Thermo Scientific Niton® XL3t XRF Analysers have been recognised among the 100 most technologically significant products of 2008. Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world’s leading manufacturer of handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysers. An independent judging panel and the editors of R&D Magazine selected the handheld XL3t XRF analys for the award.
The award will be officially presented during a gala awards ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of Chicago’s Navy Pier, October 16, 2008. “This significant milestone represents the dedication and contribution of each and every individual on our team, each of whom has a primary goal of helping users save time and improve their productivity with fast, reliable and repeatable results,” said Jon Shein, Thermo Fisher’s Director of Global Marketing for the Niton Analyzers business unit. “From the inside out, these instruments were designed to make our customers more successful.”
This is the third R&D 100 Award for the Niton series, with previous awards coming in 1995 and 2003. “The fact that we continue to receive awards for Niton analysers as the series evolves technologically is a clear indication that Thermo Fisher Scientific’s continued investment in research and development is striking the right chord in the marketplace,” continued Shein.
Since they were established in 1963, the R&D 100 awards have been presented annually to the 100 most innovative new technical products and processes of the year. More than 50 outside judges, who must have no conflicts of interest with any entries they are judging, are chosen from among professional consultants, university faculty and industrial researchers. Based on the outside judges’ votes and written comments, the editors of R&D Magazine make the final choice.
Niton XL3 Series XRF analysers use 80 MHz ASICS digital signal processors and state-of-the-art embedded processors for computation, data storage, communications and other functions. They feature 50kV, 2-W miniaturised X-ray tubes and multiple primary filters to provide optimised excitation for elements ranging from chlorine through the transuranic elements. They can also be equipped with optional small-spot sample analysis, allowing users to switch between 8 mm diameter and 3 mm diameter sample measurement areas. XL3 Series instruments offer the only fully integrated and environmentally-sealed VIP tilting colour touch-screen display for easy viewing of sample results in any position and under all lighting conditions. They use third-generation lithium-ion battery packs, providing users with more measurements on each battery charge than any other handheld XRF analyser, the company claims.
The Thermo Scientific Niton XL3 Series comes standard with Niton Data Transfer (NDT©) Software, a suite of data management utilities that allows users to produce certificates and reports, operate their analyser remotely from a PC or PDA, and other capabilities. The NDT file format saves and protects the data from each sample analysis, ensuring that data integrity is not compromised.