Pittcon continues to serve as a key venue for analytical instrument manufacturers to introduce new technologies and highlight advances in laboratory workflows. The conference brings together researchers, instrument developers, and laboratory professionals from across the analytical sciences, with a strong focus on chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and related measurement technologies.
This year’s event features a range of new systems designed to improve analytical sensitivity, automation, and throughput across environmental, pharmaceutical, life science, and industrial applications. Many of the announcements focus on simplifying laboratory operations while delivering more reliable and reproducible data.
Shimadzu
Shimadzu highlights several new analytical instruments spanning ion chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, and complementary analytical technologies.
A central announcement is the introduction of the Nexera IC ion chromatograph, designed for water quality testing in routine and regulated environments. The compact system integrates automated sample preparation, dilution, and eluent mixing to reduce manual handling and maintain consistent analytical performance. An optional dual-injection configuration allows simultaneous anion and cation analysis, while an autosampler capable of handling up to 162 vials supports high-throughput laboratories. Shimadzu’s IC Solution software enables laboratories to preconfigure standardized methods and workflows for routine testing.
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The company also showcases the recently introduced LCMS-8065XE triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, which features several performance upgrades. StreamFocus ionization technology improves ion intake efficiency and reduces nebulizer gas consumption, the updated IonFocus unit enhances ion transmission while minimizing interference, and a redesigned UFsweeper IV collision cell increases ion throughput and quantitative precision. Performance data show sub-ng/L detection limits for PFAS in drinking water and sensitivity gains of up to 48-fold compared with earlier systems.
Shimadzu also highlights the MultiNA II microchip electrophoresis system for DNA and RNA size analysis. Designed for workflows linked to next-generation sequencing and genome editing, the instrument automates dilution and sample handling while enabling high-sensitivity nucleic acid analysis.
Other instruments discussed included the i-Series LC-2070 and LC-2080 integrated HPLC systems, the CF3-C8030 centrifugal field-flow fractionation system for nanoparticle and biomolecule separation, the ALTRACE energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for elemental analysis, and the TOC-1000e S online total organic carbon analyzer designed for monitoring ultrapure water used in semiconductor manufacturing.
LabVantage
LabVantage Solutions introduces LabVantage CORTEX, a new artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation platform designed to extend the capabilities of its laboratory information management system (LIMS). The platform is tailored for laboratories seeking stronger automation, improved data insight, and more efficient operations.
LabVantage CORTEX integrates AI-driven tools directly within the LabVantage LIMS environment, allowing laboratories to implement advanced analytics and automation without replacing existing infrastructure. Built as a multi-tenant, cloud-native software-as-a-service platform, the system allows autonomous AI agents to coordinate complex laboratory tasks while integrating with Internet of Things devices and digital twin technologies for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
The platform introduces several AI-enabled functions designed to streamline routine laboratory work. These include worksheet assistance for data entry and analysis, tools to manage samples and optimize resources, and automated monitoring of stability studies and product trends. The system also supports automated compliance monitoring aligned with FDA, EMA, and ISO standards.
“LabVantage CORTEX is more than just an upgrade; it is a fundamental reimagining of how laboratories interact with their data and processes,” remarks Gary Stimson, principal architect and head of AI technologies at LabVantage Solutions.
Waters
Waters Corporation introduces the ARES-G3 Rheometer, a next-generation system from its TA Instruments product line designed to accelerate materials characterization while improving data quality. The instrument targets researchers working with polymers, composites, coatings, and other complex materials where understanding structure–property relationships depends on detailed rheological measurements.
The ARES-G3 captures up to 25,000 data points per second, roughly ten times more than its predecessor, enabling scientists to observe transient material behavior that conventional rheometers often miss. The system also integrates Fast Frequency Chirps, allowing laboratories to reduce standard testing times by up to 80%, with some experiments shortened from several hours to about one hour.
“Rheology labs are under enormous pressure to deliver better data, faster, to unlock breakthroughs and support business decisions,” asserts Dan Rush, Senior Vice President, Waters Materials Sciences at Waters Corporation.
The new instrument combines high-speed data acquisition with improved atmosphere and temperature control to support more accurate measurements during processes such as curing or degradation. Many tests can run without user calibration, helping reduce operator error while increasing throughput.
Restek
Restek Corporation introduced its next-generation RMX GC columns, featuring TriMax deactivation technology designed to improve inertness and trace-level detection in gas chromatography. The TriMax surface treatment creates a highly inert, contaminant-free column surface that reduces residual active sites that can distort peak shape and affect reproducibility.
The RMX columns target demanding applications involving challenging analytes such as acids, bases, and alcohols. The technology supports symmetrical peak shapes, improved sensitivity at trace levels, and extended column lifetimes, even after aggressive thermal cycling or exposure to complex sample matrices. Restek developed the columns in response to evolving GC challenges, including regulatory pressures, solvent restrictions, and increasing demand for picogram-level detection.
Biotage
Biotage showcased its PrepXpert-8 automated sample preparation system at Pittcon 2026. The platform, released in 2025, supports high-throughput environmental and PFAS workflows by reducing manual handling and improving consistency.
The eight-channel system features automated clog detection, reagent and waste monitoring, and traceable run reporting to support compliant laboratory workflows. Dual-mode operation allows laboratories to run a single method across all channels or two methods simultaneously, improving flexibility and throughput.
PrepXpert-8 supports sample volumes from 10–1500 mL and multiple cartridge sizes, and integrates with Biotage’s broader sample preparation ecosystem, including EVOLUTE PFAS cartridges and TurboVap evaporators.
Halo
HALO Columns highlights its recently-released chromatography solutions designed for oligonucleotide analysis in biopharmaceutical workflows. The company’s HALO OLIGO C18 columns support reversed-phase LC and LC–MS separations of synthetic DNA and RNA used in emerging therapeutic modalities.
The columns use Fused-Core particle technology to deliver high efficiency and fast separations while maintaining strong resolution for closely related impurities such as N-1 sequence variants. The stationary phase supports operation at elevated pH and temperature and uses surface-passivated hardware to minimize analyte adsorption.
These features help improve peak shape, recovery, and reproducibility for impurity profiling and characterization of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
BrightSpec/Restek
BrightSpec and Restek announced the launch of SpectrAline™ Cartridges, a new family of preconcentration columns designed to improve sample introduction for molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy. The cartridges combine BrightSpec’s expertise in MRR applications with Restek’s column manufacturing capabilities, forming part of a multi-year supply partnership in which Restek produces the cartridges and BrightSpec integrates them into its MRR platform.
SpectrAline Cartridges aim to improve analyte delivery to the MRR measurement region through optimized preconcentration. This approach increases sensitivity, supports reliable quantitation, and expands the range of samples suitable for MRR analysis. The cartridges also enhance sample loading efficiency and reduce the need for complex preparation, allowing laboratories to analyze trace components in challenging matrices more effectively.
The cartridges remain compatible with BrightSpec’s current and upcoming MRR instruments and will become available for order in June 2026.
