2009 R&D 100 Winner
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet iN10 MX infrared microscope from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madison, Wisc., does not require any special training in microscopy or spectroscopy or special attachments. All other infrared microscopes require attachment to an external infrared spectrometer with the spectrometer’s excitation energy redirected through the microscope. The Nicolet iN10 MX incorporates all of the spectrometer’s infrared optics in a single, integrated system, providing high optical efficiency for improved sampling and enables use of a room-temperature infrared detector. This integrated design reduces the bench footprint. The Nicolet iN10 can analyze samples as small as 3 to 4 μm, whereas traditional infrared microscopes can only analyze samples to a minimum of 10 μm. This enables single-point analyses as well as mapping or chemical imaging analyses.
In addition, the system lets users acquire chemical maps considerably faster than with other systems, mapping a 1.2 x 1.2 mm area in less than 4.5 minutes. With an additional imaging detector, it is possible to scan the same area in 20 seconds, a 10x increase in mapping speed.
Technology
Infrared microscope
Developer
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
