Comments regarding QLD Safety Alert of the use of NIR Spectrometers

Recently the QLD government posted a Safety alert regarding the use of NIR spectrometers for the identification of Asbestos containing materials. As we feel the alert was focused at the Thermo Scientific MicroPHAZIR AS spectrometer, we consider it is best to clarify the situation from our perspective.

Firstly, and most importantly; PAS agrees with the comment made in the alert that the only approved method noted in the Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, is that samples need to be analysed by a NATA accredited Laboratory using a PLM technique referred to in AS 4964-2004. As our customers and potential customers have been made aware, the microPHAZIR AS is not intended to be used to replace laboratory sampling methods, as at this time, it is not an approved method.

Both the manufacturer and PAS have carried out extensive internal and independent testing through groups such as KIWA laboratories in Europe, these tests have satisfied many of our local and state governments, emergency response departments and private sector customers throughout Australia and New Zealand, who have been using the MicroPHAZIR AS as a support tool in their working environments for a number of years.

In a meeting recently held with a representative of the QLD government, it was indicated to PAS that more peer-reviewed literature was required,especially around the performance of the new,improved version 5 MicroPHAZIR AS system. PAS has taken this advice and through our in-house Asbestos expert Dr Jimmy Bester, started to work on having these Peer-reviewed papers prepared through local University teams.

PAS is committed to complying with local laws and regulations, and working with industry to improve the safety of workers, and the public through the innovation of instrumentation such as the MicroPHAZIR AS. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly on 02 43812844.

Paul Martin

Managing Director

Portable Analytical Solutions Pty Ltd

Headwall & Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Awarded Contract for High-Endurance Fixed-Wing Hyperspectral Imaging UAV for Wide Area Precision Agriculture

Project funded in part by the BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation

Bolton, MA – August 1, 2019 –Headwall, the industry leader in turnkey hyperspectral imaging solutions for remote sensing and precision agriculture, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a leader in UAV technology, announced that a project valued at approximately $1 million USD for large-scale precision agriculture has been awarded by the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation to develop a high endurance UAV and hyperspectral imaging solution for agricultural customers with thousands of hectares of crops.

Development of the Precision Agriculture Decision Support System will utilise a custom-designed and manufactured wide-area hyperspectral imaging payload and a fixed-wing UAV designed for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions, as well as analytics that allow accurate assessment of crop and soil conditions as well as crop disease over a wide area with high resolution and positional accuracy.

“Headwall has always strived for commercialisation of advanced spectral imaging technology for the benefit of customers worldwide,” David Bannon, CEO of Headwall commented. “IAI combines rugged and reliable military technology with commercial know-how for this project to assist farmers with decisions based on comprehensive yet rapid reports made possible by our sensor systems. Deployment of high endurance solutions for wide area data acquisition integrated with advanced hyperspectral and multispectral sensors is a game changer for the agriculture industry”.

Projects submitted to the BIRD Foundation are reviewed by evaluators appointed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Israel Innovation Authority.

Dr. Amiram Appelbaum, Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority and co-Chairman of BIRD’s Board of Governors said, “The U.S. is one of Israel’s major partners for innovation. We are proud of our long-standing collaboration with the BIRD Foundation that has resulted in such spectacular successes over the decades and numerous groundbreaking technological innovations offered by both Israeli and U.S recipients of the grant. We are confident that this year’s grant recipients in the various fields and the new projects approved will prove vital for the population worldwide.”

About Headwall

Headwall Photonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of spectral instrumentation for remote sensing, advanced machine vision, and government/defense markets. With a worldwide base of end-user and OEM customers, Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral solutions that are customised for application-specific performance. The Company is based in Massachusetts where it has two locations (Bolton and Fitchburg). European operations (Headwall BVBA) are located near Brussels, Belgium.

About IAI

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a leader in both the defense and commercial markets, delivering state-of-the-art technologies and systems in all domains – providing customers with tailored, cutting-edge solutions in the unique challenges that they face. IAI provides a wide range of solutions and services from special mission aircraft to advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

About the BIRD Foundation

The BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation works to encourage and facilitate cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies in a wide range of technology sectors and offers funding to selected projects.

Niton™XL2 Precious Metals

Niton™ XL2 Precious Metal Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

Perform precious metal testing with certainty

With the volatility and high price of gold, failing to detect just a small variation in composition can be an expensive mistake. The Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL2 XRF Precious Metal Analyser provides a fast, accurate, and most importantly, nondestructive method to test the purity and chemistry of all precious metals. The Niton XL2 XRF Precious Metal Analyser quickly detects gold plating and counterfeit gold and gives you the exact elemental composition of jewellery and coins so you can be absolutely certain of the value of the precious metals you buy and sell.

Easier, faster and more accurate than nitric acid test methods.
Faster, more comprehensive analysis than fire assay with comparable accuracy.
Efficiently identify most gold-plated items with Thermo Scientific AuDIT™ gold-plating detection technology.
Precisely determine the presence and concentration of other trace alloying elements and dangerous heavy elements, which could impact valuation and future refining needs.

Key Features Of the Niton XL2

Standard analytical range: >25 elements from S to U (varies by application).
Point and shoot simplicity—very easy to use even by nontechnical personnel.
Ideally suited for retail environments.
Nondestructive analysis with near-instantaneous results.
Ergonomic design.

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Call for expert advice: +612 4381 2844

OR USE OUR HANDY CONTACT FORM:

Hyperspec VNIR – SWIR Co-Aligned

Headwall Photonics –Spectral Imaging

Headwall’s Co-Aligned Dual VNIR-SWIR sensor package with co-aligned pixels for superb imaging performance from 400-2500nm.

Headwall’s VNIR-SWIR imaging sensor leverages a patented aberration-corrected design that provides very high spectral and spatial resolution with stable measurement accuracy. With diffractive optics specifically designed and manufactured by Headwall, the dual hyperspectral sensors do not exhibit image aberrations such as stray light, optical distortions, or thermal instabilities. Along with aberration-corrected imaging, the Hyperspec VNIR-SWIR sensor package offers a wide field of view and high signal-to-noise (SNR) performance. Pixels from both sensors are co-aligned through software.

Headwall’s Hyperspec® VNIR-SWIR sensor provides image data across the broadband range of 400-2500nm, reducing processing times and yielding superior imaging performance. A CMOS FPA is used for the VNIR sensor while a cooled MCT array is used for the SWIR sensor. Inside the enclosure is a high-accuracy GPS/IMU plus the data storage and processing computer. Headwall’s VNIR-SWIR airborne sensor package measures approximately 10.7” x 8.2” x 6.5” in size (272mm x 208mm x 165mm) and weighs approximately 6.25 lb. (2.83 kg), making it suitable for aircraft and certain UAVs.

Key Benefits

Superb imaging performance
Wideband coverage
Pixel co-alignment through software
Small form-factor, lightweight
Robust and environmentally rugged
Aberration-corrected
High spatial and spectral resolution
Wide field-of-view

How to Apply the HyperSpec Co-registered

Airborne Remote Sensing / Mine Mapping / Precision Agriculture / Minerals & Mining Exploration / Environmental Monitoring / Petroleum & Pipeline Monitoring

Speak to PAS for expert guidance on hyperspectral imaging options from Headwall Photonics.

VNIR-SWIR Co-Aligned + Internal Data Storage + GPS-IMU

Niton™ XL2

Niton™ XL2 & XL2 Plus Analysers

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Portable Handheld XRF

Niton™ XL2 Plus Analyser

The Niton XL2 Plus is a tough, powerful, handheld instrument for identifying metal alloys and mineral ores easily in the field.

The XL2 Plus is the latest in the XL2 product range of Portable X-Ray fluorescence analysers (PXRF). There are two models: XL2 980 Plus is calibrated for metals, and XL2 950 Plus for mining.

The XL2 Plus can identify Niobium in Titanium alloys down to 200 ppm and more generally, elements from Magnesium to Uranium, down to 20 ppm in some common alloys.

Key Applications for the Niton XL2 Plus

General Metal / Ore / Lead Contamination / RoHS / Alloy / Mine Management / Scrap Recycling / Waste / Hazmat

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Features & Benefits:

IP Certified (Splash/ Dust Proof)
Detector ProGuard Protection
2W X-Ray Tube
Silicon Drift Detector
Micro Camera
Hot Swap Battery
Touch Screen and Directional Keys
Password Protected Security
Nose Cone Alignment Guides

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Get fast, accurate analysis for manufacturing quality assurance with the Niton XL2 Analyser.

With four models in the range, the XL2 Portable XRF Analyser provides immediate, nondestructive elemental analysis for a wide range of applications including scrap metal identification, mining and exploration, and lead screening for consumer and electronic goods.

It can detect alloy materials from titanium to nickel as well as tramp and trace element analysis. The XL2’s standard analytical range spans up to 30 elements from sulphur to uranium.

Lightweight, rugged handheld Niton Portable XL2 Analysers is built for the harsh conditions it will face:

Sealed against moisture and dust.
Ergonomically designed.
Daylight-readable icons on colour, touch-screen display.

Key Applications for the Niton XL2

General Metal / Gold / Ore / Lead Contamination / RoHS / Alloy / Mine Management / Waste / Hazmat

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Differences Between The Niton™ XL2 and Niton™ XL2 Plus

Whilst the Niton XL2 and the Niton XL2 Plus portable XRF units are similar, both units are suited to different applications. Due to a difference in analytical source between the units, the elemental range that can be detected is different. The XL2 Plus also features additional benefits like a swappable battery.

Niton™ XL2

Analytical source: 2W X-Ray Tube, and SI-PIN detector

Elemental Range: Ti-Bi

Features: Fixed Angle touchscreen display, micro camera, bluetooth

Niton™ XL2 Plus

Analytical source: 2W X-Ray Tube, and Silicon Drift Detector (SDD)

Elemental Range: Mg-U

Features: Fixed Angle touchscreen display, micro camera, Bluetooth, swappable battery, IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, detector protection.

Headwall Photonics Increases It’s Visibility

A vibrant new website from Headwall Photonics highlights even more clearly its impressive array of industry-leading spectrometry instrumentation and brilliant industry solutions.

Catering for diverse applications across Remote Sensing, Advanced Machine Vision, Medical/Biotech and Defense/Government, the new site provides greater ease of navigation.

This enables site visitors to quickly appreciate how Headwall’s range of products correspond with specific demands for data capture, management and analysis.

Headwall’s Spectral Imaging Sensors are used EVERYWHERE!

PAS is excited about the benefits of the new site for our customers who may be time-poor, overloaded with information and working on a deadline.

One valuable page on the new site is Published Research which catalogues selected scholarly articles demonstrating some of the myriad of applications for spectral instruments.

“These papers describe just a sampling of the fascinating applications using Headwall’s hyperspectral and multispectral imaging sensors,” the page reads. “From remote sensing and medical/biotech to cultural preservation and food inspection, Headwall is THE industry leader in spectral imaging solutions.”

Access Headwall through Portable Analytical Solutions

PAS has been the Australia / New Zealand distributor of Headwall spectral imaging including the award-winning Hyperspec® instruments since 2013. We provide sales support, service and training for these application-specific, rugged and versatile analysers.

Contact PAS about these key products

Headwall Nano Hyperspec On DJI

Headwall Hyperspec Nano

Headwall Hyperspec Nano With Vector Nav

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Precision Ag study employs FieldSpec4

Measuring solar radiation in Australian study with the ASD FieldSpec4

A new article published by Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) highlights an innovative application of the FieldSpec4 multi-spectral radiometer to measure solar radiation exposure on apple and pear crops, covered with several varieties of netting.

As the article’s abstract reads, “Netting intercepts solar radiation, reducing the amount of energy reaching fruit and hence lowering the risk of sunburn and colour bleaching of fruit. However, netting also lowers radiation  that is needed for photosynthesis and colour development. In this article we present some preliminary data on the effects of netting on some important wavelengths of light.”

The FieldSpec4 was a key part of the study, measuring solar radiation in 2nm increments from 350nm to 2500nm, extracting wavebands corresponding to solar radiation, ultraviolet A radiation, photosynthetically active radiation and infrared radiation. A black curtain placed around the radiometer minimised reflective radiation.

The study describes the positioning of the spectrometer which remained stationary below the netting, while the netting was moved laterally throughout the process. The spectrometer was facing upwards.

FieldSpec4 for your application

The wide range of portable analysis solutions available from PAS are versatile and customisable to an amazing degree, dependent on the specific demands of each application. Our engineers are specialists in calibrating instruments to suit your particular objectives, constraints and conditions.

Learn more about the comprehensive ASD FieldSpec range available through PAS in Australia or New Zealand. Consider other hyperspectral analysers for different situations, such as airborne sensors.

Read the article on the apple/pear production using the ASD FieldSpec4 multi-spectral here

Airborne Hyperspectral & Ground-Truthing

Hyperspectral and Ground-Truthing Whitepaper available from PAS

For a wide range of critical applications, the combination of airborne hyperspectral with ground-based non-imaging hyperspectral radiometers represents the optimal solution. A comprehensive white paper on the topic, written by Headwall Photonics and ASD Inc, part of Malvern Panalytical, is one of many available from PAS for your reference. The paper offers excellent background and specific examples of applications, procedures and results.

The worldwide precision agriculture industry is vital on so many fronts because countries depend on the revenue derived from citrus, wine-grapes, nuts and other specialty crops. Also, famine relief is the byproduct of successfully planting and harvesting crops in harsh and unforgiving climates.

Hyperspectral imaging is playing an increasingly large role here because economic and life-sustaining decisions need data that is precise and actionable. Yet, while hyperspectral images contain a wealth of data, accurate interpretation of the image requires first-hand familiarity of the surface being analysed.

In the absence of ground-truthing, remotely sensed image analysis and classification is really no more than an inference or assumption regarding earth surface conditions no matter how spatially or spectrally resolute the source image happens to be.

Ground-based reference measurements can be used to verify airborne hyperspectral data, which means the combination represents a powerful solution for the remote-sensing community. As leaders in their respective areas, Headwall and ASD understand the relationship between ground-truthing and hyperspectral.

Case study: Wyoming Assessment Project and Remote Sensing of Leafy Spurge – A.P. Williams, D.J. Kazmer

A fundamental research need in leafy spurge and invasive plant management as a whole is cost-effective, large-scale mapping of plant populations. Hyperspectral airborne data was acquired over a

25-square-mile study area in Crook County, Wyoming. ASD’s FieldSpec spectroradiometer collected ground calibration and reflectance data of leafy spurge, other vegetation and soils. These spectra were used to perform spectral mixture analysis on the hyperspectral scene. A major advantage of this technique is that it can effectively unmix a pixel and provide an estimate of the real extent of leafy spurge within the pixel.

To further explore these techniques and your specific application, talk to the team at PAS in Australia or New Zealand.

Download the Airborne Hyperspectral & Ground-Truthing Whitepaper.

Which FieldSpec spectrometer for me?

With such an extensive range of spectral resolution options in the SWIR range, and ultra-portable VNIR-only models, it can be hard to know which of ASD’s FieldSpec 4 spectrometers and spectroradiometers will best suit your specific application. That’s where we come in.

ASD pioneered the science of field spectroscopy over 25 years ago. With a strong commitment to R&D, ASD’s enhancements to core instrument spectrometers and other critical components have dramatically improved overall performance, signal, and integration speeds compared to earlier models.

A spectrometer for every occasion

The ASD FieldSpec 4 leaves the factory floor calibrated as a spectroradiometer, ready for precise radiance and irradiance measurements, but is equally suited for use as a spectrometer for accurate contact or stand-off reflectance analysis with a wide range of standard accessories.

All ASD FieldSpec spectrometers and spectroradiometers provide 3 nm spectral resolution in the VNIR (350 nm – 1000 nm) range. Four spectral resolution options are available for the SWIR (1001 nm – 2500 nm) range.

The enhanced 6 nm SWIR spectral resolution of the ASD FieldSpec 4 Hi-Res NG spectroradiometer provides both the sampling interval (bandwidth) and the spectral resolution to support accurate calibration and image classification analysis with the next generation high spectral resolution hyperspectral sensors.
With 8 nm SWIR spectral resolution the ASD FieldSpec 4 Hi-Res spectroradiometer is the instrument of choice for geological studies and atmospheric research.
The ASD FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res spectroradiometer, with 10 nm SWIR resolution is perfectly suited for characterizing spectral features with a resolution of 10 nm to 50 nm, which covers the technical requirements of most field researchers. The ASD FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res spectroradiometer has long been the industry’s go-to workhorse instrument for trusted field spectroscopy and the scope of potential applications is broad.
Because of its wide optical slit the ASD FieldSpec 4 Wide–Res spectroradiometer provides the highest signal throughput and offers the best signal to noise performance of any ASD FieldSpec model. These high throughput characteristics also benefit field measurements taken in less than optimal illumination conditions. The 30 nm SWIR resolution of the ASD FieldSpec 4 Wide-Res spectroradiometer makes it an ideal fit for applications such as vegetation analysis and vegetation indices that are characterized by broad spectral features. This instrument is also available at a significantly lower price point than other ASD FieldSpec models, which makes it an attractive option when budgets are tight.

Not all research needs are created equal and the spectral reflectance characteristics of different materials can vary greatly. Portable Analytical Solutions has seen ASD FieldSpec 4 models applied in a huge variety of situations. Speak to us about your specific application goals.

Precision Ag history heralds bright future

Over the past two decades, precision ag history has been marked by rapid development and positive outcomes.

Precision ag has become, well, much more precise.

According to David Mulla from the University of Minnesota, USA, in his article on Precision Ag history, “Spectral bandwidth has decreased dramatically with the advent of hyperspectral remote sensing, allowing improved analysis of specific compounds, molecular interactions, crop stress, and crop biophysical or biochemical characteristics.“

Portable Analytical Solutions has relished our partnership with spectrometry specialist Headwall Photonics as we equip agribusiness with higher-quality data and more sophisticated planning and risk reduction. The result has been greater profitability, identification and mitigated risk and increased crop security.

This 2017 slideshow gallery includes actual product used by Jeff Boyer, superintendent of the Davis-Purdue Agricultural Center near Farmland, Indiana, USA.

Do any of these ‘museum exhibits’ look familiar?

Malvern Panalytical Scientific Award 2023

Comments regarding QLD Safety Alert of the use of NIR Spectrometers

Headwall & Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Awarded Contract for High-Endurance Fixed-Wing Hyperspectral Imaging UAV for Wide Area Precision Agriculture

Niton™ XL2 Precious Metal Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

Perform precious metal testing with certainty

Key Features Of the Niton XL2

OR USE OUR HANDY CONTACT FORM:

Hyperspec VNIR – SWIR Co-Aligned

Headwall Photonics –Spectral Imaging

How to Apply the HyperSpec Co-registered

VNIR-SWIR Co-Aligned + Internal Data Storage + GPS-IMU

Niton™ XL2 & XL2 Plus Analysers

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Portable Handheld XRF

Niton™ XL2 Plus Analyser

Key Applications for the Niton XL2 Plus

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Key Applications for the Niton XL2

Differences Between The Niton™ XL2 and Niton™ XL2 Plus

Niton™ XL2

Niton™ XL2 Plus

Headwall’s Spectral Imaging Sensors are used EVERYWHERE!

Access Headwall through Portable Analytical Solutions

Measuring solar radiation in Australian study with the ASD FieldSpec4

FieldSpec4 for your application

Hyperspectral and Ground-Truthing Whitepaper available from PAS

Case study: Wyoming Assessment Project and Remote Sensing of Leafy Spurge – A.P. Williams, D.J. Kazmer

Download the Airborne Hyperspectral & Ground-Truthing Whitepaper.

With such an extensive range of spectral resolution options in the SWIR range, and ultra-portable VNIR-only models, it can be hard to know which of ASD’s FieldSpec 4 spectrometers and spectroradiometers will best suit your specific application. That’s where we come in.

A spectrometer for every occasion

Over the past two decades, precision ag history has been marked by rapid development and positive outcomes.

Precision ag has become, well, much more precise.

If you are more interested in the future of precision ag, remote sensing or groundtruthing, speak to PAS today.

Contact Us for Expert Advice and Support

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