New Products

The "Library of Physical Chemistry Software," consisting of 26 interactive programs and documentation, can be used to support and supplement a physical chemistry curriculum. Available this month for the first time and priced at $450, Freeman and Company touts this software package as "useful for in-class demonstrations as a problems-oriented primer for beginners and as a refresher program for researchers." The six-diskette set addresses properties of gases, thermochemical calculations, phase diagrams, the Schrodinger Equation, molecular vibration: diatomic molecules, and analysis of kinetic data. The software runs on an IBM-PC, XT, or AT with a mini-mum of 256K and a color graphics adapter. A demonstration disk is available for $25. W.H. Freeman and Company, Booth 930 at the American Chemical Society exposition.

Aiming to revolutionize the searching of chemical patent information, the Markush DARC graphics search system allows the graphic storage and retrieval of generic chemical representations commonly found in patents. The system is the result of a collaborative effort among Derwent Publications Ltd., a London-based database producer of world patent information; Telesystemes S.A. of Paris, which markets DARC software, designed for searching specific compound databases; and INPI, the French Patent Office. Subscribers to this service will have access to graphic databases covering pharmaceutical, agricultural, veterinary, and general chemical patents in two databases-World Patents Index-Markush (WPI-M) and PharmSearch. Derwent Publications, Booths 222, 224

Computer-assisted molecular design software has become an important tool in the fields of drug development, chemical design and analysis, and protein engineering. Two new software packages, Discover and Insight, assist users of the Silicon Graphics IRISGT Superworkstations with molecular simulation and modeling applications. Discover performs molecular dynamics and simulations for small and macro molecular systems. Insight offers, three-dimensional, real-time modeling for small and large molecular systems. These software packages range in price from $6,000 to $100,000. Biosym Technologies, Booths 436,438

Using the same drawing capabilities found in the Chemlntosh Desk Accessory for Macintosh computers, the ChemConnection DA desk accessory claims to help chemists using Chemical Abstracts Service Online to construct a chemical structure or substructure search query. Infrequent and inexperienced users of CAS Online will appreciate the simple method for creating a search term in the form of a chemical structure. The operator does not need to know the structure generation commands used by CAS, and as a result saves time and money in doing the search. For $395 (with a 20% academic or government discount) chemists can create publication-quality structures using this software package. The package runs on any Macintosh with at least 512K and a hard disk drive. SoftShell International, Booth 207

The new VentSep funnel's built-in pressure-relief valve reduces the dangers of exploding glass caused by unsuspected pressure buildup during vigorous hand or machine shaking. This two-liter glass separatory funnel vents gas automatically when the stopcock is turned to the vent position. Using the VentSep with Glas-Col Apparatus' three-dimensional Floor Shaker allows for up to eight two-liter funnels to be shaken at once, with no pressure buildup. The funnel sells for about $200, single unit, with volume discounts available. Glas-Col is also introducing a new digital thermometer ($169), that is practical for monitoring temperatures of furnaces, reactors, baths, appliances, heating mantles, and other laboratory equipment. An easy-to-read LCD display indicates the temperature in celsius or fahrenheit, the thermocouple type, and battery condition. Glas-Col Apparatus, Booths 322,324

The 8000C photon-counting spectrofluorometer uses a direct photon-counting technique to achieve maximum light selection sensitivity and minimal "dark count" and drift. The SLM Instruments' modular T-Optics format incorporates a 450-watt, ozone-free xenon arc lamp and UV-transmitting quartz optics. Researchers can make simultaneous, multiparameter measurements of fluorescence, transmittance, and light scattering, as well as dual-emission wavelength studies. Computer capabilities allow the chemist to perform advanced data processing and mass data storage. Accessories such as an epifluorescence microscope interface, an emission beam splitter, and a stopped-flow accessory enable adaptation of the 8000C for a variety of specialized applications. In the U.S., this instrument is priced at about $40,000; for international customers, the price is about $45,000. SLM Instruments, Booths 236,238

Designed to ease data acquisition and data processing of concentration chromatograms in gel permeation chromatography .(GPC), the GPC-PRO software package runs on IBM PC and compatible computers. The software features baseline-setting and peak-broadening corrections. GPC-PRO offers the operator the choice of using broad or narrow polymer standards to calibrate the machine, or a combination of both. Also included for the package price of $2,950 are color graphics capability for the video monitor and for hardcopy production. Viscotek, Booths 742, 744

Berghof/America says that the new teflon-lined high-pressure reaction vessels they are introducing will eliminate unwanted side reactions and possible sources of contamination. The vessels will withstand temperatures up to 200°C and pressures from 1400 psi to 3000 psi, depending on the system. A complete system consists of a reaction vessel with removable teflon liner, a stirring assembly an. heating mantle, and a controller. Options include sample extraction devices for gases and liquids and multiport heads. Sizes from 75 ml to 4000 ml are available at prices ranging from $5,000 to $30,000. Berghof/ America, Booth 610

Ideal for grinding grains, seeds, and other brittle, moderately hard substances the S.500 Disc Mill features a large feed hopper with a capacity of about three liters and a fineness adjustment in 250 m increments. Other characteristics attractive to plant and soil research scientists and pharmaceutical researchers include a 0.75 HP motor, a variety of grinding discs, a two-liter metal output receptacle, and the capability to clamp sample bags on the outlet for sample collection. The S.500 disc mill retails for $850. Glen Mills, Booths 200,202