May 15, 2024 (Quebec City, QC) Dr. Dominic Larivière is Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, and Director of the Radioecology Laboratory at Université Laval. Dr. Larivière had the opportunity to introduce a ColdBlock Technologies Inc. digestion unit into his academic research lab at Université Laval. It has allowed Masters and PhD students to learn and perform research. Dr. Larivière found that it had many benefits for professors and students alike.

The first, and most basic benefit discovered using ColdBlock technology is speed. Because sample digestions can happen in minutes, students in the lab are able to complete their work in a single session. Other technologies that may take hours or days, require the students to return to the lab at another time to finish their analysis. With ColdBlock, preparation, sample digestion and analysis can all happen in one visit.

Another benefit is simplicity. ColdBlock technology can be used by students who are not yet experts in their field. Students using microwave technology, by comparison, need to be chaperoned because the equipment is riskier. ColdBlock is very safe and simple to use, so students can work independently, which allows both faculty and students to be more productive.

Finally, the ColdBlock digestion unit can be easily cleaned and maintained. This is important given that the technology is being used by different groups at various times of day. After use for one purpose, a student is able to easily clean the tubes, and ensure that the unit is available for the next class or lab. Dr. Larivière explained “ColdBlock has fit very well into our multi-user, learning facility.”

As a company, Dr. Larivière has found ColdBlock to be proactive in the sharing of knowledge, and in responding to customer requests. “Customer service has been amazing. We have been very satisfied working with ColdBlock, and pleased with the ways we have been able to use the ColdBlock digestion technology in our learning environment.”

About Université Laval Department of Chemistry

Professor Dominic Larivière specializes in the fields of nuclear science and in order to develop, among other things, new analytical tools allowing a better understanding of the chemical processes involved in the distribution of metals and radionuclides. For further information, visit Université Laval online, and follow along on X and LinkedIn.

Fields of interest include:

  • Environmental Analytical Chemistry
  • Inorganic mass spectrometry and automation
  • Environmental radioactivity and radioecology

About ColdBlock Technologies

ColdBlock sample digestion technology uses focused short-wave infrared heating and a unique cooling zone to dissolve solid sample matter into solution for multi-element analysis with a significantly faster, simpler, and safer process compared with older digestion methods. ColdBlock’s sample digestion system is being used in laboratories across several industries, saving time and money by increasing sample throughput capacity and significantly reducing turnaround times, while providing accurate and reliable results. ColdBlock Technologies Inc. is a privately owned company based in Ontario, Canada.

For further information, visit www.coldblock.ca and follow us on X (@coldblock) and LinkedIn.

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