A specialist in getting and keeping scientific instrumentation up and running, doing the jobs you need it to do. GC, LC, MS, IR, UV-Vis, AA, NMR, IC, Raman, DSC, high-vacuum systems, autosamplers, robotics — or any combination of the above, like a GC-MS.
"If you have a problem, if nobody else can help (at a reasonable cost), and if my head isn't inside an instrument when you call … maybe you can get help from RRTS!"
If the manufacturer told you your instrument is too old, unsupported, or out of parts — don't give up. I don't have the same incentive to sell you a new system that they do.
I am a great first point of contact for businesses and individuals with a technical problem to diagnose — and if I can't solve it myself, I'll tell you straight and point you toward who can.
A sample of the labs I've worked with and exactly what was wrong.
Gas (MS, FID, TC detection), ion, and [ultra- and high-performance] liquid (UV-Vis, fluorescence, conductivity, and MS detection; electrospray and autosamplers).
UV-Visible, infrared, fluorescence, atomic absorption, atomic emission, X-ray photoelectron, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
Thermal evaporation, electron-beam, and sputtering deposition systems; diffusion, cryo-, turbo-, and conventional mechanical pumps.
Schlenk lines, glove boxes, and pressure-control systems; catalyst regeneration and leak detection.
Digital interfacing and control, analog data recording and control, feedback control systems.
Atomic force (AFM), scanning tunneling (STM), and scanning electron (SEM).
Voltammetry, amperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiostats.
I've been doing this work a long time, but recently moved to New Mexico and set up as an LLC — I couldn't find anyone else already offering this here.
No minimum fee. No "activation" charge. Just clear rates and an easy way out if a fixed rate makes more sense for you.
I charge round-trip travel distance (not time) at the current federal reimbursement rate. I don't charge anything when I can't fix what's broken or do what I was asked to do.
For older instruments, an hourly rate might make you hesitant — but I love saving old equipment from the scrap heap, so I also offer fixed pricing: tell me your problem and what you'd be willing to put into fixing it, and if I think it can work, I'll do it for that. You won't pay more (though I might give up and charge nothing once I see the full extent of it). Don't worry about insulting me with a low offer — I'll just tell you if I can't do it for that much.
I'm patient, and I won't replace every part that might be the cause of trouble. I'll come back — at no additional cost to you — after trying the cheap solutions first.
I've been doing this work a long time, but recently moved to New Mexico and set up shop here, finding nobody else already offering anything similar in the area.
I'm a great first point of contact for businesses and individuals with a technical problem to diagnose, and I'll offer guidance on how to proceed even when I can't solve it myself.
Give me a call or send an email — whichever's easier for you.
