KINETIC OXYGEN ANALYZER

Singlet-Oxygen Analyzer

2009-05-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

High absolute accuracy
* Unsurpassed sensitivity
* Easy to use

The Quantitative Singlet-Oxygen Analyzer is designed to be readily interfaced into a variety of singlet-oxygen applications including optimization of singlet-oxygen generators, chemical oxygen-iodine laser studies, fundamental physical sciences, and plasma decontamination. Because the Analyzer is not affected by most common background gases, it provides a direct measure of singlet-oxygen density, [O2(a1∆g)], in a wide variety of these background gases with high precision (better than 1014 molecules/cm3) and a rapid response rate (data rate up to 10 Hz).
As described in the Theory Section (on www.LGRinc.com), the measurement strategy is based on high-resolution direct-absorption spectroscopy. As a result, the instrument is self-calibrating and provides absolute, accurate measurements of singlet-oxygen density. The instrument itself can be implemented for extractive sampling, or be customized by LGR to provide in-situ measurements of O2(a1∆g) under a variety of conditions (e.g. COIL test stands, plasma effluents).
For more information about Custom Instruments and Contract R&D and for papers about Singlet-O2 Analysis, go to www.lgrinc.com.

CO2 Isotope Analyzer

2009-05-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

The CO2 Isotope Analyzer is an autonomous instrument capable of measuring the 13C/12C ratio in ambient carbon dioxide with better than 0.25‰ repeatability (for an integration time of 60 seconds) and without the need for costly consumables. This is possible because the instrument itself is built around conventional telecommunications-grade diode lasers that operate in the near-infrared spectral region. In addition, since the measurement strategy is based on high-resolution direct-absorption spectroscopy (see www.LGRinc.com, Theory Section), the instrument is not affected by other atmospheric gases or by changes in ambient atmospheric pressure. Thus the need for regular calibration with expensive reference gases is also significantly reduced compared with traditional analytical instruments.
The instrument includes an internal computer that can store data practically indefinitely on its hard drive (for applications requiring unattended long-term standalone operation), and send real-time data to a data logger through its analog, digital (RS232), and Ethernet outputs.

Deep-Sea Gas Analyzers

2009-05-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

The Deep-Sea Gas Analyzer provides an accurate measurement of a variety of gases at depths of up to 2500 meters. The instrument employs a membrane gas extractor and is capable of measuring virtually any gas in LGR’s catalog, including CH4, CO2, and various stable isotopomers. Self-sustained, remote operation is possible using the internal battery, gas handling system, and data storage. Possible applications include carbon sequestration in ocean waters, methane-hydrate studies, and hydrothermal-vent effluent analysis.
As described in the Theory Section (on www.lgrinc.com), the measurement strategy is based on high-resolution direct-absorption spectroscopy. As a result, the instrument is self-calibrating and provides an absolute, accurate gas concentration without reference standards. An internal computer can store data practically indefinitely for applications requiring unattended long-term standalone operation. These analyzers can also send real-time data to a data logger through analog, digital (RS232), and Ethernet outputs.

Kinetic trapping of oxygen in cell respiration

2009-05-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

CELL respiration in eukaryotes is catalysed by the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. In bacteria there are many variants of this enzyme, all of which have a binuclear haem iron–copper centre at which O₂ reduction occurs, and a low-spin haem, which serves as the immediate electron donor to this centre¹. It is essential that the components of the cell respiratory system have a high affinity for oxygen because of the low concentrations of dissolved O₂ in the tissues; however, the binding of O₂ to the respiratory haem–copper oxidases is very weak^2,3. This paradox has been attributed to kinetic trapping during fast reactions of O₂ bound within the enzyme's binuclear haem iron–copper centre². Our earlier work³ indicated that electron transfer from the low-spin haem to the oxygen-bound binuclear centre may be necessary for such kinetic oxygen trapping. Here we show that a specific decrease of this haem–haem electron transfer rate in the respiratory haem–copper oxidase from Escherichia coli leads to a corresponding decrease in the enzyme's operational steady-state affinity for O₂. This demonstrates directly that fast electron transfer between the haem groups is a key process in achieving the high affinity for oxygen in cell respiration.