Send us a text In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures team continues their overview of SEAL-compatible Discrete Analyzer Reagents—this time focusing on four essential nutrient and anion methods: chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and ammonia. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes break down the key reactions behind each method, including: The iron thiocyanate reaction for chlorideTurbidimetric analysis of sulfate via barium sulfate formationThe molybdenum blue reaction for phosphateA safer variant of the B...

Send us a text In this episode, the team dives into colorimetric methods for silica and nitrate analysis using SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents developed by Inorganic Ventures. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes walk through the chemistries behind the molybdate silica method, cadmium coil nitrate reduction, and hydrazine-based nitrate reduction—along with practical maintenance tips for keeping your reduction efficiency in check. They also discuss how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL instruments, ...

Send us a text Platinum may be one of the easier precious metals to dissolve—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to analyze. In this episode, the team walks through sample prep strategies for a range of platinum-containing materials, including metals, alloys, oxides, ores, and organic matrices. They also cover the most reliable wavelengths and isotopes for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, while flagging key interferences like nickel, tungsten, and mercury, as well as tricky chloride-based polyatomics. Need mo...

Send us a text Colorimetric chemistry may seem simple, but getting reliable results takes precision. In this episode, the team breaks down the fundamentals of colorimetric methods, from basic indicators to more advanced workflows using benchtop spectrometers and discrete analyzers. They compare the pros and cons of each approach, share practical advice for pipetting accuracy, and highlight industries (like environmental, food, and pharma) where these methods are still essential. Plus, Liv and...

Send us a text In this episode, the team dives into palladium sample preparation for a variety of matrices—metals, alloys, oxides, organics, and ores—highlighting the best acid choices and digestion strategies from our sample prep guide. The team also discusses common challenges when analyzing palladium using ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including isobaric and polyatomic interferences, oxide formation, and how trace organics can destabilize your results. Need more guidance? The full prep guide is avai...

Send us a text In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures technical team answers real questions from labs in the field—covering environmental contamination solutions, rare earth stability, acid purity, and practical tips for improving detection limits. It’s an inside look at how small changes in setup and prep can make a big difference in data quality.

Send us a text Nickel is common across many sample types, but prepping and testing it isn’t always straightforward. In this episode, Liv Forbes joins Mike Booth to walk through Inorganic Ventures’ sample preparation strategies for nickel, covering dissolution tips for metals, alloys, oxides, ores, and organic matrices. They also dig into the challenges of ICP-MS analysis, including isobaric and polyatomic interferences, and share how to reduce contamination risks during sample handling. For l...

Send us a text This week, we’re introducing a new method developed at Inorganic Ventures for analyzing oil samples using aqueous metal standards in a hybrid organic-aqueous solvent matrix—a solution that brings stability, cleaner data, and wider element compatibility to wear metals testing. Madeline Gozzi joins Mike to explain how this method was designed to align with ASTM 5185 and 6595, and how our proprietary solvent is improving lab workflows with better solubility, built-in internal stan...

Send us a text Iridium is one of the most chemically stubborn—and analytically important—precious metals. In this episode, we walk through key methods for getting iridium metal, oxides, and alloys into solution, including aqua regia, high-temperature chlorination, and fusion techniques. We also cover ICP-OES and ICP-MS testing considerations, including line selection, interference management, and typical detection limits. The team also shares the story behind the development of IV’s SI-tracea...

Send us a text We’re back with a preview of our 10th Annual ICP Conference, taking place October 14–16, 2025, at Inorganic Ventures. In this episode, you’ll hear what’s new this year—including hands-on lab stations, data analysis workshops, and expert talks on sample prep, contamination control, and method validation. We also share attendee feedback from past events, a look at the upcoming poster session, and a few social highlights you won’t want to miss. 🎟️ Registration is open! Space is li...

Send us a text In this episode, the team answers three timely tech support questions from the lab. First, we cover palladium stability in nitric acid and what to watch for when mixing it with elements like silver or antimony. Then, we walk through a quick, effective digestion method for zeolites, developed by Dr. Paul Gaines and featured in our elemental analysis guide. Finally, we share an update on our new discrete analyzer reagents — developed in partnership with Seal Analytical — and how ...

Send us a text In this episode, the team recaps a busy season of spring seminars across the country in partnership with CEM, Agilent, and other ICP Alley collaborators. From Santa Clara to Baton Rouge, our chemists share what they presented, what they learned, and the real-world questions they answered — from mercury washout and silicon rinsing to internal standard selection and leaching practices. They also reflect on what made these events so valuable: industry collaboration, hands-on instr...

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the challenges of working with rhodium, one of the rarest and most expensive elements used in analytical testing. From metal and oxide digestions to stability tips for nitric and hydrochloric matrices, our team shares methods to help you get this stubborn element into solution. We also cover ICP-OES and ICP-MS testing considerations, including line selection, common interferences, and why rhodium is a popular choice as an internal standard. Whether y...

Send us a text Our experts tackle three customer questions straight from the tech support inbox. We start by explaining why glass isn’t a good choice for storing or diluting lithium hydroxide and offer tips on selecting the best materials to avoid contamination. Next, we clarify how measurement uncertainty and RSDs relate to the limit of quantification, helping you understand what your data is really telling you at trace levels. Finally, we review our CCS and CMS stock standard series, includ...

Send us a text To kick off season 6, we continue our sample prep series with a focus on cobalt. Our team discusses digestion methods for cobalt metals, alloys, oxides, and ores, including when to use nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, or fusion techniques. We also cover testing considerations for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including cobalt’s sensitivity, common interferences, and its role as an internal standard in oil and coolant analysis. Plus, hear tips for handling cobalt in pharmaceutical testing ...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Bench Boost listener and instructional designer Alexa Jackson to talk about career growth, chemistry communication, and her journey from academia to the battery industry. Alexa shares valuable advice for early-career chemists, including tips for writing lab notebooks your future self will thank you for, building scientific intuition, and embracing continuous learning. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her latest work with Pestana So...

Send us a text In this solo episode, Mike dives into titrations — a method that's still essential across industries like environmental testing, manufacturing, and even winemaking. Learn tips for improving accuracy, from proper burette qualification and indicator usage to endpoint detection techniques like quick drops vs. full drops. Mike also shares common troubleshooting advice for colorblindness in titrations, sliding endpoints, and working with high-concentration samples.

Send us a text This episode takes a fun detour into the world of chemistry conspiracy theories! Mike Booth explores the science behind chemtrails vs. contrails and explains how you could actually test for elements like aluminum, barium, lead, and lithium in air samples using ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Learn practical tips for sample collection, how to avoid common interferences, and why trace analysis requires extra care with contamination control.

Send us a text In this episode, we tackle unexpected high recoveries, caused by internal standard signal timing during ICP analysis. Then we unpack a challenging multi-element blend, involving silver, tungsten, sulfur, rare earths, and more — plus how acid choices and order of addition impact stability. Finally, we dig into a sample prep puzzle for chloride analysis in iron phosphate, offering digestion strategies, matrix compatibility tips, and insights from Dr. Paul Gaines. These real-world...

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into two real-world stability challenges from our lab. First, we explore a custom tune solution prepared in dilute ammonium hydroxide for ICP-MS, designed to improve lab efficiency. Learn how it performed over time and how to use it effectively for short-term use. Then, we dig into an unexpected silver instability in a low-level multi-element blend — traced back to residual chloride from chromium prep. From method design to trace contamination troublesh...