Thermo Fisher Completes Purchase of picoSpin

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has completed the purchase of Boulder, Colorado-based picoSpin, LLC, creators of the world’s first miniature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.

In 2010, picoSpin introduced the picoSpin-45, the world’s first miniature NMR spectrometer, offering the capabilities of larger spectrometers in a much more affordable, shoebox-sized unit. The device is ideally suited for academic, industrial and research applications where the cost, space and maintenance requirements make typical NMR spectroscopy impractical. The innovative design for the device—making it 70 times smaller than other devices of its type—earned it a 2012 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine (http://www.rdmag.com/awardwinners/2012/08/nmr-miniaturized).

The acquisition of picoSpin augments Thermo Fisher’s portfolio of spectroscopy solutions, ranging from complementary FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy to full-scale gas, liquid, isotope ratio and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers. The acquisition also allows Thermo Fisher Scientific to expand its array of analytical tools available to undergraduate and graduate chemistry laboratories, as well as analytical quality assurance and quality control laboratories in industry.

“Adding picoSpin’s unique product offerings to our existing capabilities in spectroscopy enables us to offer an even broader suite of chemical analysis,” said John Sos, vice president and general manager, molecular spectroscopy, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Bringing NMR capabilities to new markets where its practicality has been limited represents significant value for our customers.”

picoSpin will be integrated primarily into the company’s chemical analysis business within the Analytical Technologies Segment. The company does not expect this transaction to have a material impact on its 2012 financial results.