Nathan Hawkins

Nathan Hawkins

@nathhawkins.bsky.social

CEO Spectrometrics Limited Innovator, Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Lab Automation, Software & Spectral Libraries

830 Followers 2,193 Following 216 Posts Joined Dec 2023
4 days ago
Strathclyde innovation (triangular glass) building, Glasgow

attending #IBioIC26? Find me to discuss your analytical challenges (from vVOCs to advanced polymer characterisation and everything in between) in #IndustrialBiotech! If we doesn’t have the right technology for you, I can probably connect you with somebody who does!
enquiries@spectrometrics.com

0 0 0 0
3 weeks ago

Did manage to dissuade them from a repeat BCG!

1 0 0 0
3 weeks ago

I’m travelling in April, had full course of measles as a child (plus mumps and rubella infections). Currently a pin cushion as the NHS don’t have my records (for this, DPT or BCG) after 1980 ish.

1 0 1 0
1 month ago
Thermo Scientific Nalgene plastic bench Dewars

#FridayTip - emptying and storing your stainless steel or Nalgene dewars upside down when you’ve finished for the day is a great way to keep them dry, clean and free of black mould.

0 0 0 0
1 month ago

Mini-extractor has an option of a GL45 waste cap so you can empty directly and leak-free into a waste bottle for disposal.

0 0 0 0
1 month ago
Fluid extraction pump

#TeamMassSpec - tired of rotary pump oil changes turning into a slippery disaster?
Buy a fluid extraction pump from @spectrometrix.bsky.social
We’ve also developed a mini-extractor that’s great for field service engineers (or labs squeezed for storage space)!

2 0 1 0
1 month ago
Box from an elephant gift mobile phone holder

As part of our committment to sustainability, @spectrometrix.bsky.social sends consumables out in reused boxes. In this case, the contents are possibly not as exciting as the picture on the box!

1 1 0 0
1 month ago

Interesting observation after my car’s latest service and wheel alignment:
10% improvement in fuel efficiency, reduced GHG emissions, pollution and tyre emissions. The ‘hidden’ cost of potholes that (I suspect) isn’t factored into government cost-benefit analysis?
@nickmolden.bsky.social

1 0 0 1
1 month ago
Magnetic screw caps for 2mL short thread autosampler vials

Phthalates are one of the most common contaminants in GC analysis. Loose bagged vial caps are a major source. Spectrometrics are your one-stop stop for affordable vials, caps and autosampler syringes. With a range of phthalate, PFAS and siloxane free cap options.

2 1 0 0
1 month ago

UK, Denmark, Estonia,Georgia and Canada all suffered higher casualty/fatality rates than the US! UK was 12% higher than the US.

2 0 0 0
1 month ago
Preview
‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’

Really interesting conversation about the potential for positive bias due to matrix interference in microplastics analysis by pyGC-MS. PyGC-ddFTIR) or GPC/SEC-FTIR may help by offering complementary analytical techniques with differing selectivity and specificity.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

0 0 0 0
1 month ago

🤣

0 0 0 0
2 months ago
Agilent PAL3 LSI Series II sampler

It is very satisfying when packing up a PAL3 to find that you not only have all the parts (including 88x0 side mounting kit), but can include an additional TrayHolder (not shown) free-of-charge!

2 0 0 0
2 months ago

Vibration isolators are also available (different design) for scroll pumps

1 0 0 0
2 months ago
Vibration isolators for Edwards vacuum pump

At the start of my career a wise mass spectrometrist let me in on a secret - vibration isolators massively reduce the wear on the bearings (and gaskets) of your pump. 14-years running a facility (7-10 pumps) and we had zero oil leaks or pump failures on pumps fitted with them.

2 0 1 0
2 months ago

Now dry and upgraded from MSD Chemstation to Masshunter (will also need a new Win11 PC).

0 0 0 0
3 months ago
SFC-EI-MS instrument comprising Selerity SFC and Agilent MSD

Bit wet, and will need a source clean, but it’s a definitely a good un! More SFC-EI-MS

0 0 1 0
3 months ago

Always a good sign when your (no provenance) 5973N MSD pumps down in under 5mins and the screen shows it has the latest firmware and fast electronics.
🤞it’s a good-un!

1 0 1 0
3 months ago
Preview
a muffin pan filled with chocolate cupcakes is sitting on a rack Alt: a muffin pan filled with chocolate cupcakes is sitting on a rack

Tasted the chocolate cupcakes I baked last night and realised I forgot to add the vanilla extract - perhaps I should have printed out the SOP rather than relying on memory.

3 0 0 0
4 months ago

The stupid thing is both Council areas had development corporations (albeit with limited scope) - shut down by the Tories under austerity.

0 0 0 0
4 months ago
UK 3-pin 13A electrical plug

Americans will never understand stepping on one of these barefoot.
After 5mins being struck dumb by pain (even without breaking skin), I am now able to speak.

3 0 1 0
4 months ago

Based on the current population, for 2025/2026 these two councils are ‘short’ £173m in funding from central government (on top of cumulative ‘deficit’ 2011-2024 of £1.2bn that they will never recover).

0 0 0 0
4 months ago

The growth rate (twice national average) in Northamptonshire rivals new towns (like Milton Keynes) - without dedicated infrastructure financing it is a structural crisis and financial unsustainable for both local councils.

1 0 1 0
4 months ago

25% population growth in 14 years (from 2011 to 2025) in areas like North and West Northamptonshire is unprecedented in modern UK local government history without the backing of a development corporation or equivalent ring-fenced growth funding including dedicated infrastructure financing!

2 0 2 0
4 months ago
Preview
Northamptonshire councils facing huge budget pressure Northamptonshire's two councils are facing a financial challenge for this year and next.

Mini 🧵- Hardly surprising: both areas 13.5% population geowrh 2011-2021, further 10% since and central government funding (including for adult social care) has yet to catch up.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

1 0 1 0
5 months ago

Though I think they are probably Hazel or Birch boletes
#Fungi

0 0 0 0
5 months ago
Bolete mushroom in garden Bolete mushroom in lawn

My fungal ID skills aren’t up to confirming whether my boletes are edible varieties (popular with the mice or squirrels)

2 0 2 0
5 months ago
Blister Pack Recycling | Recycle at Boots Scheme Recycle your empty blister packs in-store and earn Advantage Card points when you spend £5 at participating stores. Terms and conditions apply.

Just discovered you can recycle blister packs at Boots pharmacies. Wonder if they take blister packs from GC consumables (ferrules, inlet liners, o-rings, etc) too?
I already the PET containers some vendors use in the household recycling.
www.boots.com/shopping/boo...

0 0 0 0
5 months ago

Does your GC/GC-MS have a lonely heart and yearn for a PAL-xt instead of a boring Agilent ALS.
@pal-system.bsky.social

2 0 0 0
5 months ago

Appreciate that it’s a long shot but does anyone have a Sigma SPME/HPLC interface (57350-U) in a drawer somewhere that they could donate to an R&D project.

0 0 0 0