Laboratory apparatus

The Jakusz SpaceTech laboratory is equipped with modern high-end research and measurement equipment.

ICP-OES Thermo Scientific iCAP 7000 Plus

The Thermo Scientific iCAP 7000 Plus ICP-OES series is an optical emission spectroscopy series with inductively coupled plasma excitation. Typical samples analyzed by ICP-OES are liquids. Samples are pumped through a nebulizer to produce a fine spray. Large droplets are removed by the spray chamber, and then small droplets are passed into the plasma. The solvent evaporates and the remaining sample breaks down into atoms and ions. These are excited by the radio frequency (RF) waves generated by the plasma, which has a temperature of about 9000 K. When they decay to a lower energy state, they emit a set of wavelengths of light that is unique to each element, making it possible to measure trace element concentrations in a wide range of samples.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of the content of heavy metals: As, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Sb and Sn in water samples
2) Determination of metal content: Al, Au, Mn in water samples

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of metals such as: Be, Co, Ca, Li, Mg, Mo, Sr, Tl, V, Ag, B, Bi, Cd, K, Hg in water samples (at the customer’s request, we can try to determine other/ additional elements than those listed)
2) Determination of silicon and selenium in water samples
3) Determination of metals in oil samples (provided that an appropriate burner is purchased, etc.)
4) Determination of metals in solid samples (provided that appropriate parameters are established)
5) Determination of minerals (at customer’s request)

Toledo Density Meter

Allows a series of measurements to be taken one after the other: a built-in electric sampling pump fills and empties the measuring cell fully automatically at the push of a button.

Measuring range 0 g/cm3 – 3 g/cm3

Accuracy ±0.001 g/cm3

Repeatability 0.0005

Sample temperature range 0 °C – 50 °C

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Density determination for HTP
2) Density determination for ecological rocket fuels

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Density measurement for various types of products (at customer’s request), liquid or emulsion
2) Determination of specific gravity
3) Determination of the percentage of alcohol

Nicolet iS10 FT-IR spectrometer with Fourier with transformation, Thermo Scientific

This is a technique used to obtain an infrared spectrum of the absorption or emission of a solid or liquid. The purpose of the FTIR technique, is to measure how much light a sample absorbs at each wavelength. The term Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy derives from the fact that the Fourier transform (a mathematical process) is required to transform the raw data into the actual spectrum.

The FTIR has additional equipment:

-Pearl SPECAC instrument dedicated to the determination of double bonds in a molecule

-Smart iTX for other determinations such as solids.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) IR spectrum measurement for RDX
2) Measurement of IR spectra for DMAZ (rocket fuel)

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) For identifying materials, polymers
2) For the preliminary identification of organic compounds and to ensure the compatibility of raw materials
3) Particle analysis
4) Analysis of errors in the finished product
5) Analysis of coatings on metal surfaces

ThermoFisher Scientific GENESYS180 UV-VIS spectrophotometer

Determines the color of liquid and solid products in the molten state or in solution according to the Gardner scale. It can quantify the content of heavy metals in the test substance. It is used in the examination of drugs and biologically active substances, such as proteins. VISCOTEK GPCmax VISCOTEK TDA

Enables determination of molecular weight. It uses a molecular exclusion mechanism to separate substances solely by the size of their molecules in solution.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Barium determination according to the Gardner scale

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Spectra of substances
2) Quantification of various chemical compounds (subject to optimization)

Multi N/C 3100 Analyzer

The Mutli N/C Analyzer is an instrument to determine the total carbon and/or total nitrogen content of aqueous samples. The determination is made by thermocatalytic decomposition in the presence of a special catalyst according to national and international standards. The multi N / C 3100 analyzer is versatile due to its large measuring range, high degree of automation and expandability.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Carbon determination in HTP

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of total carbon in water samples
2) Determination of total nitrogen in water samples (provided that appropriate parameters are set)

Karl Fisher – Mettler Toledo C30S coulometric titrator

The determination of water content is based on Karl Fischer titration. This is a standard method specifically designed for the determination of water content, giving accurate and precise results within minutes. It uses a technique to precisely generate iodine into the system by electrolysis.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of water content in DMAZ samples

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of water content in various products (at customer’s request)

Shimadzu High Performance Liquid Chromatograph

High-performance liquid chromatography allows the separation of components of homogeneous mixtures as a result of their different separation between the mobile and stationary phases of the chromatographic system. It provides the possibility for both the identification of substances and their quantitative analysis, even at low concentrations and in the presence of other compounds.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of the content of explosives such as RDX, HMX, DPT, HNS.

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of flavonoids in plant samples (provided that an appropriate column is purchased, etc.)
2) Determination of vitamins in dietary supplements, etc. (provided you purchase an appropriate column, etc.)
3) Performing quantitative/qualitative determinations for various chemical compounds (at the customer’s request)

Titrator Easy Plus – Easy OX

Automatic titrator, which increases reproducibility by ensuring the same analysis procedure every time. For titration based on the redox reaction.

Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) from Agilent.

The GC technique makes it possible to determine the percentage composition of mixtures of chemical compounds, which may contain even several hundred of them. The flame ionization detector (FID) is the most widely used detector in gas chromatography (GC). This detector can detect most hydrocarbons. It is characterized by a large range of linearity. The operation of FID is based on the detection of ions produced during the combustion of organic compounds in a hydrogen flame. The amount of ions generated is proportional to the concentration of organic compounds in the carrier gas stream.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of DMAZ content
2) Determination of DMSO content
3) Determination of the content of simple alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol)
Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of most hydrocarbons (without formaldehyde and formic acid)
2) Determination of solvent content, i.e. acetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, THF, toluene, etc.
3) Quantitative analyzes for a large group of organic compounds, e.g. active substances in dietary supplements, cosmetics, medicines; terpenes, higher order alcohols

Brookfield DV2T viscometer

The rotational viscometer enables a wide range of viscosity measurements. The measurement is carried out by immersing the rotor in the liquid. The measurement is made by the resistance to the movement of the rotor caused by viscosity (torque).

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Viscosity measurement for cosmetics and other substances (at customer’s request)
2) Testing the influence of organic and inorganic impurities on viscosity (provided that the equipment is optimized)

Elmetron pH-meter 

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of conductivity for HTP
2) pH determination for DMAZ samples

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) pH measurement for various types of mixtures and liquid products
2) Measuring the pH of soil, fertilizers or fruit
3) pH measurement for testing the quality of drinking water, for sewage, for testing pH in rivers and water bodies
4) Conductivity measurement for liquid samples
5) Temperature measurement for liquid samples

Abbe refractometer

Optical instrument used to measure the refractive index using the phenomenon of total internal reflection

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Refractive index measurement for DMAZ
2) Measurement of the refractive index for DMSO, determining the dependence of the change in the refractive index on the concentration of DMSO
Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Measurement of the refractive index for various chemical compounds (at customer’s request)
2) Determination of sugar concentration in wine must (subject to optimization)
3) Determination of the concentration of ethyl alcohol in a solution (e.g. beer, wine or disinfectant) (subject to optimization)
4) Salt content in seawater (subject to optimization)
5) Quality control of raw materials in the cosmetics, food, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries (at customer’s request)

Laboratory dryer from POL-EKO

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of dry residue for HTP
2) Determination of humidity (water content) in samples of explosives
Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of dry residue in liquids, polymers or other products (upon customer’s request)

CZYLOK muffle combustion furnace

A characteristic feature of muffle furnaces are the ceramic muffles inside, which are heated from the outside. A muffle is a closed, tight chamber made of refractory materials.
Due to the fact that the muffle furnace chamber is made of heat-resistant materials, the temperature inside can reach up to 1700 oC. And these devices are heated by gas or electricity.

Analyzes we are currently performing:
1) Determination of ash content in hydrogen peroxide

Examples of analyzes we can perform:
1) Determination of ash content in various samples (after agreement)
2) Determination of mass losses, heat treatment, sample firing and sintering of materials