Bench Boost by Inorganic Ventures

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost Mike explains two key ICP-OES/ICP-MS quality control samples: the Initial Calibration Verification (ICV) and Continuing Calibration Verification (CCV). The ICV is run after calibration and before samples to confirm the calibration worked. The CCV is run periodically during the batch to confirm the calibration remains valid as drift, clogging, cone buildup,...

Send us Fan Mail This week Mike discusses elevated backgrounds in ICP-OES when analyzing high total dissolved solids (TDS) samples such as brines, digests, excipients, salts, and starting materials. TDS increases free electron density in the plasma, producing Bremsstrahlung (braking) radiation and recombination radiation, which raise a broad continuum background across the spectrum. The elevated b...

Send us Fan Mail Join Mike this week on Bench Boost as he explores the basics of conductivity measurements. We review the theory of how conductivity is dependent on ion concentration, charge, and mobility. He describes how contact probes work, emphasizing the cell constant and how proper probe selection to avoid poor sensitivity or signal saturation. Temperature is highlighted as a major variable,...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost we discuss titration techniques based on USP 541 and the Inorganic Venture's Titration Tips and Tricks guide. Mike explains the difference between equivalence point and observed endpoint and how key performance factors can include using the correct glassware, appropriate techniques, and thorough cleaning of burettes. We also cover the correct way to r...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost Mike explains why accurate pH measurement is more complex than it appears, highlighting the effects from temperature, ionic strength, calibration technique, probe condition, and sample chemistry. He reviews pH theory of hydrogen ion activity (not just concentration) and the logarithmic meaning of pH changes, then describes how a pH probe functions as an el...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost Mike shares practical tips for analyzing pharmaceutical samples at low concentrations for USP 232 elemental impurities, emphasizing that high dilution makes small contamination or carryover issues critical. He advises minimizing contamination through careful container selection (avoiding glass and using acid-leached LDPE or leached polypropylene), and outl...

Send us Fan Mail This week Mike and Ashley explain the J value used in pharmaceutical elemental impurity testing to relate typical ICP concentration units to permitted daily exposure (PDE) limits reported in micrograms per day under USP <232> and ICH Q3D. They describe how J value accounts for both sample dilution factor and maximum daily dose, making results comparable to PDE requirements....

Send us Fan Mail This week Mike & Ashley review the standardized methods for elemental impurity analysis in pharmaceuticals: ICH Q3D, USP <232>, and USP <233>. ICH Q3D provides guidelines for testing up to 24 elements and emphasizes risk assessment but not detailed testing calculations; USP <232> sets elemental impurity limits; and USP <233> addresses sample preparation...

Send us Fan Mail The Inorganic Ventures team members answer more listener questions relevant to trace analysis. They address low mercury recovery at 2 ppb, noting mercury instability in nitric acid, adsorption to plastic, options such as preparing in HCl or stabilizing with ~1 ppm gold. They explain detection limit calculations using calibration data and blank replicates & distinguish instrume...

Send us Fan Mail The Inorganic Ventures team answers listener questions focused on pharmaceutical elemental impurity analysis by ICP-MS. They explain why an indium internal standard becomes unstable in high-pH matrices due to insoluble hydroxide formation and how EDTA complexation can stabilize indium when used for iodine analysis. They discuss mercury washout problems caused by volatility, adsorp...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost Mike, Autumn, Micah, and Josh discuss common ICP-OES/ICP-MS issues in mining analyses and how to troubleshoot them by separating sample-prep from instrument root causes. Key sample-prep problems include incomplete digestion of refractory minerals, loss of volatile analytes, spitting, and adsorption/instability during transfers. They review contamination be...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost Mike, Autumn, and Thomas dive deep into validation procedures for ICP-OES and ICP-MS methods. They discuss the importance of planning validation parameters early, understanding sample matrices & analyte levels, and achieving complete dissolution via appropriate digestions. They review the seven key validation parameters of accuracy, precision, detectio...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost the team from Inorganic Ventures discusses avoiding precipitation during sample preparation. They review mining sample challenges including high concentrations of Ca, Fe, Al, & silicates, sulfate-rich matrices forming insoluble sulfates, and rare earth elements requiring a more acidic matrix. Thomas explains how hydrolysis leads to insoluble metal hydr...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost on team spotlights mining analysis challenges on ICP-MS due to high total dissolved solids, aggressive digestions, and low-ppb targets requiring interference control. They review ICP-MS interference types, giving examples such as ArO on Fe, and ArCl on As. The team explains how collision cell (helium KED) is used to reduce polyatomics and how reaction cell...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost our team reviews special considerations for measuring lithium by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. They discuss common lithium sample types and preparation guidance. Autumn emphasizes the impact of high total dissolved solids (TDS) and easily ionizable elements (EIEs) causing plasma ionization-balance shifts and signal suppression for some sample types. Additional tips...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost our team revisits method detection limits (MDLs) with a focus on why mining applications often produce higher MDLs than expected. Autumn contrasts instrument detection limits with method detection limits, which reflect real sample matrices, interferences, and method variability. Liv explains mining-specific drivers of elevated MDLs, including aggress...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost, Mike, Autumn, and Thomas discuss the differences between axial and radial views when using ICP-OES instruments. The focus is on how each view will impact precision, sensitivity, detection limits, and more. Our team compares which view is more prone to background interferences and which better handles complex samples with high concentrations of total...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost our team focuses the discussion on metal cyanide chemistry. The discussion revolves around how cyanide leaching is used in mining for extracting precious metals like gold and silver. Challenges and considerations for ICP analysis, including matrix matching, are highlighted, along with a brief review of safety protocols for handling cyanide. The episo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost, our team reviews the challenges and solutions related to measuring Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) using ICP Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). We discuss issues like signal stabilization, sample preparation, and washout problems. They provide practical tips such as the importance of proper sample preparation, ensuring the correct use and aging of Aqua Regia,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost our team discuss the intricacies of digesting and analyzing rare earth element ore samples. This week we cover challenges such as complex spectra, reaction chemistry, and the need for careful sample preparation. Different methods like fusion and acid digestion are explored for effectively getting rare earth elements into solution. The podcast also de...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost our team compares the differences between ICP-OES and ICP-MS and their applications in the mining industry. They share insights on when to choose one technique over the other based on factors like detection limits, sample concentration, matrix effects, and throughput needs. ICP-OES is recommended for higher concentrations and robust applications, whi...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Bench Boost our team discusses the importance of custom certified reference materials (CRMs) in precision elemental analysis, particularly in the mining industry. This episode features a continuation of the previous week's discussion on matrix match standards, focusing on the benefits of using custom CRMs. Thomas, Ashley, Liv, and Mike explain how custom CRMs imp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost our team discusses the importance of matrix matching standards to samples in the mining industry. They explore the benefits and applications of using stock single element, and multi-element CRMs for accurate precision elemental analysis. The team delves into the challenges of matrix mismatches, particularly in complex, high-concentration acid and tot...

Send us Fan Mail The week our team recaps the “Back to Basics” series on Bench Boost. They discuss topics covered in previous episodes, including pipetting, instrumentation, calibration standards, stability, solubility, lab math, detection limits, and plasma fundamentals. Liv highlights the importance of proper sample preparation and pipetting techniques. Thomas explains the selection of appropria...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bench Boost, our team discusses the versatility and utility of 3D printers in the lab. They delve into the various uses of 3D printing, such as fabricating custom parts, prototyping solutions, and creating unique lab tools. The team explains the two main types of 3D printers (FDM and SLA) and the materials they use. They share practical examples of how 3D printi...