Morning Session: Environmental I
July 30th 2018This morning session, which is chaired by X. Chris Lee of the University of Alberta, Canada, and starts at 8:30 a.m., will explore advances in high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for various aspects of environmental analysis, including new work being done by researchers in North America and Asia.
Tips & Tricks GPC/SEC: UV–vis Detection
July 24th 2018The most commonly applied detector in gel permeation chromatography/size-exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC) is the differential refractive index detector, RI. How UV–vis detection, if applicable, adds true value to GPC/SEC applications is discussed in this instalment of Tips & Tricks.
Optimizing Splitless GC Injections
July 24th 2018Splitless injections are sometimes necessary for trace analyses, where the analyst hopes to recover 100% of the analytes that are injected. Unfortunately, splitless injections can be challenging and using an imperfect method can lead to loss of analytes and poor peak shapes. The choice of inlet liner can have an impact on the data and one must consider the effects of geometry, packing, deactivation, and volume on introduction of analytes into the system. Other important inlet parameters to consider include inlet temperature, splitless hold time, and initial oven temperature.
Application of Novel Balance Systems: Next Step Towards Laboratory Automatization?
July 16th 2018The key differences between a classical balance and currently available automated systems from the good weighing practice (GWP) perspective and within the scope of ISO9001:2015 quality standard are discussed. The systems under review are: (i) manual analytical balances; (ii) semi‑automatic systems; (iii) fully automatic systems; and (iv) integrated systems that use on-line coupling of the analytical balance with the instrument used for analytical measurements. The parameters defined in GWP guidelines, such as accuracy, uncertainty, minimum weight, and risks (including out‑of‑specification results), will be evaluated for all of these systems.
Generic GC–FID for Volatile Amine Quantitation in Pharma
July 16th 2018Researchers from Merck and Agilent Technologies have developed a simple and fast generic gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) method for the quantitation of volatile amines in pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic intermediates.
The LCGC Blog: Optimizing Sensitivity in Splitless Capillary GC with FID Detection
July 10th 2018It is often possible to achieve better sensitivity and lower limits of detection and quantitation using standard gas chromatography (GC) equipment-here I’m referring to a standard split/splitless injection port and a Flame Ionization Detector (FID). Paying attention to some of the fundamental variables as well as some of the more esoteric considerations can lead to much improved method performance.
When Do We Need Sub-2-µm Superficially Porous Particles for Liquid Chromatography Separations?
July 1st 2018The use of superficially porous particles (SPPs) for modern high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is now very common. Initially, SPPs rose as an alternative to sub-2-µm fully porous particles (FPPs). In recent years, many column manufacturers have developed 2-µm and smaller SPP-based products. This article investigates the practical utility of these smaller SPP designs.
Split, Splitless, and Beyond—Getting the Most From Your Inlet
July 1st 2018While capillary gas chromatography has been undergoing a renaissance, with new columns, detectors, data systems, and multidimensional separations, the classical inlets have remained the same: We are still injecting liquid samples with syringes into split and splitless inlets, as we have for nearly 50 years. Split and splitless injections present several well-known and some not-so-well known challenges, mostly arising from heating of the inlet, that make sample injection and inlets a major hurdle for gas chromatographers. These challenges and some ideas for mitigating them are discussed and a case is made for renewed exploration of the cool inlets and injection techniques: cool on-column and programmed temperature vaporization.
Data Integrity and USP : Part 1 Specifications and Suppliers
July 1st 2018This is the first of three articles looking at the impact of the new United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapter on Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) on data integrity in a regulated chromatography labora-tory. In part 1, user specifications for chromatography systems and the relationship between users and sup-pliers will be discussed.