Rapid Lithium, Boron and Sodium analysis using the Turbospec 400
The Turbospec 400 is a compact, portable analyzer for rapid elemental analysis in food, brines, and other liquids. This compact magnetic resonance analyzer quickly measures sodium using a single calibration standard. The system is also portable weighing less than 18 lbs.
The Turbospec 400 can quickly take any type of liquid and in less than a minute and accurately measure the concentration of a number of elements with absolutely no dilution or manipulation of the sample and without any consumable reagents.

How it works
The Turbospec 400 uses magnetic resonance to directly quantify the content of specific elements in the sample. The signal response of each element is linear with the concentration, therefore, the Turbospec 400 is easily calibrated using a single standard solution of a given element and can be calibrated in molarity, wt %, or ppm.
No Interference
Magnetic resonance is highly specific unlike other methods such as atomic absorption spectroscopy which similar elements (e.g. Na, K) have similar absorption wavelengths and lack specificity.
Simple Sample Prep
Liquid and dispersions can be pipetted directly to a sample tube and analyzed. Solid matrices should be ground and extracted with water. It is not necessary to separate the solid and liquid components per se the Turbospec 400 measures the soluble sodium in virtually any matrix.
No Maintenance
The Turbospec 400 has no moving or wearable parts so routine maintenance is usually not necessary.
Simple Calibration
The Turbospec 400 is calibrated using a single calibration standard. Since magnetic resonance’s response is linear to concentration, it is not necessary to use more than one standard. We recommend using a check standard in addition to the calibration standard for routine checks
No Consumables
The Turbospec 400 has a 5 mm sample port. Standard economy or precision NMR tubes at least 100 mm (4 inches) in length can be cleaned and reused. Rinsing tubes with dilute acid are usually all that is required to keep tubes clean.
Turbospec 400 Periodic Table

Many elements have isotopes which give NMR signals. For example, hydrogen, 1H is the mode sensitive stable isotope in the periodic table. Deuterium, 2H is also a stable isotope of hydrogen, but has a very low natural abundance at 0.0115 %. The third isotope of hydrogen, known as tritium, 3H is not stable but has a larger Larmor frequency than that of its abundant stable counterpart, 1H. This periodic table mock-up visually displays the elements which are most sensitive in orange. Elements which are somewhat less sensitive are in yellow and elements in blue are either very insensitive or do not have a stable isotope which has non-zero nuclear spin.
Nucleus | Spin | Natural Abundance | Frequency Ratio | Relative receptivity |
---|---|---|---|---|
1H | 1/2 | 99.989 | 100.000 | 100.00% |
2H | 1 | 0.012 | 15.350 | 0.00% |
7Li | 3/2 | 92.410 | 38.836 | 27.10% |
11B | 3/2 | 80.100 | 32.083 | 13.20% |
19F | 1/2 | 100.000 | 94.094 | 83.40% |
23Na | 3/2 | 100.000 | 26.451 | 9.27% |
27Al | 5/2 | 100.000 | 26.056 | 20.70% |
31P | 1/2 | 100.000 | 40.480 | 6.65% |
45Sc | 7/2 | 100.000 | 24.291 | 30.20% |
51V | 7/2 | 99.750 | 26.302 | 38.30% |
55Mn | 5/2 | 100.000 | 24.789 | 17.90% |
59Co | 7/2 | 100.000 | 23.727 | 27.80% |
71Ga | 3/2 | 39.892 | 30.496 | 5.71% |
81Br | 3/2 | 49.310 | 27.006 | 4.91% |
87Rb | 9/2 | 27.830 | 32.720 | 4.93% |
93Nb | 9/2 | 100.000 | 24.476 | 48.80% |
115In | 9/2 | 95.710 | 21.912 | 33.80% |
121Sb | 5/2 | 57.210 | 23.930 | 9.33% |
127I | 5/2 | 100.000 | 20.007 | 9.54% |
181Ta | 7/2 | 99.988 | 11.989 | 3.74% |
187Re | 5/2 | 62.600 | 22.751 | 8.95% |
205Tl | 1/2 | 70.746 | 57.683 | 14.20% |
207Pb | 1/2 | 22.100 | 20.920 | 0.20% |
209Bi | 9/2 | 100.000 | 16.069 | 14.40% |
Specifications
Size: 48 x 25 x 25 cm (w x h x d)
Weight: 8.3 kg
Input Power: 110-240 VAC w/country power cord
Alternate Power: 10-28 V @ 5 Amps
Controller: Single channel broadband transceiver
Magnet: Ultra compact high homogeniety permanent magnet, passively shielded
Touch screen: 8″ TFT VGA LCD
USB ports: 3
Ethernet Ports: 1
Operating Temperature: 15 to 35 °C
Sample Cell: 5 mm tubes, 100 mm or longer
Shipping: 64 x 51 x 39 cm, 25 kg