Houston MJ Associates is proud to announce its appointment as the exclusive distributor for the Linkoptik line of particle size analyzers in the Americas.

As a leading company in the field of particle size analysis by laser diffraction, Linkoptik has a growing portfolio of patented technologies and extensive industry applications knowledge. This has allowed its customers to better understand a wide variety of materials ranging from pharmaceuticals to chemicals and polymers, as well as micro and nano particle suspensions, emulsions and sprays.

The Linkoptik product line includes innovative, cutting-edge laser diffraction platforms, wet and dry sample dispersion units, spray particle size analyzers and powerful yet intuitive software. Technically advanced, reliable and robust, Linkoptik represents a tremendous value for the customer looking to measure particle size and particle size distribution.

​The addition of Linkoptik to the HMJ portfolio complements our existing DSV and GPC/SEC business and further broadens our materials characterization capabilities, allowing us to better serve the expanding HMJ customer base.    ​

Dear Valued Customers,

We have posted a DSV application note illustrating the use of HT-DSV for the molecular weight measurement of Gilsonite.  This method shows the potential of using HT-DSV for the molecular weight measurement of very complex samples like Gilsonite.  Such samples may have unknown compositions or structures that make chromatographic methods of measurement infeasible.  Solution viscosity measurements can provide valid IV values and the Mark-Houwink conversion can provide a reasonable estimate of MW.  Thank you to Mr. Dario Monte from the American Gilsonite Company for his support of this work.

Sincerely, 

​Wei Sen Wong

Dear Valued Customers:

We are pleased to announce the creation of a new HMJ GPC/SEC/DSV sample analysis service platform for our polymer/biopolymer customers that is differentiated by expertise, reliability, and cost.  Our most innovative offering is a set of 9 TDAmax (Triple/Tetra) GPC/SEC systems and a set of 4 DSV systems that is capable of providing 3-day turnaround time for routine samples.  

The set of GPC/SEC instruments includes:

Routine GPC Analysis:     Instrument for nonpolar polymers (e.g., PS in THF)
                                            Instrument for neutral aqueous polymers (e.g., PEO in Water)
                                            Instrument for standard FIPA-XS (e.g., PP in THF)

Non-Routine GPC Analysis:    Instrument for polar polymers (e.g., PAN in DMF)
                                                    Instrument for cationic polymers (e.g., PEI in Acetic Acid)
                                                    Instrument for proteins (e.g., BSA in PBS)
                                                    Instrument for special FIPA-XSAI (e.g., ICP/EPR in Tetralin)
                                                    Instrument for method development

The set of DSV instruments includes:    HTDSV for Polyolefins (e.g., PP in Decalin)
                                                                     DSV for Polyamides (e.g., Nylon in Formic Acid)
                                                                     DSV for PVC (e.g., PVC in THF or Cyclohexanone)
                                                                     DSV for PET (e.g., PET in 60/40, Phenol/TCE)
                                                                     DSV for method development

The range of applications offered by these 13 instruments probably covers 80% of typical customer needs.  Application information is provided in our Learning section of our website so that customers can choose the correct method for their samples.  More difficult or research-type samples can be handled on a method development basis.  For more information and sample submission procedure, please browse the Services section of our website.  

If you want to establish direct contact with us, please send a note to one of the following email addresses: weisenwong@hmjassociates.com or shawnwelch@hmjassociates.com.  Once again, thank you very much for your continued support.  We look forward to working with you in the future.  

Sincerely, 

Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com

Dear Valued Customers:

We are pleased to announce the development of ARV 3.0, which will bring many improvements over ARV 2.07.  In this development phase, we hope to interact with our customer base to find out what new features might be useful to add and what current features can be improved.  The following is a brief list of user suggestions we have collected from previous interactions:

1) Add features to bring ARV into compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11.  This entails creating audit trails for tracking changes to method files and data files.

2) Add a tool in ARV to export data files in an appropriate format (CSV, for example) to a networked folder to be processed by a LIMS software.  I am very interested to hear from our customers about what LIMS software they are using and what ARV can do to make the integration process easier.

3) Add a tool in ARV that makes it easier to track the Y501 instrument constant (aka, the baseline) over time (probably over the course of up to 1000 injections).  The tool would also prompt the user to take action (a backflush, for example) to correct an instrument constant that has drifted outside of user-defined bounds.  There are many ways to design this tool, so I would like to get user input to develop the most useful tool possible.

4) Add a shortcut button to the toolbar for Configure Instruments.

5) Allow the ARV User group to view, but not edit the Analysis Options.  Sometimes it is useful just to see what methods or parameters are running.

6) Allow the ARV User and ARV Super groups to access the Configure Instruments windows only to do communication checks and use the manual controls.  These groups would not be able to save any changes they made to any parameters, just like now.

ARV 3.0 will be tested for Windows 10 compatibility.  Thank you for your support of HMJ, and I look forward to hearing any comments and suggestions from you.  

Sincerely,

Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com
​

Dear Valued Customers:

As the situation around COVID-19 continues to develop, our overriding concern is the health and safety of our employees and customers.  Houston MJ Associates has been designated an essential business, and so we are committed to keeping our facilities open to serve our customers' needs.  

We have temporarily suspended our ability to provide on-site PM, on-site repair, and on-site installation through at least April 30 to comply with the CDC's recommendation to avoid any non-essential travel.  If a PM or repair is needed, the Y501 unit can be shipped to HMJ for depot service.  All other activities in sales, analytical services, and technical support remain operational as normal.  If you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone.  

Sincerely,

Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com

Dear Valued Customers: 

We are pleased to announce that the next DSV School session is scheduled for April 21-23, 2020.  The DSV School is a comprehensive training course for all levels of DSV users. The curriculum starts with basic theories and daily operation, and ends with advanced diagnostics and repairs.  To ensure close supervision of students, each session is limited to 4 students.  The 4 students will be split into 2 groups, each working with a fully functional DSV system.  The class will emphasize hands-on training, as students will be able to disassemble and reassemble DSV hardware.  To reserve your seat, please make checks payable to Houston MJ Associates for the amount of $3,000.00 per student.  Due to the limited number of seats per session, confirmation of registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please feel free to give us a call to discuss any questions, and visit the DSV School section of the website to view and download the registration packet.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com
​

Dear Valued Customers: 

We are pleased to announce that the next DSV School session is scheduled for October 22-24, 2019.  The DSV School is a comprehensive training course for all levels of DSV users. The curriculum starts with basic theories and daily operation, and ends with advanced diagnostics and repairs.  To ensure close supervision of students, each session is limited to 4 students.  The 4 students will be split into 2 groups, each working with a fully functional DSV system.  The class will emphasize hands-on training, as students will be able to disassemble and reassemble DSV hardware.  To reserve your seat, please make checks payable to Houston MJ Associates for the amount of $3,000.00 per student.  Due to the limited number of seats per session, confirmation of registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please feel free to give us a call to discuss any questions, and visit the DSV School section of the website to view and download the registration packet.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com
​

Dear Valued Customers: 

At Houston MJ Associates, we are always improving our website to better serve our current customers and prospective customers.  We will be adding a couple new web pages in the near future to address unmet needs.

First, a section with demonstration videos will show prospective customers the analytical capabilities of the Y501 system.  We also plan to have videos demonstrating the Backflush Kit and discussing other topics.  Second, we will have a section with possible solutions to troubleshooting questions that we frequently encounter.  These are meant to be issues that the users can easily resolve themselves without the need for new parts or the expertise of a service engineer.  This way, the user does not lose a lot of operation time to a problem that could have been solved easily by themselves, which is a win for everyone.

Once again, thank you very much for your support and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com

Dear Valued Customers: 
​
As Houston MJ Associates comes up on two years in the DSV business, thank you for your continued support of Viscotek/Malvern DSV products.  We are also very grateful for the trust and guidance from Malvern Management, which continues to support Houston MJ Associates in the DSV technology transfer.  At HMJ, we strive to provide the DSV solutions and support that you need to keep your business running. 

One item that has been very useful to particular customers is the Backflush Kit, which greatly simplifies that backflush procedure.  Customers that have partially soluble samples frequently and regularly develop plugs in the Y501.  The standard backflush procedure is laborious and exposes the operator to solvent hazards, and the Backflush Kit eliminates both negatives.  The Backflush Kit is available to be ordered with new Y501's and can be installed on any existing Y501 (A, B, C, or D generations).  More information can be found under the DSV dropdown menu.  If you are interested, please contact us for a quote. 

Once again, thank you very much for your support and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Wei Sen Wong, Ph.D.

weisenwong@hmjassociates.com