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Nathan Hawkins

@nathhawkins

CEO Spectrometrics Limited Innovator, Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Lab Automation, Software & Spectral Libraries

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29.12.2023
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Latest posts by Nathan Hawkins @nathhawkins

Strathclyde innovation (triangular glass) building, Glasgow

Strathclyde innovation (triangular glass) building, Glasgow

attending #IBioIC26? Find me to discuss your analytical challenges (from vVOCs to advanced polymer characterisation and everything in between) in #IndustrialBiotech! If we doesn’t have the right technology for you, I can probably connect you with somebody who does!
enquiries@spectrometrics.com

10.03.2026 10:25 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Did manage to dissuade them from a repeat BCG!

20.02.2026 18:05 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’m travelling in April, had full course of measles as a child (plus mumps and rubella infections). Currently a pin cushion as the NHS don’t have my records (for this, DPT or BCG) after 1980 ish.

20.02.2026 17:58 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Thermo Scientific Nalgene plastic bench Dewars

Thermo Scientific Nalgene plastic bench Dewars

#FridayTip - emptying and storing your stainless steel or Nalgene dewars upside down when you’ve finished for the day is a great way to keep them dry, clean and free of black mould.

13.02.2026 14:51 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Mini-extractor has an option of a GL45 waste cap so you can empty directly and leak-free into a waste bottle for disposal.

13.02.2026 13:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Fluid extraction pump

Fluid extraction pump

#TeamMassSpec - tired of rotary pump oil changes turning into a slippery disaster?
Buy a fluid extraction pump from @spectrometrix.bsky.social
We’ve also developed a mini-extractor that’s great for field service engineers (or labs squeezed for storage space)!

13.02.2026 13:17 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Box from an elephant gift mobile phone holder

Box from an elephant gift mobile phone holder

As part of our committment to sustainability, @spectrometrix.bsky.social sends consumables out in reused boxes. In this case, the contents are possibly not as exciting as the picture on the box!

09.02.2026 17:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Interesting observation after my car’s latest service and wheel alignment:
10% improvement in fuel efficiency, reduced GHG emissions, pollution and tyre emissions. The β€˜hidden’ cost of potholes that (I suspect) isn’t factored into government cost-benefit analysis?
@nickmolden.bsky.social

29.01.2026 18:49 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Magnetic screw caps for 2mL short thread autosampler vials

Magnetic screw caps for 2mL short thread autosampler vials

Phthalates are one of the most common contaminants in GC analysis. Loose bagged vial caps are a major source. Spectrometrics are your one-stop stop for affordable vials, caps and autosampler syringes. With a range of phthalate, PFAS and siloxane free cap options.

25.01.2026 07:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

UK, Denmark, Estonia,Georgia and Canada all suffered higher casualty/fatality rates than the US! UK was 12% higher than the US.

22.01.2026 18:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
β€˜A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a β€˜joke’

Really interesting conversation about the potential for positive bias due to matrix interference in microplastics analysis by pyGC-MS. PyGC-ddFTIR) or GPC/SEC-FTIR may help by offering complementary analytical techniques with differing selectivity and specificity.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

22.01.2026 18:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

🀣

22.01.2026 06:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Agilent PAL3 LSI Series II sampler

Agilent PAL3 LSI Series II sampler

It is very satisfying when packing up a PAL3 to find that you not only have all the parts (including 88x0 side mounting kit), but can include an additional TrayHolder (not shown) free-of-charge!

31.12.2025 17:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Vibration isolators are also available (different design) for scroll pumps

21.12.2025 08:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Vibration isolators for Edwards vacuum pump

Vibration isolators for Edwards vacuum pump

At the start of my career a wise mass spectrometrist let me in on a secret - vibration isolators massively reduce the wear on the bearings (and gaskets) of your pump. 14-years running a facility (7-10 pumps) and we had zero oil leaks or pump failures on pumps fitted with them.

21.12.2025 08:03 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Now dry and upgraded from MSD Chemstation to Masshunter (will also need a new Win11 PC).

18.12.2025 21:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
SFC-EI-MS instrument comprising Selerity SFC and Agilent MSD

SFC-EI-MS instrument comprising Selerity SFC and Agilent MSD

Bit wet, and will need a source clean, but it’s a definitely a good un! More SFC-EI-MS

14.12.2025 18:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Always a good sign when your (no provenance) 5973N MSD pumps down in under 5mins and the screen shows it has the latest firmware and fast electronics.
🀞it’s a good-un!

08.12.2025 12:39 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a muffin pan filled with chocolate cupcakes is sitting on a rack Alt: a muffin pan filled with chocolate cupcakes is sitting on a rack

Tasted the chocolate cupcakes I baked last night and realised I forgot to add the vanilla extract - perhaps I should have printed out the SOP rather than relying on memory.

17.11.2025 19:26 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The stupid thing is both Council areas had development corporations (albeit with limited scope) - shut down by the Tories under austerity.

11.11.2025 14:53 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
UK 3-pin 13A electrical plug

UK 3-pin 13A electrical plug

Americans will never understand stepping on one of these barefoot.
After 5mins being struck dumb by pain (even without breaking skin), I am now able to speak.

11.11.2025 14:51 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Based on the current population, for 2025/2026 these two councils are β€˜short’ Β£173m in funding from central government (on top of cumulative β€˜deficit’ 2011-2024 of Β£1.2bn that they will never recover).

10.11.2025 15:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The growth rate (twice national average) in Northamptonshire rivals new towns (like Milton Keynes) - without dedicated infrastructure financing it is a structural crisis and financial unsustainable for both local councils.

10.11.2025 11:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

25% population growth in 14 years (from 2011 to 2025) in areas like North and West Northamptonshire is unprecedented in modern UK local government history without the backing of a development corporation or equivalent ring-fenced growth funding including dedicated infrastructure financing!

10.11.2025 11:46 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Northamptonshire councils facing huge budget pressure Northamptonshire's two councils are facing a financial challenge for this year and next.

Mini 🧡- Hardly surprising: both areas 13.5% population geowrh 2011-2021, further 10% since and central government funding (including for adult social care) has yet to catch up.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

10.11.2025 11:44 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Though I think they are probably Hazel or Birch boletes
#Fungi

10.10.2025 09:18 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Bolete mushroom in garden

Bolete mushroom in garden

Bolete mushroom in lawn

Bolete mushroom in lawn

My fungal ID skills aren’t up to confirming whether my boletes are edible varieties (popular with the mice or squirrels)

10.10.2025 09:10 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Blister Pack Recycling | Recycle at Boots Scheme Recycle your empty blister packs in-store and earn Advantage Card points when you spend Β£5 at participating stores. Terms and conditions apply.

Just discovered you can recycle blister packs at Boots pharmacies. Wonder if they take blister packs from GC consumables (ferrules, inlet liners, o-rings, etc) too?
I already the PET containers some vendors use in the household recycling.
www.boots.com/shopping/boo...

07.10.2025 13:04 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Does your GC/GC-MS have a lonely heart and yearn for a PAL-xt instead of a boring Agilent ALS.
@pal-system.bsky.social

02.10.2025 17:44 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Appreciate that it’s a long shot but does anyone have a Sigma SPME/HPLC interface (57350-U) in a drawer somewhere that they could donate to an R&D project.

30.09.2025 06:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0