Dr Kyle William Robert Taylor¹, Mr Mike Seed¹, Mr Michael Sudnik¹, Dr. Lutz Lange¹

¹Elementar UK Ltd, Stockport, United Kingdom

Analytical Results Database (ArDB) is an intuitive software tool developed by Elementar UK, created to extend the envelope of analytical data analysis beyond simple data processing. ArDB simplifies management and visualisation of data, a particularly critical issue when generating large quantities of data associated with high-resolution and/or high-throughput analysis.

ArDB allows users to construct, maintain and manage their databases of any analytical results, including (but not limited to) results from stable isotope, elemental, and total organic carbon analysis instrumentation. Data can be visualized with 2D & 3D charts and maps, reducing the need to export data to external statistical or GIS software programs. Statistical analyses such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and principle component analysis (PCA) are available, e.g. to generate predictive models against which unknown samples can be tested. Compatibility with R ensures further extended statistical analysis is also possible.

Recently, ArDB has been expanded to offer comprehensive quality control (QC) statistics which allows the software to also be used to monitor instrument performance over short and long-time scales. Performance of both internal QC (e.g. instrument tuning, stability, linearity) as well as external QC (analysis of certified reference materials, laboratory standards) are recorded, centralised and monitored so the base performance can be continuously evaluated for multiple instruments across multiple laboratories. Individual QC criteria can be set at an administrator level so that basic operators cannot make unauthorised alterations, ensuring a secure controlled data management environment.

ArDB performs QC statistics calculations using the Shewart Tests, which can be enabled or disabled, allowing consistent testing of all data sets. By being able to scrutinise QC results alongside sample data, the analyst can ensure that only qualified data is accepted for population of databases, and ultimately that data used for the ongoing research themes they are pursuing is demonstrably robust and reliable.

Biography:

Dr. Lutz Lange
– Studied Chemistry in Frankfurt and Heidelberg University
o Diploma Thesis in Environmental Geosciences
– Dissertation (PhD) at Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry in Mainz (Germany) and Utrecht University (the Netherlands)
o Atmospheric Sciences: Exchange processes between the lowermost stratosphere and the upper troposphere.
– Post Doc at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz
– 2005: Produktmanager at Elementar (Elemental Analysis and IRMS)
– 2011 Director for R&D and innovation management
– 2017: Director Global Sales and Marketing
– August 2019: move to Elementar Australia