quantitative analysis (targeted). Mass detection minimizes the risk of compound co-elution providing more sensitivity and selectivity to each analysis. It also permits discrimination between compounds with a similar absorbance pattern.
Specifications
- Acquisition modes: Full scan MS and SIR
- Mass resolution: 0.7 Da
- Mass range: 30 to 1250 m/z
- Electrospray ionization
Applications: Forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, biomedical and food
Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
LC Model: Water’s Acquity H Class Plus
MS Model: Water’s Xevo TQS micro (QQQ-MS)
The UHPLC separate organic compounds in time and the QQQ-MS identifies each compound. This instrument is used for quantitative analysis (targeted). Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) permits the monitoring of unique fragments for known compounds providing improved structural identification and increased sensitivity and selectivity as a result of matrix noise elimination.
Specifications
- Acquisition modes: Full scan MS, MRM, SIR, constant neutral loss and product and precursor ion scans
- Mass resolution: 0.5, 0.75 or 1 Da (application dependent)
- Mass range: 2 to 2048 m/z
- Electrospray ionization
Applications: Forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, biomedical and food
Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
GC Model: Agilent 7890B
MS Model: Water’s Xevo TQS micro (QQQ-MS)
The GC separate organic compounds in time and the QQQ-MS identifies each compound. This instrument is used for quantitative analysis (targeted). Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) permits the monitoring of unique fragments for known compounds providing improved structural identification and increased sensitivity and selectivity as a result of matrix noise elimination.
Specifications
- Acquisition modes: Full scan MS, MRM, SIR, constant neutral loss and product and precursor ion scans
- Mass resolution: 0.5, 0.75 or 1 Da (application dependent)
- Mass range: 2 to 2048 m/z
- Electrospray ionization
Applications: Forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, biomedical and food
Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer
UHPLC Model: Water’s Acquity Class I
MS Model: Water’s Xevo G2-XS Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTof-MS)
The UHPLC separates organic compounds in time and the QTof-MS identifies each compound. This instrument is ideally suited for qualitative (untargeted) analyses as it provides mass accurate high resolution data for exact mass determination. Unique to this model, MSE mode simultaneously collects precursor and product ion data in the same analysis, decreasing the number of analyses.
Specifications
- Acquisition modes: MS scanning, MS/MS product ion scan, UPLC-MSE, Tof-MRM
- Sub-ppm mass accuracy with lockmass
- Mass range: Tof – up to 100,000 m/z, quadrupole up to 16,000 m/z
- Electrospray ionization
Applications: Forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, biomedical, food, proteins and metabolomics
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer
Model: Bruker Advance DRX 500 MHZ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is used to observe the local magnetic fields surrounding atomic nuclei. It provides information about dynamics and kinetics of molecules as well as interaction of molecules and chemical environment. This technique is commonly used for organic molecules and metabolites, peptides and proteins. The Bruker 500 MHz NMR has a broadband probe. It also has variable temperature capabilities to perform solid state experiments.
Applications: Forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, biomedical, food and organic chemistry
Next-Generation DNA Sequencer
Model: Illumina MiSeq
Next-generation sequencing provides ultra-high throughput, scalability and speed to provide scientists with a more cost effective approach to DNA sequencing. This model supports parallel sequencing using sequencing by synthesis (SBS) technology that tracks the addition of labelled nucleotides as they are incorporated into growing DNA strands. Base calls are made directly from signal intensity measurements during each cycle. The MiSeq offers data output up to 15 Gb and pair-end reads up to 50 M.
Applications: Environmental, forensics, food, medicine and agriculture
Digital Microscope
Model: Nikon Optiphot Proscope HR
The Proscope HR is a high resolution digital microscope. It has video and image capturing resolution up to 1280 x 1024. The imager is a ¼ inch 1.3 Mp colour sensor. This microscope has up to 200X magnification with a USB interface. This microscope uses reflected light with polar and non-polar options as well as a transmitted light option.
Alpha Spectrometer
Model: Ortec OCTETE-PLUS with eight 450 mm2 ULTRA-AS Detectors
An alpha spectrometer is used to identify and quantify radionuclides based upon alpha particles emitted in the decay process. Extended count times permit very high sensitivity with detection limits below 0.1 Bq/L. Within PCAF, this instrument is used to analyze 226Ra in environmental samples following EPA method 9315. This is a strong tool for the analysis of many radionuclides, such as, Ra, U, Th, Po, and Pb.
Applications: Environmental radiation monitoring, nuclear waste, physics, reactors
The workplace simulation laboratory has four components that can be used individually or in combination. When these components are used together, workplace environments, such as, in underground and surface mining, forestry, steel manufacturing and transportation can be simulated.
Rotopod
Model: R3000
The rotopod is a robotic motion platform that replicates specific motions and vibrations within an environment. This model has a PC based control system which makes integration in any application simple and straightforward. It operates in six degrees of freedom to recreate environments and has a capacity of 500 lbs.
Applications: Industrial, bio-mechanical, custom design, human physiology and ergonomics
Environmental Chamber
Model: Labworks Walk-In Environmental Chamber
An environmental chamber is an enclosure that is used to test the response of biological items, industrial products and materials to the effects of environmental conditions. This system offers a temperature range of -15 to 40 °C and can control humidity up to 100% (at certain temperatures).
Applications: Human physiology, food, industrial, custom design and environmental
Metabolic Cart
Model: MGC Diagnostics Ultima PFX Pulmonary Function/Stress Testing System
A metabolic cart calculates energy expenditure in individuals by measuring oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced. This Ultima model offers automatic gas calibration and a flow sensor that eliminates warm-up and flow recalibration between patients. This instrument can perform pulmonary function tests and gas exchange tests.
Applications: Medicine, Human physiology, Clinical
Virtual Reality Eyetracker
Model: Oculus rift with Oculus GO models
Virtual reality headset enables the viewer to view a series of computer generated images with which they can interact. The headset features integrated headphones that provide real-time 3D audio effects. The system has multiple sensors which permit the device to be used while sitting, standing, walking or jumping. The eyetracker provides performance metrics to evaluate equipment design. The glasses track the user’s pupil to determine what they are looking at which enables training and performance evaluation.
Applications: Human physiology, workplace environments