Laura 3.4 software for radio-chromatography data collection and analysis introduces a host of new features continuing the company's long-established mission to make users' lives easier
Improvements to the Measurement Queue and Batch facility, for example, now make it possible to: insert samples into the middle of a batch; clone samples to run them again; change the order of samples in a batch; and pause the measurement queue while adding batches to avoid unnecessary solvent use.
Sample lists can be imported and exported to and from the user's Lims system, Microsoft Excel or other program; and measurement queues can be started running remotely from an office PC.
The Liquid Scintillation Counting Import and Evaluation feature has also been enhanced and more reporting options added to allow one-step transfer of radio and UV chromatograms to the clipboard for inclusion in Microsoft Word documents or PowerPoint presentations.
The new Information page gives easier access to all method gradient settings; there are more summary table options, including retention ranges, pivoting and analyte selection; regions of interest in more complicated chromatograms can be marked with tangents; and it is now possible to analyse lower activity levels for data from accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) systems.
New import options allow Microbeta files into Laura and chromatograms and all meta data into Excel using the enhanced Com interface.
The Solvent Monitoring routine has been enhanced so that users can keep track of all solvents, scintillant and radwaste and avoid running out or overflowing containers.
New to Laura 3.4 is the Batch History functionality, which keeps a permanent record of all completed batches, allows earlier ones to be replicated and offers a range of reporting options.
The list of systems supported by 3.4 is being expanded on an on-going basis.
At the time of writing new additions were: the Oracle 10g client/server database; the Agilent 1200 HPLC, including the next generation modules binary pump SL, multi wavelength detector SL and diode array detector SL; the Shimadzu Prominence HPLC; and fast LC using LabLogic's BetaRam with faster dwell times up to 10Hz.
Completing the 'user-friendly' picture are thoughtful touches such as the facility to personalise the description of each HPLC system in place of the letters and numbers favoured by the IT departments; and to receive an email or text message when the batch is finished.
