Two weeks ago, Pittcon concluded its 2024 exposition—the 75th of its kind. Sticking to the east coast for 74 years, Pittcon 2024 was the first to embrace the West Coast, being held in San Diego. And it looks like it worked. According to Pittcon, West Coast participation increased by almost 1,000 attendees over the 2023 numbers (held in Philadelphia), with over half of the total attendees indicating this was their first Pittcon.
This year, there were about 470 exhibitors—Rigaku being one of them. After the show, Labcompare caught up with three Rigaku representatives who attended the show to get their perspective on the state of analytical science in 2024.
See what Tom Concolino, Ph.D. (XRD Sales Manager); Jen Lynch (Marketing Director); and Scott Fess (Product Manager EDXRF) had to saw about the trends and innovations to come out of Pittcon 2024.
Q: Can you briefly describe the products Rigaku showcased at Pittcon 2024?
Tom: We showcased the Miniflex XpC—a right-sized XRD solution for automated industrial process control, as well as the ZSX Primus III NEXT—a high-throughput, low detection limit XRF solution for industrial process control. The Miniflex XpC allows users to get started right away with easy installation and Rigaku-provided user training tools. You can run your lab stress-free with the rugged design and easy-to-use interface, and you can eliminate the need for in-house experts by taking advantage of Rigaku’s on-demand application services (X-pert Connect). The instrument is also future-proof with scalable automation. With 3 kW of power, the Primus III NEXT offers research-grade performance with both high-throughput and low detection limits for all your industrial process control needs. It is a low-cost solution for the industrial process control user who needs a system that is both robust and easy to use.
Jen: We also demonstrated Rigaku’s portfolio of handheld Raman spectrometers. Rigaku has revolutionized the use of 1064 nm Raman laser excitation by incorporating it into a spectrometer with many features. The use of 1064 nm Raman means sample-induced fluorescence (typical of colored materials or colored packaging) is reduced. This is a common challenge among previous generation Raman spectrometers, and causes long analysis times that can result in an inconclusive scan. Some examples of the features that enhance the user experience of Rigaku Raman analyzers include: an integrated camera to capture images or use as a barcode reader, touchscreen or button operation, automatic monitoring of scans for dangerous recipe combinations, the ability to add colorimetrics capabilities for the detection of non-visible samples, an on-board library with the ability to add to by the user, and ruggedized ratings for use in harsh environments.
Scott: Applied Rigaku Technologies announced the launch of the NEX CG II+ EDXRF analyzer at Pittcon 2024. Based on the innovations of NEX CG II using Cartesian Geometry indirect excitation, the NEX CG II+ variant uses 65 kV and 100 W X-ray tube, unique in the current landscape of EDXRF systems. The 65 kV excitation brings the ability to measure heavy element high energy K-lines, in particular the rare earth elements and the lanthanide series, without having to loop down and measure the L-lines that can be tangled in the peaks of the common transition elements. This opens up capabilities in rare earth elements mining where the lanthanides need to be measured in situ at relatively low levels. The 100 W power means more X-rays are produced, yielding lower detection limits across the board from Na-U, especially for other critical measurements of the trace level heavy metals such as Cd, Ag, Sn and Sb.
The combination of the entire optical system is unique. The 90-degree Cartesian Geometry and indirect excitation using secondary targets allows for near-perfect polarization and essentially removes all the background X-rays from the X-ray tube. Combine that with the 65 kV 100 W X-ray tube and advanced wide-area SDD detector and you get exceptional performance for complex matrices and trace elements.
Q: What trends/innovations in your product area did you see while at Pittcon 2024?
Tom: We saw an increased demand in the battery material quality control and recycling fields; as well as the use of AI in both R&D and manufacturing.
Jenn: I noticed quite a bit of presentations about the use of SERS in combination with Raman in order to deal with low concentrations of a substance. This can be a tricky application for Raman, depending on the laser source. Specific trends I saw by visitors at our booth was the want and need for a customizable library on the handheld Raman device. Several visitors mentioned the use of proprietary materials that they would like to add to the unit’s library, and the concern was how easy and efficient that process would be for them.
Q: Last year, there was an overwhelming focus on batteries, AI and PFAS technology at Pittcon. What were some of the most talked about topics this year?
Tom: These topics continued to be of high focus. Where we are seeing a lot of conversations now is the use of AI for both R&D of new materials, but also in the manufacture and characterization of these new materials from the pilot phase to full scale operations.
Jenn: I did still see AI still as a hot topic at the 2024 event. Another common theme I found was environmental impact, including discussion of finding alternative methods that would leave less of a negative impact. Other than that, because it was the 75th anniversary, I found a bit of a “buzz” among the attendees to celebrate all technologies that serve advancing science.
Scott: Certainly, batteries are an increasingly important technology sector moving forward in the 21st century, both in manufacturing and perhaps more importantly in recycling to reclaim the metals. This makes sense not only economically, but naturally, as responsible stewardship of the environment. A focus on recycling can even be applied to used oils, plastics and things like alternative fuels and recovery of catalysts.