New Full-Range Handheld NIR Contact Spectrometer from ASD

ASD Inc., a PANalytical company, developer of high-performance near-infrared (NIR) analytical instrumentation and material analysis solutions, today introduced the QualitySpec Trek, a full-range (350-2,500 nm) handheld NIR contact spectrometer. The QualitySpec Trek portable spectrometer streamlines the collection process by eliminating cables and removing the need for third-party computers or PDAs, delivering ease of use well beyond traditional lab- and bench-based systems.

With one pull of the trigger, the QualitySpec Trek delivers accurate spectral results in seconds, allowing users to easily develop their own libraries of spectral signatures for a wide variety of materials and applications, from remote sensing research to applications ranging from precision agriculture to defense and intelligence imaging. By optimizing spectral collection workflows, portability, and ease of use, QualitySpec Trek saves time in the field and the lab, lowers associated costs and maximizes ROI.

“With the QualitySpec Trek, ASD has brought improved efficiencies and reduced costs to a myriad of new applications that can benefit from integrating spectral materials recognition into their workflows, filling the need for a more compact, portable and easy-to-use spectrometer,” said Brian Curtiss, CTO.

The instrument is designed for general purpose spectral collection applications and addresses the needs of a broad range of markets such as academic and commercial materials research, industrial materials analysis, defense and intelligence materials classification, image classification and ultimately anyone that benefits from an easier and faster path to accurate full-range spectral characterization. The integrated light source eliminates the need for external illumination. Analysts in a variety of industries can gather spectral signatures and create their own libraries for ground truthing and supervised image classification as well as chemometric quantitative and qualitative assessments, using the spectra collected from the instrument.

QualitySpec Trek instrument features include:

• Fast and accurate full-range spectral results
• Cable-free integrated system
• Onboard GPS
• Internal light source
• Voice recording capability for expanded sample descriptions
• On-board software available in English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish languages
• Magnetic external white reference for simplified scanning of thin samples
• Lightweight rechargeable lithium ion batteries
• Integrated computer and LCD display
• PC-based project and data management software
• No third-party hardware

“By removing all external computers, cords and heavy equipment, the QualitySpec Trek simplifies spectral data collection providing faster data capture and workflow while still providing ASD’s gold standard spectral quality,” said Curtiss. “The instrument is also shipped with a project and data management software environment that offers users a new way to manage spectral data in ways they may never have imagined.”

The QualitySpec Trek portable spectrometer is an all-in-one device for real-time contact sampling; simply point, shoot and see the spectral results. For more information about the QualitySpec Trek, please visit www.asdi.com.

About ASD Inc., a PANalytical company

ASD Inc., a PANalytical company is the global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, solving some of the most challenging real-world materials measurement problems. ASD spectrometers — unparalleled in providing laboratory-grade results in the field or on-site — are the instruments of choice for remote sensing, environmental sciences, agricultural, mining, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry applications, where results drive paradigm-changing insights, efficiency and profit. Visit www.asdi.com for more information about ASD Inc.

About PANalytical

PANalytical’s mission is to enable people to get valuable insight into their materials and processes. Our customers can be found in virtually every industry segment, from building materials to pharmaceuticals and from metals and mining to nanomaterials. The combination of our software and instrumentation, based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), near-infrared (NIR) and optical emission (OES) spectroscopy and pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA), provides our customers with highly reliable and robust elemental and structural information on their materials and is applied in scientific research and industrial process and quality control.

PANalytical employs over 1,000 people worldwide. The company’s headquarters are in Almelo, the Netherlands. Fully equipped application laboratories are established in Japan, China, the US, Brazil, and the Netherlands. PANalytical’s research activities are based in Almelo (NL) and on the campus of the University of Sussex in Brighton (UK). Supply and competence centers are located on two sites in the Netherlands: Almelo (development and production of X-ray instruments) and Eindhoven (development and production of X-ray tubes), in Nottingham, UK (development of XRF applications and standards) and in Boulder, Colo. US (development and production of near-infrared instruments).

PANalytical is active in all but a few countries of the world. This worldwide sales and service network ensures unrivalled levels of customer support.

The company is certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Source: http://www.asdi.com/