New handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer for pharmaceutical manufacturing identifies raw materials in seconds

Thermo Scientific IonicX analyzer provides fast verification of ionic salts in the warehouse, saving time and money spent on lab-based wet chemistry or benchtop NIR testing

14 Oct 2019
Edward Carter
Publishing / Media

Product news

Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers can now verify the identity of ionic salts in the warehouse in a matter of seconds with a new portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. The technology helps save time and money spent on conventional analysis techniques by putting laboratory-grade capabilities directly into the hands of raw material and quality control managers anywhere in the manufacturing plant.

The Thermo Scientific IonicX portable XRF analyzer is designed to identify and authenticate the top five salts used in biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing – sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This capability can reduce the time and cost of pharmaceutical materials testing while helping to maintain regulatory compliance and rigorous quality standards. The IonicX meets good manufacturing practices (GMP) and the 21 CFR Part 11 requirements. Designed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry, the IonicX XRF analyzer is easy-to-use, portable, fast, and requires minimal sample prep.

“Compliance and efficiency are top concerns for raw materials managers, but thoroughly analyzing all incoming materials takes time and resources,” said Kyle Dumke, product manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Pharmaceutical companies purchase these salts in large amounts and are required to test each container to meet strict regulatory requirements. That’s a tedious and costly process when using standard wet chemistry lab or near-infrared (NIR) benchtop testing. With a portable XRF analyzer, testing can be done right on the warehouse floor in seconds.”

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Near Infrared SpectroscopyNear-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of near-infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance and absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Measurements can be conducted using a Fourier-transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer, while there are also UV-Vis- NIR spectrophotometers that measure a broader spectrum of wavelengths. Find the best NIR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.X-Ray Diffraction and SpectroscopyX-Ray diffraction & spectroscopy are used in material characterization to discern the structure and elemental composition of a sample. X-Ray diffractometers (XRD) are superior instruments in elucidating the dimensional atomic structure of crystalline materials, including powders, thin films and single crystals. For large unit cells or ordered macromolecules, consider small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). X-ray spectroscopic techniques include X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), both providing simple and accurate methods for determining the elemental composition of a material. Energy dispersive (EDXRF) and wavelength dispersive (WDXRF) XRF spectrometers are available, as well as handheld/portable devices. High-resolution, 3D microstructure characterization of materials can be achieved with X-ray microscopes combining sub-micron resolution imaging with 3D computed tomography. Find the best XRD and XRF spectrometers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.X-Ray FluorescenceX-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. It is widely used in geology, materials science, and environmental testing for detecting heavy metals and other elements. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best XRF systems, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.