CNSI Membership Luncheon

Speaker: Paul Chang – Director, CEIN Nanomaterial Core Laboratory

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Location: CNSI 5th Floor Presentation Space

The CNSI is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the latest generation of ICP-MS equipment (PerkinElmer NexION 2000). The new ICP-MS has the potential to greatly enhance the ability to analyze and characterize material samples for most of the elements in the periodic table. Currently being installed in the 6th floor of the CNSI, the NexION 2000 is the most versatile ICP-MS on the market, allowing for analysis of any sample matrix and any particle size while accounting for any potential analytical interference.

The NexION 2000 is notable for its improved analytical accuracy for very small sample sizes and lower detection limits than other commercial ICP-MS systems, and allows for the measurement of elements with low and high concentrations in the same batch. The new instrument is equipped with modules to allow for single particle analysis which allows for sizing of individual nanoparticles; quantifies and differentiates between dissolved and particulate fractions of the same analyte; and measures dissolved concentration, particle composition, particle concentration, size distribution, and dissolution/agglomeration tracking. Additionally, the NexION will be able to conduct single cell ICP-MS allowing for analysis of cellular uptake of metals into cells, while differentiating between intracellular and extracellular metal content. Furthermore, the new ICP-MS is coupled with HPLC to introduce another advantage for speciation analysis, which allows measurement of various inorganic and organic forms in the sample. The analytical capabilities of the system are unmatched by any currently available ICP-MS systems and can benefit researchers in the material sciences, environmental sciences, nanomedicine and drug delivery, and semiconductor/energy arenas. 

With the acquisition of this new system by the CNSI, we would like to engage potential users within the CNSI and the broader scientific community in a discussion about the potential establishment of a new ICP-MS service core within the CNSI. Receiving feedback from researchers who would benefit from the data generation will be vital in the planning and implementing of a service core that meets the needs of the campus research community. 

In order to gauge member interest and have a discussion about a proposed new ICP-MS core, we are presenting a CNSI luncheon on Thursday, August 24th from 12:30-2:00pm during which Paul Chang, director of the CEIN Nanomaterial Core Laboratory will do a short presentation about the features of the new system, as outlined above. In addition to taking questions about the new module, we would also like to hear from CNSI and affiliate members on campus of their needs for ICP-MS analysis and the types of services they would be interested in on a recharge basis. Once we get an understanding of interest, needs and volume of testing, we will consider structuring the core as a service provider to interested parties on the UCLA campus.