Seeking More Productive Chromatography? See Productivity in a New Light

Significance of the Topic

Enhancing productivity in chromatographic workflows is critical for laboratories seeking to lower per-sample costs, maximize return on investment, and accelerate the conversion of samples into meaningful data. Improved throughput, resource utilization, and data confidence underpin advances across food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and industrial testing.

Objectives and Study Overview

This article surveys recent innovations introduced by Thermo Fisher Scientific aimed at boosting chromatography efficiency. It covers advancements in sample preparation, gas and ion chromatography, data systems, UHPLC workflows, and mass spectrometry integration, highlighting new hardware, software, and workflow strategies.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Key technologies and instruments described include:

• Sample Preparation: TraceGOLD TG-PAH GC columns for trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analysis and Chromacol GOLD-Grade vials to minimize analyte adsorption.
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: ISQ 7000 GC-MS with Advanced Electron Ionization (AEI) source, NeverVent technology for tool-free source and column changes, and SmartTune software for automated MS tuning.
• Ion Chromatography: Dionex Integrion, ICS-4000, and the new ICS-6000 HPIC system featuring automated eluent generation, capillary IC readiness, and consumable monitoring for audit compliance.
• Chromatography Data System: Chromeleon CDS and the Chromeleon XTR Laboratory Management System for comprehensive sample, instrument, and data control with integrated LIMS connectivity.
• UHPLC Workflows: Vanquish Duo system supporting Dual-LC, Tandem LC/LC-MS, and Inverse Gradient compensation with Charged Aerosol Detection for uniform response.
• Mass Spectrometry: ISQ EM/EC single quadrupole MS optimized for low-mass sensitivity, dual ionization (ESI/APCI), high scan speeds, and seamless Chromeleon control.

Main Results and Discussion

TraceGOLD TG-PAH columns demonstrated fast, high-resolution separation of 52 PAHs at temperatures up to 360 °C. Chromacol vials reduced surface adsorption, improving trace quantitation. The ISQ 7000 AEI source achieved sub-femtogram detection limits and maintained stable performance over hundreds of matrix injections. SmartTune cut MS tuning times, while NeverVent reduced downtime for maintenance. The ICS-6000 system’s consumable tracking yielded significant time and cost savings. Chromeleon CDS users reported up to 50% fewer clicks, 50% fewer windows, and over 50% task speed gains; Chromeleon XTR extended these efficiencies across entire laboratory operations. The Vanquish Duo workflows doubled throughput in dual-channel separation, increased LC-MS peptide mapping throughput by up to 80%, and enabled advanced wash protocols without runtime penalties. Inverse gradient compensation delivered uniform detector response across analytes. The ISQ EM/EC mass spectrometers provided accurate isotope ratios at UHPLC scan speeds, supported new applications such as oligonucleotide impurity profiling and oxy-PAH detection, and integrated fully with detectors (UV, CAD) for robust QC.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These innovations bring tangible advantages:

• Higher throughput and lower cost per sample in routine GC, IC, and UHPLC analyses.
• Enhanced sensitivity and robustness enable reliable trace-level quantification.
• Automated tuning, remote diagnostics, and consumable tracking streamline maintenance and compliance.
• Integrated software ensures data integrity, regulatory adherence, and easy user onboarding.
• Flexible workflows adapt to diverse applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical QC, and contract testing.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Looking ahead, chromatography productivity will be driven by further integration of artificial intelligence for method optimization, expanded use of multidimensional and capillary flows, real-time remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, and broader adoption of HRAM detection for untargeted screening. Enhanced lab informatics will support digital twins and self-optimizing systems to push performance while reducing human intervention.

Conclusion

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s suite of hardware and software solutions demonstrates that separating productivity from the status quo is achievable through innovation at every step of the chromatographic workflow. By combining advanced columns, robust MS sources, intelligent software, and novel UHPLC configurations, laboratories can accelerate results, reduce costs, and improve data quality.

References

No external literature references were provided in the source material.