Lab-in-a-box

Lab-in-a-box

Keywords: Solartron, Software, Electrochemistry

Solartron informs us that it has extended its "lab-in-a-box" series with the introduction of a complete electrochemical impedance analysis package. Designed to fill the gap between specialist instruments and simple bench-top units, the new package reportedly offers top-end laboratory DC and AC impedance, harmonic analysis and electrochemical noise performance at a competitive price. Called 1280Z, this package includes Solartron 1280B plus the corrosion and materials analysis software packages - CorrWare and ZPlot. This package brings it is claimed the full gamut of electrochemical experimental techniques to research laboratories, universities and quality departments.

Cornerstone of the package is said to be Solartron's 1280B, combining the DC measurement capability of the company's industry standard 1287 potentiostat with a powerful frequency response analyser (FRA).

DC analysis of multi-cell batteries is facilitated by the 1280B's þ14.5V polarisation and 2A current ranges, while the integrated FRA enables electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to be used to separate out individual cell reactions. We are informed that the unit's ability to run stepped or smooth polarisation sweeps, linear polarisation scans and cyclic voltammetry, enables a range of corrosion/coatings analyses to be performed. The built-in sweep freeze capability also eliminates cell disturbance between tests. Ultra-stable measurements facilitate long-term trend analyses, such as studies into the performance of corrosion coatings and inhibitors, where resistance frequently exceeds 1Gohm. The 1280B is also ideal for electrochemical noise measurements,dual high accuracy five-digit voltmeters, providing true parallel voltage/current measurements with 1pA/1uV resolution.

AC impedance analysis is a highly versatile investigation technique, with applications in advanced materials R&D such as liquid crystals, ceramics,composites and piezoelectric devices, as well as battery research and corrosion analysis. The 1280B's tight integration of signal generation and response hardware ensures limits of error of less than 0.5 per cent - the best available from any fully integrated electrochemistry instrument. When combined with the unit's linearity and flatness of frequency response, this maximises the information available to the investigator.

Complete flexibility of interconnection is said to be available with the instrument's two-, three- or four-terminal measurement capabilities. All connections are stated to be fully floating, enabling the instrument to provide high resolution measurements both in the field, on grounded structures such as buildings, tanks and pipelines, and in the laboratory, when using such equipment as autoclaves that are grounded for safety reasons. Additionally, Solartron's"driven shield" technology reportedly minimises EMI and the unwanted effects of cable impedance.

According to Solartron its electrochemical impedance analysis applications software - CorrWare and Zplot/Zview - provides researchers with an extensive array of techniques with which to analyse the large volumes of data generated by electrochemical experiments. CorrWare, the standard for DC electrochemistry experiment management, integrates instrument set up, data acquisition and results analysis through an easy-to-use graphical interface. Researchers can select from ten basic experimental set-ups, such as constant current or potential, swept current or potential, and cyclic voltammeter.

Zplot/Zview claims to incorporate the latest advanced complex non-linear least-squares fitting algorithm (LEVM) to speed analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data in the investigation of material properties. Checking the goodness of fit of an equivalent circuit model is said to be further simplified by the software's facility to view relative residuals, while a batch mode speeds the fitting of multiple data files to a single circuit.

Further details are available from Solartron Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1252 376666;Fax: +44 (0) 1252 543854; E-mail: ptaylor@solartron.comWebsite: www.solartron.com