Owners of the Pine CBP Bipotentiostat system who are presently using our classic PineChem software may wish to upgrade to our new AfterMath software package. Such an upgrade is likely to involve both a software upgrade and a corresponding hardware upgrade. This article discusses some of the issues to consider when contemplating an upgrade.
What can I get for free?
All users of our classic PineChem software may take advantage of the FREE AfterMath Viewer download option. If you are only looking for the ability to analyze data and prepare plots from your bipotentiostat data, then you can download a free copy of our AfterMath Viewer software package. The viewer permits you to import PineChem data files directly into the AfterMath viewer software, and then you can prepare plots and analyze data using AfterMath.
What if I want to control the CBP Bipotentiostat using AfterMath?
If you wish to to control your CBP Bipotentiostat using AfterMath, then you need to consider upgrades to all five of the following components in your existing CBP system:
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Interface Board Upgrade. The interface board (which is installed inside the computer) must be a 16-bit interface board. Older bipotentiostat systems are likely to have an earlier 12-bit interface board rather than a 16-bit interface board. Because AfterMath uses the interface board to digitally generate the waveform applied to the working electrode, it is essential to use a higher resolution 16-bit interface board when working with AfterMath. If you have purchased your CBP bipotentiostat system recently, you may already have a 16-bit interface board. If not, you will need to purchase a 16-bit board (click here for details)
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Filter Board Upgrade. When using the interface board to send digital waveforms to the bipotentiostat and to record the response from the potentiostat, it is very likely that noise will be introduced as signals travel between the computer and the bipotentiostat. For this reason, Pine strongly recommends that a signal filter board be installed in the bipotentiostat. This easily installed add-on board provides various levels of signal filtering for both the excitation signals and the response signals travelling in the interface cable. (click here for details)
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Software License Upgrade. The software license for AfterMath is tied to the particular interface board installed in the computer. For this reason, it is important to first settle the issue of the 16-bit interface board upgrade (discussed above) before ordering AfterMath from Pine. You will need to report the serial number of your interface board to Pine at the time you purchase the AfterMath upgrade (click here for details)
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Operating System Upgrade. AfterMath works with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP (32 bit). If you are using a computer with an earlier version of Windows, then you will need to upgrade the operating system. (click here for minimum system requirements)
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Device Driver Upgrade. If you upgrade the interface board and/or the operating system, then you will very likely need to upgrade the device driver for the interface board. (click here for device driver information)
How much does it cost to upgrade?
Pine is happy to provide you with a quotation for an upgrade package. Contact Pine at (919) 782-8320 or using our online contact form (click here). We will be happy to help you evaluate exactly what you need to successfully upgrade your system.
In general, most customers choose to purchase the filter board together with the software license directly from Pine. In the event that an interface board upgrade is also required, Pine can also supply the interface board, but it is generally less expensive to purchase the interface board directly from National Instruments.
What features does AfterMath offer?
AfterMath software has many advantageous features. In each of the tabs below, the functions of the software are displayed.
Classic PineChem
Data Analysis and Plotting Features
Multi-Trace Overlay Plotting
Peak Area, Height & Baseline Tools
Trace Data Transform Functions
Drag-n-Drop Traces on to Plots
Full Support for SI Units
Select Traces, Segments, and Points
International Unicode Font Support
Superscripts, Subscripts, Symbols
Publication Quality Printing
Queueing Multiple Experiments
Control of Multiple Potentiostats
Cell Control while Idle
System Clipboard Support
Copy Trace Data to Clipboard
Copy Trace Data from Clipboard
Copy Plot Image to Clipboard
Original PineChem Methods:
Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Potential
Dual Electrode Cyclic Voltammetry (DECV)
– Collection, Shielding, and Window variants
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Controlled Potential
Additional Single Step Methods:
Open Circuit Potential vs time (OCP)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Current
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Mixed Mode Constant Current and/or Potential
Single-Step Chronoamperometry (CA)
Staircase, Pulse, and Multistep Methods:
Double-Step Chronoamperometry (DPSCA)
Linear Staircase Voltammetry (LSCV)
Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV)
Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV)
Normal Pulse Voltammetry (NPV)
– including Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Cyclic Staircase & Pulse Methods:
Cyclic Staircase Voltammetry (CSCV)
Cyclic Differential Pulse Voltammetry (CDPV)
Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry (CSWV)
Cyclic Normal Pulse Voltammetry (CNPV)
– including Cyclic Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Galvanostatic Methods:
Chronopotentiometry (CP)
Current Ramp Chronopotentiometry (CRP)
Cyclic Current Ramp Potentiometry (CCP)
Stripping Voltammetry (anodic and cathodic):
Stripping Voltammetry (ASV)
Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry (DPSV)
Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry (SWSV)
Data Storage Formats
PineChem Setup File (.stp)
PineChem Results File (.exp)
AfterMath Data Archive (.paax)
Limited
Limited
Limited
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
AfterMath – Viewer Only Version
Data Analysis and Plotting Features
Multi-Trace Overlay Plotting
Peak Area, Height & Baseline Tools
Trace Data Transform Functions
Drag-n-Drop Traces on to Plots
Full Support for SI Units
Select Traces, Segments, and Points
International Unicode Font Support
Superscripts, Subscripts, Symbols
Publication Quality Printing
Queueing Multiple Experiments
Control of Multiple Potentiostats
Cell Control while Idle
System Clipboard Support
Copy Trace Data to Clipboard
Copy Trace Data from Clipboard
Copy Plot Image to Clipboard
Original PineChem Methods:
Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Potential
Dual Electrode Cyclic Voltammetry (DECV)
– Collection, Shielding, and Window variants
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Controlled Potential
Additional Single Step Methods:
Open Circuit Potential vs time (OCP)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Current
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Mixed Mode Constant Current and/or Potential
Single-Step Chronoamperometry (CA)
Staircase, Pulse, and Multistep Methods:
Double-Step Chronoamperometry (DPSCA)
Linear Staircase Voltammetry (LSCV)
Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV)
Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV)
Normal Pulse Voltammetry (NPV)
– including Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Cyclic Staircase & Pulse Methods:
Cyclic Staircase Voltammetry (CSCV)
Cyclic Differential Pulse Voltammetry (CDPV)
Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry (CSWV)
Cyclic Normal Pulse Voltammetry (CNPV)
– including Cyclic Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Galvanostatic Methods:
Chronopotentiometry (CP)
Current Ramp Chronopotentiometry (CRP)
Cyclic Current Ramp Potentiometry (CCP)
Stripping Voltammetry (anodic and cathodic):
Stripping Voltammetry (ASV)
Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry (DPSV)
Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry (SWSV)
Data Storage Formats
PineChem Setup File (.stp)
PineChem Results File (.exp)
AfterMath Data Archive (.paax)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Import Only
Import Only
Yes
AfterMath – Full Version
Data Analysis and Plotting Features
Multi-Trace Overlay Plotting
Peak Area, Height & Baseline Tools
Trace Data Transform Functions
Drag-n-Drop Traces on to Plots
Full Support for SI Units
Select Traces, Segments, and Points
International Unicode Font Support
Superscripts, Subscripts, Symbols
Publication Quality Printing
Queueing Multiple Experiments
Control of Multiple Potentiostats
Cell Control while Idle
System Clipboard Support
Copy Trace Data to Clipboard
Copy Trace Data from Clipboard
Copy Plot Image to Clipboard
Original PineChem Methods:
Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Potential
Dual Electrode Cyclic Voltammetry (DECV)
– Collection, Shielding, and Window variants
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Controlled Potential
Additional Single Step Methods:
Open Circuit Potential vs time (OCP)
Bulk Electrolysis (BE)
– Constant Current
Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE)
– Mixed Mode Constant Current and/or Potential
Single-Step Chronoamperometry (CA)
Staircase, Pulse, and Multistep Methods:
Double-Step Chronoamperometry (DPSCA)
Linear Staircase Voltammetry (LSCV)
Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV)
Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV)
Normal Pulse Voltammetry (NPV)
– including Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Cyclic Staircase & Pulse Methods:
Cyclic Staircase Voltammetry (CSCV)
Cyclic Differential Pulse Voltammetry (CDPV)
Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry (CSWV)
Cyclic Normal Pulse Voltammetry (CNPV)
– including Cyclic Reverse Normal Pulse Voltammetry
Galvanostatic Methods:
Chronopotentiometry (CP)
Current Ramp Chronopotentiometry (CRP)
Cyclic Current Ramp Potentiometry (CCP)
Stripping Voltammetry (anodic and cathodic):
Stripping Voltammetry (ASV)
Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry (DPSV)
Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry (SWSV)
Data Storage Formats
PineChem Setup File (.stp)
PineChem Results File (.exp)
AfterMath Data Archive (.paax)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Import Only
Import Only
Yes
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