Take a Look at the Pittcon 2015 Highlights

This March saw the 66^th annual Pittcon Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, the largest of its kind for laboratory sciences. 16,000 of the world’s best and brightest from more than 90 countries were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the top performers in the field and showcase innovative new technology.

For more information on the history of the event and the specifics of this year’s incarnation, check out this article: What is the Pittcon Conference?

Gadgets on Display

One of the most exciting aspects of the conference is the array of stunning new gadgets that are showcased – this year did not disappoint. The most popular technological innovation this time around seemed to be spectrometers, with several companies producing new models. And as is common with modern technology, the specimens just seem to keep getting smaller and smaller.

Bruker released their S2 Puma x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer to be used for elemental analysis. This handy prototype has all the advantages desired of state-of-the-art equipment: low carbon footprint, sleek and attractive design and, best of all, the size. The desktop model is easily portable and able to be used anywhere.

Accompanying the Puma is the Bravo handheld raman spectrometer, ideal for measuring raw materials. Quick and easy analysis are some of the features offer by the partner product from Bruker.

Not to be left out of the party, Ocean Optics also launched their miniature Spark VIS spectrometer. For such a small size, the Spark offers great efficiency, flexibility and accuracy.

Meanwhile, JEOL were responsible for launching a very exciting product. The GCxGC/time-of-flight mass spectrometer system is the fourth version of the model and was unveiled to the US public for the first time at Pittcon. By combining both gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as offering great variable options on CI, FI and EI ion sources, the system caters to a variety of applications and is designed for optimal uptime and accuracy.

Other Highlights

Elsewhere, Pittcon 2015 was once again a time for celebrating the achievements of the foremost thinkers in the field of laboratory sciences. The annual Pittcon Heritage Award was claimed by chromatography pioneer A. Blaine Bowman in recognition of his efforts in globalising the commercialisation and widespread use of ion chromatography.

Meanwhile, NIR process monitoring specialists Metrohm recognised a rising star in their ranks by awarding their Young Chemist Award to Chad Atkins. Atkins received the prize in acknowledgement of his contribution to measuring degradation of stored red bloods cells through the technique of optical spectroscopy.

However, perhaps the show was stolen not by any of the attendees – but by the floor itself! As always, competition is fierce among stand owners to attract the attention of prestigious scientists and managers and entice them into their stand. Old hands Leco outdid the competition by creating a fantastic 3D visual on the floor of their stall, depicting the natural wonders of Louisiana.