1. What qualities of METTLER TOLEDO’s thermal analysis solutions guarantee accuracy and efficiency?
Our guarantee is backed by a commitment to efficient automation and the precision engineering that goes into each and every instrument. METTLER TOLEDO’s high sensitivity sensor technology, full-range microbalances in TGA’s, and time-saving, reliable autosampler capabilities are a few examples of qualities that provide a high-level of overall satisfaction to our customers.
2. What makes METTLER TOLEDO’s thermal analysis solutions and service unique in comparison to competitors?
The modularity of our systems is a strong feature that stands out because it’s important that our instruments can easily adjust to a scientists’ changing research needs. Everyone has different needs; many customers make basic measurements that eventually turn into advanced experiments. These modular systems can be modified or expanded which provides customers with a lower total cost of ownership and long-term value related to the longevity of the system, which is twice the industry average.
Thermal analysis is a very powerful comparative technique and it can take years to gain a level of comfort for the casual user. Many scientists and analysts focused on pharmaceuticals use this tool as one of many tools in their research. We came to the market with the first TGA instrument, and next year we will be celebrating 50 years in thermal analysis solutions. These years of experience allow us to provide new, intermediate and advanced users a total solution and not just an instrument that sits on their lab bench. We want users to pull out as much value as possible. For a capital piece of equipment, METTLER TOLEDO provides incredible support including service, education, technical resources and technical support.
3. Briefly discuss how thermal analysis techniques can be applied to characterize pharmaceutical substances.
Common pharmaceutical thermal analysis applications are the use of TGA to quantify the weight loss of materials and their decompositions products, and DSC to measure the complex melting of polymorphic pharmaceutical materials. In addition, hot stage microscopy (or the ability to add a microscope camera to our DSC1 to observe the sample inside the pan) allows customers to visually confirm what is measured in the heat flow curve and use it as an aid to validate and speed up data interpretation.
4. What can METTLER TOLEDO offer their cost conscious customers looking for entry level units?
We have recently launched a dedicated TGA instrument. In previous years, we’ve sold instruments that combine TGA and DSC, and the additional signal that was included might have been perceived as “superfluous”. This new instrument looks at just weight loss and is simple in that customers do not have to interpret a second signal. The dedicated TGA instrument presents the entry level user with an opportunity to start with a basic unit and, if their needs change, upgrade and expand their capabilities in an incremental way. The goal of this instrument is to help minimize the initial investment but still provide a high quality piece of equipment that offers a level of modularity and focus on important instrument details.
5. METTLER TOLEDO recently introduced the Excellence Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA 1) at Pittcon 2013. What are the key features of this instrument?
DMA 1 is a groundbreaking instrument in that it is focused on making mechanical measurements in any deformation mode: in a dry furnace (standard), immersed in a liquid, or under controlled humidity. It’s easy and convenient for users to switch between these three modes with the rotational measurement head. The DMA1 offers a complete DMA package and was engineered with that spirit of modularity and upgradability.
Although mechanical measurements are not the norm in the pharmaceutical or chemical market, these types of measurements in controlled environments are gaining popularity to give additional sensitivity and selectivity to difficult overlapping transitions. This can solidify confidence in what you’re measuring is real, not an estimation.