Custom Robotics
$20,000
How can J-KEM deliver for $20,000 what others charge $60,000 for? • Better technology
· Better design
-#- Weighing · Dispensing · Rx Setup Sample Distribution · Solid Phase -*- Supplied with J-KEM's Robotic Command Language
Reaction Blocks Heat · Cool ·
Reflux
& Stir 96 reactions simultaneously!
Custom Reaction Blocks for: • Microtiter plates · Deep well plates • Custom blocks for any application NEW 96-Position Deep Well Reactor 96-Position glass plate fits inside heated reactor base. 96-Position septum cover.
Temperature Controllers
Gemini Dual Channel Controller
NEW!! Ramp-to-Setpoint Regulate ANY heater
Computer or ANY volume from Control lmltolOOLtoOrC (RS232 & 485) Custom controllers made
Scientific, Inc. 6970 Olive Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130 (314) 863-5536 fax (314) 863-6070 Full catalog: http:\\www.ikem.com CIRCLE 11 ON READER SERVICE CARD
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MARCH 16, 1998 C&EN
software/database update ^ LabVIEW 5.0 (National Instru ments, prices start at $995, circle 301) simplifies the programming of com puters to manage the automated ac quisition, analysis, and display of data from instruments and sensors in the lab or on the factory floor. The pro gram, which runs on a wide variety of platforms, displays icons that can be linked on-screen to represent the method and conditions for data gath ering and follow-up actions, obviating the need to write lines of computer code. As an example, the system can be programmed to turn a heater on whenever a sensor detects that the temperature has dropped below a de sired level. ^ Insight Π 970 (Molecular Simula tions, pricing available from compa ny, circle 302), a graphical interface for molecular modeling software, now includes MBO(N)D, which speeds simulation of molecular move ments and properties by dividing mol ecules into interconnected regions. This feature also simplifies analysis of substructure/function relation ships in applications such as protein folding or protein-ligand interactions in pharmaceutical and biotechnolo gy research. Tools for protein engi neering, macromolecular structure determination, and drug design are also enhanced. ^ Protean Financials (Marcam So lutions, prices start at $30,000, circle 303) measures financial performance at midsized food and chemical firms. The software handles general ledger, budgeting, financial reporting, ac counts payable and receivable, for eign currencies, as well as other tasks and data. ^ Evolver 4.0 (Palisade, prices start at $395, circle 304) uses "genetic al gorithms" to find the best solution for complex problems such as schedul ing, resource allocation, or product mix. The user identifies an objective, constraints, and controllable vari ables, and the program finds the best way to do the task. Evolver works with Microsoft Excel and runs on all Windows platforms. ^ DataStore 2.0 (Primavera Systems, $5,000, circle 305) creates a central repository of project data in an Oracle database; information on multiple proj
ects can then be accessed, analyzed, and updated companywide. The up dates can be incorporated in the individual projects to ascertain the impact on deadlines and other com mitments. The project management software works with both Windows 95 and NT. ^ Meta (Multicase, pricing available from company, circle 306) is a VAX/ VMS-based program that evaluates possible mammalian metabolism of organic molecules, whether the me tabolites are known or not. The ex pert system assesses potential positive and negative bioactivity of the parent compound and its metabolites. ^ Drewtrax 6.0 (Ashland Chemical, $500, circle 307), which is compati ble with Windows 31 or higher, is data-management software for watertreatment programs. The product in cludes inventory tracking, comment fields, stacked-run charts, and process capability calculation features. ^ U-Convert-It (Venmark Interna tional, $44.95, circle 308) English/ metric conversion software runs on Windows 95. The program can paste results from conversions directly into documents, drawings, and spreadsheets. ^ NIST 98 (National Institute of Standards & Technology; $2,090, or $750 as an upgrade; circle 309) up dates the NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spec tral Database. This tool for identify ing unknown chemicals includes nearly 130,000 spectra and more than 107,000 compounds. The prod uct includes a module to extract pure compound spectra from com plex chromatograms. NIST 98 is com patible with Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95, or NT. ^ Periodic Table live! (Journal of Chemical Education, prices start at $100, circle 310) gives a tour of the periodic table via digital video, color graphics, and databases. The product is geared toward students in introduc tory, inorganic, and solid-state chemis try courses. The CD-ROM is compati ble with Windows and Macintosh platforms. For information on these items, see Reader Service Card
