Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 3rd August 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu and presentation by MDCW / University of Alberta!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Analysis of Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Solvents Following ASTM D7504</h3>Dual simultaneous analysis using the Agilent 8860B gas chromatograph<ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_trace_impurity_aromatic_solvents_analysis_astm_d7504_8860_gc_5994_9316en_agilent_c9fa6868e6.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div>The production of high-purity monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), is a cornerstone of the modern petrochemical industry. These compounds serve as essential feedstocks for the synthesis of plastics, resins, and textiles. Because even trace impurities can adversely affect downstream chemical reactions and product quality, rigorous analytical testing is required to ensure these intermediates meet strict commercial specifications.&nbsp;ASTM D7504 is the industry-standard test method for determining the purity of, and trace impurities in, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detector (FID).1 This method is favored for its streamlined workflow; it utilizes effective carbon number (ECN) correction factors for area normalization. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive, multipoint calibrations for every individual impurity, allowing laboratories to calculate purity and quantify trace nonaromatics and aromatics with high precision.&nbsp;The application scope of ASTM D7504 covers a wide array of aromatic liquids, including benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, and styrene. To comply with the method's stringent performance requirements, the GC system must&nbsp;demonstrate:&nbsp;<ul><li>High sensitivity: A limit of quantitation (LOQ) of at least 0.0006% by mass.</li><li>Good resolution: Maintaining a valley-to-peak ratio of no more than 50% for critical separations (such as p-xylene and m-xylene).&nbsp;</li><li>Strict precision: Highly reproducible peak areas to ensure accurate purity calculations.</li></ul>Implementing ASTM D7504 on a dual-channel GC/FID platform—where two independent analytical channels configured with identical injectors, columns, and detectors operate within a single GC oven—provides significant operational advantages:&nbsp;<ol><li>Enhanced laboratory throughput: By performing two injections simultaneously, the test lab can double its sample capacity per instrument, effectively reducing the cost-per-analysis and maximizing hardware ROI.&nbsp;</li><li>Method flexibility and redundancy: A dual-channel set up allows a lab to run different sample types (such as toluene on the front channel and xylene on the back) in a single oven cycle. Furthermore, it provides an immediate "back up" channel to maintain uptime during routine&nbsp;maintenance.&nbsp;</li></ol>For the system to be considered reliable, both channels should meet ASTM D7504 sensitivity, resolution, and precision requirements. In addition, both channels should yield consistent quantitative results for the same sample. The reproducibility limit (R) demonstrated in ASTM D7504 interlaboratory testing will be used to evaluate the result consistency between the two channels.ASTM D7504 recommends helium and hydrogen as carrier gas. In China, major Chinese petrochemical companies often align their internal quality control standards directly with ASTM D7504 when testing for export of high-purity chemical intermediates. Because nitrogen is commonly used in China, they commonly adapt the ASTM D7504 method to use nitrogen carrier gas.&nbsp;This application note demonstrates how dual-channel analysis on the Agilent 8860B GC, following ASTM D7504, delivers consistent and high-precision data using three types of carrier gas.<h4>Experimental</h4>An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8860B">Agilent 8860B GC</a> was configured with dual split/splitless inlets and dual flame ionization detectors (FIDs). The sample introduction was made by dual <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7693A">Agilent 7693A automatic liquid samplers (ALS)</a> with high density turrets (16-vial). The analytical parameters and consumables are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Data acquisition and analysis were conducted using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=OpenLab+CDS">Agilent OpenLab CDS version 2.8</a><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>The Agilent 8860B gas chromatography system configured with two identical analytical channels are applied for impurity analysis in monocyclic aromatic solvents using three carrier gases. Each analytical channel was evaluated according to the ASTM D7504 method in terms of resolution, sensitivity, quantitation precision, and recovery with satisfactory results. The quantitation results between the two channels are consistent with each other.&nbsp;<ul><li>Column resolution compounds pair demonstrated good separation with H/V no less than 5:1 for 300 ppm m-xylene and p-xylene solvent.&nbsp;</li><li>The LODs achieved for benzene on each analytical channel are less than 0.0001%, exceeding the 0.0002% LOD required by ASTM D7504.&nbsp;</li><li>The response and mass concentration precisions of most impurities in check standards are below 1%, meeting or exceeding the precision requirements in D7504.&nbsp;</li><li>Excellent recovery results, ranging from 93 to 105%, was achieved for added impurities, indicating good quantification accuracy based on the 8860B GC system.&nbsp;</li><li>The quantitation difference of all probe impurities between two channels is less than the reproducibility thresholds (R), demonstrating excellent across channel consistency</li></ul>Besides great instrument performance, the Agilent OpenLab CDS software can realize ECN based normalization for easy and fast quantitation and report generation. The 8860B dual channel GC system coupled with the OpenLab CDS software provides an accurate and reliable analysis of impurities in monocyclic aromatic solvents with satisfactory precision. Lab productivity can be improved significantly compared to the single channel analytical system.<h3>2. MDCW / University of Alberta: Leveraging Local Libraries for Positively Parsimonious Peak Tables</h3><ul><li>Presentation</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/O_6_Harynuk_f005bdafaf.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div>James J. Harynuk’s presentation, “Leveraging Local Libraries for Positively Parsimonious Peak Tables,” explores how custom mass spectral libraries can simplify and improve compound identification in complex GC×GC-(HR)MS datasets. GC×GC-MS is widely applied in petroleum, environmental, food/flavour, and omics research, where samples can contain hundreds or thousands of peaks. While expanded separation space, cleaner spectra, retention patterns, and high-resolution accurate-mass data provide strong identification capabilities, converting large datasets into coherent peak tables with consistent compound assignments across multiple samples remains challenging.The presentation demonstrates the approach using a field pea study investigating how nitrogen availability influences plant metabolism and volatile organic compounds. A conventional workflow based on peak finding and library searching can generate very large peak tables and inconsistent assignments. Incorporating retention indices (RI) and LECO’s Identification Grading System (IGS) substantially reduces the number of questionable peaks. In one example, a pea sample containing 789 detected peaks was reduced to 146 retained peaks after RI filtering and IGS scoring, producing a much more manageable dataset. However, conventional libraries still struggle with isomers and with compounds that repeatedly occur in a laboratory’s samples but cannot yet be confidently identified—the presentation calls these “unknown knowns.”Harynuk therefore proposes building a custom local HRMS library containing not only standards and confidently identified compounds, but also reproducible unknown features. To qualify for inclusion, a peak should have a high-quality spectrum, S/N &gt;100, chromatographic purity, occurrence in multiple technical replicates, an assigned retention index, and a unique identifier. Crucially, the exact chemical identity does not need to be known: an unknown but reproducible feature can receive an internal identifier such as “JJH-001” and be updated later as more information becomes available. This allows laboratories to retain analytically meaningful recurring signals instead of discarding them simply because a definitive library identification is unavailable.The results show that combining a custom library with local RI data and IGS filtering improves both the consistency and efficiency of peak-table generation. Compounds with IGS scores ≥3.0 were generally assigned the same identification across samples when the custom library was used, while reliance on NIST and IGS alone produced less consistent results. After correcting only a small number of problematic identifications per peak table, retention-index errors for custom-library entries dropped dramatically—in the evaluated samples, typically to around 0.5–1.9 RI units. The key recommendation is therefore straightforward: build a custom MS library, include recurring “unknown knowns,” collect local retention-index data, and apply identification-quality filters to obtain cleaner and more consistent GC×GC-MS peak tables with substantially less manual effort.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Simultaneous Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food Using Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS with SPL Mode of a Multimode injection Unit (MMI)</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01234_en_d8cff47c74.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h4>User benefits</h4><ul><li>The MMI’s rapid heating and cooling technology significantly reduces waiting time during inlet maintenance, improving instrument uptime.&nbsp;</li><li>The Smart Pesticides Database enables automatic creation of analytical methods without the need for pesticide standards.&nbsp;</li><li>Peakintelligence for GCMS uses AI-based peak processing to deliver highly accurate analysis with no parameter settings required</li></ul>GC-MS/MS is an indispensable tool for the simultaneous analysis of pesticide residues in food. However, improving productivity in high-throughput workflows remains a persistent challenge. With the increasing use of simplified sample preparation methods such as QuEChERS, contamination of the inlet by matrix components is unavoidable, and frequent inlet maintenance, including liner replacement, is often required. Because this maintenance involves both cooling the inlet and waiting for temperature re-stabilization afterward, it can become a major source of instrument downtime.&nbsp;The newly developed Multi-Mode Inlet (MMI) incorporates Shimadzu’s proprietary thermal insulation technology, providing excellent temperature stability together with rapid heating and cooling performance. While maintaining high data compatibility with conventional split/splitless inlets, the MMI significantly reduces the waiting time associated with inlet maintenance.In this Application News, simultaneous multiresidue analysis in SPL mode is demonstrated for four food matrices with different characteristics - spinach, orange, avocado, and ginger - using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GCMS-TQ+8040+RX">GCMS-TQ 8040 RX triple quadrupole </a>GC-MS/MS equipped with the MMI.<h4>Data Analysis&nbsp;</h4>LabSolutions Insight, a quantitative data processing software package designed for high-throughput sample analysis, was used for data analysis, with Peakintelligence for GCMS applied as the peak integration algorithm (Fig. 6). Peakintelligence is an AI-based waveform processing algorithm that uses machine learning to emulate the peak processing performed by experienced analysts. It requires no operator-defined parameter settings and provides peak integration performance comparable to that of skilled users.&nbsp;For more information on improving the efficiency of pesticide data analysis using Peakintelligence for GCMS, please refer to Application News 01-00585-EN, “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00585_en_7e311a3c77/an_01-00585-en.pdf">Time-Saving Data Processing for Pesticide Residues with Peakintelligence for GCMS</a>.”<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>In this Application News, an example of simultaneous multiresidue pesticide analysis in food using a triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS equipped with a Multi-Mode Inlet (MMI) was presented. By adopting the MMI, instrument downtime associated with inlet maintenance can be significantly reduced while maintaining high quantitative performance. In addition, by combining automated method creation with the Smart Pesticides Database and efficient data analysis using the AIbased waveform processing algorithm Peakintelligence for GCMS, highly accurate results were obtained even for complex food matrices. This system optimizes the overall analytical workflow, from method development and maintenance to data analysis, and can make a substantial contribution to improving productivity in high-throughput pesticide residue analysis.</div></div></div></div></div></div></section></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 32, 2026

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a powerful analytical technique widely used for compound identification, quantification, and structural elucidation. By coupling the separation efficiency of gas chromatography (GC) with the detection and identification capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS), GC-MS enables highly sensitive and specific chemical analysis.&nbsp;Understanding how GC-MS works, and its underlying principles, helps scientists optimize analytical workflows, improve accuracy, and troubleshoot effectively whether in environmental testing, drug development, or forensic investigations.<h3>What is GC-MS?</h3>GC-MS is a hybrid analytical technique that combines the separation power of gas chromatography with the molecular identification capability of mass spectrometry.In gas chromatography, a vaporized sample is carried by an inert gas (such as helium or hydrogen) through a capillary column coated with a stationary phase. Each compound interacts differently with the stationary phase depending on its volatility and polarity, causing them to separate as they elute at distinct retention times.As compounds exit the column, they enter the mass spectrometer, where they are ionized and fragmented. The mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of these ions is measured, producing a mass spectrum, a unique molecular fingerprint that enables unambiguous compound identification and quantification.This seamless coupling of GC and MS enhances analytical performance by combining chromatographic separation with mass-based detection, allowing even trace-level compounds to be analyzed in complex matrices.<h3>Principle of GC-MS</h3>The principle of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry involves two fundamental processes:<h4>Separation by Gas Chromatography</h4>Compounds are vaporized and separated in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=7&amp;manufacturerItems=50">GC column</a> based on their boiling points and interaction strength with the stationary phase. Less volatile compounds or those with stronger affinity for the column elute later, giving each component a unique retention time.<h4>Detection by Mass Spectrometry</h4>As compounds elute, they are introduced into the MS, where they undergo ionization commonly by electron impact or chemical ionization. Ionization produces charged fragments that are separated in a mass analyzer according to their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio. The resulting mass spectra serve as fingerprints that enable identification and quantitation through comparison with spectral libraries.This dual process allows GC-MS to distinguish structurally similar molecules and perform trace-level analyses in complex mixtures with exceptional accuracy.<h3>Step-by-Step Working of GC-MS</h3><ul><li>Sample Introduction: A liquid or gaseous sample is introduced into the GC, typically with a split or splitless inlet, where it is vaporized immediately.</li><li>Separation in GC Column: The carrier gas propels the vaporized sample through a long capillary column. Compounds interact with the stationary phase, and those with greater affinity or lower volatility move slower, thus separating from other compounds.</li><li>Transfer to MS: As separated analytes elute, they are transferred into the mass spectrometer via a heated interface.</li><li>Ionization and Fragmentation: In the MS, an ion source generates charged ions and fragments. These fragments reflect the compound’s structure.</li><li>Mass Analysis: The mass analyzer (commonly a quadrupole, but also ion trap or TOF) separates ions by m/z. Each analyte produces a unique mass spectrum.</li><li>Detection and Data Output: Detectors (e.g., electron multipliers) record signal intensities at each m/z, producing a total ion chromatogram (TIC) and mass spectra, which the data system interprets for compound identification and quantification.</li></ul><h3>Applications of GC-MS</h3><ul><li>Forensic Science: Used in toxicology, drug identification, and arson investigations, GC-MS provides highly specific detection of trace evidence and controlled substances.</li><li>Pharmaceuticals: Supports drug purity testing, residual solvent analysis, and metabolite profiling during formulation and quality control.</li><li>Environmental Testing: Monitors pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pollutants in air, water, and soil samples to ensure regulatory compliance.</li><li>Food Safety: Detects contaminants, additives, and flavor compounds to maintain product safety and authenticity.</li><li>Clinical and Biomedical Research: Used in metabolomics and clinical diagnostics to identify volatile biomarkers and metabolites relevant to disease states.</li></ul><h3>Key Benefits of Using GC-MS</h3><ul><li>High Sensitivity and Specificity: Detects trace-level compounds in complex matrices.</li><li>Comprehensive Structural Information: Mass spectra provide molecular fingerprints for precise identification.</li><li>Separation and Identification Combined: Minimizes matrix interference and enhances quantitation accuracy.</li><li>Wide Application Range: Suitable for environmental, pharmaceutical, food, and forensic testing.</li><li>Extensive Spectral Libraries: Enables rapid identification of known and unknown compounds.</li></ul>A solid understanding of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.phenomenex.com/resources/knowledge-center/gc-knowledge-center/understanding-the-essential-components-of-gas-chromatography">components of gas chromatography</a> such as injectors, columns, and detectors helps analysts optimize GC-MS system performance and ensure accurate, reproducible results.

GC-MS: Principles of How it Works?

In late February 2025, a train carrying benzene derailed in Hustopeče nad Bečvou, and within hours, a race was on to save the groundwater and surface water. One of the most toxic industrial substances began seeping into the gravel-sand subsoil. While fieldwork was underway to prevent the spread of contamination, decisions were already being made in the CXI TUL laboratories regarding how to subsequently clean up the contaminated rock environment.The accident ranks among the most serious environmental incidents in the Czech Republic in recent years. After a tanker train derailed, hundreds of metric tons of benzene leaked; due to the highly permeable geological subsoil, it quickly seeped into deeper soil layers and into the groundwater. The combination of the substance’s high toxicity and local conditions complicated both the emergency response and the subsequent remediation. The key was to stop further spread, determine the extent of the contamination, and establish a remediation strategy for the entire site.It was at this stage that CXI TUL became involved in the solution. At the request of the renowned remediation company DEKONTA, a.s., a team led by RNDr. Jan Němeček, Ph.D., began testing the feasibility of the in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) method. This technology is designed to break down benzene directly within the rock matrix, without the need for extensive excavation of contaminated soil or the pumping out of large volumes of groundwater. The goal was simple: to find a method that would work quickly, safely, and under the actual conditions of the affected site.<h4>Benzene Remediation: Technically Simple, Complicated in Practice</h4>Benzene is a highly toxic and carcinogenic substance that rapidly penetrates into groundwater in permeable subsoil, where it dissolves and spreads further as the water flows toward surface water bodies. Benzene also binds to rock particles and migrates in the form of vapors into overlying unconsolidated layers.Scientists in Liberec therefore tested in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technology under laboratory conditions. The goal was to find an oxidant capable of breaking down benzene directly underground into less hazardous substances.The tests evaluated two main options: activated hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate. Both substances removed up to 99.99% of the benzene, but there was a difference in their kinetics and impacts on the natural environment. Activated hydrogen peroxide achieved nearly complete degradation of the contaminant within a single day. Activated sodium peroxodisulfate was slower and also significantly altered the chemistry of the water; it acidified the environment and increased the sulfate content in the water, which poses an additional environmental burden.For field applications, the researchers therefore unequivocally recommended activated hydrogen peroxide.<h4>Dosage Matters</h4>It was not just the oxidant’s effectiveness that was key. It was equally important to determine how the chemical reaction would behave in a real geological environment. The team of scientists therefore also analyzed what is known as soil oxidant consumption (SOD). It turned out that a significant portion of the oxidizing agent does not react solely with benzene but is also consumed to a significant extent by the rock environment itself, particularly by natural organic substances present in the fine-grained fraction of the soil.An oxidant consumption value was determined specifically for the local composition of the aquifers, which is essential for the correct dosing of chemicals in the field so that the remediation is not only effective but also economically viable and safe for surrounding ecosystems.<h4>One Year After the Accident: Research Turns into Real-World Assistance</h4>While the public often perceives university science as a distant world of laboratories and grant projects, it is precisely situations like this that demonstrate its practical impact. The results of the work by researchers at CXI TUL did not remain confined to academic studies but directly influenced decisions regarding the technology used to clean up one of the largest environmental accidents in recent years.

Science on the Front Lines: Cleanup of a Benzene Spill

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Agilent Technologies

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Thermo Fisher Scientific

SciY/Mestrelab Research

This presentation will cover products from Agilent that make GC connections more robust by utilizing new technologies that make connections easier, leak free and more inert for any application.Topics covered include: Self Tightening Stainless Column Nuts and ferrules, Press Fits, UltiMetal Plus and Stainless Steel Capillary Tubing, Ferrule Pre-swaging installation tool and MS interface installation tool, among others.<blockquote>Speaker: Mark Sinnott (Technical Support Engineer, Consumables and Supplies Division, Agilent Technologies)Mark Sinnott works for Agilent Technologies as a Technical Support Engineer in the Consumables and Supplies Division (CSD). In his position at Agilent, Mark performs technical support and applications assistance to gas chromatographers worldwide. He has more than 22 years of experience in gas chromatography, including environmental analysis of compounds in air, soil and water matrices, including dissolved gas analysis for the electrical industry. Mark holds a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from California State University, Sacramento, and currently resides in Twin Falls Idaho.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Becoming A Better Chromatographer - GC Webinar Series

From Inlet to Detector: Building Better Connections in GC and GC/MS Workflows

Build better GC and GC/MS connections with Agilent. Explore self-tightening column nuts, pre-swaging tools, and inert capillaries to eliminate leaks

Building Better Connections in GC and GC/MS Workflows

<div><div id="inner_content_body_text" data-content-id="394785">Polymers are complex materials, and understanding their performance requires more than just mechanical testing. Rheology provides valuable information on viscosity, elasticity, and flow, but it cannot fully explain the chemical and structural changes that occur during processing. By integrating rheology with Raman spectroscopy, researchers and engineers can correlate mechanical behavior with molecular-level insights in real time.This combined Rheo-Raman approach opens up new possibilities for understanding polymerization, crystallization, and thermal stability, supporting better formulation, troubleshooting, and quality control across the polymer industry.<h4>Key Learning Topics:</h4><ul><li>How Rheo-Raman correlates mechanical properties with chemical structure to deliver deeper insights into polymer behavior</li><li>How to monitor polymerization reactions and chemical transformations in real time</li><li>How to study crystallization pathways and their impact on material performance</li><li>How to assess thermal stability and degradation during processing or use</li><li>How Rheo-Raman supports faster material development, improved quality control, and problem-solving in industrial and research settings</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: James P. Eickhoff Jr.James Eickhoff is the principal application engineer for the rheology division as a member of the Advanced Technical Support Center at Anton Paar USA. He has over 20 years of theoretical and experimental rheology training, including the last 17 years with Anton Paar having guided current and prospective customers on the use of rheological techniques in their industrial and academic research. James earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and Clemson University, respectively.</blockquote></div></div>

Anton Paar: Correlating Mechanical and Chemical Properties: Introduction to Rheo-Raman for Polymers

Correlating Mechanical and Chemical Properties: Introduction to Rheo-Raman for Polymers

Learn how Rheo-Raman combines rheology and Raman spectroscopy to study polymerization, crystallization, and polymer performance in real time.

Introduction to Rheo-Raman for Polymers

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) is a powerful technique for investigating catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions. In this live webinar, subject matter specialists from Michigan State University, Specac, and Thermo Fisher Scientific will discuss how in situ DRIFTS can be used to study dry reforming of methane over ceria-supported catalysts and provide insight into the surface species and reaction intermediates involved in catalytic CO₂ utilization.The session will explore DRIFTS experimental setup considerations, approaches for relating spectral observations to catalyst behavior, and examples of how researchers use in situ spectroscopy to investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions. Presenters will also discuss complementary characterization techniques, including CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS, and their role in catalyst research workflows.Attendees will be able to gain practical knowledge that can help strengthen catalyst characterization strategies, support experimental design, and improve interpretation of catalyst behavior in heterogeneous catalysis research.<h4>Key takeaways</h4>By attending this webinar, you can learn several aspects about this specific method of analysis:<ul><li>Apply in situ DRIFTS to investigate catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions</li><li>Monitor adsorbed species and reaction intermediates during dry reforming of methane</li><li>Relate spectral observations to catalyst behavior and reaction mechanisms</li><li>Investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions in ceria-supported catalyst systems</li><li>Evaluate when to use complementary techniques such as CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS</li><li>Incorporate DRIFTS into catalyst characterization workflows to support more informed research and development decisions.</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4><ul><li>Catalysis researchers</li><li>Materials scientists</li><li>Surface scientists</li><li>FTIR and vibrational spectroscopy users</li><li>Academic researchers studying heterogeneous catalysis</li><li>Scientists involved in catalyst development and characterization</li><li>Researchers working in CO₂ utilization, carbon management, and sustainable catalysis</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Md Monir Hossain, PhD Candidate, Michigan State UniversityResearcher focused on heterogeneous catalysis, carbon utilization, and DRIFTS studies of ceria-supported catalysts for dry reforming of methane.Presenter: Jim Delaney, Applications Team Lead, SpecacLeader of global spectroscopy application development and customer engagement efforts, supporting advanced research and industrial spectroscopy workflows.Presenter: Lena Woodis, PhD Product Manager, Thermo Fisher ScientificVibrational spectroscopy veteran with more than 15 years of experience in chemical instrumentation, FTIR spectroscopy, and analytical technologies.</blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

In this webinar, subject matter specialists will discuss how in situ DRIFTS can be used to study dry reforming of methane over ceria-supported catalysts.

Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis

Exhaled breath is increasingly recognized as a powerful source of molecular information for personalized medicine. Containing hundreds to thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that reflect metabolic, inflammatory, microbiological, and environmental processes, breath offers a unique, completely non-invasive window into human health. Yet, unlocking this chemical complexity requires analytical platforms capable of delivering both exceptional separation power and high-confidence molecular characterization.At the forefront of this evolution is comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS), which has emerged as a cornerstone technology in modern breathomics. By significantly expanding chromatographic peak capacity and resolving power compared with conventional one-dimensional approaches, GCxGC-MS enables a more comprehensive exploration of the human volatilome and facilitates the discovery of clinically relevant biomarkers that would otherwise remain undetected.This webinar will explore how advanced GCxGC-MS workflows are transforming breathomics research and accelerating its translation towards clinical implementation. Drawing on recent developments in untargeted and targeted analytical strategies, we will discuss how comprehensive volatilome profiling can be integrated with rapid and streamlined methodologies to create efficient multi-platform pipelines for biomarker discovery, validation, and routine application. Particular emphasis will be placed on the critical role of analytical design, quality control, and data processing in generating robust and reproducible results from highly complex breath samples.Beyond technology development, the presentation will address the key challenges facing the field, including standardization of sampling protocols, harmonization of analytical methodologies, and the transition from exploratory studies to clinically actionable solutions. Real-world applications will illustrate how breathomics can support disease detection, patient stratification, therapeutic monitoring, and precision healthcare.As analytical capabilities continue to advance, GCxGC-MS is positioning breathomics to move beyond proof-of-concept studies and towards a future where non-invasive molecular phenotyping becomes an integral component of personalized medicine.<blockquote>Speaker: Anaïs Rodrigues (Applications Chemist, LECO Europe)</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto (Lead Scientist &amp; Senior Lecturer, Liège University, Belgium)</blockquote>

LECO: Breathomics - Advancing Personalized Medicine Through Next-Generation Analytical Solutions 

Breathomics: Advancing Personalized Medicine Through Next-Generation Analytical Solutions

Discover how GCxGC-MS transforms breathomics and VOC profiling. Learn how non-invasive molecular phenotyping enables personalized medicine

Breathomics & GCxGC-MS for Personalized Medicine

Laboratories are under growing pressure to handle increasing volumes of samples and data while operating under tighter regulatory inspection, all without compromising turnaround times or traceability. In this context, many organizations attempt to extend existing workflows and legacy tools, which can introduce inefficiencies, increase manual effort, and create compliance risks. At the same time, it is not always clear which digital solutions are best suited to address these challenges.This presentation illustrates how modern digital laboratory environments streamline routine activities by minimizing manual tasks and embedding compliance directly into everyday workflows. Drawing on a real-world use case, we show how automated capture of data from multiple sample measurements at the point of execution enables a continuous, sample-centric workflow.By removing manual interventions and paper-based processes, laboratories can improve efficiency and visibility, support faster and more reliable decision-making while remaining responsive to evolving customer demands.<h4>Learning Points</h4><ul><li>The role of different systems (LIMS, SDMS, ELN) within the digital lab landscape and how they differ from each other's</li><li>How WebLab manages laboratory operations from a sample perspective, enabling you to track every sample, stage, and next action across workflows</li><li>How automated data capture from connected instruments helps reduce errors, lower contamination risks, and accelerate sample processing</li><li>You will see, through a real-life example, how integrated digital workflows improve data quality, accelerate reporting, and increase operational efficiency</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4>Professionals working in small to mid‑sized laboratories, including:<ul><li>Directors and Managers of Analytical, QC, or Contract Labs</li><li>Lab Operations and QA/QC Leaders</li><li>Digitalization and IT at organizations transitioning from paper, Excel, or legacy systems to LIMS</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Peter Bellstedt, PhD (Director of Business Development and Product Manager at SciY)Peter studied Biochemistry at the University of Jena before completing a PhD on the structural characterization of a DNA repair protein using solution and solid-state NMR. He was then appointed as the head of the NMR Spectroscopy Platform in Jena, Germany, where he pioneered the implementation of modern, highly efficient data-driven workflows. After five years, he moved to the University of Zurich, Switzerland, as a principal investigator, where his lab focused on structure-based drug discovery. This year, he brought his wealth of experience to the LOGS by SciY team, focusing on efficient workflow solutions for research labs and facilities on a global scale.</blockquote>

SciY: From Legacy Workflows to Paperless Labs: Track Every Sample, Process, and Decision

From Legacy Workflows to Paperless Labs: Track Every Sample, Process, and Decision

Transition from paper to a paperless lab. Discover how WebLab, LIMS, and automated data capture streamline sample tracking and boost compliance

Paperless Labs & Sample Tracking: Digital LIMS Workflows

The challenge of developing and maintaining robust chemometric models for use within Process Analytical Technology (PAT) deployment remains a significant barrier to implementation. This webinar explores how Iterative Optimization Technology (IOT) is advancing the principles of lean chemometrics by reducing the calibration burden associated with PAT deployment. Case studies will demonstrate how these methods enable faster model deployment, improved lifecycle management, and greater operational efficiency without compromising product quality or process understanding. Attendees will gain insights into how innovative chemometric strategies can accelerate PAT adoption while supporting the industry's drive towards agile, data-driven manufacturing.<h4>Learning Points</h4><ul><li>You will learn how lean chemometrics reduces model complexity and data requirements</li><li>Discover how to simplify model deployment and lifecycle management</li><li>Explore how to accelerate PAT adoption while maintaining process understanding and quality</li></ul><h4>Who should attend</h4><ul><li>Process development and MSAT teams scaling processes to manufacturing</li><li>PAT scientists and analytical experts developing chemometric models</li><li>Lab managers driving efficient and scalable PAT implementation</li><li>Development and manufacturing and digitalization leaders advancing data-driven operations</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Jonique Samuels (Scientific Advisor for Innovations, SciY)Jonique Samuels is a Scientific Advisor for Innovations at SciY where she leads research and development projects on new, novel functionality for synTQ, the orchestration and real-time process-control platform that enables PAT and advanced, quality-centric control strategies. Currently, Jonique's focus is on supporting sustainability initiatives with customers, which includes investigating and developing lean chemometrics methods.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote>Presenter: Anna Codina, Ph.D. ( Senior Director Strategy and Business Development, SciY)Anna Codina is Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development at SciY, where she focuses on enabling data-driven orchestration across the pharmaceutical value chain. With a background in experimental science, analytical development, and digital innovation, she works at the intersection of data, automation, and AI to accelerate scientific workflows and decision-making.Anna holds a Ph.D. in protein NMR from the University of Barcelona and completed postdoctoral research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. She spent seven years in Analytical R&amp;D at Pfizer, specializing in reaction monitoring, impurity characterization, and regulatory submissions, and was recognized with a Pfizer Worldwide Achievement Award for implementing NMR-based reaction monitoring in an open-access environment.Since joining Bruker, Anna has held multiple leadership roles across applications, product management, and biopharma business development and market management. In her current role at SciY, she drives strategy for vendor-agnostic data platforms and digital solutions that connect instruments, robotics, and enterprise systems enabling orchestration, AI-powered experimentation and scalable workflows across R&amp;D, CROs/CDMOs, and manufacturing.</blockquote>

SciY: Advancing Lean Chemometrics: Iterative Optimization Technology as a Process Analytical Technology Tool for Reducing Calibration Burden

Advancing Lean Chemometrics: Iterative Optimization Technology as a Process Analytical Technology Tool for Reducing Calibration Burden

Reduce PAT calibration burden with Lean Chemometrics and IOT. Learn to accelerate model deployment and simplify lifecycle management in this webinar

Lean Chemometrics & IOT: Reducing PAT Calibration Burden

Fentanyl and synthetic drugs have fundamentally changed how law enforcement handles narcotics testing, raising the stakes for officer safety, operational speed and evidence handling. In this live discussion, Rhode Island counterdrug analyst Erik Burmeister will share how testing workflows actually work in the field today, from roadside seizures to controlled environments.Learn how agencies deploy tools like handheld Raman, trace detection and traditional methods to safely identify substances while maintaining investigative momentum. Through real-world examples, this webinar will explore key decision points, current limitations (including lab backlogs) and practical lessons you can apply within your own agency.<h5>By joining this webinar, you will learn:</h5><ul><li>How agencies are improving officer safety during narcotics identification.</li><li>Where handheld tools fit within real-world testing workflows.</li><li>When to conduct on-scene versus controlled environment testing.</li><li>Key limitations and decision points in narcotics identification today.</li><li>Operational benefits agencies are seeing from modern identification tools.</li></ul><blockquote>Speaker: Erik BurmeisterErik Burmeister is a seasoned intelligence and law enforcement professional with over 20 years of service in the Rhode Island Army National Guard, including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. For the past nine years he has served as a criminal analyst with the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program. Through this role Burmeister has spent seven years assigned to the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, followed by two years with the Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit. His work focuses on supporting state and federal efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen intelligence-driven policing.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaker: Dr. Adam J. HopkinsAdam has served as the Spectroscopy Product Manager at Metrohm USA since 2016, supporting the development and application of handheld and laboratory spectroscopic solutions for substance identification and chemical analysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, where he specialized in nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Prior to joining Metrohm Hopkins spent several years developing spectroscopic technologies for standoff and noncontact sensing applications, with expertise in Raman spectroscopy, LIBS and other advanced analytical techniques. Through his work with law enforcement, forensic, and industrial organizations, he helps agencies evaluate and implement technologies that support safer, faster identification of unknown substances in the field and laboratory. Hopkins has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings and is the inventor on three patents related to spectroscopic technologies.</blockquote>

Metrohm: Safer Narcotics Identification in the Fentanyl Era - Lessons from Rhode Island State Police

Safer Narcotics Identification in the Fentanyl Era: Lessons from Rhode Island State Police

Learn how Rhode Island State Police use handheld Raman tools for safe fentanyl identification and faster field drug analysis in this live webinar

Safer Narcotics & Fentanyl Identification: Field Workflows

In this webinar we will discuss raw material verification testing through transparent and non-transparent packaging using the new Agilent Vaya Raman system. Vaya is the first handheld Raman spectrometer incorporating spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) technology for the quick identification of raw materials through containers. SORS reduces the need for sampling, saving cost, and resources by testing incoming goods quickly in the warehouse. Vaya combines the capabilities of conventional Raman systems with SORS for maximum sample/container compatibility. A range of container/material combinations will be discussed.<blockquote>Presenter: Luciana Terra (Application Scientist, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Luciana Terra has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Alfenas (Unifal-MG) as well as a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, on Chemometrics, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), where she developed work focused on petroleum quality and derivatives using high-resolution Mass Spectrometry, NIR, and chemometrics methodologies. As part of her Ph.D., she also worked at the University of Calgary in Canada. While completing her Master’s Degree at Unicamp, Luciana developed a new methodology for drug polymorphism detection using NIR imaging and chemometrics tools for quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2019, she joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist for Molecular Spectroscopy in UV-Vis, Fluorescence, IR, and Raman techniques, at Agilent Technologies, in Brazil.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Verifying Raw Materials with a Handheld Instrument

Verifying Raw Materials with a Handheld Instrument

Master raw material verification through non-transparent containers with the Agilent Vaya handheld SORS Raman system. Reduce sampling costs and downtime

Handheld SORS Raman: Raw Material Testing with Agilent Vaya

Simplifed, turnkey workflows of the Agilent 8700 LDIR.<blockquote>Presenter: Louis Tisinger, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Louis (Lou) Tisinger has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford Ohio, where his graduate research involved the study of ATR imaging and microscope performance in vibrational spectroscopy. Most of his career has been related to pre- and post-sales support of FTIR spectrometers, microscopes, imaging systems, and thermal analytical instruments, focusing on analyzing customer samples, demonstrations, post-sales training, troubleshooting, and R&amp;D.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: IR Microscopy to Streamline Your Microplastics Analysis

IR Microscopy to Streamline Your Microplastics Analysis

discover streamlined microplastics analysis using IR microscopy. Learn how the Agilent 8700 LDIR system provides automated workflows for fast testing

Agilent 8700 LDIR: Streamlined Microplastics Analysis

This session will focus on setting up a simple quantification method by FTIR, using MicroLab and MicroLab Quant. It will include scanning standards and showing how to use them in preparation of the calibration curve, through to the analysis of real samples by FTIR.<blockquote>Presenter:&nbsp; Louis Tisinger, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Louis (Lou) Tisinger has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford Ohio, where his graduate research involved the study of ATR imaging and microscope performance in vibrational spectroscopy. Most of his career has been related to pre- and post-sales support of FTIR spectrometers, microscopes, imaging systems, and thermal analytical instruments, focusing on analyzing customer samples, demonstrations, post-sales training, troubleshooting, and R&amp;D.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: How to Perform Routine Quantification by FTIR: Tips & Tricks Workshop

How to Perform Routine Quantification by FTIR: Tips & Tricks Workshop

Master routine FTIR quantification. Learn how to use MicroLab and MicroLab Quant software to measure standards, build calibration curves, and test samples

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