The staff at Designs and Prototypes (D&P) have provided consistently first-rate technical support and advice. We recently purchased a MicroFTIR Model 102F and have been using it in our laboratory to measure the spectral reflectance properties of powdered mineral samples that we suspect or know are present on the surface of Mars. We are measuring the reflectance spectra of the minerals in our environment chamber (through a 10 mm thick sapphire window) and monitoring changes in various absorption bands, particularly those associated with water.
We are using the spectrometer to monitor changes in both composition and structure of the minerals. With the new D&P lens accessory we can do close-up work and acquire high quality spectra for small amounts of powdered mineral samples. We plan to take it out in the field this summer to measure reflectance and emittance spectra at terrestrial sites that may provide some insights into the surface geology of Mars. The 102F is a very
slick unit, nicely packaged, rugged, compact, and easy to work with. We see this as being our "workhorse" unit both in the field and in the laboratory. Thanks for producing this great instrument.
Dr. Ed Cloutis
Professor
Department of Geography
University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Click here to learn more about Dr. Cloutis
"The folks at Designs and Prototypes (D&P) have been exceptional to work with both before and after the sale. I have been involved in the 
purchase of two MicroFTIR Model 102 instruments for two separate organizations. The first unit had a serial number of 001 (which is
always scary). The support that I received in learning how to use the instrument as well as the detailed explanations of its inner workings have given me and my colleagues great insight in how to collect high
quality spectral emissivity measurements under all kinds of environmental and geographical conditions. We have had it in the desert, in the rain forest, and on a glacier and it has proven equally capable under all these situations. Even when the shipping company we used decided to "drop test" the instrument off their loading dock on its way overseas, the folks at D&P talked me through a temporary fix of the damaged component so that I could salvage the trip and make measurements during this one-time opportunity. My thanks go out to D&P for the exceptional products they provided me with as well as the unconditional support over the years."
Carl Salvaggio, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
The Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY
To learn more about Dr. Salvaggio, click here