<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 29th December 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies </strong>and<strong> Shimadzu!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis Using the Agilent 8850 GC System</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_fame_analysis_8850_gc_5994_8743en_agilent_2bed33b70d.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Fatty acids are components of fat and are an essential component of a healthy diet. They are found in a variety of foods, including oily fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. Fatty acids can be categorized as saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat (including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids), and trans fat. Unsaturated fatty acids play a beneficial role in maintaining heart and vascular performance. However, artificial trans fatty acids, found in processed foods, should be strictly limited. The measurement of fatty acids in food plays an important role in:</p><ul><li><strong>Nutritional assessment: </strong>Analyzing the omega-3/omega-6 ratio for dietary nutrient balance&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Safety regulation: </strong>Identifying health risks such as trans fatty acids&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Quality control: </strong>Detecting oil adulteration and process&nbsp;defects&nbsp;</li><li><strong>R&amp;D support:</strong> Providing data support for the development of functional foods&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Techniques available for fatty acid determination in food include gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and spectroscopic techniques. Each technique has its own advantages, disadvantages, and applicable scenarios. For example, liquid chromatography is suitable for analyzing heat-labile fatty acids, but it suffers from low resolution. Fluorescence spectroscopy is simple to operate but susceptible to matrix effects and poor specificity. Gas chromatography is the most used technique for fatty acid measurement. Fatty acids in food primarily exist in the form of triglycerides. Before analysis, triglycerides must be extracted, saponified, and methylated to the corresponding FAMEs. FAMEs are less polar and more volatile than fatty acids, making them suitable for analysis on gas chromatography platforms. Polar columns, such as those with polyethylene glycol and cyanopropyl siloxane stationary phases, are primarily used for the FAMEs analysis. Polyethylene glycol stationary phases are good at analyzing simple fatty acid mixtures and are not suitable for the analysis of cis-trans isomers. A column coated with high‑content cyanopropyl phase is recommended in different analytical methods for FAMEs analysis. However, an analysis based on this phase type usually takes more than 70 minutes to finish, and the retention time (RT) stability is not very good. The Agilent J&amp;W DB-FastFAME column features a modified cyanopropyl phase to accelerate the analysis and improve&nbsp;repeatability.&nbsp;</p><p>Agilent offers DB-FastFAME columns in different dimensions; the 20-meter and 30-meter sizes can help improve the analysis speed for 37 representative FAMEs in food. Previous work demonstrated the analysis speed improvement using the conventional oven ramp rate on the two columns.<sup>1</sup> With the launch of the Agilent 8850 GC, rapid temperature programming can be achieved in an air bath oven. This application note demonstrates the fast analysis of 37 FAMEs using nitrogen (N2 ) and helium (He) carrier gases on the 8850&nbsp;GC. Meanwhile, more complex FAME mixtures including 37&nbsp;FAMEs and 15 trans FAMEs were analyzed on a 90-meter DB-FastFAME column and a 100-meter Agilent J&amp;W HP-88 column to demonstrate the 8850 GC performance in cis/trans FAMEs and position isomers analysis.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8850+GC"><strong>8850 GC system </strong></a>equipped with a split/splitless inlet and a flame ionization detector (FID) was used for the analysis. An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7650A"><strong>Agilent 7650A automatic liquid sampler (ALS)</strong></a> (part&nbsp;number&nbsp;G4567A) was applied for sample injection.&nbsp;</p><p>The methods performed on the four analytical columns using He and N2 carrier gases are listed in Table 1. The settings on inlet and detector temperatures are the same. The column head pressure and the oven temperature program were optimized based on the column type and carrier gas. Data were acquired and processed using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=OpenLab+CDS"><strong>Agilent OpenLab CDS</strong></a> 2.8. The list of consumables used is shown in Table 2.</p><h4><strong>Results and discussion&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Fast analysis of 37 fatty acid methyl esters on short&nbsp;columns&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>The 37 FAMEs mimic the fatty acid composition of many food samples, including most of the important saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAMEs. They are well‑established and widely accepted reference materials.&nbsp;</p><p>A 20 m × 0.18 mm&nbsp;id, 0.2&nbsp;µm DB-FastFAME&nbsp;column and a 30&nbsp;m × 0.25 mm&nbsp;id, 0.25 µm DB-FastFAME&nbsp;column were used to demonstrate the high-speed analysis of 37 FAMEs on the 8850 GC. The oven ramp program and column flow rate were based on previous work and further optimized for the 8850 GC. Both He and N2 carrier gas-based methods were developed considering the increasing alternative carrier gas need and lab operation habits in different regions.&nbsp;</p><p>The GC-FID chromatograms obtained on the two columns using different carrier gases are shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. All compounds were well resolved in the He methods. Three compound pairs that cannot be baseline-separated are shown in black squares. Among them, the peaks of c22:2n6 and c23:0 had the lowest resolution of 1.27 and 1.31 on the 20-meter and 30-meter columns, respectively, using the He method. The AOAC International Method 996.062 requires separating the FAME pair of adjacent peaks of C18:3 and C20:1 and the FAME trio of adjacent peaks of C22:1, C20:3, and C20:4 with a resolution of 1.0 or greater. This requirement is mainly recommended for high-content cyanopropyl 4 stationary phases. The six probe FAMEs eluted in different orders on the DB-FastFAME column, as marked by the yellow squares in the chromatogram. Their separation exceeded the resolution requirement easily due to the DB-FastFAME column's unique selectivity. The analysis times of the He methods were less than 7 minutes and 10 minutes on the two columns. The analysis speed was five to eight times faster than that of conventional methods.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>A high-speed FAMEs analysis was achieved on an Agilent&nbsp;8850 GC system with excellent repeatability when running the FAMEs standards on specially engineered 20-meter and 30-meter Agilent J&amp;W DB-FastFAME columns under optimized oven programs. The analysis time is less than 10&nbsp;minutes using He carrier gas and less than 15&nbsp;minutes using N2 carrier gas, which is five to eight times faster than the conventional method. Peak resolutions obtained by the fast methods met the AOAC 996.06 standard requirements. The methods can help improve lab productivity significantly for routine analysis of 37 FAMEs.&nbsp;</p><p>The analysis of 52 FAMEs on 90-meter DB-FastFAME and 100-meter Agilent J&amp;W HP-88 columns demonstrated that the 8850 GC can deliver performance equivalent to the Agilent 8890 GC system when analyzing complex fatty acids—including cis/trans fatty acids and positional isomers— in terms of resolution, area repeatability (&lt; 2.5%), and RT&nbsp;precision (&lt; 0.04%).</p><h3><strong>2. Shimadzu: Quantification of 8 Disinfection Byproducts from Water by Liquid-Liquid Extraction and Gas Chromatography-MassSpectrometry</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_07_2507_en_52b8f30f0c.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Disinfectants such as chlorine and chloramine are widely used to eliminate microorganisms in water. However, these disinfectants react with naturally occurring chemical constituents, such as amino acids and other labile organic chemicals, forming a range of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Chronic exposure to DBPs elevates the risk of developing cancer, liver damage, and decreased nervous system activity. Hence, accurate detection and quantification of DBPs in water is crucial.&nbsp;</p><p>Although official recommended method for measuring DBPs is based on GC/ECD, GC/MS offers significant advantages in terms of simultaneous quantification and identification of both known and unknown compounds in a single analysis, providing comprehensive data on complex water samples. Unlike ECD, which has a limited dynamic range and can only detect electroactive compounds, MS offers a broader dynamic range, allowing the detection of analytes at varying concentrations. Additionally, GC/MS provides superior sensitivity, specificity, and structural information, making it the ideal method for detailed, high-precision analysis of disinfection byproducts and other water contaminants.</p><h4><strong>2.2. Analytical Conditions</strong></h4><h5><strong>Preparation of instrument and analysis:</strong></h5><p>The analytical method was established, and the instrument parameters are detailed in Table 1. Prior to the analysis, both the instrument and the column were conditioned. The “HighSensitivity” autotune mode of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GCMS-QP2020+NX"><strong>GCMS-QP2020 NX</strong></a> was used for the analysis. A standard solution containing 500 ppb of the target analytes, surrogate, and internal standard was injected using the MS fullscan mode to determine the retention times.</p><p>The peaks corresponding to the target compounds, internal standard, and surrogate were identified using the NIST GC/MS library. Quantifier and qualifier ions for each analyte were selected, and a compound table was created accordingly and the same was used to develop a Scan/SIM method using the “Creation of Automatic Scan/SIM Table” (COAST) wizard within the GCMSsolutionTM software. The ultra-fast scanning capability (20,000 u/s) of the GCMS-QP2020 NX enables simultaneous acquisition of Scan and SIM events without compromising data quality.&nbsp;</p><p>The newly created Scan/SIM method was used for the quantification and reporting of analytical data. Calibration standards were analyzed. The data and the calibration curve, using the internal standard method, were processed using LabSolutions InsightTM software which enables the analysis of large numbers of data simultaneously. Following this, both the unspiked and spiked (5 ppb) samples were analyzed and quantified.</p><h4><strong>3. Result and Discussion</strong></h4><p>A 6-point calibration curve was created for all target analytes. A good linear response, with correlation coefficients (r²) greater than 0.99, and accuracy within 80-120% was observed for all analytes. A signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) ≥ 10 was observed for all analytes at 5 ppb standard. The results are shown in Table 2.</p><h4><strong>4. Conclusion</strong></h4><ul><li>A highly sensitive GC/MS method was developed for 8 halogenated DBPs using Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 NX following USEPA 551.1 sample preparation protocol.&nbsp;</li><li>Excellent linearity results and recovery results at 5.0 ppb concentration for all the analytes demonstrate that the analytical workflow is suitable for analyzing the listed DBPs in tap water using GC/MS technique at a low concentration level.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 53, 2025

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 09, 2026

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 27th July 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies </strong>and<strong> Thermo Fisher Scientific, </strong>poster by <strong>MDCW / University of Washington </strong>and brochure by <strong>Shimadzu!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Routine Trace‑Level Analysis of m‑Xylene in High‑Purity p‑Xylene</strong></h3><p><strong>Using the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890B"><strong>Agilent 8890B GC system</strong></a></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_trace_analysis_m_xylene_high_purity_p_xylene_5994_9329en_agilent_508bcfb48c.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>The Agilent 8890B GC system builds on the exceptional performance of the Agilent 8890A GC, with the addition of many features designed to enhance the user experience for both new and expert‑level operators. This application note explores several use cases of these features applied to a challenging GC purity method—quantifying trace‑level m‑xylene (MX) in p‑xylene (PM). This separation requires careful balancing of optimized chromatographic parameters— speed, resolution, and sensitivity. Leveraging Agilent GC Assist features, including early maintenance feedback (EMF) counters and automated peak evaluation capabilities integrated into the 8890B GC, helps maximize method robustness and instrument uptime.&nbsp;</p><p>Though conceptually simple, separating and measuring small quantities of m‑xylene in p‑xylene is a challenge that requires precise instrument control and the highest‑quality GC parts and consumables. As both compounds are positional isomers and have nearly identical boiling points, separation has historically been achieved using a long and highly polar column, such as a polyethylene glycol "wax" phase. ASTM D7504 recommends a wax column with dimensions 60&nbsp;m × 0.320 mm and 0.25 µm phase thickness. A 0.50 µm phase thickness can be used for increased resolution.1 The separation is validated with a p‑xylene standard containing approximately 1,000 ppm m‑xylene. Measuring m‑xylene at significantly lower concentrations requires an increase in resolution between MX and PX, which can be accomplished by increasing the phase thickness of the column at the cost of increased peak broadening. This broadening negatively impacts the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for MX and must be offset by reducing the inner diameter of the column to resharpen the peak. This application note demonstrates the use of 0.200 mm and 0.100 mm id wax columns to yield optimized separations, presenting the associated benefits and limitations of both&nbsp;separations.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><p>An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890B"><strong>8890B GC</strong></a> was configured with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7650A"><strong>Agilent 7650A automatic liquid sampler</strong></a> (ALS), split/splitless (SSL) inlet, and flame ionization detector (FID). Two columns were used to explore two different separation speeds—a faster separation with less sample capacity using an Agilent J&amp;W DB‑WAX&nbsp;FF column, 20 m × 100 µm, 0.2 µm (p/n 127‑7023FF) and a higher‑resolution separation with more sample capacity using an Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=J%26W+HP%E2%80%91INNOWax"><strong>J&amp;W HP‑INNOWax</strong></a> column, 50 m × 200 µm, 0.4 µm (p/n 19091N‑205I). Both methods used hydrogen carrier gas, and Agilent Gas Clean filters were used to remove moisture, hydrocarbons, and oxygen from the carrier gas and FID hydrogen. The FID air was filtered for moisture and hydrocarbons. The GC configuration and method details can be found in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.</p><h4><strong>Results and discussion</strong></h4><p>Establishing and ensuring the method’s long‑term stability requires protecting the column stationary phase by limiting the amount of oxygen in the system. While carrier gas contamination is typically the largest source of unwanted oxygen, the inlet septum can also contribute to oxygen ingress as successive syringe injections create a hole, necessitating regular changing. The Agilent portfolio of consumables and supplies has several solutions specifically designed to overcome these challenges. The Gas Clean purification system features a carrier gas filter that removes oxygen, moisture, and hydrocarbons and includes a color‑changing visual indicator of filter life, which can be monitored remotely by the 8890B GC using an optional optical sensor. Advanced Green septa are engineered for low bleed and extended durability, further enhanced by using a Blue Line autosampler syringe with a tapered needle to reduce physical coring of the septum. Regular maintenance of these parts maximizes instrument uptime. The 8890B GC has several features designed to warn when maintenance is approaching, assist when maintenance is required, and track when maintenance is completed.</p><p>The 8890B GC features intelligent tracking of the ages of consumables using injection‑ and time‑based counters. These EMF counters feature two optional warning thresholds—"Service Warning" and "Service Due"—that are user‑configurable and function like the oil light on the dashboard of a vehicle, telling users of approaching maintenance. The EMF counters can be accessed directly through the GC touchscreen or through the GC Assist interface. Figure 1 shows an overview of the EMF counters for the front inlet, and Figure 2 presents the detailed history of septum maintenance, including a running tally of injections on the current septum. When performing maintenance on the 8890B GC using the guided maintenance process on the touch screen or GC Assist interface, the EMF counters are automatically reset at the end of the procedure and can also be reset manually. For this application, the EMF counters and appropriate warning thresholds for the septum, liner, syringe, column, inlet gold seal, and carrier gas filter will be explored.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>The Agilent 8890B GC system—powered by the highest‑quality Agilent columns and supplies—delivers a robust, sensitive solution for measuring trace‑level m‑xylene (MX) in p‑xylene (PX). The Agilent J&amp;W HP‑INNOWax column produced the highest‑resolution separation and the best retention time stability, with an S/N ratio of 98.5 for 50&nbsp;ppm MX. The narrower Agilent J&amp;W DB‑WAX FF column yielded a 40% faster run time at the cost of lower resolution and retention time stability, with an S/N ratio of 27.7 for 50&nbsp;ppm MX. The integrated Agilent GC Assist features, peak evaluation and early maintenance feedback (EMF) counters, provide intelligent, automated monitoring of system and separation health, maximizing instrument uptime and supporting long‑term success with routine trace analysis.</p><h3><strong>2. MDCW / University of Washington: Developing 2D mzCompare for single GC×GC-TOFMS chromatograms: Substantial resolution enhancement in the context of statistical overlap theory</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/P_4_Wenjing_899f31a19e.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Accurate identification of all detectable analyte components in a single comprehensive twodimensional (2D) gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<strong>GC×GC-TOFMS</strong>) chromatogram is a fundamental interest in the field. Herein, we developed a new algorithmic software approach called 2D mzCompare to generate accurate peak tables for GC×GCTOFMS. Extending from our original method for one-dimensional GC-MS data, the 2D mzCompare algorithm discovers selective mass channels (m/z) for each analyte to resolve overlapping peaks and improve analyte identification, leveraging the similarity in retention time and peak shape across m/z of the same analyte. The 2D mzCompare algorithm calculates the peak shape similarity between m/z at every modulation via lack-of-fit (LOF), followed by clustering and focusing steps, to generate a final peak table. To evaluate this software, we simulated realistic GC×GC-TOFMS data in the context of the statistical overlap theory (SOT), so the exact number and identities of analytes are known a priori. Utilizing an in-house mass spectrum library of similar compounds, GC×GC-TOFMS chromatograms were simulated with varying degrees of chromatographic saturation (𝛼2𝐷). First, we provide a new algorithmic approach, 2D mzCompare, to resolve overlapped analytes in GC×GCTOFMS data, and second, we validate the accuracy of the software performance using SOT.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions and Future Work</strong></h4><p>An extended algorithm, 2D mzCompare designed for intra-chromatogram comparison to enable rigorous analyte discovery and identification, was developed for GC×GC-TOFMS data. Within the context of SOT, 2D mzCompare increases separation resolution by computationally minimizing the 2D peak widths, enhancing 2D peak capacity and reducing the saturation factor. At low saturation factors (𝛼2𝐷= 0.01, 0.03, and 0.1), over 95% of the simulated components are found to be mathematically resolved singlets (pure analyte components) by 2D mzCompare, while approximately 62% were found at 𝛼2𝐷 = 1, exceeding predictions made by SOT. Using optimized 2D mzCompare parameters, improvements in 2Rs and 𝛼2𝐷 are about 12-fold, empirically validating SOT expectations. Furthermore, 2D mzCompare can be used as a preprocessing tool to determine or validate the “rank” (the number of analyte components) in overlapped regions of GC×GC-TOFMS chromatograms when combined with chemometric methods such as MCR-ALS or PARAFAC. Future studies will focus on applying the algorithm to real sample datasets.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Meet The World’s First Multi-Mode FID In </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GC-2060"><strong>Nexis GC-2060</strong></a></h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/s_gc_f33_3f7f48eead.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>High Performance And Low Maintenance Multi-Mode FID&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The new FID-U (2.0) in the Nexis <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GC-2060"><strong>GC-2060</strong></a> reengineers conventional FID to maximize uptime and efficiency. With new Air and O2 makeup gas options, you can streamline your gas supply – saving cylinder costs and lab space. Its capabilities can be further expanded with Shimadzu’s proprietary Jetanizer and Polyarc microreactors.</p><h4><strong>Cylinder-Free FID Operation With Hy/Ox and Hy/Air Modes</strong>&nbsp;</h4><p>Routine operation with traditional FIDs is often costly and complex, requiring a three-gas setup: a He or N<sub>2</sub> makeup gas combined with H<sub>2</sub> and Air. The new FID simplifies your infrastructure by introducing Air and O<sub>2</sub> as makeup gas alternatives, unlocking true cylinder-free operation.* This helps to reduce running cost and cut helium usage.</p><h4><strong>Keep Your Bench Space As You Expand Your Analyte Coverage&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Seamlessly integrate Jetanizer and Polyarc microreactors to boost detector response for weak or undetectable compounds. The new FID delivers simpler quantitation and broader analysis capabilities with zero extra footprint.</p><h4><strong>Jetanizer Mode (CO and CO2 Detection)&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li>Converts CO and CO2 to CH4 for detection&nbsp;</li><li>Enabled by simply replacing the FID nozzle&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><strong>Polyarc Mode (Single-Calibration Approach)&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li>Converts hydrocarbons, CO and CO2 to CH4 for detection&nbsp;</li><li>Provides universal response across compounds&nbsp;</li><li>Quantitates the above using just one calibration curve</li></ul><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Measuring destruction efficiency of greenhouse gases released by semiconductor fabrication tools</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/AN_54654_MAX_i_R_Semi_Febrication_EN_9ce9475305.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>Background&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Modern materials processing activities involve the use of cold plasmas employing fluorinated gases as reactive species. Some of these gases have been demonstrated to exhibit deleterious environmental consequences resulting in their being labelled as greenhouse gases or GHGs. Among the list of GHGs undergoing intense review are those of fluorinated gases, such as NF<sub>3</sub>, CF<sub>4</sub> , SF<sub>6</sub>, CH<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2</sub> , etc. Many of these gases are either reactants or are generated as by-products of semiconductor wafer fabrication processes, such as etching and chemical vapor deposition. Therefore, semiconductor fabrication plants (SemiFabs) employ abatement tools to destroy and dilute these fluorinated gases before they reach a stack scrubber. This process assures that they will meet EPA regulations which require yearly facility-dependent GHG emission audits. European and Asian semiconductor manufacturers must meet similar regulations as well.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Problem&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>To ensure that the abatement process occurs efficiently, SemiFabs are required to audit selected abatement devices (one per each wafer processing tool employed) such that each device gets periodically reviewed for efficiency in destroying these GHGs before they are released to the scrubber. Since there are hundreds of abatement devices within a single SemiFab, the monitoring process must be accurate, fast (one or two hours), and able to monitor multiple fluorinated species simultaneously. Most SemiFabs utilize a series of devices to perform the necessary measurements required to calculate an overall destruction efficiency for each fluorinated species. Among the measurements required are the dilution factor (the overall ratio of the flowrate into the abatement device to that of the flowrate out of the abatement device). In most cases, this requires the use of a krypton gas tracer and a mass spectrometer (for measurement of flowrate out) in addition to an FTIR to measure a separate infrared-active gas tracer (for measurement of flowrate in). Also required is another more sensitive FTIR to measure the residual fluorinated gases which survived destructive processes within the abatement device. The result is a very bulky and cumbersome system to measure input and output flows and concentrations. What is needed is a much simpler and fully integrated measurement system capable of performing ALL these tasks.</p><h4><strong>Solution&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a new methodology for measuring abatement destruction efficiencies with a much simpler system. The system uses the <strong>Thermo Scientific™ MAX-iR™ FTIR Gas Analyzer</strong> with DTGS detector in conjunction with the <strong>Thermo Scientific™ Automated Sample Console (ASC-10™)</strong>. The MAX-iR analyzer can monitor the entire IR spectral range (500-5000 cm-1) without the need for liquid nitrogen. The ASC-10 allows for the precise measurement of post-abatement flow by determining the dilution of a tracer infrared gas or gases; this obviates the need for a spacious and costly mass spectrometer and krypton gas utilized in the previous system.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></section></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 31, 2026

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Agilent Innovation Tour 2026

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From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

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Verifying Raw Materials with a Handheld Instrument