Why go beyond absorbance with the new NanoIndex and NanoSize packages from Edinburgh Analytical and Alontia?

UV-Vis spectroscopy is a trusted part of laboratory life, but many teams need more than conventional absorbance and transmission data. Edinburgh Analytical and Alontia have launched two new DB30 packages that extend a familiar UV-Vis workflow into refractive-index analysis, low-volume quantification and particle-size measurement.

The DB30 NanoIndex and DB30 NanoSize packages bring together the high-performance DB30 Double-beam UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Alontia’s nanophotonic cuvette technology, SpectroLink™ connectivity and SpectroWorks™ cloud analysis. Laboratories can retain the versatility of a full UV-Vis instrument while adding new measurement options through guided, connected workflows.

DB30: a versatile foundation

The DB30 from Edinburgh Analytical is a high-performance double-beam UV-Vis spectrophotometer designed for accurate absorption and transmission measurements across 190–1100 nm. It offers selectable spectral bandwidths of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 4.0 nm, scan speeds of up to 6,000 nm/min, automatic accessory recognition and a modern touchscreen for standalone operation.

Alongside the new nano-enabled workflows, the instrument continues to support photometry, wavelength scans, time scans, calibration curves and a wide range of liquid, solid and flow-cell measurements. This makes it possible to consolidate routine UV-Vis work and select advanced analyses on one benchtop platform.

DB30 NanoIndex: quantification beyond absorbance

The DB30 NanoIndex package is powered by the SpectroCuvette™ One, enabling refractive index analysis, trace-volume measurements, and an extended measurement range. The solution is particularly well suited for applications such as protein analysis, sugar measurement, and cases where sample conservation and accuracy are critical.

Key benefits include:

• Trace-volume analysis using only microlitres of sample
• Reduced sample preparation and dilution requirements
• Measurement of non-absorbing samples
• Faster and more efficient laboratory workflows
• Enhanced accuracy for challenging measurements

DB30 NanoSize: particle size from UV-Vis spectra

The DB30 NanoSize package incorporates the SpectroCuvette™ S, enabling particle size-related measurements directly from UV-Vis spectra. This provides laboratories working with nanoparticles, colloids, formulations, and advanced materials with a complementary alternative to traditional particle sizing workflows.

Applications include:

• Nanomaterials characterisation
• Formulation development
• Process optimisation
• Quality control environments
• Research and development of colloidal systems

By extracting particle size information from spectral features, laboratories can gain valuable sizing insights without requiring dedicated particle sizing instrumentation for routine measurements.

Connected analysis with SpectroLink™ and SpectroWorks™

Both packages include SpectroLink™ and access to SpectroWorks™, creating a connected path from instrument to result. SpectroLink™ supports data transfer from the DB30, while the browser-based SpectroWorks™ platform cleans, aligns and analyses spectral data, applies the appropriate SpectroCuvette™ workflow and presents results through interactive visualisation and reporting tools.

For laboratory teams, this can reduce transcription steps, standardise analysis and make it easier to share results between users or locations. The platform also supports conventional cuvette spectra, so teams can keep nano-enabled measurements and routine UV-Vis data within a coherent digital workflow. You can check which instruments SpectroLink™ already supports in the UV-Vis database.

Which package is right for your laboratory?

Choose DB30 NanoIndex when the main challenge is low-volume or label-free quantification, particularly for proteins, enzymes, sugars and other compounds where refractive index adds value.

Choose DB30 NanoSize when the priority is estimating particle or cell size and concentration for colloids, nanomaterials, formulations, suspensions or process samples.

Laboratories that need both capabilities can use the common DB30, SpectroLink™ and SpectroWorks™ environment to support both workflows.

Available now

The DB30 NanoIndex and DB30 NanoSize packages are now available from Edinburgh Analytical. To discuss your samples, applications or the most suitable package for your laboratory, contact sales@edinst.com. More information about Alontia’s nanophotonic platform is available at alontia.com.