Welcome to Separation Science

HPLC Back to Basics - A Laboratory Companion for Liquid Chromatographers

Fundamentals

Learn all about retention factor, column dead-time, retention time diagnostics, selectivity, efficiency, tailing, resolution and the fundamental resolution equation.

Better Thermal Extraction: Tips and Tricks for VDA-278 and Other Thermal Desorption – GC/MS Methods Used for Material Emissions Testing

On-demand

Kurt Thaxton (GERSTEL International Product Manager, Pyrolysis and Thermal Desorption)

You'll learn about the history and analytical basis of analytical thermal extraction for interior air quality, the current state of the art, including tips and advice for scientists and engineers that perform VDA-278 and related methods for material emissions analysis, and where these methods fit in the overall strategy for automotive air quality and where these methods are headed in the future.

LC-MS Calibration vs Tuning

Fundamentals

There are two procedures that are used to make sure that an HPLC equipped with a mass spectral detector (MS) is reporting proper mass information and that the system is properly set to detect the analyte(s) of interest.

Get more information in less time: a routine and sensitive workflow for peptide mapping and PTM analysis

On-demand

Linfeng Wu and Ning Tang (Agilent Technologies)

Learn how an integrated peptide mapping workflow solution automates and streamlines from sample preparation to data analysis.

HPLC Injection Problems

Troubleshooting Advice

I am running an isocratic method with a 250 x 4.6 mm, 10 µm particle column at 1 mL/min with a 20% acetonitrile (ACN)/buffer mobile phase. I dissolve my sample in ACN and inject. Normally my compound of interest comes out at 7.7 min. I switched to a 250 x 4.0 mm column, keeping everything else the same, but now I see a distinct hump on the front of the peak. Is this another compound or am I doing something wrong?

Buffer Preparation

Troubleshooting Advice

I use trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to adjust the aqueous portion of my HPLC mobile phase to pH 2.5. Even with careful pH adjustment, I see changes in retention when I prepare each new batch of mobile phase. Retention seems to be consistent within a batch, but batch-to-batch variability concerns me. Can you shed any light on this problem?

Does a Guard Column Make Sense?

Troubleshooting Advice

A guard column is one of those HPLC accessories that is a bit of a mixed grill – it can be a good thing or a not-so-good thing. Let’s look at some of the different aspects of guard column use to see if they make sense for you.

A New Integrated, Sample-to-Result, Analytical Workflow for the Sensitive and Reliable Analysis of Polar Anionic Pesticides and Metabolites

On-demand

Richard Fussell and Fausto Pigozzo (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

This webinar introduces a new validated ion-chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry based workflow for the robust, sensitive and reliable determination of a group of polar anionic pesticides and metabolites at low µg/kg levels, without the need for derivatization, and all in a single analysis.

Intelligent GC Systems: 10 Ways to Easy GC

On-demand

Angela Smith-Henry and Ian Eisele (Agilent, USA)

This webinar introduces a host of useful tips and tricks to streamline your daily workload leading to increased productivity with improved throughput with sample overlap, enabling you to perform easier GC. You will discover steps for high quality, accurate data – first time, every time.

What’s in The Air We Breathe? A Walk Through Canister Sampling and Analysis for Measuring Air Toxics

On-demand

Helen Martin (Thermal Desorption Product Marketing Manager, Markes International)

Listen to this series of talks addressing 'What are VOCs and Why Measure Them?', 'Choosing the Best Air Sampling Technique for Your Application', and 'A Guide to Canister Sampling'. You will learn how to choose the best sampling technique for your application, what you will need for each stage of a canister sampling cycle, and how to get the most out of your air analysis instruments.

Applications using Thin Film Solid-Phase Microextraction (TF-SPME) with Analysis by Thermal Desorption GC/MS

On-demand

Jack Stuff, Ph.D. (Manager of the Analytical Services Group - GERSTEL, Inc.)

This webinar focuses on the use of Thin Film Solid-Phase Microextraction (TF-SPME) for the analysis of a variety of sample types. TF-SPME is an extension of regular SPME, is simple to use and requires no solvent, yet is more sensitive than regular SPME due to the increased surface area and phase volume.

Intelligent GC Systems: Work Smarter not Harder

On-demand

Eric Phillips and Angela Smith-Henry (Agilent, USA)

This webinar introduces intelligent Agilent GC systems, along with consumables, demonstrating how productivity can be increased and downtime decreased for any GC operator at any experience level.

Opioids: Choosing the Best Solution for your Laboratory

On-demand

Jillian Neifeld (Applications Chemist, Biotage)

This webinar provides sample preparation solutions for synthetic opioids analysis in forensic laboratories. We discuss the opioid epidemic, extraction techniques to include supported liquid extraction and solid phase extraction, matrices that can be analysed with these techniques, as well as results obtained from the various extraction types.

New Perspectives and Technology in Pyrolysis GC-MS for Forensic and Polymer Analysis: How Smart-Ramped Pyrolysis Leads to Improved Data

On-demand

Kurt Thaxton (GERSTEL International Product Manager, Pyrolysis and Thermal Desorption)

This introductory webinar describes the hardware advances in pyrolysis-GC-MS in more detail and provides examples of improvement in data quality, using samples drawn from forensic and polymer application areas.

Not the AA Lamp Again! Troubleshooting HC Lamp Issues and Other Tips for Atomic Absorption

On-demand

Eric Vanclay (Agilent Technologies, Melbourne, Australia)

Learn how to prevent, identify and troubleshoot common Hollow Cathode (HC) lamp issues and learn valuable troubleshooting tips for atomic absorption that take the pain out of everyday operation.

How to Keep your GC/GC-MS System Performing like New

On-demand

Vanessa Abercrombie and Angela Smith-Henry (Agilent Technologies, USA)

Discover some simple strategies to help maintain a clean and healthy GC(MS) system longer, such as how utilizing guard columns can protect your analytical column and back flushing can stop heavier compounds from reaching your mass spec and keep it cleaner.

High Resolution Orbitrap MS for Detecting New Psychoactive Drugs, A User’s Perspective

On-demand

Marta Concheiro (Assistant Professor of Forensic Toxicology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York)

In this webinar you will learn about two analytical methods for the determination of new psychoactive stimulants in urine by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry with Orbitrap technology.

Detección de las Nuevas Sustancias Psicoactivas mediante el espectrómetro de masas de alta resolución Orbitrap MS, perspectiva del usuario

A pedido

Marta Concheiro (Profesora Asistente de Toxicología Forense, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University de Nueva York)

En este seminario web aprenderá en el español sobre dos métodos analíticos para la determinación de nuevos estimulantes psicoactivos utilizando cromatografía liquida acoplada a espectrometría de masas de alta resolución con tecnología de Orbitrap™ MS.

Advances in Forensics & Toxicology eSeminar

On-demand

Tania A. Sasaki, Alex J. Krotulski, Rafael Venson, Fred Foster, Alberto Salomone & Timothy Fassette

This on-demand eSeminar sponsored by GERSTEL, SCIEX and UCT, covers topics such as drug testing of urine, pharmaceutical and drugs of abuse monitoring, designer drug detection, sample preparation techniques for opioids, and QuEChERS in DUI testing.

Overcoming the Challenges of Monitoring PAMS Hydrocarbons and Polar VOCs at Low Ambient Levels

On-demand

Peter Furdyna (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, USA) and Rui Li (Markes International)

The presentation includes operating conditions for the Markes–Agilent PAMS autosampler/GC installed at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) PAMS monitoring site at New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY, and the rationale for these conditions. You will learn how to address the challenges in on-line monitoring of ozone precursors and discover a PAMS success story.

Analytical Approaches to Trace Elements in Water

On-demand

Michelle Gaskell (South West Water), Matthew Cassap (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Talks include 'Validation of Metals in Clean and Waste Water by ICP-MS in Accordance to ISO:17025' and 'Elemental Analysis of Water – Which Elemental Analysis Technique is Right for My Requirements'.

Analytical Testing Strategies for Medical Use Cannabis

On-demand

Julie Kowalski (Trace Analytics), Michael Groessl (University Hospital Bern, Switzerland), Justin Steimling (Restek), Brett Taubman (Appalachian State University), Allegra Leghissa (University of Texas - Arlington), Colton Myers (Restek)

Presentations covering cannabinoid profiling and potency testing, pesticide testing, sample preparation strategies, terpene analysis and residual solvent analysis will be covered.

High-Purity Carbon Adsorbents for Sample Preparation and Chromatographic Applications

On-demand

Leidy Peña Duque (Senior Scientist, Particle Design Group) and William Betz (Research Fellow, Particle Design Group Leader)

In this webinar, we will talk about high-purity carbon adsorbents used for sample preparation applications such as gas chromatography, air sampling, SPE, and SPME. We will also explain the properties of different types of carbons and how we tailor these adsorbents for separation applications.

Metabolomic Profiling of Superfood Seeds in Bakery Products using a Benchtop GC Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

On-demand

Dr Jürgen Wendt (LECO European Application and Technology Center, Berlin, Germany)

In this webinar a benchtop GC TOF-MS is used to evaluate the metabolomic profile of chia, flax and sesame seeds, looking for chemical markers to confirm the presence of such seeds in food products.

Elevate the Performance of your GC (and MS): Strategies to Improve Sensitivity and Reliability with Complex Matrix Samples

On-demand

Vanessa Abercrombie and Limian Zhao (Agilent Technologies)

This presentation describes useful strategies such as choosing the right GC column and supplies, as well as what level of sample preparation, and maintenance is required for method reliability and analytical data quality, using challenging representative applications.

Tracing the Origin of Food: Establish Food Authenticity using Elemental Profiling

On-demand

Susan Ebeler (UC Davis), Courtney Tanabe (UC Davis) and Jenny Nelson (Agilent Technologies)

Learn how elemental profiling using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and MP-AES can be used as an approach for geographic authentication of various foods and beverages.

This is How you ICP-MS: Mastering the Art of Cone Performance

On-demand

Gareth Pearson (Agilent Technologies, Melbourne, Australia)

Learn how to select the right cones for your Agilent ICP-MS and for your laboratory’s applications, understand what impact the cone has on the analysis results and why you should choose genuine supplies for your ICP-MS. Finally, learn about best practice for cone maintenance.

Which IC-MS to Choose for Your Drinking Water Analysis

On-demand

Alexander Semyonov (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

In this on-demand presentation, we look at several water analysis methods routinely performed by drinking and wastewater facilities, from common anion and perchlorate determinations, to the analysis of disinfection byproducts, such as haloacetic acids (HAAs), bromate, and ionic pesticides.