ALS News
Advanced Laboratory Solutions created the magic at the MSSA 2011 Gala dinner. The evening started with the Awards Ceremony where Ms. Chumani Mshumi won the main prize of the evening, ALS/JEOL Most Promising Microscopist Award. The prize entitles Ms. Mshumi to visit the European Microscopy Conference (EMC2012) in Manchester and present her winning paper, The L13 Ordered Structure In Copper 75 At.% Platinum.
The rest of the evening was fun and entertainment with SuperMagic creating the illusions. The Gala dinner was memorable and well attended. Thank you to our suppliers and valued customers.
11th October 2011, was a very special day for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Professor Jan Neethling, Professor Michael Lee and their team. This day marked the launch of Africa’s first double-corrected High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope as well as the first JEOL ARM200F double-corrected system outside of Japan. The day started with the opening of the HRTEM centre by Minister Blade Nzimande, NRF President – Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld, NMMU Chancellor – Ms. Sante Botha, NMMU Vice-Chancellor – Prof. Derrick Swartz and Prof. Jan Neethling.
As Professor Jan Neethling stated in his speech: “…this is a dream come true for all South Africans”.
The JEOL ARM200F double-corrected HRTEM complete with Gatan Quantum GIF and Oxford EDS gives NMMU the ability to image with a resolution of 78 Pico metres. This allows scientists to do fundamental research in the area of nanotechnology.
The NMMU HRTEM Centre was a purpose built facility to house this sophisticated HRTEM. Other microscopes that have already been installed successfully in this centre are the JEOL 7001F FEGSEM with Oxford EDS, WDS and EBSD as well as the JEOL 2100LaB6 with Quantum GIF and Oxford EDS. Scientists have already worked on the JEOL 2100LaB6 feeder TEM for the past year to familiarise themselves with these new accessories prior to the arrival of the JEOL ARM200F.
Advanced Laboratory Solutions would like to congratulate NMMU on this fantastic and ground breaking achievement. We wish Professor Neethling and his team all of the best their future endeavours and assure them that ALS is behind them 100% with technical and application support in making this HRTEM centre a success.
Winner of the MSSA Most Promising Microscopist Award 2010, Ettienne Minnaar of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, visited EMAG 2011 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This was a fully paid prize including air tickets, accommodation and local travel sponsored by ALS and JEOL UK.
The Electron Microscopy and Analysis Group's (EMAG) biennial conference has established a strong reputation as an event that allows UK and international microscopy communities to network. It is also a conference where the latest in the development and applications of electron microscope techniques are presented.
The themes for this years, EMAG conference were:
- Quantitative interpretation of electron microscope images and spectra
- Characterisation of advanced materials
- New techniques and methods in electron microscopy
At the beginning of the conference, Etienne Minnaar attended a one and a half day advanced school on Nanoanalysis for young researchers. He also spent time with JEOL and saw the latest EM technology at the exhibition stand.
Etienne delivered a well-received poster: “Microstructural analysis of plasma dissociated zircon“ at EMAG 2011.
Anton Paar introduces the third generation of Modular Compact Rheometers. More versatile than ever, the new MCR series offers one thing first and foremost: An open range of possibilities. This is how Anton Paar defines future-proof rheometry: Whichever new application opens up, MCR rheometer users can rely on the fact that they are always covered – whether in routine quality control or high-end research & development, the speed and precision of the systems’ dynamic EC motor and numerous patented features are always readily available for convenient operation and reliable results.
Modular
Rheological requirements are always in flux, much like the flow and deformation behavior of the materials the technology is used to investigate. Building on their intrinsic modular design, the new generation of MCR rheometers is now even further ahead of latest testing applications: The instruments are efficiently and comfortably adapted to meet any testing requirement.
The intuitive application software and patented features like ToolmasterTM, an automatic tool recognition and configuration system, make sure of smooth modular operation: Changing a cone-plate for a concentric-cylinder measuring system is just as easy as integrating a new temperature device or extending the MCR rheometers’ testing capabilities with a wide range of application-specific accessories.
Compact
The space-saving MCR rheometers are built for practice, with all components incorporated into one simply installed unit that easily fits on a standard laboratory table. “Compact” use of operators' time is also guaranteed: The patented TruGapTM system for automatic gap control, the T-ReadyTM feature for controlling the actual sample temperature, and of course the speed and precision of the synchronous EC motor itself – these and other characteristics MCR qualities ensure efficient rheological operation.
Rheometer
MCR rheometers deliver cutting-edge performance. The third generation features well-known as well as brand-new and further refined rheological highlights: The air-bearing-supported, synchronous EC motor, the dynamic TruRateTM sample-adaptive motor controller, the patented normal force sensor integrated in the air bearing, the Piezo Axial Actuator, TruStrainTM real-time position control, improved electronics and numerous other features ensure the MCR series’ world-renowned rheological peak performance.
For more information please contact: info@advancedlab.co.za
New Microscope Reveals World Of Nanotechnology
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth was the recipient of a new JEOL ARM 200F high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) for the institution’s Centre for High-Resolution Electron Microscopy currently under construction.
For more information, please go to: http://nrfcommunique.nrf.ac.za/Nanotechnology.html
The JEOL ARM 200F HRTEM that was tested in Tokyo, Japan on 12 January 2011 by Professors Angus Kirkland and Jan Neethling.
BloodScan’s patented diagnostic technology offers us the opportunity to detect the potential for diseases in our body. The first product of its kind to be recognised by medical indemnity insurers is attracting a great deal of interest from medical and holistic centres within South Africa.
Brand Ambassador – junior springbok surfer Steven Sawyer
Bloodscan™ has effectively combined the old with the new by incorporating conventional blood assessment tools such as differential staining with the tried and tested methods of evaluating living and dried blood samples. BloodScan™ sees anomalies in the blood and plasma and what could be the precursor to disease.
This diagnostic technology is capable of identifying changes in your blood that might lead to degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes and arthritis. The immediacy of seeing the dynamics of live blood via a small drop of blood from the finger makes it possible to see what stage of pathological development the body is in.
BloodScan™ International is committed to ensuring that all practitioners receive cutting edge technology and equipment and have standardised on the Motic range of Microscopes.
The Motic BA310 Microscopes with various advance adapters identifies smaller particles not visible under a normal microscope. Blood samples are illuminated from the sides using a dark field condenser – making the components phosphoresce behind a dark background. BloodScan practitioners enter their critical observations into the BloodScan proprietary web based software. The use of bright field microscopy further enhances the capabilities of Bloodscan. BloodScan then correlates this data producing a comprehensive nutritional and metabolic profile of the patient's current health status. A supplemental correction program would then be suggested by the health practitioner.
Bloodscan has identified 98 potential business areas and hope to have opened all their branches by the end of 2012. An excellent marketing team has already created demand for the Bloodscan product by signing up brand ambassadors in the sphere of Surfing, Adventure, and Ironman. These individuals will be customising training programs, tips and training and have a regular presence at events hosted by BloodScan. Bloodscan has committed to supplying significant support in the form of BloodScan communities that afford their practitioners’ clients access to activities that help them realise their wellness goals. In addition to the marketing support, BloodScan take an active role in the business units and provide sales strategies, marketing strategies and business development strategies on a fluid and regular basis - ensuring the success of BloodScan franchises and branches.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bloodscan.co.za/
The Motic Microscope range is available in South Africa from Advanced Laboratory Solutions.
For more information please contact: info@advancedlab.co.za
ALS engineers are putting all the energy, time and expertise in moving the JEOL 7001F FEGSEM and JEOL 2100LaB6 TEM from the NMMU Physics Department to the newly built R33-million electron microscope unit. This building was purpose built to house the Africa’s first High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope. The first stage of this move is to ensure that all utilities are functioning 100% and that the vibrations and magnetic/electrical fields have been reduced to allow factory specifications to be achieved. So far, the preliminary tests have shown that both the FEGSEM and TEM are easily reaching these specifications and that these instruments should be signed off soon.
The second stage is the installation of the JEOL ARM-200F HRTEM, which will be arriving in the Port Elizabeth harbour on the 25 April 2011. The start of this installation is due for 1 May 2011 and should be completed at the end of July 2011.
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope facility is now nearing completion and from all communication, the facility is on the track to being the most advanced electron microscopy unit on the African continent.
Professors, Jan Neethling and Michael Lee will be proud to show this world-class facility; from the building to the equipment it houses at the official opening in October 2011.
Microscopy Society of Southern Africa 2010 was hosted by the University of Limpopo at the Bela-Bela Forever Resorts from 26 to 29 October 2010. This year Ettienne Minnaar of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was awarded the Most Promising Microscopist Award for his paper “Inclusions and zoning in natural baddeleyite from Phalaborwa complex”.
Like previous winners, Ettienne will enjoy an all expenses paid trip to EMAG 2011 (http://www.emag-iop.org/), where he will deliver his paper or poster.
Congratulations Ettienne for winning this prestigious award!
Wynston Woodenberg, the 2009 winner of the Most Promising Black Microscopist award, writes about his recent visit to the U.K. and MicroScience 2010
"Attending the Royal Microscopical Society’s MICROSCIENCE conference in London (U.K.) was an incredible experience I will never forget. Not only was visiting London a personal dream come true, attending the conference proved to be a real eye-opener and great inspiration. I was amazed to see the kind of technology we now have at our disposal. For example, 3 & 4D imaging of live cells, dissecting microscopes capable of 5000 X magnification, a microscope by JEOL that allows one to do fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy on the same sample, video capturing along with slow motion replay technology for direct visualisation of organelle movement and dynamic processes in living cells, etc. This showed how rapidly technology is advancing and it is really exciting to see the type of microscopy that can now be done. In addition to the 100 company exhibitions that were present at the conference, the oral and poster presentations were of a very high standard. I was given the opportunity to present my work at the conference, but more importantly, I was able to walk away with many great ideas to incorporate in future presentations of my own. After the conference, Advanced Laboratory Solutions (ALS) and JEOL, who sponsored the trip, were also generous enough to give us a few days to do our own site-seeing – a truly unforgettable experience. I would like to thank sincerely both of the above-mentioned companies, for making the Most Promising Black Microscopist in Southern Africa award available to students at MSSA conferences. The award and prize has left me highly motivated to further my career in microscopy and I would suggest that all eligible students at future MSSA meetings should really pull out all the stops to win it and experience this for themselves."
Wynston Woodenberg, University of KwaZulu-Natal