Nicolet 380 FTIR Spectrometer

Description

"The Thermo Scientific Nicolet 380 spectrometer is a versatile laboratory instrument designed for infrared spectroscopy analysis. It features a high-performance optical system and advanced software to provide reliable and accurate measurements of a wide range of samples. The spectrometer incorporates a DTGS KBr detector (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madison, WI, USA) and OMNIC software. The recommended wavelength range is 4000–400 cm-1, the resolution can be obtained from 0.125 to 32 cm-1, the aperture is 100. To prepare KBr tablet samples (1 mg sample with 100 mg of potassium bromide added), a Specac hydraulic press (Orpington, England) and a KNF vacuum pump (Neuberger, France) are used, which are located in the spectrometer room. Application of FTIR spectroscopy in the analysis of raw materials and medicinal products:
• phase transformation studies
• crystalline substance studies
• eutectic detection
• polymorphism studies
• amorphous phase identification
• incompatibility detection
• determination of the composition of solid dispersion systems
• hydrate and solvate detection. The Thermo Scientific Nicolet™ 380 – FTIR spectrometer is a reliable, easy-to-use system that provides high-quality results and greater productivity through the use of:
• Smart components
• Automatic system and accessory recognition
• Fully compatible with standard and Smart accessories
• Full-size sample compartment for any type of transmission experiment
• Diagnostics and optimization
• Snap-in experiments
• Multi-media tutorials The spectrometer fits into a footprint the size of a typical desktop computer. Despite its compact size, the instrument offers a full-sized sample compartment that holds all the typical spectrometer accessories, including Smart Accessories, which snap in place to customize and optimize the spectrometer for specific analyses. Truly Intelligent Sampling
Smart Accessories provide an unprecedented level of communication with the Nicolet 380 spectrometer, with features including:
• Permanently aligned optics to guarantee optimal performance and ensure precision from one measurement to the next
• Rugged, enclosed design to protect optics
• Snap-in installation and automatic recognition of accessories to load experiments and optimize the spectrometer for the sampling technique
• Diagnostic checks to ensure optimal performance and check for “human errors”
• Multimedia tutorials
• Automatic purge within the accessory to provide quick equilibration times when an accessory is changed, and exceptional measurement stability over the long term
• Spectral quality checks monitor data collection to ensure consistent results
In addition to Smart Accessories, the full-size sample compartment accommodates most commercially available accessories.
Precise, Reliable Analysis
Thermo Fisher Scientific ISO 9001 engineering and manufacturing procedures and quality control process ensure reliable results. All components are pinned-in-place which means they are alignment-free and user-replaceable. The Nicolet 380 design allows to achieve a wavelength precision better than 0.01 cm-1 without using risky mathematical “fudge factors” that alter data and are difficult to explain in an SOP.
E.S.P. technology monitors the performance of all key components to ensure data quality. If the system detects something unusual, either the problem is fixed automatically or precise, easily understood recommendations are provided.
The laser beam goes straight into the interferometer, which contains the only moving part of the spectrometer – the moving mirror – which is dynamically aligned to compensate for any mirror tilt, shear, or sag.
System Verification
A comprehensive spectrometer qualification package is available to verify system performance in compliance with the widely-accepted ASTM E1421 protocols used for compliance with ISO 9001. The ASTM method may be run on a routine basis to verify the system is operating within acceptable performance levels, based on NIST-traceable calibrated spectral standards.

Optics
Baseplate: single-piece, precision-cast and machined baseplate incorporating pinnedin-placed components for extra stability and reliability; standard purge ports and low purge volume design
Mirror Optics: proprietary diamond-turned, pinned-in-place mirrors
Layout: efficient design with short pathlength; a single mirror from the beamsplitter to the sample compartment; a single mirror from the sample compartment to the detector
Source: long-lifetime, dual-mode, high-energy Ever-Glo source; pre-aligned, pinned source position for easy replacement
Interferometer: rugged, frictionless electromagnetic drive; digital dynamic alignment and digital signal processing (DSP) control for long-term stability; AutoTune, our patented technology, for optimization of system throughput (U.S. Patent 5,883,712)
Beamsplitter: proprietary Germanium on KBr (7800 – 350 cm-1) beamsplitter optimized for high energy throughput in the infrared spectrum’s “fingerprint” region
Reference Laser: reference Helium Neon laser; pre-aligned, pinned-in-place, and user-replaceable
Desiccant: reusable desiccant in easy-to change replaceable bag; visible desiccant moisture indicator without opening the system cover
Detector: high-performance DTGS detector mounted on pre-aligned, pinned-in-place baseplate for optimal sensitivity
System Software
OMNIC Lite Software: menu and toolbar operation; fully customizable interface with password protection; integrated control of setup, collection, data manipulation, and reporting; comprehensive system diagnostics for the entire system and Smart Accessories; real-time display of spectral data and interactive parameter setting; context-sensitive help; multimedia tutorials for FT-IR theory, sampling, accessories, data collection, diagnostics, and other support.
Software Options
OMNIC Lite software provides seamless interaction with optional add-on packages for advanced analysis, including:
Macros Basic to automate standardized tasks and SOPs to a simple push-button procedure
TQ Analyst software for quantitative and advanced qualitative analysis of spectral data sets, including algorithms such as Discriminant Analysis and PLS
OMNIC Specta for unsurpassed identification of unknown compounds, including multi-component search and contaminant analysis."

Examples of research articles:
Publications

Rojek Barbara, Bartyzel Agata, Leyk Edyta, Plenis Alina, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2025 (online), Arbidol hydrochloride compatibility study with starchy excipients using DSC, FTIR, TGA-FTIR, and PXRD methods.

Rojek Barbara, Bartyzel Agata, Gazda Maria, Plenis Alina, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2025 (online),Thermal and spectroscopic behavior of arbidol hydrochloride as potential anti SARS CoV 2 agent and compatibility study with starch derived excipients.

Rojek Barbara, Bartyzel Agata, Sawicki Wiesław, Plenis Alina, Molecules, 2024, 29 (1), 1-13, DSC, TGA-FTIR and FTIR assisted by chemometric factor analysis and PXRD in assessing the incompatibility of the antiviral drug arbidol hydrochloride with pharmaceutical excipients.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2023, 148 (3), 845-858, A combined differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry approach for the effective assessment of drug substance-excipient compatibility.

Rojek Barbara, Gazda Maria, Plenis Alina, Spectrochim. Acta A, 2023, 302, 1-11, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and HT-XRD in compatibility study between naproxen and excipients.

Rojek Barbara, Gazda Maria, Wesolowski Marek, AAPS PharmSciTech, 2022, 23 (1), 1-16, Quantification of compatibility between polymeric excipients and atenolol using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2021, 143 (1), 227-236, Compatibility study of theophylline with excipients using thermogravimetry supported by kinetic analysis.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2019, 138 (6), 4531-4539, DSC supported by factor analysis as a reliable tool for compatibility study in pharmaceutical mixtures.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, Spectrochim. Acta A, 2019, 208, 285-293, FTIR and TG analyses coupled with factor analysis in a compatibility study of acetazolamide with excipients.

Rojek Barbara, Suchacz Bogdan, Wesolowski Marek, Thermochim. Acta, 2018, 659, 222-231, Artificial neural networks as a supporting tool for compatibility study based on thermogravimetric data.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 2017, 127 (1), 543-553, Compatibility studies of hydrocortisone with excipients using thermogravimetric analysis supported by multivariate statistical analysis.

Rojek Barbara, Wesolowski Marek, Vib. Spectrosc., 2016, 86, 190-197, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy supported by multivariate statistics in compatibility study of atenolol with excipients.

Details

Type of infrastructure:
'Core Lab' laboratory
Strategic infrastructure:
Yes
Accessibility
commercial activities

Manager / operator

Manager

Manager's name
Dr. Habil. Alina Plenis, Assoc. Prof.
Manager's e-mail
alina.plenis@gumed.edu.pl
Manager's phone
583491096

Operator

Operator's name
dr n. farm. Barbara Rojek
Operator's e-mail
barbara.rojek@gumed.edu.pl
Operator's phone
58 349 15 23

Manufacturer

Manufacturer
Thermo Fischer Scientific
Year of production
2010

Laboratory where the equipment is located

Name of the laboratory
Thermoanalytical and Spectroscopic Research Laboratory

Location

University
Medical University of Gdańsk
Organisational Unit
Department of Analytical Chemistry
Street
Al. Gen. J. Hallera, 107
Postal Code
80-416
City
Gdańsk
Room
23a

Access rules

Access rules

"The apparatus is available for use after agreeing its availability with the laboratory manager.
Both scientific cooperation and commercial use is possible, and access is determined separately for each project in accordance with its specificity."

Keywords