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The QTA System is well suited to applications where analysis speed improves operations.
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How does QTA build calibrations?
 The QTA System uses patented technology that enables a spectrometer to be placed at your facility, while the calibration algorithms reside centrally in the QTA Central Processor. All remote QTA instruments use these central calibrations, thus enabling all calibration algorithms to be developed, maintained, updated and monitored by the QTA Technical team.
What materials can IR and NIR measure?
Infrared spectroscopy is best suited to measuring water and organic components, as well as materials bound to organic components. Depending on the matrix, QTA may be able to analyze inorganic components, but a feasibility study is recommended.
QTA recommends IR for homogeneous liquids; and IR can be used to measure components reaching levels as low as 50 ppm. For solids and inhomogeneous liquids, NIR is used, with detection limits of about 100 ppm.
What is the difference between NIR and IR?
Infrared and near infrared utilize different light wavelengths. Infrared (IR or Mid-IR) covers the spectral range of 2.5 - 25 micrometers, with the fundamental absorption of molecular functional groups or fingerprints. Near infrared (NIR) spectra are obtained from the overtone or combination absorption of the molecular functional groups, and covers the wavelength range of 0.7 - 2.5 micrometers. Both techniques are nondestructive. Usually NIR is more suitable to analyze the bulk chemistry of the sample (vs. contaminants); and also must be used for inhomogeneous samples or samples with various particle sizes. It is also used widely used for in-line analysis during production with fiber optic probes. IR is used intensively in the lab environment and requires higher technical skill. The calibration development process of NIR requires a larger number of calibration standards than do IR calibrations. The right selection of the technology is dependent of the actual application, expertise on chemometrics and spectroscopy and/or the compromise of these two technologies. QTA has the capabilities to use either mid-IR or NIR to generate the methods with the best performance according to customer's needs. In addition QTA's patented technology removes the barriers to using either technology thus providing the uncompromised performance with a simple interface for any types of users.
What is Fourier Transform?
The common technologies used to produce IR spectra are dispersive and Fourier Transform (FT). FT systems are much more advanced and have numerous performance advantages over the dispersive instrumentation. Fourier Transform is a mathematical calculation used to transform a frequency domain spectra into an infrared spectra. FT instruments scan the full spectral range faster. FT's high signal to noise ratio and high resolution measurement generate higher spectral quality and better sensitivity of small peaks, i.e. finer absorbances, which makes the details in a sample spectrum clearer and more distinguishable. More calibrations and lower detection limits can be achieved. FT instruments use a laser to calibrate the wavelength and makes the accuracy and precision of IR spectra much higher over other technologies. On the other side, the FT-IR technology is rather complicated and requires higher technical skills to develop, manipulate and optimize the calibrations with robust performance. QTA chooses FT-IR technology to deliver a comprehensive spectrum of methods, maximize the benefits in replacing time consuming wet chemistry methods through the utilization of patented Chingometrics and years of experience in FT technology.
Why does QTA use Fourier Transform?
The QTA system is comprised of FT-NIR or Mid-IR due to its resolution flexibility and its wavelength accuracy in comparison to other types of NIR systems. Lower resolution settings generate a high signal-to-noise ratio spectrum that is good in low concentration analysis. Higher resolution settings enable QTA to expand capabilities into specialty trait analysis. The single resolution feature for other types of NIR systems shows less flexibility than FT-NIR.
Can QTA measure contaminants?
QTA can measure the concentrations of known contaminants to the detection limits. QTA cannot identify unknown contaminants in your materials.
Why should I use QTA instead of buying my own spectrometer?
If spectrometers have been around since the 1960's, why aren't they more popular? The reason is that the technology is only as good as the calibrations used to interpret the primary data. QTA's calibrations have proven accuracy, repeatability and low standard errors for each trait developed. QTA provides much more than a "starter" calibration, we provide a calibration that is robust and ready to use. We continuously validate your products against our calibrations ensuring that your accuracy remains consistent. Also, the costs associated with building your own calibration are quite high. A trained technician must be available to build these calibrations for you. Primary data must be provided for building/expanding the calibrations. The calibrations must be continuously monitored for shifts caused by raw material changes, instrument drifts or environmental changes, all adding to the total cost of ownership. QTA manages all of these variables, and enables you to analyze accurately and reliably, with no hidden costs. Imagine sending 100 samples out to your trusted lab for primary data to find out that only thirty (30) of them would help improve your calibration. You still have to pay your outside lab for the results and you have to send more samples out in order to expand your calibration, this is very expensive. Finally, we have already faced many challenges producers have experienced and can share these experiences with you, helping you get up and running faster.
How secure is the data on the QTA server?
BASF takes every precaution to protect your valuable data. During data transmission 128bit encryption is used to secure the transmission. Our database is located in a server cluster configuration behind a multi-layered firewall. Third party vulnerability testing is performed on a routine basis. An authorized username and password is required for access to your data.
QTA will provide you the necessary training you need to start using your instrument immediately.
Why can’t I run QTA off-line?
Service is fundamental to the QTA System; and the use of the internet is vital to this service: monitoring of your QTA system remotely to ensure peak performance; maintaining and upgrading the calibration algorithms; real time reporting; and remote maintenance. These services all work together to ensure that your quality data is always accurate and reliable.
What happens if my instrument breaks?
Simply call QTA's 24/7 Hotline at 1-866-yourQTA or 1-866-968-7782. We are available for support 24 hours a day and can help you get back up and running quickly.
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