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In this bonus episode, we chat with Dr. Eric Roy from Cobalt Light Systems, now Agilent Technologies. Eric talks about the spatially-offset Raman technology behind Agilent’s Resolve handheld Raman system and describes how it’s used to identify hazardous materials (like fentanyl) inside sealed opaque packaging.
Complete Show Notes
00:55 Background on Cobalt Light Systems
- Cobalt makes Raman spectroscopy products that uses what’s used spatially-offset Raman
- This allows us to scan through opaque containers made from plastic, amber glass, or paper – i.e. 5-gallon buckets, gas cans, poly drums, etc.
- The Cobalt Resolve is their handheld system that uses spatially-offset Raman technology
2:30 What Sets the Resolve Apart from Other Raman Technologies?
- Cobalt uses a proprietary variant of Raman spectroscopy (spatially-offset Raman, or SORS)
- Uses a de-focused beam that spreads energy around – helpful because you don’t want to heat up some substances (focused beams in other meters do this)
- This moves the laser beam around to collect multiple scans – this makes their scan a little bit longer
- The first scan scans the container, while the second scan scans what’s inside
- Uses the contrast between those two measurements to tell you what’s actually inside the container
- Algorithms in the meter look for any contrasts between those two readings
4:10 Scanning Material Limitations
- Can’t scan through metal (i.e. a steel drum)
- Also can’t scan through cinder blocks or most other building materials
- Also can’t scan through corrugated cardboard
- Easily scans through everything from small plastic gas cans all the way up to large blue poly 55-gallon barrels
5:30 Who Uses These Meters?
- This is a new product, so they’re still waiting to see where the markets will go
- Helpful for facilities that scan packages and for people dealing with illegal substances
- Also useful for border agencies who scan for smuggled substances
- Widely used by police departments and hazmat teams – found on a bunch of rigs
- The military is also very interested in the Resolve system since its design de-focuses heat and won’t blow up explosives
- Used widely in industry and academia, too – helpful when professors retire and leave a bunch of unidentified substances sitting around in their lab
9:45 Unique Capabilities of the Resolve System
- Not just for opaque containers – still does point-and-shoot scanning through something clear or a substance in the open
- System is designed to meter less than 5-10% of a sample, which differentiates it from other units
- Raman meters are designed to measure liquids and solids, so this can’t measure vapors (like any other Raman)
- You can meter in both bulk and trace modes, which means you can measure just about any quantity of just about anything
- Use an 830-nanometer laser to significantly cut down on the fluorescence, which is responsible for lengthy measurement estimates – Resolve shuts off after 2 minutes of scan time
- As wavelengths increase, the fluorescence is reduced – however, there’s also less sensitivity and you have to use different detectors
15:35 The Resolve’s Compound Library
- Library contains around 12,000 compounds – chemical weapons, explosives, precursors, narcotics, industrial solvents, benign household chemicals, etc.
- Resolve adds to the library and sends updates out via software updates – users can also add compounds to their library
- Cobalt offers a reach back service and technical experts that can look at substances for you and help you determine whether it’s library-worthy
18:55 Limitations of the Resolve System
- Bigger than some other devices – weighs around 5 lbs. and is the size of a sheet of paper
21:10 Using Resolve with a Dirty Sample or a Mixture
- Darkness of dirty samples generates fluorescence – because this unit uses a longer wavelength, though, fluorescence is less of an issue
- Spot size is also important – using a larger spot with a laser that moves around like the Resolve’s gives you a better chance of identifying the compound
25:00 Reach Back and Training on the Resolve
- Cobalt partners with a top-notch training company to provide comprehensive training on their units
- They also send someone from their factory to help out, too
- Training involves setting up scenario lanes and running through them, rather than just instructions on pushing buttons
- They offer 24/7/365 reach back and can overnight swap-out units to anywhere in the country if something goes wrong
- You can take a picture and send it to them – this makes it easy for them to quickly identify the problem
28:30 Where to Get the Resolve
- Sold through Federal Resources
- Contact them via their website: Cobalt Light Systems
- You’ll be put in touch with a salesperson who will come out and discuss the product with you
- Check out the Resolve’s page on the Cobalt site
- You can also call Cobalt at (703) 251-4865
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