Discover the power of TA-FTIR and TA-MS coupling systems with experts from around the world and specialists from NETZSCH-Gerätebau and BRUKER Optics.

  
The 5^th SKT has come to an end and we can make a very positive summary.

We, the companies NETZSCH and BRUKER, have established a networking opportunity for many “couplers” in the form of a periodical gathering. During the Selber Kopplungstage (SKT) in Bad Orb from May 25th to May 28th, 2003 experts, interested parties and specialists from all over the world met for the 5^th time to discuss and discover the TA-FTIR and TA-MS coupling systems.

For nearly 30 years, we have been working on the development of the simultaneous coupling Thermal Analysis with Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transfer Infrared –Spectroscopy. 
At this symposium with workshops we presented news and discussed how to make the known methods better and more effective.

Almost 40 participants from 26 different companies and universities and 8 countries took part in our event. This strong internationality shows that the best point in time to hold this conference is after the ACHEMA, because it is easy for participants to travel to the nearby Bad Orb.

The symposium was divided into four sections:

• Survey of both companies about measuring methods as well as developments of methods and instrumentation
  
• Lectures by users from 6 countries. All lectures concerned the users` daily working field, their problems and how they solved them, and their industrial and academic research.
  
• Practical work on 6 working stations. Four complete and operational coupling systems and two software demos (NETZSCH and BRUKER), all overseen by the staff of both companies.
  
• One experimental session emphasized individual participant practice at the working station.

The lectures covered a broad scope of topics. They varied from basic research in chemistry to modelling of the formation and decomposition of minerals, from biomass char-oxidation to waste disposal, from quality control applications on polymers, to characterization of aerosols and catalysts.
The lectures consequently represented a wide application range in thermoanalytical methods and also in modern simultaneous coupling techniques.

Additionally we have to mention that the Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Orb is a very good venue to hold such a symposium. This is not only because of the perfect premises they have, but also because they tailor the catering service so that the participants can follow the conference from morning to evening with the necessary concentration.

Summarizing the 5^th SKT 2003 according to the responses of the participants we can come to the following conclusions.
First of all, participants are surprised at how much they have learned; second note that the symposium is of such high scientific quality and not advertising and promotion of the two companies.

The proceedings will be available as of November 2003 and can be ordered directly from either of the two companies, NETZSCH or BRUKER.

In conclusion, anyone already working with coupling techniques or planning on working with them in the future should be sure to get the agenda for the next SKT meeting.