Bench Boost by Inorganic Ventures

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Nickel is common across many sample types, but prepping and testing it isn’t always straightforward.

In this episode, Liv Forbes joins Mike Booth to walk through Inorganic Ventures’ sample preparation strategies for nickel, covering dissolution tips for metals, alloys, oxides, ores, and organic matrices. They also dig into the challenges of ICP-MS analysis, including isobaric and polyatomic interferences, and share how to reduce contamination risks during sample handling.

For labs working with nickel in alloys, catalysts, or environmental samples, this one’s packed with practical advice you can apply right away.

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This week, we’re introducing a new method developed at Inorganic Ventures for analyzing oil samples using aqueous metal standards in a hybrid organic-aqueous solvent matrix—a solution that brings stability, cleaner data, and wider element compatibility to wear metals testing.

Madeline Gozzi joins Mike to explain how this method was designed to align with ASTM 5185 and 6595, and how our proprietary solvent is improving lab workflows with better solubility, built-in internal standards, and cleaner sulfur analysis. They also break down real-world validation efforts, including testing with NIST SRMs, dirty motor oil, and even biodiesel feedstocks.

The method is now available for beta testing. Tune in to learn more.

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Iridium is one of the most chemically stubborn—and analytically important—precious metals. In this episode, we walk through key methods for getting iridium metal, oxides, and alloys into solution, including aqua regia, high-temperature chlorination, and fusion techniques. We also cover ICP-OES and ICP-MS testing considerations, including line selection, interference management, and typical detection limits.

The team also shares the story behind the development of IV’s SI-traceable Iridium PCRM, created to address the lack of a NIST SRM and reduce uncertainty for labs that depend on high-purity standards.

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We’re back with a preview of our 10th Annual ICP Conference, taking place October 14–16, 2025, at Inorganic Ventures.

In this episode, you’ll hear what’s new this year—including hands-on lab stations, data analysis workshops, and expert talks on sample prep, contamination control, and method validation. We also share attendee feedback from past events, a look at the upcoming poster session, and a few social highlights you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Registration is open! Space is limited, so save your spot now!

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In this episode, the team answers three timely tech support questions from the lab. First, we cover palladium stability in nitric acid and what to watch for when mixing it with elements like silver or antimony. Then, we walk through a quick, effective digestion method for zeolites, developed by Dr. Paul Gaines and featured in our elemental analysis guide. Finally, we share an update on our new discrete analyzer reagents — developed in partnership with Seal Analytical — and how they can be used with other instrument brands.

Want to learn more about our ready-to-use reagents? Check out the method chemistry one-sheets on our website or contact our team for help finding the right solution for your analyzer. Learn more.

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In this episode, the team recaps a busy season of spring seminars across the country in partnership with CEM, Agilent, and other ICP Alley collaborators. From Santa Clara to Baton Rouge, our chemists share what they presented, what they learned, and the real-world questions they answered — from mercury washout and silicon rinsing to internal standard selection and leaching practices.

They also reflect on what made these events so valuable: industry collaboration, hands-on instrument demos, and face-to-face connections with fellow chemists. Whether you attended or missed the tour, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how these seminars are helping labs tackle trace analysis challenges with more confidence.

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In this episode, we explore the challenges of working with rhodium, one of the rarest and most expensive elements used in analytical testing. From metal and oxide digestions to stability tips for nitric and hydrochloric matrices, our team shares methods to help you get this stubborn element into solution. We also cover ICP-OES and ICP-MS testing considerations, including line selection, common interferences, and why rhodium is a popular choice as an internal standard. Whether you're preparing standards or troubleshooting rare element analysis, this episode offers practical advice to improve your results.

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Our experts tackle three customer questions straight from the tech support inbox. We start by explaining why glass isn’t a good choice for storing or diluting lithium hydroxide and offer tips on selecting the best materials to avoid contamination. Next, we clarify how measurement uncertainty and RSDs relate to the limit of quantification, helping you understand what your data is really telling you at trace levels. Finally, we review our CCS and CMS stock standard series, including why they’re split the way they are and what to watch for when combining them in custom mixes.

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To kick off season 6, we continue our sample prep series with a focus on cobalt. Our team discusses digestion methods for cobalt metals, alloys, oxides, and ores, including when to use nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, or fusion techniques. We also cover testing considerations for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including cobalt’s sensitivity, common interferences, and its role as an internal standard in oil and coolant analysis. Plus, hear tips for handling cobalt in pharmaceutical testing and learn about the resources available on our website to support your method development.

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In this episode, we sit down with Bench Boost listener and instructional designer Alexa Jackson to talk about career growth, chemistry communication, and her journey from academia to the battery industry. Alexa shares valuable advice for early-career chemists, including tips for writing lab notebooks your future self will thank you for, building scientific intuition, and embracing continuous learning.

She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her latest work with Pestana Solutions and the launch of Nanoverse Battery Courses, a resource designed to make battery science more accessible and engaging for STEM professionals.

Looking to continue the conversation? Connect with Alexa on LinkedIn to follow her work in chemistry education and the battery industry.