Reviews techniques for online coupling of high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, emphasizing those suitable for application to nonvolatile samples. Also summarizes the present status, strengths, and weaknesses of various techniques and discusses potential applications of recently developed techniques for combined liquid…

Describes a birefringence apparatus that can be assembled for less than $100 and can be used to measure both the dimensions and dipole moments of many macromolecules. Details are given of the construction and manipulation of the apparatus. (JN)

The Nebraska Instrument Sharing Consortium (NISC) is a group of small colleges that have banded together to provide modern instrumentation to their students at an affordable price. Consortium activities are described, including how the instruments are moved between campuses. (JN)

Discusses the nature of Fourier transform mass spectrometry and its unique combination of high mass resolution, high upper mass limit, and multichannel advantage. Examines its operation, capabilities and limitations, applications (ion storage, ion manipulation, ion chemistry), and future applications and developments. (JN)

Reviews applications of laser methods to analytical problems, selecting examples from multiphoton ionization and fluorescence analysis. Indicates that laser methodologies promise to improve dramatically the detection of trace substances embedded in "real" matrices, giving the analyst a most powerful means for determining the composition of…

Gives brief descriptions of new physics laboratory equipment and available literature describing laboratory equipment. (MLH)

Describes oscillograph-type laboratory recorders and accessory equipment such as paper drives, printing mechanisms, amplifiers, and integrators. (MLH)

Indicates that although the costs of sophisticated state-of-the-art instruments are needed for chemical research, federal agency funding assumptions lag far behind. Issues related to these costs, including an estimate of what the National Science Foundation departmental budget should be, are discussed. (JN)

In a modular approach, instruments are considered as systems composed of modules, each module performing a particular function. Examines process of relating specifications for instruments to those for particular modules, effect of microcomputers on modular approach, and extension of the approach to such devices as "hyphenated" or tandem…

A controversy has arisen as to whether instrument vendors are providing sufficient information about instrument-associated software to permit users to understand invisible data transformations going on inside of the equipment. Topics addressed include software protection, user modifications, and publishing software. (Author/JN)

A technician auto analyzer (consisting of six modules: sampler, multichannel peristaltic pump, dialyser, heating/incubation bath, colorimeter, and recorder) was modified by using key modules and substituting standard equipment for others; spectronic 20 with homemade flow cell for colorimeter module. Descriptions and diagrams of the apparatus are…

For several decades there has been a general concern that the level of research funding for academic instrumentation was not sufficient to keep pace with the requirements of cutting edge research. To develop the factual trend data necessary to understand the depth of the problems in academia and thus provide an adequate response to these concerns,…

Identifies a trend in analytical chemistry toward greater use of instruments and a need for an understanding of the basic principles involved in instrumentation. This need can be fulfilled using homebuilt equipment; examples are provided in the areas of electrolytic conductance and electronic coulometry. (GS)

Several teaching aids including a microcomputer system, a process control laboratory, a mechanics laboratory, and a teaching polariscope are described. (RH)