Diablo Analytical, Inc.

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About " Diablo"

Phone: 925-609-1150
E-Mail: info@diabloanalytical.com

Custom Software Development for Analytical Applications

Solution Summary

• Languages and Application Experience
• Facilities and Personnel
• Software Solution Examples
• Quotation and Purchasing Information

Languages and Application Experience

Programming Languages

	Microsoft Visual Basic
	Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications
	Microsoft Visual C/C++
	LabView

Data System Macro Languages

	Agilent Technologies ChemStations MS ChemStation AED ChemStation GC/LC ChemStation
	Nicolet OMNIC Macros/Pro Nicolet DX to OMNIC translations

Application Support Packages

	Application-Specific Windows Help Files
	Professional Installation Programs

Operating System Platforms

	Windows 3.11 (16 bit)
	Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Windows 2000
	MS-DOS
	Integration with UNIX-based systems

Facilities and Personnel

Diablo Analytical, Inc. develops custom software applications from it’s facility located in Concord, CA.  We utilize state-of-the art version control and defect-tracking systems to ensure the quality of our software products. In addition, we provide application support via e-mail and e-mail discussion lists, as well as from our World Wide Web (WWW) site (http://www.diabloanalytical.com).

Software Solution Examples

The following "highlights" describe briefly a few of the software projects that we have completed,

Simplified User Interface for Agilent GC and LC ChemStations

One-button control of an Agilent GC or LC ChemStation Sequence.  The Simplified User Interface (SUI) greatly simplifies the operation of the ChemStation.  See our Simplified User Interface product page for more information.  We have developed custom versions of the SUI software to address specific customer requirements.  Please contact Diablo Analytical for more information.

Multi-position Valve Control Software

Diablo's MPValve software can be used to automate one or more VICI (Valco) multi-position valves for applications like stream and column selection.  MPValve has been used to add multi-position valve control to a number of different chromatographic data systems.

Standard Compound Chromatogram Database

Diablo developed a set of ChemStation macros that allow "standard" chromatograms to be retrieved and compared automatically to a sample chromatogram in a post run report.  This automated database saved the client a significant amount of time over the previous manual comparison procedure they had been using.

Custom Simulated  Distillation Applications

Diablo developed a set of custom Simulated Distillation applications to perform D2887 and D3710 analyses.  These SimDis applications included extensive QA/QC evaluations of data quality and custom report formats that were specified by the client.

Gas System Monitor

When analyzing toxic or pyrophoric specialty gases, it is critical that the gas sampling system be operating properly before performing an analysis.  Diablo wrote a custom application that monitored several sampling system pressure and flow sensors, and would prevent the Agilent ChemStation from starting an analysis if the sampling system wasn't ready.

Sequence Summary and Data Transfer to Microsoft Excel

Diablo has written several different sequence summary macros for the Agilent ChemStation.  These macros typically create comma-delimited text files containing a client-specified summary of the results for all the runs in a sequence.  These macros have also been configured to "poke" sequence summary results into Microsoft Excel.

Automated Data Transfer to LabView

LabView is a commonly-used process control, data acquisition and data analysis program developed by National Instruments.  Diablo has written Agilent ChemStation macros that automatically transfer the results of a ChemStation run to LabView for real-time process control applications.

Automated Data Transfer to LIMS

Diablo has written several applications that automate the transfer of analytical results into Laboratory Information Managements Systems (LIMS).  Our clients often use custom LIMS systems that require custom data transfer approaches.

MS Sensor Process Analysis Software

Diablo Analytical originally developed the MS Sensor software to enable the Agilent Technologies 5973 MSD to be used for real-time process analysis.  Agilent Technologies has now licensed the MS Sensor software for its 5000A Real-Time Gas Analyzer.  The MS Sensor software can also acquire data from a number of other instruments and sensors.  Diablo can also develop custom instrument drivers to collect data from other instruments and sensors.  Please refer to the MS Sensor web page for detailed information about this software product.

EZPlot Real-time Plotting Software for Micro GC Systems

Diablo Analytical developed “EZPlot” for the MTI/Agilent Micro GC systems running the EZChrom data system. EZPlot allows the Micro GC to plot analyte concentrations on a real-time trend-plot. Since the micro GCs typically generate results in less than one minute, the trend plot is updated frequently. This allows process stream composition to be tracked visually with time.  See our EZPlot product page for more information about this software application.  We can also create custom versions of EZPlot to address specific client requirements.

EZ Analog Output Software for Micro GC Systems

Diablo's EZ Analog Output software uses a National Instruments multi-channel analog output board to enable the Agilent EZChrom Data System to output analysis results from the Agilent MicroGC to 4-20mA analog output channels.

BTU Database

Diablo developed a custom BTU database application that is designed to process the results of Agilent MicroGC natural gas analyses in the field.  The application performs extensive QA/QC tests that give the operator immediate feedback on sample and data quality.  Upon return from the field, the application allows results to be uploaded easily to a mainframe database.

CICQuant Software for Automated CIC Reporting

Compound Independent Calibration (CIC) is one of the key features of the Atomic Emission Detector.  Agilent included a set of menu options in the AED ChemStation that allow CIC calculations to be performed interactively.  However, the calculations could not be performed automatically on a set of samples running from a sequence.  Diablo addressed this problem with our CICQuant software.  For more information on CICQuant, please see the CICQuant product page.

Unified Method Macros for the AED ChemStation

In it's normal mode of operation, the GC-AED must perform separate injections and GC separations for each different element group that is present in a method (element groups contain elements that share the same reagent gases, make-up gas flow rate, and spectrometer position).  In rare circumstances, multiple injections and separations are not feasible due to sample or analysis-time restrictions.  Diablo developed the Unified Method Macros to address this issue for a client.  This set of macros provides a way to link separate methods together in a manner that allows element groups to be switched in the middle of a run so that only a single injection needs to be made.  This approach cannot be used for all GC-AED applications, so please contact Diablo Analytical if you are interested in this capability.

Quotation and Purchasing Information

Our custom software projects are almost always performed on a fixed-cost project basis.  We will discuss your software requirements in detail, and then submit a proposal that will describe exactly what we will and will not deliver, and what is required of you as Client.  We pride ourselves in delivering our projects on time and on budget.  For more information on our software development capabilities, or  to discuss your specific application requirements, please contact Diablo Analytical.

Diablo Analytical, Inc.