Mining and Soil Modes Added to Smallest and Lightest Handheld XRF Elemental Analyzer

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Geologists, mining companies and environmental laboratories can now generate x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis faster in the field using the Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 handheld XRF analyzer. The newest update to the Niton XL5 analyzer includes the introduction of mining and soil modes, which are designed to provide additional functionality and application usage. The Niton XL5 analyzer is the smallest and lightest handheld XRF analyzer available today for elemental determination and features a powerful 5W x-ray tube.

The new mining mode is designed to allow geologists and mining companies in early and late stage exploration, as well as in mining operations, to accurately determine, measure and evaluate the elemental composition of geological samples from magnesium to uranium, within seconds. The resulting data enables mining companies to locate on site and in real time the most viable resources. Soil mode is designed to enable regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and environmental laboratories to detect and quantify heavy metals. Users of the Niton XL5 analyzer can measure low levels of environmental pollutants, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, arsenic, nickel, copper, chromium and zinc.

The Niton XL5 analyzer is designed to allow users to observe increased analytical performance and lower limits of detection (LODs) over legacy Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analyzers. New accessories also include the Thermo Scientific mini test stand, which is lightweight, collapsible and designed to improve portability, and the Thermo Scientific soil guard and backscatter shield.

“The mining and soil analysis industries are increasingly challenged to determine the content of materials quickly and onsite in order to decrease the need for costly, time-consuming lab analysis,” said Julie Planchet, vice president/general manager, field and safety instruments for Thermo Fisher. “Adding mining and soil modes brings the power and accuracy of the Niton XL5 analyzer to new potential users while increasing its flexibility for our existing customers.”

The Niton XL5 analyzer, the newest analyzer in the Niton product line, is designed to improve upon the capabilities of the Thermo Scientific Niton XL3 handheld XRF analyzer. Weighing only 2.8 pounds (1.3 kilograms) with a compact, ergonomic design, the Niton XL5 analyzer is intended to reduce operator fatigue, while providing fast and accurate results. In addition to embedded GPS, the newest software update to the Niton XL5 will also include Bluetooth GPS. The added Bluetooth GPS functionality will enable users to record coordinates with high precision by leveraging external Bluetooth GPS devices. Additionally, the new update is designed to allow users to adjust the analyzer based on results of reference samples, and enter their own calfactors in order to increase the accuracy of analysis.

For more information on the Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 handheld XRF analyzer, including new modes and features, please visit www.thermofisher.com/XL5.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 65,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

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SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.