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Nexera IC Ion Chromatograph 

Shimadzu Corporation will release the Nexera IC ion chromatograph on February 10 in Japan and overseas. Ion chromatographs, used for quantitative analysis of ionic substances, are well-suited for testing the quality of tap water, environmental water, and other water samples in accordance with regulations. Despite its compact size, the Nexera IC offers user-friendly operation and easy maintenance to support routine workflows at water utilities and contract laboratories.

To ensure water safety, various regulations apply to tap and environmental waters. For analyzing ionic substances by targeting inorganic ions (ion analysis), ion chromatographs are used to separate and detect cations and anions in aqueous solutions. Water quality testing is routinely performed by contract laboratories and public testing institutions in accordance with analytical methods specified by laws or regulations (official methods). Therefore, systems are expected to be easy to use and deliver full performance even for users without advanced expertise.

The Nexera IC features automatic dilution of high-concentration samples, helping users operate the system intuitively while eliminating the need for repeat analyses and reducing downtime. Dedicated IC Solution Software (optional) enables quick and easy identification of abnormal values, while IC Support assists with daily tasks, making routine analyses easier to perform. The software provides interactive features that explain basic analytical and maintenance procedures and offer troubleshooting support. Its compact, maintenance-friendly design allows parts to be replaced easily.

Features

1. Compact instrument and Improved Maintainability

The functions required for ion analysis are compactly integrated into the main unit and software. By limiting the instrument height to 50 cm or less, 58% of the conventional level, making it easier to check the remaining amount of eluent and to install bottles. Due to its maintenance-friendly design, pumps, suppressors, autosampler consumables(optional), and other service parts can be replaced easily.
"IC Solution" (optional) software for PCs enables smooth operation through intuitive operation. 

2. Easy-to-Read Interface that Helps Prevent Oversight of Abnormal Values

Dedicated IC Solution Software and IC Support software assist with routine tasks in water quality analysis.The former is pre-loaded with basic analytical methods and reporting conditions that comply with various regulations. The chromatograms (measurement results shown as chromatographic waveforms) and quantitative results of multiple samples, including the evaluation of abnormal values, to be displayed on a single screen, and enables easy output of analytical reports.IC Support assists with eluent preparation, column installation, and other operations, and offers features such as consumables-usage monitoring, interactive troubleshooting, and maintenance videos. IC Support can also be used to train less-experienced operators.

3. Improved Operational Efficiency through Automation

To eliminate the need to reprepare samples, IC Solution automatically dilutes and remeasures any sample whose concentration exceeds the calibration curve range after an analysis begins. Automatic eluent preparation function(optional), users can select from three dilution factors: 2×, 5×, or 10×. To ensure that even inexperienced operators can use the system, it is equipped with FlowPilot, which controls eluent flowrates. Working in coordination with the column-oven temperature, the solvent delivery unit automatically equilibrates the column while minimizing sudden pressure loads. With this instrument, Shimadzu has achieved“Analytical Intelligence,”the hardware and software are operated just like an experienced expert would, by automatically determining whether the system status and results are acceptable or not, providing feedback to users, and resolving problems.

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Nexera IC