Examples of Our Customers' Applications
- Green Technologies
- Electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Advanced Materials
- Food, Personal Care and Bio Applications
Green Technologies
Continuing studies of fuel cell membranes at MIT is using the Masscal G1 to measure mass change and reaction energy to characterize potential membrane materials.
Biodegradable packaging films are evaluated at multiple universities under USDA sponsorship using Masscal G1 to measure reactions.
The critical moisture sorption levels of thin sol-gel membranes was determined using the Masscal G1 for use by Optodot Corporation in advancing lithium battery technology.
Electronics
Electronic coating compositions are optimized based on data from the Masscal G1 by a leading electronics firm.
Formulations for nanoscale coatings were evaluated using the Masscal G2 for a major chemical company as a key step in developing "Next Generation" products.
Advances in transparent zeolite films were accomplished, in part, with the characterization of the impact of inert and organic fillers using the Masscal G1 to monitor reactions and viscoelasticity of ultra-thin films.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical Coatings were evaluated by the University of Iowa and University of Connecticut for major pharmaceutical companies using the high sensitivity of the Masscal G1 to measure moisture absorption/desorption as a function of temperature and relative humidity.
Capsulation formulas were evaluated for moisture permeability and impact on shelf-life for a major pharmaceutical company.
Advanced Materials
A leading solvent manufacturer uses the Masscal DRG to monitor the quality of high-purity materials quickly and without environmental impact using just a few drops.
NIST is using the Masscal HT system to characterize advanced materials including carbon-nanotube composites. This work requires the unique sensitivity of Masscal HT to make QCM nanoscale measurements at elevated temperatures.
A consortium of automobile manufacturers used the Masscal G1 to track the curing of thin films for specialty applications.
The curing and physical stability of so-called "Smart Coatings" have been measured using the Masscal G2 with the extra precision of internal humidity generation and control. These "smart coatings" have advanced properties including changing physical properties and self-healing based on the distribution of nanoparticles within the thin film.
Food, Personal Care and Bio Applications
Work completed at Harvard University demonstrated the capability to model the sorption of personal products using the Masscal G1.
Drexel University has a continuing program to study packaging materials and related products using a Masscal G2 upgrade to their original Masscal G1 purchase. Drexel has also measured sorption isotherms and ligand binding energies in biological solutions.
- Ultra-sensitive measurement of transition energies (ΔQ), mass changes (Δm) and viscoelasticity (ΔJ) with nano-gram sensitivity;
- Rapid determinations of sorption isotherms and membrane migration kinetics;
- Direct measurement of non-volatile residues from as little as a single drop.
Examples of Patents and Technical Papers
U.S. Patent 6,106,149
Mass and heat flow measurement sensor
U.S. Patent 6,189,367
Apparatus and method...
U.S. Patent 6,190,035
Mass and heat flow measurement ... for gas-solid interface
U.S. Patent 6,370,939
Apparatus and method ... for mass and heat flow changes
U.S. Patent 6,439,765
Mass and heat flow measurement sensor
E.U. Patent
Mass and heat flow measurement sensor (approved, publication in March, 2010)
U.S. Patent Application
Nanobalance for non-volatile residues
The Isothermal Heat Conduction Calorimeter: A Versatile Instrument for Studying Processes in Physics, Chemistry and Biology by Wadso, Smith, et al.
Quartz Microbalance Microcalorimetry – A New Method for Studying Polymer Solvent Interaction by Smith and Shirazi.
A Mass/Heat Flow Sensor Combining Shear Mode Resonators with Thermoelectrics by Smith, Mulligan, et al.
QCMHCC Study of Solvent Sorption by Tian and Smith.
Sorption Isotherms, Enthalpies, Diffusion Coefficients and Permeabilities in Multilayer Film by Smith, Ashcraft and Hammond.
Principles of QCMHCC – Measurement of the Sorption Enthalpy of H2 in Pd by Smith and Shirazi.
Detection of Vital Bacteria and Protein Ligand Binding using the QCMHCC by Smith and Zilberman.
Real-Time Monitoring of Catalytic Surfaces using a Mass-Heat Flow Sensor by Smith, Shiraz and Smith.
Gravimetric Analysis of the Nonvolatile Residue from an Evaporated Droplet using QCMHCC by Smith.
Water Sorption Isotherms and Enthalpies of Water Sorption by Lysizyme using QCMHCC by Smith, Shirazi and Mulligan.
Determining the Effects of Vapor Sorption in Polymers using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance/Heat Conduction Calorimeter by Smith, Mulligan and Shirazi.
News Releases...
- New Technology for Solving Thin Film and Surface Problems
- Masscal Supports Haiti Relief Programs
- Masscal Awarded with New European Union Patent
- First High-Temperature Masscal System Installed at NIST
- Masscal Technology Available: ProTech Scientific Appointed Technical Representative
- Patent-Pending "Droplet Residue Gravimeter" for NVR Released
New Technology for Solving Thin Film and Surface Problems
Masscal Scientific Instruments introduces a line of laboratory instruments which can measure moisture sorption, catalysis, curing and many other reactions of thin films and surfaces. The powerful, patented technology provides critical new capabilities for simultaneously measuring mass changes, reaction energy and film viscoelastic property with nanogram sensitivity. Materials are analyzed under precisely programmed environments of temperature, exposure times, humidity, or other gas compositions.
relief distribution routes
Masscal Supports Haiti Relief Program
Masscal immediately responded to the need to provide assistance to the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12. In addition to cash donations, the staff of Masscal has volunteered many hours to the relief effort, primarily through the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org. We urge all of you to join with us. Charity Smith, President of Masscal, stated succinctly "It's the right thing to do."
Masscal Awarded with New European Union Patent
Masscal has been awarded a patent from the European Union covering the combined sensor technology that enables the simultaneous measurement of mass change, heat flow and viscoelasticity with nanogram sensitivity. The patent will be issued in March 2010.
First High-Temperature Masscal System Installed at NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is now using the first high-temperature QCM/HCC system, the "Masscal HT", to test advance materials related to nanotechnology. NIST identified the need for this technology as a critical tool for American manufacturing and sponsored, in part, the development by Masscal through a Small Business Innovation Research Award. NIST has continued their interest and solicited an additional round of development.
Masscal Technology Available: ProTech Scientific Appointed Technical Representative
Masscal's unique and patented technologies for making simultaneous nano-scale measurements are now available for license or purchase. Masscal has appointed ProTech Scientific of Davenport, Florida as their technical representative. Masscal and ProTech Scientific have been partners in the development of this technology for seven years and ProTech is well positioned to represent the scientific breakthroughs. For more information, contact info@protechscientific.com.
Patent-Pending "Droplet Residue Gravimeter" for NVR Released
Masscal introduced the new "Masscal DRG" system and placed the first commercial unit in an industrial laboratory for quality control of ultra-pure materials. The system addresses the need to perform non-volatile residue analysis faster, cheaper and with less waste than traditional NVR methods. It also provides unparalleled sensitivity of less than 1 nanogram. This technology was developed in cooperation with the University of South Florida under sponsorship of the National Science Foundation.
