News + Publications

Our Research and Development Analytical Laboratory (A-Lab) provides in house services supporting complex sample integrity characterization, method development of new protocols, and validation studies to evaluate existing protocols. These services can be utilized at various stages of the 9 Technology Readiness Levels, (TRL1-9); anywhere from fundamental research to early adoption.

Coanda’s approach in supporting our clients is first principles-based, where we start with basic chemistry and characterization and build protocols needed to support our client’s objectives. Often commercially available protocols may have gaps or limitations in the analysis or may not align with the sample matrix or application. Though not confined by ISO quality standards or ASTM performance, the Coanda A-Lab uses our unique experience and novel approaches to develop, expand, and refine protocols while maintaining best-practice quality assurance in a research analytical environment. As such, the A-Lab works from various TRLs stages depending on the project need or desired outcome.

As an example, our Naphtha in Oilsands Tailings Analysis and Clay Quantification by XRD Analysis both started as a TRL-3 experimental proof-of-concept analysis based on existing commercially available methodology. Through protocol refinement and validation with third-party analysis, the protocol evolved to TRL-9 and is now commercially available in industry.

Another example starting as TRL-2, the Bitumen Content in Oilsands Tailings by UV-Vis, began as a feasibility study and literature review and progressed to TRL-7 which resulted in a faster, more consistent, and accurate protocol for determining bitumen content through solvent extraction and UV-Vis analysis. This protocol is used to supplement our experimental rigs performances.