Experiment § Expansion of sample analysis capabilities
The principle of APC (Advanced Polymer Chromatography) is precisely the same as that of GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography): the pump allows the solvent to circulate in the entire system. The sample is injected into the instrument from a syringe, and components of different molecular weights are separated in the column, enter the detector according to the molecular weight difference, and draw a chromatogram. The collector will collect each signal's substance in a specific sample bottle to analyze later. In the past analysis of unknown substances, substances with small molecular weights are easy to vaporize, which can be understood by GC-Mass. Large-molecular-weight substances are easily destroyed during high-temperature gasification. It is a waste of time to push back the cracked product's original appearance, so it isn't easy to analyze. After separation and collection through APC, we can obtain individual FTIR spectra, which can avoid problems and make up for our original lack of analytical capabilities. We are currently establishing experimental conditions and accumulating experience, and we will share the experimental results with you in the future.
Author: Miss Li-Ling, Liu
Activity § New instruments purchased this year
Every year, Everwide Chemical buys some new instruments. We all laughed at them as expensive little toys: because these instruments look small and inconspicuous, some are more expensive than a car, and some are equivalent to half a house! Purchasing new instruments is one of our R&D and innovation standards: learning new instrument operations, trying new experimental methods, discovering newly observed phenomena. Of course, the essential aspect of R&D is to share knowledge with a high degree of enthusiasm. This year's new instrument is APC. Compared with the original GPC analysis that takes 90 minutes, APC is considerably shortened to 10 minutes. It also has the functions of automatic sample injection and automatic separation and collection, allowing the experiment to be automatically executed at night and focusing on the result discussion during the day. In addition to this APC, the automatic sampling DSC and TGA purchased last year are all products of similar thinking: how to make R&D rare resources (time constraints and knowledge in the brain) more efficient. The former can be improved by new instruments, and the latter can be facilitated by the will of the person himself.
Knowledge § What is non-destructive testing?
Simply put, the test method that the tested test piece is intact from beginning to end is non-destructive inspection. For example, gloss measurement to measure the gloss of the object's surface, the use of photoelastic phenomenon to measure the stress, the use of ultrasonic flaw detection of composite materials, etc., the test piece will not be damaged. In contrast, mechanical strength tests are all damage tests. For example, the tensile test, flexural test, impact test, and so on, the test piece is broken after the test. Furthermore, many thermal analysis experiments will change the test piece's condition, which is also a destructive test. For example, DSC will change the reaction rate, TGA will crack the material, and the TMA experiment will differently stress the state of stress. Sometimes the purpose is close, and experiments with different methods are divided into destructive and non-destructive testing. For example: for heavy metal element analysis, the sample must be digested in strong acid when using ICP, and XRF only needs to be applied to the sample's surface. Infrared spectroscopy is used to analyze solids, and sometimes the sample should be crushed. ATR technology keeps samples intact.
Living § Profile close-up – uncle Ye
We introduced our gardener – Uncle Ye, in the 108th issue of the e-newsletter of Everwide. Uncle Ye always worked hard to take care of the flowers and plants in the garden and organize it. Even when the sun was scorching, he was wearing a hat and running around. Colleagues often consult him if they have problems with planting flowers and plants. The honest and easy-going Uncle Ye always has a smile on his face. I've never heard him yell tired, and I've never seen him messing around. Whenever he is a genius, he can always have many work plans, one by one, to realize and execute and enjoy them, which can be called a model of independent work. Recently, I saw Uncle Ye, who is already old, limping, and leaning to one side. After inquiring, it turned out that he had bone spurs in his spine and severe pain, which made him stagger. After several thoughts, he decided to leave us temporarily and was about to go to the hospital for treatment. As soon as I received the news, I rushed to take pictures of Uncle Ye. He still didn't change his optimistic personality. He smiled and said to me, "I don't know what God will do. If I need to have surgery, I can do it! I hope I can get out of bed and walk." A shy smile revealed a faint smile. The sadness is reluctant. As a result of this, I would like to thank Uncle Ye for his hard work over the past few years, and wish him a quick recovery and come back to meet us soon. (Photos 1-3: garden clean, simple facilities for the project, after the typhoon's fallen trees springing-back upright)
─ Author: Miss Rong-Heng, Li
