Focus
automated laboratory Interest in laboratory computer networks has been increasing because of a growing realization that networking can help organize the hodgepodge of incompatible instruments and computers found in many laboratories into a coherent system. Networks become especially powerful when they include laboratory information management systems (LIMS),software products designed to facilitate efficient control of all aspects of laboratory operation, from sample tracking to report generation to data storage. LIMS packages are now available from a large number of vendors, including Beckman Instruments’ Computer Inquiry Systems subsidiary, Hewlett-Packard Company, Perkin-Elmer Corporation, Philips Group, Radian Corporation, Spectrogram Corporation, and the Varian Instrument GroupIDigital Equipment Corporation consortium (Varianl DEC). Networks are generally divided into two types, local and global. Local networks make it possible for instruments and computers within a single laboratory or building to communicate. Hardware-software units called gateways can be used to tie a local system into a global network for longdistance communications with other local networks, with corporate mainframes, or with commercial data bases. “We’ve just passed the stage of technology where small henchtop instruments are routinely connected to higher level lahoratory computer systems which, in turn, can interface with the largest corporate mainframes,” ex408A
plains Thomas W. Barnard, vice-president for Computer-Aided Chemistry a t Perkin-Elmer. Designing a laboratory computer net is fairly straightforward-in theory at least-but the incompatibility of many commercial instruments and computers has turned out to be a serious obstacle to network design. The fact is that instrument and computer vendors have had few incentives in the past to cooperate on standard instrument design protocols. To the contrary, competition was frequently based on trying to design proprietary instruments that were better than the next guy’s. Automating the laboratory, however, means that different brands of instruments have to learn to communicate with each other, and vendors have begun to respond to this need for compatibility by moving toward greater use of standards in instrument design. Lab automation specialists say these moves will benefit the entire industry in the long run, since companies that adopt the standards will be able to compete fairly and equitably in a more open market environment. The Industry Wants to Standardize Varian, which manufactures instruments and software for analytical chemistry, embraced this trend toward greater standardization in 1983 when it announced a joint venture with DEC to market a LIMS system, the VAX-I1 LIMS, and a full line of DEC computers. VarianIDEC‘s products support a number of indns-
* ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 56. NO. 3. MARCH 1984
try standard protocols for local and global networking. And at a press seminar held this past December in Norwalk, Conn., the Perkin-Elmer Corporation introduced its new Eueryware product strategy, a term that refers to an increased emphasis on the incorporation of hardware and software design standards into Perkin-Elmer instruments and computers. The company sells a full line of computers-professional computers, minis, and superminis-a LIMS system (the LIMS/2000), and a wide variety of instruments and software for analytical chemistry. “The trend is clear,” said PerkinElmer president Horace G. McDonell, Jr., at the seminar. “The industry wants to standardize, and the technology is available today to make that possible. Once it becomes clear that the customer need not become committed to a custom or proprietary solution to his problem, then he will not become so committed.” The Everyware line of equipment will use the Idris operating system, for instance. Idris, a product of Whitesmiths, Ltd., is functionally compatible with Unix, an operating system developed at American Telephone & Telegraph Company’s (AT&T’s) Bell Laboratories. Unix has become very popular with computer professionals-so popular, in fact, that AT&T’s archrival, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), announced in January its intention to offer a version of Unix for use on IBM personal computer products. Perkin-Elmer also announced that 0003-27001841035 1-408AS01 50.0 c 1984 Arnercan Cnernica, Socielv
Its elegant simplicity belies its astonishing performance. The LC-95 detector for HPLC.
'The performance of our new LC-95 variable wavelength UVlvisible detector puts it in a class by itself.And its clean, compact design will make it the centerpiece of your instrumentation.Typical sensitivities ( p p noise) to 0.00002 AU. Linearity better than 1% to at least 1.5AU. A standard useable wavelength range from 190 to 700 nm. And, of course, accurate and precise quantitative results. LC-95performanceisoptimizedfor your specific needs.Within seconds, you can insert one of three flowcells, each matched with the dual beam optical design for maximum light
throughput. For microand high speed LC, a 1.4 microliter cell. For highest sensitivity, an 18 microliter cell. Or for excellent general purpose LC, the 4.5 microliter cell. Each uses Perkin-Elmer'sunique flowcell design to eliminate refractive index and temperature effects. And the entire unit is engineered for maximum performance. HPLC efficiency comes easily with the LC-95.Warm-up time is less than five minutes for general purpose LC: less than 25 at the most sensitive ranges. Operation is quick and easy with pushbutton controls, digital
display of analytical parameters and features such as automatic zero. If you're attracted to elegant simplicity and outstanding performance in a variable wavelength LC detector, let your interest show. Contact your Perkin-Elmer representative today for complete information. PerkimElmer Corp., Main Ave. (MS-12). Norwaik, CT06856 U.S.A. Tel (203) . . 762-1000.Telex 965-954. Bodenseewerk Perkin-Elmer & Co., GmbH, Postfach 1120. 7770 Ueberlingen, Federal Republic of Germany, Tel: 107551)811. Perkin-Elmer Ltd , Post Offlce Lane, Beawnsfield, Bucks HP9 1QA. England Tel Beaconsfield (049 46) 6161
PERKIN-ELMER The science computer company. Where solutions come first. Circle 172 far literature.
Circle 173 for sales call.
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it is making a number of networking protocols available on its products for the first time, including Ethernet, a popular local area network standard originally developed by Xerox Corporation, and protocols for global networking, including X.25, SNA, IBM 3270 emulation, and the IBM 2780/ 3780 protocol. X.25 is an American National Standards Institute public networking protocol for low-speed data communications over commercial telephone lines. SNA (which stands
32-blf
for systems network architecture), 3270 emulation, and 2780/3780 are standards used for communications in an IBM environment. Ethernet, X.25, SNA, 2780/3780, 3270 emulation, and Ultrix-32, a version of Uuix, are available on DEC’s VAX computers. “In fact,” explains Fred Baumann, manager of Lahoratory Data Systems Operations at Varian, “DEC and Intel were the first two companies that proposed to support Xerox’s Ethernet. It certainly looks
Other Computers
Supermini
I
Spectroscopy Laboratory
1
Thermal Laboratory
tm
Terminals Printers
Surface Analysis
I
Plotters I
I
I
Other Intelligent Devices
II I Manager’s Work Station
Programmers Work Station
Neutral Data Format
Graphics Work Station
The analytical laboratory of the future will include a network of instruments and computers The superminicomputer COnfainS LlMS software and the data base lor the entire laboratory. Through gateways, the local network can be hooked up to external resources. including Commercial data bases and the corporate computer. Microcomputers connected to the supermini Collect data from various instruments. produce reports, and Send information back to the LlMS for archiving. The manager’s sfation is a Computer used to generate reports. to store local programs and data, and to Search the LiMS data base for information: the programmer’s station is used for software development; and a graphics station is used to create graphical displays. Adapted from Perkin-Elmer company literature, with permission
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like a good standard for the lab environment.” Ethernet will be featured at DEC’s booth at this year’s Pittsburgh Conference, says Baumann. “The reason we need standard networks,” Baumann continues, “is for higher speed data communications and resource sharing. In addition, it’s a lot easier to wire up your lab if you use a network rather than point-tupoint cabling. In fact, one of the real intentions of Xerox when they developed Ethernet was to make installing a work station as easy as installing a telephone-you just plug your terminal into a wall socket.” The Hewlett-Packard Company, which carries a line of instruments, computers, and software for analytical chemistry similar to those offered by Varian and Perkin-Elmer, is also moving in the direction of greater standardization. According to Bob Board, Hewlett-Packard’s Analytical Products Group engineering manager, “We are moving in the direction of being able to communicate with other people’s computers and processors, including IBM’s and DEC’s. We also have research under way to explore how we’re going to use Unix and Ethernet.” Computers and analytical instruments manufactured by IBM Instruments Inc., a subsidiary of IBM, are also compatible with many developing industry standards. The company announced last year, for instance, that it intends to provide a Xenix operating system for its Computer System 9000. Xenix, a product of Microsoft Corporation, is a licensed version of Unix. IBM Instruments’ adherence to industry standards is hardly surprising, since its parent company helped establish many of these standards through the tremendous influence it wields in the computer marketplace. IBM has not yet announced whether or not it will go with Ethernet as a local networking standard, however.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 56. NO. 3. MARCH 1984
Responding to Perkin-Elmer’s recent Everyware announcement, Ray Dessy, professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and contributing editor for ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY’SA/CINTERFACE feature, said, “Perkin-Elmer’s move toward enhanced compatibility in its Everyware announcement is to be encouraged. This turnabout indicates that they’ve recognized the positive survival characteristics of sharing standards and protocols with other people.” Dessy adds, however, that different brands of instruments cannot be tied
COMPARISON OF MICROPAK TSK HXL AND TSK H COLUMNS
Increase GPC resolution and speed with new MicroPak TSK HXL Columns Varian announces a new family of high-resolutionGPC columns, manufactured by Toyo Soda, the leader in microparticulate gel technology. Featuring new 5-pm spherical particles, these HXL Gels provide outstanding performance characteristics for GPC analysis.
Sample: E p o x y Resin Flow: 1.0 mllmin. THF
ColUmns: MicroPak TSK 3000 HXL MicroPak TSK 3000 H
characterization-Excellent column stability provides highly reproducible calibration for precision of molecular weight distribution calculations.
120 cm
high resolving power for GPC separation of polymer additives and other small molecules-Column efficiency specification of 50,000 plateslmeter provide twice the efficiency of conventional GPC columns.
0 Extremely
0 0 Unexcelled performance for GPC polymer
60 cm
Total length:
Increased separation speed-Higher separation efficiency means equivalent resolving power can be obtained with half the column length of conventional GPC columns. Note the equivalency in separation efficiency with only half the length of the HXL columns as shown in the separation Result: Faster Separations.
Vanan MicroPak TSK HXL Columns are in stock and available now. MICROPAK TSK TYPE HXL COLUMNS FOR GPC Exclusion Limit (MW of PS) Order Number MicroPak TSK 1000HXL. . . . . . . . . . . . .lx 103.. . . . . . . . . . . . 00-997149-74 MicroPak TSK 2000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . . .lx 106.. . . . . . . . 00-997150-74 MicroPak TSK 2500HXL , , , , . . . . . . . . . 2 x 106.. . . . . . . . 00-997151-74 . . . . . . . 6 x 10'. . . . MicroPak TSK 3000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . 00-997152-74 MicroPak TSK 4000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x 105.. . . . . . . . 00-997153-74 MicroPak TSK 5000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 x l@.,. . . . . . . 00-997154-74 MicroPak TSK 6000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x 107:. . . . . . . . 00-997155-74 MicroPak TSK 7000HXL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x 1@*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .00-997156-74 MicroPakTSK GMHXL**. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 x lo8.*.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00-997157-74
Description
Estimated ** GMHXL= mixed bed packing. Columns are available packed in ODCB for use in high temperature GPC
To order call: 800-538-1735 or in California 8006721405 or write: Varian lnstrument Group, 220 Humboldt Court, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-ATTN: Order Desk. For further information circle the Reader Service Number:
FoT0S$ISlOPnC.Cwllad:
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Intelligent chromatography from Varian
... varian
Flolham Park. NJ (201)822-3700 * ParkRldQe.lL(312)8257772 In Europe Sleinhauserstrasse.CH-6300 Lug,Switzerland
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I f you think all integrators are alike, You're in for a surprise. The purpose of having an integrator is to produce accurate integration, right? So obviously, if your results are inconsistent, your integrator isn't doing its job. That will never happen with the Spectra-PhysicsSP4270. Unlike the H-P and P-E integrators, ours comes with patented and guaranteed peak detection. Our integration algorithms are the most authentic, most accurate, most reproducible you can find anywhere. We have the jump because we invented the integrator. The others are still catching up. ation parameters In w e p yitbothways. Under default conditions, the SP4270 integrates better than any competitive system. And, if you want to change up to 10parameters, the SP4270 gives you easy access to the integration software. Either way, performance is outstanding.
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Push two buttons and...presto! This integrator is a breeze to operate. Just plug it in, press threshold evaluation, then pres inject. That's all. Press inject again, and yokll get
an area percent report. Automatically. For other simple or multilevel reports, hit dialog to initiate a lead-through sequence in plain English. The other integrators offer you the choice of an awkwardly long and laborious dialog.. . or no dialog at all. Which would you rather have?
Our calibrations will retire your calculator.
data sampling rate. A second channel option. And Labnet expansion. In the Spectra-Physicstradition, it's the best value you can get in low-cost computing integrators. For full details call Spectra-Physics today. In California (408) 946-9682; elsewhere (800) 227-1950. SpectraPhysics, 3333 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134.
Until now, a pocket calculator had to bail out your integrator for samples with a non-linear response. No more. The SP4270 is the only low-cost integrator with a multilevel calibration capability. Spectra-Physics lets you do a linear fit with a non-zero intercept or, if you wish, a quadratic fit. The other integrators will just run down your calculator batteries.
More performance than H-P or P-E. When vou invest in the SP4270 you get a unique package of useful features such as wide oaDer with full abhanumeric peak aAd'sample names-BASIC programming. ROM overlay. 50160 Hz CIRCLE 188 ON READER SERVICE CARD
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How to increase precision in HPLC sample injection. -
Rheodyne’s Tech Note 5 shows how you can maximize HPLC precision by using skillful sample injection techniques. The information is drawn from hundreds of closely controlled experiments using different types of sample injectors and different loading methods. The 6-page summary of results is written to help both the beginner and the experienced chromatographer. The experiments yielded some surprising answers to highly practical questions. One question: How much sample must you waste to fill a sample loop “completely”? (It’smore than you are likely to think.) Another question: When you are reading a syringe to judge the amount of sample being loaded, how much sample can you inject without impairing accuracy? (It’s less than you may think.) Get the answers to these and other salient questions now.
Send for Tech Note #5. Contact Rheodyne, Inc.,
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RHEODYNG THE LC CONNECTION COMPANY
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harmoniously into networks until a consensus is reached on a neutral data format, a detailed specification for encoding digital information in scientific instruments. “Varian intends to release such a protocol,” says Dessy. “They are willing to share that with the world. Other analytical instrument vendors will have access to that and might copy it, merely because they could then be competitive in an environment where there was a DEC computer.” The importance of the neutral data format, Varian’s Baumann explains, is that it makes it possible to present the data in a way that is instrument nonspecific. “Applications programs can then pick up that data and do transformations on it without having to worry whether it came from a Varian, a Perkin-Elmer, or a Hewlett-Packard chromatograph. This will be a published format, and we’re encouraging other vendors to interface their instruments and software houses to write applications software on the basis of this format.” Barnard of Perkin-Elmer also feels that a neutral data format is needed: “Perkin-Elmer is actively engaged in defining standard data formats for analytical instrumentation. It is, in fact, a complex task.” According to Board, the difficulty in defining a neutral data format arises because of the wide differences among instrumental techniques. “Obviously,” he explains, “the data format one chooses for a gas chromatograph is probably quite different from the data format one would choose for an atomic absorption spectrometer.” Board says that “Hewlett-Packard is interested in seeing analytical industry standards 3n data format. The industry could really use some movement in that direction.” Because it is so difficult for repreientatives from different companies to 3it down together and discuss standardization protocols, Board suggests: ‘An organization like the Scientific 4pparatus Makers Association might xovide a mechanism for getting manifacturers together to establish a comnon data storage format and networking protocols.” The goal of all these efforts is an )pen system implementation that will enable different companies’ products o interact synergistically in the laboatory of the future. “I certainly hope ve can bring that about,” says Board, because looking at the whole thing rom the analytical chemist’s point of fiew,that’s the most efficient way of etting analytical chemistry done.” Stuart A. Borrnan
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7000 SERIES high performance fixed volume reverse mode pipettes with detip button. 8000 SERIES high performance fixed volume forward mode pipettes. TIPS 11 precision matched tip designs for optimum performance. 17 quality control checks are performed on Oxford pipette tips. ACCURACY AND PRECISION GUARANTEED if any pipette is out of calibration during warranty period, we will replace it free.
For free catalog, contact your Monoject Scientific Representative, or write Dept. A.J.
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LEADERSHIP IN ACTION CIRCLE 141 ON READER SERVICE CARD
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