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In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth sits down with R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to dive into real-world technical support questions from the lab. From the tricky behavior of mercury in cannabis matrices to the best way to store custom blend standards, the team shares practical advice and insights you can apply directly to your work.

Key topics include:

• Challenges in mercury analysis on ICP-MS — washout, volatilization, and matrix effects
• Practical troubleshooting tips for improving accuracy with mercury standards
• Storage guidelines for custom blends, including when refrigeration is helpful
• How TCT packaging extends stability and shelf life of standards

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In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures team continues their overview of SEAL-compatible Discrete Analyzer Reagents—this time focusing on four essential nutrient and anion methods: chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and ammonia.

Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes break down the key reactions behind each method, including:

• The iron thiocyanate reaction for chloride
• Turbidimetric analysis of sulfate via barium sulfate formation
• The molybdenum blue reaction for phosphate
• A safer variant of the Berthelot reaction for ammonia

They also share storage tips, instrument compatibility notes, and how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL platforms.

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In this episode, the team dives into colorimetric methods for silica and nitrate analysis using SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents developed by Inorganic Ventures. Ashley Jones and Liv Forbes walk through the chemistries behind the molybdate silica method, cadmium coil nitrate reduction, and hydrazine-based nitrate reduction—along with practical maintenance tips for keeping your reduction efficiency in check.

They also discuss how to adapt these reagents for non-SEAL instruments, important considerations like pH and matrix matching, and which IV standards pair best with each method.

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Platinum may be one of the easier precious metals to dissolve—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to analyze.

In this episode, the team walks through sample prep strategies for a range of platinum-containing materials, including metals, alloys, oxides, ores, and organic matrices. They also cover the most reliable wavelengths and isotopes for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, while flagging key interferences like nickel, tungsten, and mercury, as well as tricky chloride-based polyatomics.

Need more guidance? The full prep guide is available on our website.

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Colorimetric chemistry may seem simple, but getting reliable results takes precision.

In this episode, the team breaks down the fundamentals of colorimetric methods, from basic indicators to more advanced workflows using benchtop spectrometers and discrete analyzers. They compare the pros and cons of each approach, share practical advice for pipetting accuracy, and highlight industries (like environmental, food, and pharma) where these methods are still essential.

Plus, Liv and Ashley share tips on reagent handling, photosensitive reactions, and instrument setup to help labs get the most from their colorimetric testing—whether you're working with pool water or cyanide.

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In this episode, the team dives into palladium sample preparation for a variety of matrices—metals, alloys, oxides, organics, and ores—highlighting the best acid choices and digestion strategies from our sample prep guide.

The team also discusses common challenges when analyzing palladium using ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including isobaric and polyatomic interferences, oxide formation, and how trace organics can destabilize your results.

Need more guidance? The full prep guide is available on our website.

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In this episode, the Inorganic Ventures technical team answers real questions from labs in the field—covering environmental contamination solutions, rare earth stability, acid purity, and practical tips for improving detection limits. It’s an inside look at how small changes in setup and prep can make a big difference in data quality.

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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.