Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol have developed a series of tests for the detection of the monkeypox virus, the Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company announced.
The monkeypox virus is a close relative of the smallpox virus, belonging to orthpoxviridae in the poxviridae family.
The modular virus detection tool, called LightMix, includes three orthpoxvirus detection kits with different functions, Roche said in a statement. The first kit detects orthpoxvirus; The second kit tests only for monkeypox virus (west and Central African branches); The third kit contains the main functions of the first two kits, showing specific information on the presence of the monkeypox virus (west and Central African branches) as well as the detection of orpoxvirus.
Thomas Schinek, a Roche executive, said the new test could detect monkeypox and help track its spread. Such diagnostic tools are critical for addressing and ultimately managing emerging public health challenges, as they advance responses such as tracking efforts and treatment strategies.
The monkeypox virus was first identified in 1958 in a group of monkeys used for research when the animals developed a "pox-like" infection, hence the name. Since May, several non-endemic countries have reported human cases of the monkeypox virus, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
Affected by the ever-changing international situation, the supply and prices of international bulk quartz powder are still very uncertain.
What is The Mohs Hardness Scale?
The Mohs Hardness Scale is a standard that indicates the hardness of minerals. It was first proposed by German mineralogist Frederich Mohs in 1822. It is widely used in mineralogy or gemology.
Mohs hardness is a method of scratching the surface of the tested mineral with a pyramidal diamond needle and measuring the depth of the scratch. the depth of the scratch is the Mohs Hardness Scale, represented by the symbol HM. It is also used to indicate the hardness of other materials.
Hardness is expressed by measuring the depth of scratches on a scale of 10 (scratching method):
| Mineral | Chemical formula | Mohs hardness |
| Diamond | C | 10 |
| Corundum | Al2O3 | 9 |
| Topaz | Al2SiO4(OH−,F−)2 | 8 |
| Quartz | SiO2 | 7 |
| Orthoclase feldspar | KAlSi3O8 | 6 |
| Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH−,Cl−,F−) | 5 |
| Fluorite | CaF2 | 4 |
| Calcite | CaCO3 | 3 |
| Gypsum | CaSO4·2H2O | 2 |
| Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 | 1 |
The hardness of the tested mineral is determined by comparing it with the standard mineral in the Mohs hardness tester. For example, if a mineral can scratch calcite (3) but not fluorite (4), its Mohs hardness is 3-4.
In the process of determination, it is necessary to make sure that the scratch is actually a scratch, not just a "chalk" mark that will be erased. If the species being tested are fine-grained, fragile or powdery, the test may only loosen the particles without testing the surface of a single mineral; therefore, certain textures or aggregate forms may hinder or hinder true hardness determination.
Mohs hardness value is not absolute hardness value, but relative hardness value, relatively rough. But it is convenient and practical and suitable for field work.
| Hardness | Substance or mineral |
| 0.2–0.3 | caesium, rubidium |
| 0.5–0.6 | lithium, sodium, potassium, candle wax |
| 1 | talc |
| 1.5 | gallium, strontium, indium, tin, barium, thallium, lead, graphite, ice |
| 2 | hexagonal boron nitride, calcium, selenium, cadmium, sulfur, tellurium, bismuth, gypsum |
| 2–2.5 | halite (rock salt), fingernail, mica |
| 2.5–3 | gold, silver, aluminium, zinc, cryolite, lanthanum, cerium, jet |
| 3 | calcite, copper, arsenic, antimony, thorium, dentin, chalk |
| 3.5 | platinum |
| 4 | fluorite, iron, nickel |
| 4–4.5 | ordinary steel |
| 5 | apatite (tooth enamel), zirconium, palladium, obsidian (volcanic glass) |
| 5.5 | beryllium, molybdenum, hafnium, glass, cobalt |
| 6 | orthoclase, titanium, manganese, germanium, niobium, uranium, rhodium |
| 6–7 | fused quartz, iron pyrite, silicon, ruthenium, iridium, tantalum, opal, peridot, tanzanite, rhodium, jade, garnet, pyrite |
| 7 | osmium, quartz, rhenium, vanadium |
| 7.5–8 | emerald, beryl, zircon, tungsten, spinel |
| 8 | topaz, cubic zirconia, hardened steel, spinel |
| 8.5 | chrysoberyl, chromium, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide |
| 9 | corundum (includes sapphire and ruby), tungsten carbide, titanium nitride, aluminium oxide |
| 9–9.5 | silicon carbide (carborundum), zirconium carbide, alumina, beryllium carbide, titanium carbide, aluminum boride, boron carbide |
| 9.5–near 10 | boron, boron nitride, rhenium diboride (a-axis), stishovite, titanium diboride, moissanite (crystal form of silicon carbide) |
| 10 | diamond, carbonado |
What is a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale?
On the Mohs hardness scale, a diamond has a hardness of 10, meaning it is the hardest mineral known to man.
What is a 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale?
Apatite (enamel), zirconium, palladium, obsidian (volcanic glass).
Is 7 on the Mohs scale hard?
Minerals with Mohs hardness of 7 include osmium, quartz, rhenium, vanadium and so on. They are harder than substances with Mohs hardness less than 7 (such as apatite, calcite, gypsum, etc.) and softer than those with Mohs hardness greater than 7.
Hardness Test
The hardness test developed by Friedrich Mohs is the first known test to evaluate the scratch resistance of materials. This is a very simple but imprecise comparison test. Perhaps its simplicity makes it the most widely used hardness test.
Since the invention of the Mohs hardness tester in 1812, many different hardness testing methods have been invented. These tests include Brinell, Knoop, Rockwell, Shore and Vickers Test. Each test uses a tiny "indenter", which is applied to the material being tested and its force is carefully measured. The hardness value is then calculated by the size of the indentation or the depth and force.
Chemical Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and nanomaterials including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.
If you are looking for high-quality chemicals and nanomaterials, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. (sales3@nanotrun.com)
COVID-19 has led to many sites shutting down. What is the impact on China's foreign trade enterprises as a whole and small, medium and micro foreign trade enterprises?
. It is learned that some foreign trade enterprises have been affected by the epidemic and are facing periodic problems in quartz powder operated by foreign trade enterprises will also fluctuate with the changes of the epidemic. Contact us for the latest quotation on quartz powder.
Inquiry us
PREVIOUS NEWS
Silicon powderhas a variety of uses, some of which include:Semiconductor manufacturing: Silicon powder generates semiconductors, essential components for electronics such as computer systems, smart devices, as well as other devices.Solar cell manufac…
Titanium Nitride propertiesTitanium nitride molar mass is 61.874 g/mol.Unappetizing.Really durable. It has a crystal framework comparable to sodium chloride.Has high mechanical toughness.Titanium nitride melting factor is about 2947 °& deg; C and…
Nano silica has lots of residential or commercial properties that traditional products do not have. The fragment dimension circulation of nano silica is really narrow, the majority of which are within 100 nm, with many micropores and huge particular…