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The ICP-MS Journal

August 2026

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Agilent 9500 Special Edition

This issue of The ICP-MS Journal marks the introduction of the new Agilent 9500 ICP-MS. The 9500 ICP-QQQ is an MS/MS-capable instrument designed for ease of use and high throughput. It’s always a fun time here in The ICP-MS Journal but when we have a new instrument to talk about we tend to get quite excited. The 9500 has taken quite some time in development because it’s an all-new platform with over 85% new and improved parts. The heart of the 9500 is the new Dual-Cell System (DCS). The DCS allows us to operate in Advanced Helium Mode (AHM) which offers high sensitivity across the full mass range with outstanding interference removal, this means no more gas changes for low-mass elements.

To make installation easy, we can use lab air as a reaction gas, so you can say goodbye to oxygen cylinders in the lab for advanced interference removal (such as REE++ interferences on As and Se).

There’s also a new software suite, OpenLab ICP-MS 1.1 to take advantage of the new hardware, which also offers a big leap in ease of use and diagnostics.

I’ve been lucky to work with our R&D engineers, chemists and programmers and seeing their hard work and enthusiasm for the new 9500 has been amazing.

We hope you like the instrument as much as we do.

Thanks,

Glenn Woods
editor.the_icp-ms_journal@agilent.com

Identifying the Geographical Origin of Black Pepper

The global black pepper industry faces critical challenges in ensuring transparency and verifying origin. This exciting study leverages Agilent ICP-MS technology and sophisticated chemometric software to analyze 38 elements across 150 samples from five countries. The highly accurate models promise to revolutionize food fraud detection and safeguard consumers.

Accuracy Validation of Multi-Matrix Food Analysis

This study introduces a cutting-edge food-testing method using the Agilent 7850 ICP-MS to accurately detect 35 elements across various food types. Combining advanced modes, it ensures reliable, fast results for trace and major elements, including rare platinum group metals, across a wide range of concentrations.

ICP-QQQ for Routine Applications, Part 2: ICP-QQQ interference control, sensitivity, and analytical accuracy

Discover how the Agilent ICP-QQQ instruments revolutionize everyday testing across industries like water, food, and consumer goods. This second article in the series showcases innovative applications, highlighting their success and impact in transforming analytical practices worldwide.

Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Basalt

Discover how Agilent 7850 ICP-MS is used for REE analysis in basalt, overcoming matrix challenges and spectral interferences. This advanced technique enables precise, single-acquisition measurement, boosting geochemical research and high-tech industry applications with faster, more reliable results.

Authenticating the Origin of Soybeans using ICP-MS and Agilent Mass Profiler Professional Software

ICP-MS is used to determine the geographical authenticity of soybean crops from seven major producing countries. This user-contributed article is also published in Nature.

ICP-QQQ for Routine Applications Part 1: Comparing single and triple quadrupole ICP-MS

ICP-QQQ is often considered a difficult-to-use research tool, but it offers significant advantages for routine lab use. Part 1 introduces ICP-QQQ for routine applications and highlights often overlooked benefits.

ICP-MS Quick Tips: ICP-MS MassHunter Autocalibration Assistant

The Autocalibration Assistant is a tool built into ICP-MS MassHunter and designed to make calibration setup even easier. It features a database of calibration standards to simplify the method development workflow. We look at how to use it in this article.

Semiconductor Focus Part 4: Enhancing the 8900 ICP-QQQ with Pure Gases and SPS 6 Autosampler

We look at using a new option for the 8900 ICP-QQQ semiconductor version. This option enables pure ammonia cell gas and pure oxygen for the “option” plasma gas. We also introduce our new SPS 6 autosampler, a six-rack version of the popular SPS 4.

Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing: Trace Contaminant Analysis by ICP-MS

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) power our devices and electric vehicles, and are key to renewable energy storage. Advanced ICP-MS tools enable sensitive analysis of trace elements, boosting research and quality control.

Protect Your ICP-MS Investment: Cone Selection and Maintenance for Peak Performance

Discover the Agilent ICP-MS Interface Cones FAQs—your guide to optimizing performance. Learn about cone types, features, selection tips, and maintenance for peak results.

ICP-MS Quick Tips: Using ICP-MS MassHunter Sublists

Modern labs process numerous samples monthly, needing flexible, user-friendly instruments. ICP-MS MassHunter's 'sublist' feature lets users create customizable analyte lists, enabling targeted measurements with a single method. Here's how to set up and use sublists.

Semiconductor Focus Part 3: Complex materials and matrices

This article uncovers cutting-edge automated techniques for analyzing semiconductor silicon, wide-bandgap substrates, and contamination control in IC-grade photoresist—crucial for maintaining top-tier quality and consistency in semiconductor manufacturing. Stay ahead with ICP-QQQ technology.

Chromium Speciation in Water Using Integrated IC−ICP−MS

Explore how a Metrohm Ion Chromatograph (IC) seamlessly works with an Agilent ICP-MS, using the Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter software. This ISO 24384-compliant method not only provides top sensitivity and accuracy but also delivers impressive efficiency and analytical performance.

Reflections on 2025 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry

Based on over 150 conference posters, ICP-MS dominates in current plasma spectrochemistry research, with increasing use of hyphenated methods for single-particle and single-cell studies. We look at the recent EWCPS.

Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter Software Version 5.4

Software version 5.4 introduces exciting advancements in trace element analysis, transforming how high-purity reagents are tested. By streamlining workflows for both routine and advanced applications and improving single-nanoparticle (sNP) analysis, these updates empower industry professionals. Designed to enhance ICP-MS applications, especially in the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductor Focus Part 2: High-purity organics by ICP-QQQ

Building on our semiconductor focus, this review explores the innovative applications of ICP-QQQ technology. Dive into how this cutting-edge technique enables the precise detection of both dissolved and particulate contaminants in high-purity organic chemicals and solvents, highlighting its crucial role in advancing material purity and industry standards.

New ADS 2 Autodilution System

The ADS 2 is an innovative new sample automation system for ICP-MS and ICP-OES. This article looks at both the ADS 2 as well as the UHMI gas dilution system and how they can work together.

ADS 2 Applications for High Matrix Samples

Practical applications of the ADS 2 with Agilent ICP-MS instruments highlight enhanced laboratory efficiency achieved through a reduction in the analyst’s workload.

ICP-MS MassHunter Version 5.3 with Star Rating

The latest version of ICP-MS MassHunter features advanced controls for the ADS 2 autodilutor. IntelliQuant has been updated to make it even better and has been given an exciting new data analysis feature known as Star Rating.

Ultratrace Boron Analysis using the 8900 ICP-QQQ

Boron and 35 other elements were determined in ultrapure water by the Agilent ICP-QQQ. The boron background was controlled using a UPW system with a B-filter, enabling a ppq-level detection limit to be achieved.

Imaging Metals in Biological Samples by Laser Ablation (LA)-ICP-MS

ICP-MS and ICP-QQQ coupled with laser ablation are used to map elemental distributions in tissue samples. These elemental maps help research the role that different elements have in certain short-term or chronic conditions. The article looks at a heart section after suffering a myocardial infarction (MI) as well as a liver section.

Overcoming ICP-MS Signal Enhancement in Food Analysis by Adding CO2 to the Plasma

A food analysis company adds carbon dioxide to the ICP-QQQ plasma using a novel in-house designed maniford to increase sensitivity and reduce sample-to-sample ionization variability in carbon-containing samples.

ICP-MS Quick Tips: Configuring ICP-MS MassHunter Custom Views

The first in a series of ICP-MS Quick Tips, where we look at a useful tip in five minutes or less. This article focuses of configuring ICP-MS MassHunter data analysis custom layout and data view options, providing you with tools to streamline your data analysis process.

Semiconductor Focus Part I: Aqueous-based applications of ICP-QQQ

Continuing our focus on semiconductors, we look at a review of ICP-QQQ applications. This part I review examines semiconductor aqueous-based chemical analysis applications and the unique challenges faced by the semiconductor industry.

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