Analytical Laboratory Services Specifications

Help with Analytical Laboratory Services specifications:

Capabilities

	Laboratory Services Offered:
	Your choices are...
	Assays / Quantitative		Assays or quantitative analysis determines the amount or percentage of one or more constituents or components of a sample.
	Bioanalytical (Assays, Drug Discovery)		Bioanalytical services perform pharmaceutical, agricultural, biological, microbial, and other life science testing and analysis activities. Bioanalytical services are a subset of companies within the larger field of biotechnology, the science of using biological systems or living organisms to make useful products. Bioanalytical services are used throughout the entire drug development lifecycle. They perform pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic screening and provide expertise with mammalian cell-based assays, biomarkers, radiochemistry, immunoassays, and electrophoresis.
	Chemical Testing Services		Chemical testing services test, analyze, and certify a wide range of chemicals for purity, chemical compatibility, and environmental impact.
	Cleanliness Monitoring / Testing		Cleanliness monitoring samples and/or test the cleanliness levels or identifies contamination in cleanrooms through evaluations of cleanroom air, work surfaces, labware, tools, and/or equipment.
	Deformulation / Reverse Engineering		Deformulation is used to determine the composition and structure or plastics, composites, rubber compounds, and adhesives. Ashing studies are often performed to provide the percentage of fillers and reinforcements, fiber orientation, and/or weave pattern. Various analytical techniques are used to determine filler, reinforcement and resin, or matrix composition.  Reverse engineering methods can also be applied to metal alloys, ceramics, and cement samples. A reverse engineering study of a metal component might determine alloy constituents, manufacturing process (cast, forged, etc.), and properties (conductivity, hardness, etc.). Often, the plastic or alloy grade can be inferred based on the reverse engineering results.
	Environmental Exposure		Environmental exposure testing uses methods that subject media to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and UV or sunlight exposure.
	Environmental Testing and Analysis Services		Environmental testing and analytical services provide testing of environmental samples such as soil, water, air, and industrial wastes or byproducts.
	Failure Analysis		Failure analysis and troubleshooting determines how and why components, metals, alloys, and plastics fail.
	Field Sampling		Companies provide field sampling.
	Geotechnical Services		Geotechnical services apply the science of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, engineering geology, and other related disciplines to engineering and environmental projects.
	Industrial Hygiene Services		Industrial hygiene services can help protect personnel against hazardous chemicals, materials, or other agents in the workplace.
	Materials Testing Services		Material testing services test, analyze, and certify a wide range of materials for purity, chemical compatibility, and environmental impact.
	Monitoring Programs (Audits / Surveillance)		Monitoring and auditing programs pay attention to groundwater, surface water, air, soil etc.
	Purity / Quality (Air, Water, Material)		Purity testing companies have the ability to analyze and characterize air, water, food, or other product samples for quality or purity. For example, water quality or purity is often evaluated using Source Drinking Water Analysis (SDWA) methods.
	Report Preparation		Services include report preparation.
	Sample Pickup / Report Courier		Companies can pick up or courier samples, test results, or reports.
	Sample Retention		Sample retention holds samples for a period of time after testing.  The supplier may retain the samples for an extended period of time for an additional storage fee.
	Stack Emissions / Opacity Testing		Stack emissions or opacity testing tests stack waste-air or combusted gases streams for opacity, particulates, composition (carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide), temperature, or other properties.
	Standards Testing / Certification		Standards testing services verify that materials meet established standards by organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
	Sunlight Exposure / Solar Simulation		Sunlight exposure or solar simulation testing evaluates a material or chemical product's resistance to UV or simulated sunlight exposure. UV resistant or high weatherability materials will not degrade as fast or at all after extended exposure to sunlight.
	Toxicity / Reactivity		Toxicity / reactivity analysis is used to determine the toxicity, reactivity, corrosivity, ignitability, or flammability of a substance.
	Umpire Testing		Umpire testing compares the test results of the same sample, which have been tested by different laboratories. Umpire assayers or referee testers compare the two or more other labs results to their own rigorous internal assays or tests. Interlaboratory comparisons, round robins, or proficiency testing services are a valuable continuous improvement tool that translates into improved measurement quality.
	Waste Characterization		Waste characterization of a solid waste is an initial risk assessment step in a program for managing waster streams to meet RCRA guideline.
	Other		Other unlisted services.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.
	Test / Certify To:
	Your choices are...
	AIHA		Companies follow American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) standards.
	APHA		Companies follow American Public Health Association (APHA) standards.
	AOAC		Companies follow Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods.
	ASME		The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) formed the Codes and Standards Technology Institute (CSTI) in November 2001 to ensure that ASME standards committees are provided with a continuing source of research in the technologies that they cover. CSTI provides the research and technology development needed to establish and maintain the technical relevance of codes and standards.
	ASTM		The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) establishes standards for protective equipment. Products that are ASTM-certified comply with specific design specifications for safety.
	AWS		The American Welding Society (AWS) establishes standards and codes for welding processes and materials.
	EPA		Companies test in accordance with standards, guidelines, and methods established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
	MIL-SPEC		MIL-SPEC is a procurement specification established by one or more of military agencies and used for the procurement of military supplies, equipment, or services.
	NIOSH		Companies test in accordance with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods.
	NIST		Tests or measurements are traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology.
	OEM Specific		Companies have certifications for specific original equipment manufacture (OEM) requirements.
	RoHS		Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is a European Union (EU) directive that requires all manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment sold in Europe to demonstrate that their products contain only minimal levels of the following hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl, and polybrominated diphenyl ether. RoHS became effective on July 1, 2006.
	Other		Other unlisted certifications
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Materials

	Your choices are...
	Adhesives / Sealants		Adhesives and sealants are substances that fasten, bond, or seal materials. Adhesives that bond and seal are called adhesive sealants.
	Air		Air is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, gaseous mixture. It consists mainly of nitrogen (approximately 78 percent) and oxygen (approximately 21 percent). The remaining components are small amounts of amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, neon, helium, and other gases.
	Asbestos / Fibers		Asbestos is a mineral that was once used in insulation and other materials. It can cause respiratory diseases and has been classified as carcinogenic.
	Ceramics / Glass		Ceramics consist of oxides, carbides, nitrides, carbon, and other non-metals with high melting points. Ceramics are suitable for applications requiring wear resistance, refractoriness, low electrical resistivity, or other specialized characteristics.
	Chemicals		Chemical testing companies test liquid, gas, powder, or solid substances that have a distinct molecular composition and are produced by a chemical process.
	Coatings		Coatings are thin layers of protective or decorative compounds that are bonded to the surface of a substrate by a variety of methods.
	Composites		Composites are solid materials comprised of two or more substances, each with distinct properties. When merged, each substance retains its own characteristics while imparting the entire composition with beneficial properties. For example, composites include plastic materials in which a fibrous framework is embedded for greater structural stability.
	Concrete / Mortar		Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, water, and aggregate. Mortar contains these same ingredients along with hydrated lime and sand to facilitate workability and decrease working time.
	Cosmetics (Creams, Sunblocks, etc.)		Cosmetics include creams, rouge, lotions, eyeliner, sunblocks, sunscreens, lip gloss, tanning aids, and other formulations applied to the skin for beautification or environmental protection.
	Fuel Cell / Battery Materials		Fuel cells electrochemically combine oxygen from air with a fuel such as hydrogen from methanol, or natural gas or petroleum in order to produce electricity and heat. Batteries are devices that convert energy into electrical current, usually through a chemical or galvanic process between electrodes and electrolytes.
	Gases		Gases include argon, carbon dioxide, phosphine, nitrogen, oxygen, mixed gases, semiconductor gases, medical gases, process gases, and other specialty gases.
	Hazardous Waste		Hazardous wastes are solid wastes that pose substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. They are defined as hazardous wastes by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); exhibit one or more characteristics of s hazardous waste (e.g., ignitability, corrosiveness, reactivity, and/or toxicity); and/or are generated by the treatment of hazardous waste, or are contained in a hazardous waste.
	Herbicides / Pesticides		Companies can analyze or detect the presence of herbicides or pesticides.
	Heavy Metals (Lead, Chromium, etc.)		Lead, chromium, mercury, and other heavy metal are toxic and persistent in when released into the environment.  Lead is an element that was once used as a pigment and drying agent in paint. An elevated level of lead in the body can cause serious damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and red blood cells. The degree of harm is related to the amount of exposure and the age at which a person is exposed. The Federal government estimates that lead is present in about 75 percent of all private homes in the United States built before 1978.
	Inorganics		Inorganic substances are mineral in origin, but do not contain carbon in their molecular structure.
	Metals		Metals include electropositive elements that are generally good conductors of heat and electricity, and that can be melted or fused, hammered into thin sheets, or drawn into wires.
	Microbiological (Mold, Bacterial)		Microbiological companies test for protozoans, algae, fungi, molds, bacteria, and viruses. Viruses include but are not limited to coliform, HPC, enterococci, AOC, colephage, molds, e. coli, etc.
	Nanomaterials		Nanomaterials are metals, ceramics, polymeric materials, or composite materials with a crystal or feature size in the range of 1 - 100 nm. Nanotechnology products are consolidated materials or devices that utilize nanostructures.
	Paper		Paper is made of cellulose pulp and derived mainly from wood.
	PCBs / Dioxins		PCB or Dioxin companies can test, analyze, and/or detect polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) or dioxins.
	Petroleum Fluids (Oil, Fuel, Distillates)		Companies test gasoline, fuel oils, lubrication oils, distillates, or other petroleum products.
	Plastic / Rubber		Plastic or rubber testing companies test any of various organic compounds produced by polymerization. These materials can be molded, cast, or extruded into various shapes and films. Rubbers and elastomers are polymers that exhibit very high elasticity and resilience compared to plastic polymeric materials.
	Polymers / Organics		Polymers are organic synthetic or processed materials that typically consist of thermoplastic or thermosetting resins.
	Powders		Powders are finely divided forms of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, minerals, or other raw materials.
	Radioactives		Radioactives are materials that release radiation.
	Sediment		Sediments are insoluble materials deposited from a water suspension. Sediments consist mainly of particles derived from rocks, soil, and organic materials; a major nonpoint source pollutant to which other pollutants may attach.
	Soil		Soil is the top layer of the earth's surface. It consists of rock and mineral particles mixed with organic matter.
	Solid Waste		According to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), solid waste is defined as solid, semi-solid, liquid, or contained gaseous materials discarded from industrial, commercial, mining, or agricultural operations, and from community activities. Solid waste includes garbage, construction debris, commercial refuse, sludge from water supply or waste treatment plants or air pollution control facilities, and other discarded materials.
	Toxins / Restrictive Substances		Companies can test for or identify toxins or restrictive substances within component, parts or products.
	Textiles		Textiles are woven, non-woven, cloth, or other fiber-based materials.
	Thin Films / Plating		Thin films or plating testing companies analyze the composition, thickness, surface roughness and/or properties of thin films or deposition. Thin films can be made using physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electrodeposition, plating, and other techniques. Suppliers may also have the complimentary capability for analysis of thin film precursors such as sputtering targets, evaporation materials, anodes, or plating baths.
	Volatiles (VOCs) / Solvents		Volatiles (VOCs) and solvent testing analyzes waste streams, products (resins, coatings, etc.), or air for solvent or volatile organic compound (VOC) content or release.
	Wafers / Surfaces		Wafer / surface testing companies analyze the composition, thickness, surface roughness, and/or properties of wafers, substrates, and other precision-surfaced materials. Wafer or surface testing is used in semiconductor, electronic, optical, and medical applications.
	Water		Water (H2O) is a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid.
	Welds / Joints		Welds / joints testing applies to weldment, braze, solder, or other joints and fabrications. They may also provide testing services for weld procedure specification development (WPS), process qualification record (PQR) or welder certification.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary media.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Special Services

	Testing / Analytical Methods
	Your choices are...
	Ash Testing / Filler Content		Ash/filler content testing quantifies certain fillers and inorganic pigments. Ash percentage is often used to verify filler content.
	Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA)		Atomic absorption (AA) spectrometers use light absorption to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms. An analyte, usually a solid or liquid, is vaporized in a flame or in a graphite furnace with a temperature of 1000° - 1200° K. Atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and achieve higher energy levels. Absorption amounts determine the analyte concentration.
	Acoustic Microscopy (SAM)		Acoustic microscopy or scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) is a non-destructive testing technique used to analyze acoustic properties and locate voids, cracks, and other defects.
	Auger Spectroscopy (AES)		Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique that examines material surfaces for low-energy, valance electrons. These low-energy, secondary electrons are used to identify elemental composition.
	Chemical Extraction		Chemical extraction services remove elements through a reaction with an extractant solution.
	Chromatography (GC, HPLC, etc.)		Chromatography separates compounds by their distribution between two phases and produced chromatograms. Examples include ion chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography (GC).
	Combustion Analysis		Combustion analysis determines the presence and content of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and sulfur (S).  Combustion is an exothermic chemical reaction due to rapid oxidation or burning. It typically releases heat and light.
	Diffraction (X-ray, Electron, etc.)		Diffraction instruments measure crystal structure, grain size, texture, and/or residual stress of materials and compounds.
	Hermeticity Testing		Hermeticity testing (fine leak testing, gross leak testing) ensures that electronic components and packages are sealed properly to provide protection from moisture and other contaminants.
	Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP / LA-ICP)		Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a very high temperature (7000° - 8000° K) excitation source that efficiently desolvates, vaporizes, excites, and ionizes atoms. Molecular interferences are greatly reduced with this excitation source, but are not completely eliminated. ICP sources are used to excite atoms for atomic emission spectroscopy and to ionize atoms for mass spectrometry.  Laser ablation (LA) is used in conjunction with ICP techniques to analyze solid samples. A laser is used to extract a minute volume from the surface of the solid sample on the order of 10 microns in diameter.
	Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR, etc.)		Infrared (IR) spectroscopy measures the wavelength and intensity of the absorption of infrared light by a sample. Mid-infrared light (2.5 - 50 µm, 4000 - 200 cm) is energetic enough to excite molecular vibrations to higher energy levels. The wavelength of IR absorption bands is characteristic of specific types of chemical bonds. IR spectroscopy finds its greatest use in the identification of organic and organometallic molecules.
	Isotopic Analysis		Isotopic analysis can include the identification and quantification of stable or unstable isotopes within a sample.
	Mass Spectroscopy (RGA, etc.)		Mass spectrometers separate ions by their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. They are used to identify compounds by the mass of one or more elements in the compound. They are also used to determine the isotopic composition of one or more elements in a compound.
	Mechanical Testing		Mechanical and structural testing services tests for stress, strain, load, shear strength, etc. This category includes tensile and compressive mechanical tests.
	Microscopy / Metallography		Microscopy and metallography study the structure and composition of materials by using low to high powered magnification with optical and electron microscopes, spectrometry, diffraction, X-ray, and other analytical techniques.
	Nondestructive Testing		Nondestructive testing (NDT) examines an object, material, or system without impairing its future usefulness.
	Optical Emission Spectroscopy		Optical emission spectroscopy may include spark, DC arc, or photo emission.
	Particle Size / Sieve Analysis		Particle testing services determine particle size or particle count.  These services may include sieving, dynamic light scattering, electrozone sensing, laser diffraction, low angle light scattering (LALLS), microscopy, or sedimentation.
	Property Testing		Property testing determines electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and/or other physical properties.
	Rheology		Rheology testing characterizes a fluid based on its viscous properties and elastic response.
	Scanning Electron Microscopy		Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) services may include failure analysis, material analysis, and the elemental analysis (EDS) of extremely small particles. SEMs are electron microscopes in which the image is formed by synchronizing a detector with a focused electron beam that scans the object. The intensity of the image-forming beam is proportional to the back scattered or secondary emission of the specimen where the probe strikes. The magnification is controlled by the length or area scanned.
	SDWA		Companies can analyze and characterize water samples for quality using Source Drinking Water Analysis (SDWA) methods.
	Spectroradiometric		Spectroradiometric testing and calibration services can measure the spectral radiance of a light source and/or compare a spectral source to a standard source. Reference sources can include lamp standards (tungsten, halogen, arc, etc.) and integrating sphere standards.  Spectral measurement services determine a material's spectral light transmission characteristics, a detector's spectral response, a mirror's specular reflectance, and a light source's spectral output (source spectral analysis, peak or dominant wavelength).
	TCLP		Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) simulates sanitary landfill containment leaching in waste samples. It was established by the EPA and is also known as EPA SW-846 analytical Method 1311.
	Thermal Analysis		Thermal analysis uses a range of complementary techniques to determine the thermal and mechanical behavior of materials. These techniques may include thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic thermal analysis (DTA), and calorimetry.
	Trace Analysis (ppm, ppb, ppq)		Trace analysis can detect very low levels of metals, elements, or other chemicals within a sample. The trace level can represent co-contamination or be intentionally added as part of the process. Trace levels are measured in parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), parts per trillion (ppt), or parts per quadrillion (ppq).
	UV / Vis Spectroscopy		UV / Vis spectroscopy is used to determine the bulk concentration of a sample by analyzing transmitted light through the sample. Absorption patterns and other optical properties are used to determine the bulk composition.
	Wet Chemical Analysis		Wet chemical analysis excludes all techniques that use instrumentation for quantitative analysis. It plays on important role in many other analytical applications including coating identification and wear metal identification.
	X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)		X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRF) use a spectroscopic technique (commonly used with solids) in which X-rays excite a sample and generate secondary X-rays. The X-rays broadcast into the sample eject inner-shell electrons. Outer-shell electrons take the place of the ejected electrons and emit photons in the process. The wavelength of the photons depends on the energy difference between the outer-shell and inner-shell electron orbitals. The amount of X-ray fluorescence is very sample dependent and quantitative analysis requires calibration with standards that are similar to the sample matrix.
	X-ray Radiography		X-ray radiography is an imaging technique used commonly in medical applications. Images are produced by penetrating radiation through the test material.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary services.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Industry

	Industry:
	Your choices are...
	Aerospace / Aviation		Companies test aerospace and avionics materials.
	Automotive		Companies test automotive materials such as sheet metal, castings, forgings, plastics, rubber, etc.
	Chemical / Material Processing		Companies provide testing services for the chemical and material processing industries, including the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.
	Cleanroom		Companies provide analytical services that support clean room applications.
	Food / Beverage		Companies provide services to the food and beverage industry.
	Health Care / Medical		Companies test health care and medical materials.
	Legal / Forensics		Company provides examinations, investigations, testing, forensic analysis, and/or expert witness or testimony services for legal or litigation applications.
	Marine		Companies test marine products.
	Military		Companies test materials and products that are designed for military use.
	Nuclear / Utility		Companies test materials used by utilities and by the nuclear power industry.
	Packaging		Companies test packaging materials.
	Pharmaceutical / Biotech		Companies test materials used in the biotech, drug, or pharmaceutical industries.
	Piping / Pressure Vessel		Companies test materials used in the manufacture of pipes, tubes, and pressure vessels.
	Semiconductors / Electronics		Companies test materials used in semiconductors, electronic components, or finished products such as semiconductor wafers, packaged dies or integrated circuits (ICs), electronic packaging materials, industrial electronics, and commercial audio-visual (AV) products.
	Structural / Construction		Companies test structural materials used in bridges, buildings, towers, concrete structures, and other construction-related items.
	Specialty / Other		Other unlisted industrial application types.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Regional Preference

	Your choices are...
	North America		Companies are located in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
	United States Only		Companies are located in the United States.
	Northeast US Only		Companies are located in the Northeast United States; namely Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
	Southern US Only		Companies are located in the Southern United States; namely Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
	Southwest US Only		Companies are located in the Southwest United States; namely Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
	Northwest US Only		Companies are located in the Northwest United States; namely Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
	Midwest US Only		Companies are located in the Midwest United States; namely Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
	Canada Only		Companies are located in Canada.
	South / Central America Only		Companies have facilities in South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, or Chile; or in Central American countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, etc.
	Europe Only		Companies are located in Europe; namely Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, etc.
	South Asia Only		Companies are located in South Asia; namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, etc.
	Near East Only		Companies are located in the Near East; namely Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc.
	East Asia / Pacific Only		Companies are located in East Asia; namely China, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
	Other		Other unlisted country or region.
	Search Logic:		Products with the selected attribute will be returned as matches. Leaving or selecting "No Preference" will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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