15 Experts 'Brainstorm' to Explore New Ideas for Instrument Development and Industrialization

On June 15, 2019, to promote academic exchange and industrial experience in analytical instrument development, the “Academic Seminar on Analytical Instrument Development” was successfully held in Wuxi. The event was organized by the Near Infrared Spectroscopy Branch of the China Instrument and Control Society, hosted by Nankai University, and co-organized by Wuxi Xunjie Guangyuan Technology Co., Ltd.

The aim of this seminar was to exchange academic achievements and experiences in the development and industrialization of analytical instruments. Mr. Yang Peiqiang, Chairman of Numag Analysis (a leading manufacturer of nuclear magnetic resonance instruments), was invited to attend. Although the meeting was small, with only 15 participants, the attendees included distinguished guests such as Professor Guan Yafeng from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Hou Xiandong from Sichuan University, Professor Kong Jilie from Fudan University, Professor Cao Chengxi from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Professor Duan Yixiang from Sichuan University, Professor Yuan Hongfu from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Professor Du Yiping from East China University of Science and Technology, Professor Xu Kexin from Tianjin University, Professor Min Shungeng from China Agricultural University, Professor Shao Xueguang from Nankai University, and experts and leaders from instrument research teams and manufacturers such as Tang Haixia from Instrument Information Network. The high-level discussions were of great significance for generating innovative academic ideas and exploring new avenues for instrument development.

Academic Seminar on Analytical Instrument Development

Professor Shao Xueguang from Nankai University chairs the seminar

In recent years, with the development of the economy and technological advances, China’s analytical instrument industry has flourished, with many excellent teams and talents emerging in the field of analytical instrument development and industrialization. However, many challenges have also followed in the process of instrument development, such as how to apply innovative technologies to instrument research, how to address the gaps in new instruments in terms of standards, how to identify the market position of instruments and promote them effectively, how to improve the manufacturing process and stability of instruments, and how to cultivate more specialized talent for instrument development… Overcoming these challenges and improving the performance and market recognition of instruments has become an urgent task for instrument developers.

Experts introduce successful instrument development cases

During the meeting on the 15th, experts from universities and research institutes first introduced successful instrument development cases, including Transmission and Diffuse MOC Spectrometers, Microfluidic Chips and Detectors, Mobile Reaction Interface Electrophoresis, Silkworm Pupae Sex High-Speed Identification and Sorting Systems, Plasma Jet Solid Ablation Spectrometers, etc. These cases provided new ideas for expanding instrument development.

Mr. Yang Peiqiang, Chairman of Numag Analysis, gave a detailed presentation on the combination of Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy methods (chemometrics and data fusion technology). He explained the application of common chemometric algorithms in LF-NMR analysis and data fusion modeling techniques. Currently, this technology has been widely applied in oil content, water content, moisture migration, solid fat content, fruit and vegetable bruising, and food adulteration. Additionally, combining LF-NMR instruments with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy hardware not only complements each other’s functionality and enriches test indicators but also enhances instrument performance and allows for mutual calibration between instruments.

Mr. Yang Peiqiang presents LF-NMR in detail

Experts also discussed the application of new technologies such as MEMS, 3D printing, engineering mathematics, and artificial intelligence in the instrument industry. Topics such as accelerating the establishment of innovative instrument standards, focusing on the development of practical instruments, identifying innovation points in emerging instrument research, and targeting market goals for instruments became key points of discussion.

Instrument manufacturers share experience in instrument manufacturing and market development

Additionally, representatives from instrument manufacturers shared their views on topics such as technological development, process design, market expansion, and talent cultivation. They collectively explored common issues faced in the development and industrialization of instruments, including technical, regulatory, standardization, and market challenges. Some experts emphasized that product quality must be ensured by manufacturing processes, and improving the craftsmanship and stability of analytical instruments is urgently needed. Others discussed that the target users of analytical instruments are not limited to high-end research and product quality control, and there is vast potential in the civilian market for instruments. Some experts pointed out that there is a significant talent gap in the analytical instrument industry, with a lack of interdisciplinary knowledge, and stressed the importance of establishing an effective talent training system. Everyone contributed ideas to improve China’s analytical instrument development level.

Source: Instrument Information Network