Industrial Science

AFM-IR , or atomic force microscopy based infrared spectroscopy is a form of chemical imaging which creates a visual image of components which make up chemicals, which uses extremely high powered microscopes. This is typically done with a radiation source to illuminate the sample which is being observed, as well as the usage of an AFM probe which detects thermal expansions from the radiation source. Also used is a high-powered imaging system to translate the probe’s movements into an image, and finally a detector array to categorise. AFM-IR places results in a three-dimensional block, which spans x and y dimensions. AFM-IR has enormous application in a whole variety of fields. Whether it is chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmaceutical agricultural or industrial use, the ability to analyse substances and work our properties is vital. AFM-IR has quickly become one of the most powerful and efficient ways to characterise material surfaces, especially at nanoscale resolution. Na...

Electron Spectroscopy for chemical analysis, or the ESCA system for short, is a science all to itself and branches from quantum mechanics. It is not a new science by any means, and has roots dating back to 1905 when Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his interpretation, using quantum mechanics, of the photoelectric effect. This research facilitated the discovery of Heinrich Hertz and Max Planch that light indeed travels in an electromagnetic wavelength, as well of the discover of discrete energy portions. Nowadays, these discrete energy portions are named “quantum”, and all aspects of quantum physics is said to come from this truly ground breaking and pioneering research. You might wonder just how quantum physics factors into chemical analysis, and the answer is that it affects chemical analysis just as much as it affects all of the sciences – quite a lot. This discovery assisted the progression of practically all of the sciences, and for chemical analysis in pa...

Whether you want to give your current flooring solution an upgrade, or you want to seal an existing concrete floor, resin flooring for garages is the best choice. This flooring system is the ideal solution for places that will experience high impacts, heavy loads, high traffic, and lots of wear and tear.  To put it simply, epoxy resin flooring is made of a resin and a carrier. When applied to the substrate the epoxy resin seals and hardens, gripping to the floor.  5 reasons why resin flooring is perfect for garages: 1. It’s aesthetically pleasing.  Epoxy resin flooring can revive a shabby space into a haven that is sleek and luxurious. If you want to add a little extra to your dull garage, then it can provide a great solution for this.  You can even add decorative flakes, glitter effects, marbling or swirl effects to the top coating if you want a wow factor. Resin flooring can jazz up a room whilst staying practical and holding the propert...

Having problems with the same pump failing again? If at your manufacturers, you are experiencing the same pump failing over and over again even though it has been properly repaired, aligned and installed, it may still be experiencing chronic vibration issues.  A closer look could determine that the vibrations causing these issues may not be the pump, but it could be the vibrations from other equipment as it travels down the pipe. What can be done to stop this from affecting the pump? Pipe expansion joints might help this.  What is a pipe expansion joint? Pipe expansion joints, also known as bellows, are made up from one or more convolutions, that are designed to move or expand to relieve stress from the pipe.  An expansion joint is installed into systems for a few reasons. They can be used to absorb shock and vibrations, and they are also used to relieve anchor stress, reduce any noise, and they compensate for any misalignment. Certain models are a...

For those living in the UK, primarily in North Wales and Shropshire - you’ll be acutely aware of the sheer volume of rainfall that we are exposed to annually. Living rurally in these areas can mean that you use heating oil to heat your homes, and they’ll be likely to have a fuel tank outside of their property. This means that extra precautions and care need to be taken when it comes to preventing water from getting into the fuel tank, this is something oil distributors Shropshire are familiar with.  Having water in the fuel tank can create a lot of problematic issues; such as reducing the quality of the fuel, which then goes on to affect the efficiency of the fuel in the tank. If the fuel tank has got water inside it, the primary sources are likely to be rainwater or condensation.  Rainwater can make its way into the fuel tank if openings in the tank are left open by mistake, if the seals are faulty or damaged, or if the overall integrity of the tank has been co...

NAP XPS is a less traditional form of XPS (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), it allows for samples to be analysed at relatively high pressures. Through using the NAP XPS, the XPS can efficiently and effectively probe biological samples, porous materials, moderately volatile liquids or even polymeric materials that outgas significantly.  Chemical analysis is the act of decomposing a substance into its constituent elements. Chemical analysis, which heavily relies on the use of accurate measurements, is divided into two categories depending on the manner in which the assays (the process of determining proportions of metals) are conducted. Classical analysis, also known as wet chemical analysis, is made up of analytical techniques which require no mechanical or electronic instruments other than a balance. This method usually relies on chemical reactions between the material being analysed and a reagent that is added to the material. Wet techniques often depend on the ...

Finding a suitable solution for your business’s floors can be a difficult decision. Factors such as the cost, and how long it will take for the floor to be installed all affect the choice. Epoxy resin flooring and resin flooring can be a great solution, based on its safety, durability, longevity, and a lot more.  Firstly, to help determine which flooring is best for you need to consider a few things: 1.     Do you need your surface to withstand heavy vehicles? 2.     Will there be lots of people standing on it at a time? 3.     Does it need to be exposed to extreme temperatures? 4.     Will it need to be slip, moisture or chemical resistant? 5.     Do you need it to meet a certain standard? Unfortunately, to cut the cost, lots of businesses opt for a type of flooring that doesn’t fully support their requirements. This can result in hazards for everyone who enters the building, and would need repai...