March 26, 2024 (Peterborough, ON) — ColdBlock Technologies Inc. is opening doors and enabling a centralized research facility at a Canadian university the opportunity to work with new clients and perform research that wasn’t available previously.
Dr. Karla Newman is the Lab Manager and Research Scientist of the Water Quality Center at Trent University. In addition to being the site for Trent’s Masters of Instrumental Chemical Analysis (M.ICA) program, the facility offers analytical services and training courses to researchers, government agencies and private companies.
Dr. Newman shared a few examples of how ColdBlock has revolutionized the work that is being done in her facility.
In one scenario, her team was able to expand the analytical services they provided to a client. Dr. Newman explained, “Mercury stable isotope signatures determined by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma (MCICP-MS) are a value tool in determining the biochemical cycling of mercury in the environment. Using traditional digestion methods, this analysis was limited to samples with relatively high mercury concentrations. Because ColdBlock facilitates the digestion of larger sample sizes, without the loss of volatile metals, the team was able to measure mercury isotope ratios at much lower concentrations and increase the range of samples amenable to this type of analysis.”
In another scenario, the team is developing methods to extract microplastics from water and air filters. Currently, there is no efficient method for isolating microplastics in these matrices; existing methods involve hydrogen peroxide and can take weeks to implement. With ColdBlock, the team is able to process samples in 30 minutes.
“From time to time, a new discovery in the laboratory can create exciting new findings and opportunities for new methods and new types of work. ColdBlock is that discovery for our lab. We are thrilled that our faculty and students have the opportunity to train on, and work with this technology.”
Craig West, CEO of Coldblock Technologies Inc., responded “As ColdBlock continues to expand our customers’ abilities to provide broader analytical services, we are excited by the potential with our partners in the academic space. Dr. Newman and her team have been great partners in finding that potential with novel and innovative use cases.”
About the Water Quality Centre at Trent University
The Water Quality Centre at Trent University is the most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility in Canada. Learn more about Trent’s Water Quality Centre, the M.ICA program, as well as the analytical services and training courses offered by visiting www.trentu.ca/wqc/, following the Water Quality Center on X (@trentwqc), or contacting the lab directly at karlanewman@trentu.ca.
About ColdBlock Technologies
ColdBlock sample digestion technology utilizes 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 utilized 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.
COLDBLOCK MEDIA CONTACTS
Craig West craig.west@coldblock.ca
Akash Kapoor akapoor@coldblock.ca
