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
110 episodes
Back to Basics – Detection Limits
In this episode of Bench Boost, our team discusses detection limits. They cover the differences between instrument detection limits and method detection limits, detailing how each is calculated and the importance of optimizing conditions to ach...
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11:38
Turkey, Brine, and Trace Metals
In this episode of Bench Boost Mike, Ashley, Autumn Phillips, and Liv discuss food testing procedures for trace metals with a focus on Thanksgiving, talking how to best analyze turkey brine. They cover various technical considerations, includin...
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14:05
Back to Basics Part 6: Laboratory Math
In this episode of Bench Boost, Mike, Ashley, Autumn, and Liv discuss fundamental laboratory math. They cover essential formulas used in elemental analysis, including the C1V1=C2V2 formula for preparing solution standards, calculating dilution ...
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14:01
Back to Basics Part 5: Solubility
In this Back-to-Basics episode, Mike is joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones, R&D Chemist Autumn Phillips, and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to break down the fundamentals of solubility—how much of a compound ...
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13:48
ICP Conference 2025 Recap
In this special episode, Mike is joined by Technical Support Chemist Ashley Jones, R&D Chemist Autumn Phillips, and Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to recap Inorganic Ventures’ 10th Annual ICP Conference. Held at IV’s headquarte...
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27:23
Tech Support Q&A Part 2
In this episode, Mike is joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski to tackle listener-submitted questions from the lab. First, they unpack whether a standard additions curve from one sample can...
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15:31
Back to Basics Part 4: Solution Stability
In this episode of our Back-to-Basics series, we explore solution stability — why metals sometimes fall out of solution and how to prevent it. Joined by Support Chemist Ashley Jones and Stock Production Manager Thomas Kozikowski...
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9:43
Tech Support Q&A
In this episode, we tackle real-world technical support questions submitted by listeners. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Tech Support Chemist Ashley Jones, we explore three unique challenges:Stabi...
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11:25
Back to Basics Part 3: Standards & Solutions
In this episode of our Back to Basics series, we explore the critical role of tuning solutions, check solutions, and calibration standards in ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Phillips and Te...
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11:49
Back to Basics Part 2: AA Vs OES Vs MS
In this episode, part of our Back to Basics series, we dive into three of the most widely used elemental analysis techniques: Atomic Absorption (AA), ICP-OES, and ICP-MS. Joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes & Autumn Philli...
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13:51
100th Episode Celebration- Back to Basics: Pipetting
This week we’re celebrating a huge milestone—our 100th episode! To mark the occasion, we’re kicking off a brand-new Back to Basics series with a focus on pipetting—the foundation of accurate lab work. Joined by R&D Chemists ...
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14:27
Tech Support Part 3: Solving Silver Challenges & Fast-Tracking Zeolite Digestion
In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to answer technical support questions straight from graduate students in the lab. From tackling the stubborn insolubility of si...
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7:17
Tech Support Part 2: Radiation Myths & Tin Troubles
In this episode of Bench Boost, host Mike Booth is joined by R&D Chemists Liv Forbes and Madeline Gozzi to unpack two common technical support questions. From concerns about the radioactivity of uranium and thorium standards to tro...
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7:26
Tech Support Part 1: Troubleshooting Mercury Analysis & Storage Tips for Custom Standards
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...
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7:41
SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents – Part 2: Chloride, Sulfate, Phosphate, and Ammonia Methods
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 a...
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9:13
SEAL Discrete Analyzer Reagents – Part 1: Silica and Nitrate Methods
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 silic...
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9:20
Platinum Sample Prep & Interference Considerations
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, alloy...
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6:13
Understanding Colorimetric Methods
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 spectrom...
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7:15
Palladium Sample Prep & Interference Management
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 d...
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6:49
Rare Earths, Clean Data, and Smarter Detection
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 i...
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8:33
Sample Prep & ICP Testing for Nickel
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 disso...
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7:26
Improving Oil Testing with Aqueous Hybrid Standards
This week, we’re introducing a new method developed at Inorganic Ventures for analyzing oil samples using aqueous metal standards in a hybrid organic-aqueous solvent matrix—a solution that brings stability, cleaner data, and wider element compa...
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21:28
Iridium Sample Prep and Testing Tips
Iridium is one of the most chemically stubborn—and analytically important—precious metals. In this episode, we walk through key methods for getting iridium metal, oxides, and alloys into solution, including aqua regia, high-temperature chlorina...
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8:11
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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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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10:59
