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In this episode of our Back to Basics series, we explore the critical role of tuning solutions, check solutions, and calibration standards in ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down why proper calibration and routine checks are essential to maintaining instrument performance and ensuring accurate, reliable data. From wavelength and mass calibration to tuning for sensitivity and minimizing interferences, to building stable, well-matched calibration standards—this conversation covers the practices that keep your results trustworthy.

Whether you’re fine-tuning methods or setting up your lab for long-term success, this episode delivers the knowledge you need to keep your instruments performing at their best.

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In this episode, part of our Back to Basics series, we dive into three of the most widely used elemental analysis techniques: Atomic Absorption (AA), ICP-OES, and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down how each method works, where they excel, and the challenges that come with them. From AA’s simplicity and cost-effectiveness, to the multi-element strength of ICP-OES, to the ultra-trace detection power of ICP-MS, we cover the pros, cons, and practical considerations for each technique.

Whether you’re deciding which instrument is right for your lab, or just want to sharpen your understanding of elemental analysis, this episode is packed with insights to help guide your decision-making.

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This week we’re celebrating a huge milestone—our 100th episode! To mark the occasion, we’re kicking off a brand-new Back to Basics series with a focus on pipetting—the foundation of accurate lab work. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we break down common pipetting errors, compare manual vs. electronic pipettors, and share essential tips for mastering technique. From pre-wetting tips to proper immersion depth, pipette angle, and the importance of blow-out, we cover the small details that make a big difference in precision.

Whether you’re a seasoned lab pro or just starting out, this special milestone episode will help sharpen your skills and improve the reliability of your results.

If you have any questions, then please contact us at ivignite@inorganicventures.com

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In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to answer technical support questions straight from graduate students in the lab. From tackling the stubborn insolubility of silver chloride to mastering rapid zeolite digestion with the UniSolv method, the team breaks down the chemistry and offers practical, lab-ready solutions.

Key topics include:

• Why silver chloride resists dissolution — and how excess chloride shifts the equilibrium
• Practical digestion strategies for stabilizing silver in solution
• An overview of the UniSolv method for fast, five-minute zeolite digestion
• Best practices for preparing blanks and standards in matrix-matched conditions

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In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to unpack two common technical support questions. From concerns about the radioactivity of uranium and thorium standards to troubleshooting unstable tin recoveries in food analysis, the team shares practical solutions and clear explanations you can bring back to your lab.

Key topics include:

• Radioactivity levels of uranium and thorium standards — why they’re safe to handle
• How bottle size and concentration impact measured activity
• Why tin shows instability in certain food matrices
• Practical digestion and stabilization strategies to improve Sn results

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In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth sits down with R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to dive into real-world technical support questions from the lab. From the tricky behavior of mercury in cannabis matrices to the best way to store custom blend standards, the team shares practical advice and insights you can apply directly to your work.

Key topics include:

• Challenges in mercury analysis on ICP-MS — washout, volatilization, and matrix effects
• Practical troubleshooting tips for improving accuracy with mercury standards
• Storage guidelines for custom blends, including when refrigeration is helpful
• How TCT packaging extends stability and shelf life of standards

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In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures team continues their overview of SEAL-compatible Discrete Analyzer Reagents—this time focusing on four essential nutrient and anion methods: chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and ammonia.

Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes break down the key reactions behind each method, including:

• The iron thiocyanate reaction for chloride
• Turbidimetric analysis of sulfate via barium sulfate formation
• The molybdenum blue reaction for phosphate
• A safer variant of the Berthelot reaction for ammonia

They also share storage tips, instrument compatibility notes, and how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL platforms.

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In this episode, the team dives into colorimetric methods for silica and nitrate analysis using SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents developed by Inorganic Ventures. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes walk through the chemistries behind the molybdate silica method, cadmium coil nitrate reduction, and hydrazine-based nitrate reduction—along with practical maintenance tips for keeping your reduction efficiency in check.

They also discuss how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL instruments, important considerations like pH and matrix matching, and which IV standards pair best with each method.