Wednesday, September 24, 2008
2008 R&D 100 Winner
Traditional x-ray systems for 3-D crystal structure determination are large instruments that require significant infrastructure and extensive knowledge of crystallography to use. In the absence of these two things, chemists forgo structural confirmation at key stages of their research or send samples to a service lab. All of that has changed with the SMART X2S from Bruker AXS Inc., Madison, Wisc. Designed by Michael Ruf, the SMART X2S is the first benchtop instrument for atomic-resolution crystal structure determination of small molecules. It is a fully automated “walk-away” instrument designed for chemists who don’t have training in crystallography.
The SMART X2S has the smallest footprint of any such system and features a closed-beam design. Since the user never accesses the radiation enclosure, no x-ray exposure is possible. It is completely air-cooled and requires only 100V residential wiring.
The operation of the SMART X2S is completely automated from sample mounting to report generation and data archiving. It features a user-friendly interface and software that automatically determines the structure of most routine samples.
Easy access to 3-D structural information will accelerate the research of many chemists and other scientists.
Technology
Benchtop instrument for atomic-resolution crystal structure determination of small molecules
Developer
Bruker AXS Inc.
