Bench Boost by Inorganic Ventures
Join our host and Inorganic Ventures Technical Director, Mike Booth, as he sparks insightful conversations with our panel of experts in Bench Boost, your go-to podcast for analytical chemistry enthusiasts. Together, they explore the realm of ICP, sharing tips and tricks and diving deep into all things analytical chemistry.
Episodes
87 episodes
ICP Conference Preview: A Decade In Our Element
We’re back with a preview of our 10th Annual ICP Conference, taking place October 14–16, 2025, at Inorganic Ventures.In this episode, you’ll hear what’s new this year—including hands-on lab stations, data analysis workshops, and expert t...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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15:24
Palladium Prep, Zeolite Digestion, and Discrete Analyzer Reagents
In this episode, the team answers three timely tech support questions from the lab. First, we cover palladium stability in nitric acid and what to watch for when mixing it with elements like silver or antimony. Then, we walk through a quick, ef...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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10:59
Trace Analysis on Tour: A Spring Seminar Recap
In this episode, the team recaps a busy season of spring seminars across the country in partnership with CEM, Agilent, and other ICP Alley collaborators. From Santa Clara to Baton Rouge, our chemists share what they presented, what they learned...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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19:38
Working with Rhodium: Prep, Stability, and Testing
In this episode, we explore the challenges of working with rhodium, one of the rarest and most expensive elements used in analytical testing. From metal and oxide digestions to stability tips for nitric and hydrochloric matrices, our team share...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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9:57
Troubleshooting Hydroxide, LOQ, and Stock Standards
Our experts tackle three customer questions straight from the tech support inbox. We start by explaining why glass isn’t a good choice for storing or diluting lithium hydroxide and offer tips on selecting the best materials to avoid contaminati...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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12:32
Cobalt Sample Prep and Testing Tips
To kick off season 6, we continue our sample prep series with a focus on cobalt. Our team discusses digestion methods for cobalt metals, alloys, oxides, and ores, including when to use nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, or fusion techniques. We al...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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10:36
Real Talk on Chemistry Careers & Battery Industry Trends with Alexa Jackson
In this episode, we sit down with Bench Boost listener and instructional designer Alexa Jackson to talk about career growth, chemistry communication, and her journey from academia to the battery industry. Alexa shares valuable advice f...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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25:19
Titration Tips: Techniques, Troubleshooting, and Lab Lessons
In this solo episode, Mike dives into titrations — a method that's still essential across industries like environmental testing, manufacturing, and even winemaking. Learn tips for improving accuracy, from proper burette qualification and indica...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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12:38
Chemistry Conspiracy: Chemtrails vs Contrails
This episode takes a fun detour into the world of chemistry conspiracy theories! Mike Booth explores the science behind chemtrails vs. contrails and explains how you could actually test for elements like aluminum, barium, lead, and li...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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11:56
Troubleshooting Tips: High Recoveries, Complex Mixes, and Chloride Digestion Challenges
In this episode, we tackle unexpected high recoveries, caused by internal standard signal timing during ICP analysis. Then we unpack a challenging multi-element blend, involving silver, tungsten, sulfur, rare earths, and more — plus how acid ch...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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17:12
Troubleshooting Tips: Tune Solutions in Base and Trace Chloride in Silver Blends
In this episode, we dive into two real-world stability challenges from our lab. First, we explore a custom tune solution prepared in dilute ammonium hydroxide for ICP-MS, designed to improve lab efficiency. Learn how it performed over time and ...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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14:13
Troubleshooting Tips: Mercury Recovery, High-Concentration Blends, and IC Stability
Experiencing issues in your prep or analysis? This episode is full of practical advice to keep your data on track.Learn how to improve mercury recoveries, including best practices for stabilization in different matrices and container typ...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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16:07
Technical Glossary Part 3: Speciation, Working Solutions, and Matrix Effects
In this episode, we wrap up our glossary discussions with a focus on element speciation — why ICP alone can't distinguish oxidation states and how chromatography can help. We also break down working solutions, explaining how to properly dilute ...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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21:14
Technical Glossary Part 2: Understanding Calibration, Internal Standards, and Blank Corrections
In this episode, we continue exploring key terms in elemental analysis, focusing on calibration standards, how they establish accuracy, and why they are essential for reliable results. We also cover internal standards, their role in correcting ...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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14:12
Pittcon 2025 Recap: Industry Connections and Key Takeaways
Fresh from Pittcon 2025, we’re recapping the biggest moments, key industry insights, and what made ICP Alley a must-visit destination! Hear about our experience connecting with customers, tackling live tech support questions, and catching up wi...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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14:35
Technical Glossary Part 1: Understanding Standards, SI Traceability, and Uncertainty
In this episode, we unpack fundamental concepts that every ICP analyst should know. Learn what National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) are and why SI traceability is essential for accurate measurements. We also clarify the differences between SRMs...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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21:06
ICP Q&A: Choosing the Right Standards and Fixing High Recoveries
In this Q&A episode, we answer common questions from ICP analysts, including how to choose between AA and CG product lines for your standards, when certification levels matter, and what documentation differences to expect. We also troublesh...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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14:34
ICP Q&A: EPA 200.8, Antimony Stability, and HF Safety Tips
In this Q&A episode, we answer analyst questions on EPA Method 200.8, including tuning recommendations, chloride interferences, and digestion techniques for wastewater and drinking water analysis. We also tackle antimony stability, comparin...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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13:42
ICP Q&A: Sample Prep Fixes, LOD/LOQ Tips, and Contamination Control
In this Q&A episode, our team answers real-world questions from analysts like you! We discuss strategies for preventing aluminum loss in HF digestions, a listener-submitted method using boric acid to reverse precipitation, and the best ways...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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12:00
ICP Alley: Insights from GFS Chemicals Ahead of Pittcon 2025
In the final installment of our ICP Alley series, we feature Cole Hutchinson from GFS Chemicals. Learn how GFS’s ultrapure acids and high-purity reagents help analysts tackle the growing challenges of ultra-low detection limits and contaminatio...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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19:11
ICP Alley: Preparing for Pittcon 2025 with Glass Expansion
In this episode, we continue our journey to Pittcon 2025 with a spotlight on Glass Expansion. Join us as Ryan Brennan shares how Glass Expansion has become a trusted leader in sample introduction systems for ICP-MS and ICP-OES. Discover practic...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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21:16
ICP Alley: A Look into Pittcon 2025 with CEM
Get ready for a new level of collaboration at Pittcon 2025 with ICP Alley! In this episode, we sit down with Michael Howe (aka Howie) from CEM Corporation to discuss this exciting joint venture between Inorganic Ventures, CEM, Glass Expansion, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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20:13
Q&A Session: Troubleshooting ICP Challenges
In this episode, we answer listener questions about real-world ICP challenges. From setting up effective control charts to managing violent reactions during metal digestions, our team provides actionable solutions. We also explore strategies fo...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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26:39
Troubleshooting ICP Washout
Struggling with washout issues in your ICP analyses? This episode is packed with solutions. We break down why certain elements stick around longer, the best rinse solutions for different challenges, and how to optimize your setup for cleaner re...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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18:50
Samples Containing Ru & Os
This episode focuses on the rare and fascinating element ruthenium and osmium, two members of the platinum group metals. Learn the best methods for dissolving these challenging metals using fusion techniques, how to prevent the formation of vol...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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14:56
