Enables to concentrate a tiny sample of 600µL, achieving high-sensitive total reflection fluorescent X-ray analysis!

We had an interview with Mr. Yoshii who is working on total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of uranium in contaminated water.
Interviewee:
Mr. Hiroshi Yoshii, Senior chief engineer in Radiation Measurement Research Team,
Department of Radiation Measurement and Dose Assessment,
Radiological Science Research and Development Directorate,
National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology

BioChromato

What type of research are you in charge of?

 

*Cold run in his laboratory >

Mr.Yoshii

We are trying to develop a fast and convenient method to analyze uranium-contaminated water.

BioChromato

Uranium should be a material used for nuclear fuel. How do you use Smart Evaporator in your research?

Mr.Yoshii

I use Smart Evaporator to improve the analysis sensitivity. We create simulated uranium-contaminated water, and the sample solution is condensed to 10 times. Then it is put under the total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis.

BioChromato

What exactly do you do in the total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis?

Mr.Yoshii

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is a measurement method that can observe almost only the X-ray fluorescence emitted from a target by utilizing the property of total reflection of X-rays when they enter a material from the air layer at an extremely small viewing angle. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is performed on samples dropped and dried on a glass substrate.

BioChromato

What is the evaporation condition?

Mr.Yoshii

600 μL of simulated uranium-contaminated wastewater is placed in a 1.5mL or 2.0mL Eppendorf tube and concentrated at 100°C. We do this about once a week on a daily basis or every day when we have many. The operation time is approximately 40 minutes.

BioChromato

600µL is such a tiny sample volume. How do you concentrate before you have Smart Evaporator?

Mr.Yoshii

 

Previously we did not concentrate samples. Under that condition, uranium up to 1/10 of the waste water standard was detectable, but now we dry 600μL completely and dissolve with 60μL of diluted nitric acid etc. It became possible to concentrate to 10 times, and the detection limit reaches to 1/100 of the waste water standard. At that time I did not come up with any ideas to dry 600μL sample in a short time.

BioChromato

How did you get to know Smart Evaporator?

Mr.Yoshii

 

A distributor who often came to our laboratory brought a catalog of Smart Evaporator and asked us for a demonstration. The demonstration convinced that this would be a useful device so we got one. Since it is inexpensive compared to a general evaporator, we now have two units and that improves our work efficiency.

BioChromato

Depending on experimental use, you use both units. What’s good about Smart Evaporator?

Mr.Yoshii

 

It is possible to concentrate even a very small amount of 600μL, and it’s still fast and convenient. The unique vacuum vortex concentration lets us use non-pressure-resistant containers, so this is very useful for those like us who want to concentrate directly with an Eppendorf tube.

BioChromato

I see. Because our system recommends an oil-less diaphragm vacuum pump at low vacuum, it saved the labor for oil exchange. Do you mean this fact was also an important factor for selecting the product??

Mr.Yoshii

 

I hope I can concentrate acid solution (4M nitric acid etc.), but this is not perfectly compatible. The part where you can place a sample is not very deep, so it is difficult to concentrate with a long length container.

BioChromato

We are appreciated to have your idea. Thank you for your time today.

Mr.Yoshii

 

Thank you, too.

Summary

Mr. Yoshii is developing Total reflection fluorescent X-ray fluorescence that is higher sensitive than conventional fluorescent X-ray analysis and that can measure uranium-contaminated water with detection criteria far below the waste water standards. It was confirmed from this interview that Smart Evaporator which can concentrate even a small amount of 600μL contributes to the development of a new analytical method and their time efficiency of daily experimental work. Also, we are pleased that they introduce another one. The vacuum vortex concentration enables customers to select their preferred containers and its space-saving design is helpful to improve their work efficiency.

(Interviewer: Kikuchi)

■Interested in what Smart Evaporator is? You can learn from here!

 

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