Independent Metrology Institute Confirms ASDevices <100 ppt Detection Limit Claim
ASDevices is pleased to announce that its gas chromatography solutions and technologies have been validated by the Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology (SIMT), a world-renowned third-party measurement organization. Working with recognized metrology institutes is paramount to ASDevices’ strategy, as it provides third-party data to validate performance claims. Similarly, ASDevices has been working on a fuel-grade hydrogen project with the National Physics Laboratory (NPL) in the United Kingdom.
Since its inception, ASDevices has documented its technological performance and demonstrated it to many customers. The report published by the SIMT is a major milestone, as it provides independent, third-party validation from a globally recognized institute in support of ASDevices’ performance claims and expert brand. For over 30 years, the ASDevices team has invested a great deal of time and effort to continuously improve the performance and reliability of ultra-trace gas analysis equipment required by ultra-high-purity gas producers and users. This report brings important recognition for the continuous innovation mindset infused to the team by ASDevices CEO Yves Gamache.
The results obtained in the report were made possible by a combination of ASDevices technologies, including its patented enhanced plasma discharge (EPD) sensing technology, PLSV chromatographic valve, LipLOK fittings and GC platform. The synergies between these technologies are the secret ingredient that make ASDevices stand out from the competition in terms of product performance and quality.
“The report demonstrates that our technologies can achieve limits of detection well below 1 ppb for key permanent gas impurities. A limit of detection (LOD) for N2 impurity of 290 ppt (or < 100 ppt with ASDevices eLOD algorithm) is very difficult to achieve and verify, as there is 78% N2 in the ambient air surrounding the instrument. Sensitivity and leak integrity are very important. Ultra-trace measurement is our speciality and we are proving our claims”, explains ASDevices President André Lamontagne.
Various companies make low limit of detection claims based on signal-to-noise (SNR) calculations, which is the wrong approach to quantify detection limits. ASDevices expert team has written a detailed application note on this very topic. An instrument can have the SNR to achieve such performance but not the leak integrity, very often compromised by gas chromatographic valves and fittings. What needs to be assessed is the method detection limit (MDL) which represents true performance of the entire analytical solution in a real environment, and not solely the detector performance.
“This report is highly significant for ASDevices and its customers. The ultra-trace analysis market is growing and customers are looking for reliable, proven solutions. They also need experts to help them. With our growing list of satisfied customers and now with this third-party report, all clients can have full confidence in our capabilities. This is especially crucial in the semiconductor industry, where very low and precise limits of detection are required, as well as in the air separation industry, bottling centers, and the hydrogen industry, where we’ve pulled off the difficult feat of demonstrating the performance and robustness of our solutions for sub-ppb sulfur analysis (link to application note),” adds Frank Zhu, Vice President, ASDevices Asia.
