<p><strong>Join us for a free two-day LECO Separation Science Workshop on September 23–24, 2026, at the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/219"><strong>C³AL Laboratory</strong></a><strong> at Cal State LA. Registration is free, and meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the workshop.&nbsp;</strong></p><h4><strong>Registration</strong></h4><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=iYeNbqIuykW7qZP4_jUEVbznDB40eK1PgjPzhHyb__9URTFTTFA5UEEzQ1A4MUtFV0o4TEJTNlZCOS4u&amp;route=shorturl"><strong>Register HERE</strong></a></p><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>Space is limited, register today!</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg" alt="LECO: LECO Separation Science Workshop - QR code for registration" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_LECO_LECO_Separation_Science_Workshop_registration_332543a18e.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="437" height="437"></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Hand-on Experience with the LECO Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab C<sup>3</sup>AL</strong></h4><ul><li>Work directly with LECO instruments in the C<sup>3</sup>AL Laboratory</li><li>Learn complete analytical workflows from sample to answer</li><li>Get expert guidance from LECO application scientists</li><li>Develop methods and solve real-world challenges</li><li>Collaborate, ask questions, and build your skills</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg" alt="Cal State LA: The LECO Pegasus BTX system in Cal State LA’s LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab enhances research and student training in advanced chemical analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_The_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_Cal_State_LA_s_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_enhances_research_and_student_training_in_advanced_chemical_analysis_cover_b739e727ca.jpg 227w," sizes="100vw" width="1252" height="863"></p><p>The first day will focus on the <strong>fundamentals and theory</strong> of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (<strong>GC×GC</strong>), with an emphasis on understanding how GC×GC can enhance your research, solve complex analytical challenges, and support your laboratory or company goals.&nbsp;</p><p>The second day will be dedicated to <strong>hands-on activities</strong>, giving participants the opportunity to work directly with <strong>LECO instrumentation</strong>, learn <strong>practical analytical workflows</strong>, and <strong>analyze their own samples</strong> with guidance from LECO application scientists.&nbsp;</p><p>Whether you are new to GC×GC or looking to expand its use in your research or organization, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and apply the technology in a practical setting. Space is limited, so register early!</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg" alt="Cal State LA: LECO QUADJET GCxGC coupled to Pegasus BT 4D TOM MS in the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_LECO_QUADJET_G_Cx_GC_coupled_to_Pegasus_BT_4_D_TOM_MS_in_the_Complex_Chemical_Composition_Analysis_Lab_C_AL_077a14ae34/thumbnail_Cal-State-LA-LECO-QUADJET-GCxGC-coupled-to-Pegasus-BT-4D-TOM-MS-in-the-Complex-Chemical-Composition-Analysis-Lab-(CAL).jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1949" height="1299"></p>

LECO Separation Science Workshop

<p><strong>An international research team, which included scientists from the Faculty of Science at Palacký University and the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, has succeeded in unraveling the complex mechanism by which a chemical bond is formed during a collision between molecules. The experts found that the reaction only takes place if the molecules are oriented towards each other within a very narrow range of angles – within the so-called cone of reaction. This joint research has thus provided an answer to one of the fundamental questions of chemistry: under what conditions do chemical bonds form between molecules. The results of the study&nbsp;</strong><i><strong>Spatially resolving the cone of reaction for a single molecule</strong></i><strong>&nbsp;were published in the prestigious scientific journal&nbsp;Science.</strong></p><p>Many chemical reactions begin with the collision of two particles. However, for a new chemical bond to form, it is not enough for the molecules simply to come into contact. Their collision must occur with sufficient energy, in the correct relative orientation and at the right location. Under normal conditions, such as in solutions or gases, molecules collide chaotically, and the precise parameters of these collisions cannot therefore be controlled.</p><h4><strong>Molecules under control</strong></h4><p>Scientists were able to control the collisions of individual molecules on a copper surface and monitored the process using a <strong>scanning tunnelling microscope</strong>. They used the instrument not only to visualise individual molecules, but also to deliberately accelerate the reactants towards one another. They subsequently analysed each collision with atomic-level resolution. This enabled them to determine unequivocally whether a new chemical bond had formed between the molecules.</p><h5><i><strong>“What is hidden in the statistics of billions of collisions in conventional chemistry, we have managed to break down into individual cases and map directly.” Adam Matěj</strong></i></h5><p>A key finding of the study is that the outcome of a collision is determined by the extremely precise orientation of the molecules. A new bond was formed only when the target molecule was oriented within a few degrees of the direction of movement of the other molecule. When rotated by more than fifteen degrees, the molecules simply bounced off each other without any reaction.</p><h4><strong>The precise orientation of the molecules is crucial</strong></h4><p><i>“For the first time, we were able to observe, using a single molecule, exactly how precisely it must be oriented for the reaction to take place at all. What is hidden in the statistics of billions of collisions in conventional chemistry, we have managed to break down into individual cases and map directly,” </i>said Adam Matěj from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Science.</p><p>The theoretical part of the study, in which researchers from<strong> Palacký University </strong>and <strong>the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences</strong> were involved, played a significant role. Using quantum-mechanical calculations, they explained why the ‘reaction cone’ is so narrow. It turned out that the reactive carbon atom is surrounded by hydrogen atoms, which block the access of the reacting molecule from almost all directions.</p><h4><strong>The arrangement of atoms restricts access to the reaction</strong></h4><p>The calculations also shed light on a surprising experimental result. The chemical reaction took place even when the molecule moved along an adjacent row of copper atoms, where, according to the original assumptions, no bond should have formed.</p><h5><i><strong>“The strength of this work lies in the fact that the experiment and theory have been brought together into a single picture. The microscope showed what happens during the collision, and the calculations explained why.” Pavel Jelínek</strong></i></h5><p><i>“The explanation lies in the slight displacement of a single copper atom on the surface. The target’s bond to the surface pulls it out of its position and brings it close enough to the neighbouring row that it can literally take over the projectile and direct it to the correct spot. This shows that the surface is not merely a passive substrate, but actively participates in the reaction itself and can even facilitate pathways that would otherwise be unfavourable,” </i>noted Adam Matěj.</p><h4><strong>The surface also determines the course of the reaction</strong></h4><p>The results are significant for the development of so-called surface reactions, in which new materials and nanostructures are purposefully assembled from individual molecules. A better understanding of the influence of the spatial arrangement of molecules will enable the design of molecular building blocks so that they bond more reliably and efficiently. This represents an important step towards the development of technologies based on the controlled construction of structures atom by atom.</p><p><i>“The strength of this work lies in the fact that experiment and theory have been brought together into a single picture. The microscope showed what happens during the collision, and the calculations explained why. Without a theoretical model, we would have found it difficult to discover that the movement of a single surface atom is behind the unexpected course of the reaction,” </i>added Pavel Jelínek from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences.</p><blockquote><p>The study&nbsp;<i>Spatially resolving the cone of reaction for a single molecule</i>&nbsp;was produced in collaboration between researchers from the University of Graz, the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Palacký University in Olomouc, Charles University and Humboldt University in Berlin.</p></blockquote>

Scientists reveal when chemical bonds form in molecular collisions 

<p><strong>Injecting water into a gas chromatography (GC) system has always raised concerns for analysts. Many wonder if water will damage their </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=7&amp;manufacturerItems=50"><strong>GC column</strong></a><strong> or instrument. In fact, one of the most common questions in gas chromatography water analysis is whether aqueous samples can be safely introduced without compromising results.</strong></p><p>Selecting the right GC column for water analysis and following proper injection techniques can minimize the risk of column damage and maintain reliable analytical results.</p><h3><strong>Why Water Injections Are Risky in GC</strong></h3><p>Water injections in gas chromatography columns are risky due to the following reasons:</p><h4><strong>Backflash Issues</strong></h4><p>Water expands significantly when vaporized at high inlet temperatures (e.g., 250–300 °C). If the expansion volume exceeds the inlet liner capacity, backflash can occur. This contaminates injector parts, leaving residues that cause ghost peaks, carryover, sample loss, and elevated baselines, ultimately reducing reproducibility and accuracy.</p><h4><strong>Stationary Phase Degradation</strong></h4><p>As a highly polar solvent, water can hydrogen bond with stationary phase polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or wax phases. Repeated exposure alters selectivity, shifts retention times, and may increase bleed in non-crosslinked phases. While older immobilized PEG phases are especially vulnerable, modern chemically bonded and crosslinked stationary phases offer improved resistance, making them more suitable to inject up to 100% water samples.</p><h4><strong>Incomplete Vaporization</strong></h4><p>Water’s high boiling point and poor wetting of non-polar stationary phases can result in incomplete vaporization. This may lead to peak splitting, band broadening, or reduced sensitivity. For this reason, injection settings need to be finely adjusted to avoid these effects.</p><h4><strong>Detector Issue</strong></h4><p>Standard GC detectors do not directly detect water. Excess water injected into a flame ionization detector (FID) can quench or even extinguish the flame, while moisture in an electron capture detector (ECD) can interfere with electron capture efficiency, suppressing signals or causing false responses.</p><h3><strong>Choosing the Right GC Columns for Water-Containing Samples</strong></h3><p>Here are some strategies that can help you increase the life of GC columns when analyzing water-containing samples.</p><ul><li><strong>Use of cross-linked phases:</strong> Modern stationary phase design has greatly improved tolerance to water injections in GC. Cross-linking chemically bonds the stationary phase to the silica surface, making it far more resistant to leaching or washout from polar solvents. Traditionally immobilized but not cross-linked phases were much more vulnerable to degradation. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) phases are inherently hydrophilic and prone to water damage unless cross-linked. With technologies such as engineered self-crosslinking (ESC), used in Phenomenex <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1571"><strong>Zebron ZB-WAXplus GC columns</strong></a>, PEG phases can withstand repeated water injections without significant loss of efficiency.</li><li><strong>Use of non-polar columns:</strong> Non-polar bonded and cross-linked columns (e.g., PDMS phases) are inherently resistant to water damage, though incomplete vaporization may still affect peak quality.</li></ul><h3><strong>Tips to Protect Your GC System from Water Damage</strong></h3><p>Implementing a few key tips can help protect your GC system from water damage. Here are some of the important recommendations:</p><ul><li><strong>Keep injections small:</strong> Limit water injections to ≤0.2 µL to minimize backflash and protect the stationary phase.</li><li><strong>Select the right liner:</strong> Use an appropriately sized inlet liner (e.g., 4.0 mm ID tapered or with a double gooseneck) to reduce backflash. A deactivated glass wool plug can promote rapid vaporization, though it may not be suitable for all analytes.</li><li><strong>Reduce syringe carryover:</strong> Rinse syringes with a 50:50 methanol–water mixture between injections. In some methods, preparing samples with a small percentage of methanol can improve reproducibility and syringe performance.</li><li>Optimize solvent and injector conditions: Limit water injections to ≤0.2 µL to minimize backflash and protect the stationary phase.</li><li><strong>Adjust carrier gas conditions:</strong> Ensure your <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/article/5538"><strong>gas chromatography injector setup</strong></a> is correct to prevent water buildup. Combining water with a lower-expansion solvent (e.g., methanol) and maintaining an optimized injector temperature helps improve vaporization while limiting expansion.</li><li><strong>Maintain a clean carrier gas supply:</strong> Replace gas cylinders before they are nearly empty to avoid backflow or moisture intrusion into the system<br>While injecting water into a GC system is not simple and ideal, it can be managed safely with the right precautions. By choosing the appropriate stationary phase, following proper GC injector setup, and maintaining your instrument, you can conduct gas chromatography water analysis with confidence. For more information on GC hardware and maintenance, explore 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"><strong>key parts of a GC instrument</strong></a>.</li></ul>

Water Injections in GC: Is it Safe?

Article

Events

Academy

Science and research

Phenomenex is a global technology leader committed to developing novel analytical chemistry solutions that solve the separation and purification challenges of researchers in industrial, government and academic laboratories.

Phenomenex

In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

LECO

Palacký University Olomouc (UP) is an internationally respected and scientifically and academically highly productive university in Central Europe. Founded 22 December 1573, it is the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic and the oldest one in Moravia. For 450 years it has contributed to the intellectual wealth of society and to its scientific, cultural, and social development.

Palacký University Olomouc

GERSTEL

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Restek Corporation

SelectScience

Waters Corporation

<h4><strong>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</strong></h4><p>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.</p><h5><strong>Why attend?</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Comprehensive Learning:</strong> Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li><strong>Expert Insights:</strong> Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li><strong>Regulatory Compliance:</strong> Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3><strong>Episode #5: General Sample Preparation | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 2 - Module 1</strong></h3><p>Sample preparation is a key aspect in the analytical workflow and heavily determines the quality of the analysis. Solid Phase Extraction is a fundamental sample preparation technique widely used across all areas of analytical chemistry. Whether new to SPE or seeking a refresher, this webinar will introduce the basics of sample preparation and provide practical insights and technical background on the benefits when choosing SPE over another form of sample preparation, especially for analytes in complex matrices, such as the ones often encountered in Food and Environmental analysis. Join us in exploring SPE key parameters and best practices for implementing successful SPE methods. The session will combine PowerPoint slides with videos describing good practices and showing a practical example on the complex analysis of PFAS.</p><p>Our guest speaker Chiara Sarti from Cranfield University, Bedford UK, will share her research results on the work with new dual layer cartridges to extract PFAS from different environmental samples.</p><h5><strong>What you'll learn:</strong></h5><ul><li>Understanding SPE fundamentals</li><li>Making SPE simple with water-wettable sorbents</li><li>Verifying successful SPE implementation</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Xavier Rodríguez (Business Development Manager Chemistry Group, Southern Europe, Waters)</p><p>Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Chiara Sarti (Ph.D. Student, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence)</p></blockquote>

Waters Corporation: The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School

General Sample Preparation

Join us in exploring SPE key parameters and best practices for implementing successful SPE methods. 

<h4><strong>The Waters 2024 Virtual Summer School - An Educational Journey to Master Food &amp; Environmental Analysis</strong></h4><p>Unlock the full potential of LC-MS techniques with our immersive and educational sessions at the Waters Virtual F&amp;E Late Summer School 2024. From September 24th to 26th, engage with leading experts and discover cutting-edge methods for environmental and food analysis.</p><h5><strong>Why attend?</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Comprehensive Learning:</strong> Dive deep into advanced LC-MS techniques and gain practical knowledge to enhance your laboratory's analytical capabilities.</li><li><strong>Expert Insights:</strong> Learn from industry leaders and gain firsthand experience through detailed modules on chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation.</li><li><strong>Regulatory Compliance:</strong> Stay ahead with the latest insights on EU regulations for PFAS analysis in food and water, ensuring your lab meets stringent standards.</li></ul><h3><strong>Episode #6: Automated Sample Preparation | F&amp;E Summer School - Day 2 - Module 2</strong></h3><p>This Module builds on the previous one by adding automation to the sample preparation methods. The Andrew+™ pipetting robot offers fully automated liquid handling using electronic pipettes and labware holders called Dominos for a full walk-away automation solution.</p><p>Creating the connected laboratory, Andrew+ is part of the OneLab™ ecosystem, executing laboratory protocols designed in OneLab software. This flexible architecture enables you to effortlessly transition from laborious manual pipetting procedures to error-free, fully-robotized lab workflows – without any knowledge of programming, laboratory robotics or automation engineering. and explains processes the Andrew+ pipetting robot can take over in your lab.</p><p>The European Union has adopted Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 to monitor PFAS in fruits, vegetables, milk and baby food. To achieve quantification at lowest levels of PFAS in food matrices, sample preparation is required which comprise of many pipetting steps and can be time-consuming and error prone. We will demonstrate an automate workflow for the analysis of PFAS in milk using a pipetting robot and stacked dual-phase SPE cartridges to meet EU 2022/1431 levels.</p><h5><strong>What you'll learn:</strong></h5><p>Possibilities to automat liquid handling processes in LC and LC-MS e.g.</p><ul><li>Serial dilution</li><li>Calibration curve</li><li>Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Xavier Rodríguez (Business Development Manager Chemistry Group, Southern Europe, Waters)</p><p>Xavier is part of the European Market Development Team. He works as an Application Specialist with focus on sample prep and has more than 20 years of experience in solving sample prep challenges.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Daniel Ng PhD (Principal Scientist, Waters Corporation)</p><p>Daniel Ng received his PhD from the University of Manchester in mass spectrometry proteomics. He worked for 5 years at the Waters mass spectrometry headquarters in Wilmslow, UK, as a service support development engineer specializing in mass spectrometry instrumentation. In 2019, he took up a new role as a principal scientist at the International Food and Water Research Centre (Waters) in Singapore focusing on using advanced instrumentation to answer analytical challenges in the food and water industry. Since 2023, Daniel has lead the Food, Environmental and Material Science Analytical Professional Service team in the Asia-Pacific Region, developing analytical solutions to meet key challenges that customers face.</p></blockquote>

Automated Sample Preparation

The Andrew+™ pipetting robot offers fully automated liquid handling using electronic pipettes and labware holders.

<h4>Key Learning Points:</h4><ul><li><strong>Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods</strong><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Understand and troubleshoot the recovery, contamination and reproducibility issues</strong><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Learn how to find and apply solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</strong></li></ul><h4>Who Should Attend:</h4><ul><li>Any scientists who wants to learn about solid phase extraction and it’s associated challenges, common troubleshooting steps and solutions to develop robust and reproducible extraction methods for their sample preparation needs</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presnter: </strong>Namrata Saxena (Technical Manager, Phenomenex)</p><p>Namrata is the Technical Manager for the Asia-Pacific region in Phenomenex and is based in Sydney, Australia. As a member of the global technical team, she is responsible for assisting external customers as well as internal marketing and sales teams of Phenomenex for multifarious technical queries. She specifically support company’s bio-products portfolio through external and internal seminars/webinars, trainings and also contribute in biologics related technical content creation.</p><p>Before joining Phenomenex she had worked as a Product Specialist and spent several years in stationary phase chemistry, column manufacturing and method development groups in a German company Bischoff Chromatography GmbH.</p><p>Namrata has a post graduate degree with specialization in Analytical Chemistry. Her competence and focus lies in biotherapeutics characterization through liquid chromatography, antibodies and oligonucleotide chemistry, gene therapy and new bio-therapeutic modalities.</p></blockquote>

Phenomenex: Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Solid Phase Extraction Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Identify the common challenges associated with solid phase extraction methods.

<p><strong>Join this live webinar to learn how sample preparation in combination with the right glass quality and a GC-MS/MS analysis allows you to reach factor 1000 lower detection limits for PAH in smoke flavored food samples to meet latest regulatory updates.</strong></p><p>The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to develop updated consolidated guidance for submission of applications on smoke flavoring primary products under Regulations (EC) No 2065/2003 and No 1321/2013. To reach the requested low detection limits for PAH, it is important to find the right workflow including consumables and an advanced EI source for GC-MS/MS analysis.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>In this webinar, we will talk you through the workflow and show real food samples with the focus on the analysis of 40 PAH. The key analytical benefits of the workflow include:</strong></p><ul><li id="isPasted">Complete SPE workflow</li><li id="isPasted">Glass quality that provides the right results for low concentrations</li><li id="isPasted">Ultra low detection limits with Advanced-EI technology on a GC-MS/MS</li></ul><p>At the end of the webinar, we have time to answer your questions.</p><p>If you are unable to attend on March 20, please register to ensure you will receive the link to the recording.</p><p>We are running this webinar on March 25 in German language. <a style="user-select:auto;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4835418/2EEB616DFE5F57C6587BA5984198FE55?partnerref=E.25CMD.EL105.26221.01" fr-original-style="">Click here is you want to sign up for the German session »&nbsp;</a></p><p style="line-height:normal;" id="isPasted"><strong fr-original-style="">Additional Webinars</strong></p><p style="line-height:normal;">Take advantage of our growing library of convenient and educational recorded webinars and resources. <a style="user-select:auto;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/about-us/events/industrial/analytical-innovations-webinars.html?cid=E.25CMD.EL105.26221.01" fr-original-style=""><strong fr-original-style="">Visit our webinars page</strong></a></p><blockquote><p style="line-height:normal;"><strong>Presenter: </strong>Petra Gerhards (Regional Marketing Manager EMEA GC&amp;GC-MS and Trace Elemental Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</p><div><p>Petra Gerhards is a Regional Marketing Manager of GC and GC-MS at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She has more than 29 years of experience in the fields of GC-MS, SPE and LC-MS. Since joining the regional team, she has contributed to workflow solutions combining vials and closures with SPE solutions, GC-MS and LC-MS.</p></div></blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Advanced workflow for PAH analysis of smoke flavored foods 

Advanced workflow for PAH analysis of smoke flavored foods

Join this webinar to learn how sample prep, glass quality, and GC-MS/MS achieve 1000x lower PAH detection in smoke-flavored foods to meet new regulations.

<h4><strong>Key Learning Points</strong></h4><ul><li>Understand recovery and reproducibility in the context of Solid Phase Extraction</li><li>Discover the causes of commonly encountered Solid Phase Extraction problems</li><li>Learn how to successfully troubleshoot a Solid Phase Extraction problem quickly and efficiently</li></ul><h4><strong>Who Should Attend</strong></h4><ul><li>Any scientist who is interested in improving their SPE extraction method recovery and reproducibility.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Kevin Zhao (Sr. Technical Specialist, Phenomenex)</p><p>Kevin Zhao has 5 years of experience in biochemistry research, 4 years of Protein/Cancer research with the CSULA-City of Hope Cancer Collaborative, and over 12 years with Phenomenex. Mr. Zhao is a member of a global Technical Support Team, providing problem-solving, troubleshooting, and application assistance for customers worldwide in the fields of chromatography (liquid and gas) and sample preparation. The industries he supports include pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, clinical research and toxicology, food safety, environmental analysis, fuels, and specialty chemicals.</p><p>Mr. Zhao received his B.S. in Biology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, his M.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word.</p></blockquote>

Phenomenex: SPE Troubleshooting: Unlock Maximum Recovery with Expert Tips!

SPE Troubleshooting: Unlock Maximum Recovery with Expert Tips!

Learn how to successfully troubleshoot a Solid Phase Extraction problem quickly and efficiently

SPE Troubleshooting: Unlock Maximum Recovery with Expert

<h4><strong>Key Learning Points</strong></h4><ul><li>Learn how to select the ideal SPE sorbent based on your analytes and impurities.</li><li>Review different SPE separation modes, and SPE stationary phases.</li><li>Walk through step-by-step sorbent selection examples.</li></ul><h4><strong>Who Should Attend</strong></h4><ul><li>Anyone new to SPE who wants to get familiar with SPE retention mechanisms.</li><li>Anyone who has a basic understanding of SPE and would like to explore sorbent options.&nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Koen Askamp (Technical Specialist, Phenomenex)</p><p>Koen Askamp is a Technical Specialist in Phenomenex. He was awarded his BSc and MSc degrees in Molecular Life Sciences at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and joined Phenomenex in 2020 as Technical Sales Consultant. Koen became part of Phenomenex’s global technical support team in 2022 and assists laboratories in training chromatographers and developing analytical methods.</p></blockquote>

Phenomenex: SPE Sorbent Quest: Discovering the Ideal Solution

SPE Sorbent Quest: Discovering the Ideal Solution

Learn how to select the ideal SPE sorbent based on your analytes and impurities.

<p><strong>Join us on Wednesday, July 30, 2 p.m. EST, for a session on how automation is revolutionizing solid phase extraction (SPE) workflows across diverse analytical applications.</strong></p><h5><strong>Featured Talks:</strong></h5><ul><li>"Optimizing SPE Sample Preparation: Automation Strategies for Diverse Sample Volumes and Matrices" – Sebastian Wierer, Product Manager Robotics, LCTech GmbH</li><li>"Automating Solid Phase Extraction Methods: From Fields to Pharmacy" – Fred Foster, Applications Scientist, GERSTEL, Inc.</li></ul><h5><strong>Topics include:</strong></h5><ul><li>Chloramphenicol in honey</li><li>Psilocin in serum and urine</li><li>PPCPs &amp; 6-PPDQ in water samples</li><li>Acidic pesticides in potable water</li><li>Drugs of abuse in blood</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Fred Foster (Applications Scientist, GERSTEL, Inc.)</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Sebastian Wierer (Produt Manager Robotics, R&amp;D, LCTech GmbH)</p></blockquote>

GERSTEL: Smart Sample Preparation: Automated SPE for All Areas of Analytical Chemistry

Smart Sample Preparation: Automated SPE for All Areas of Analytical Chemistry

Join us for a session on how automation is revolutionizing solid phase extraction (SPE) workflows across diverse analytical applications.

Smart Sample Preparation - Automated SPE

<p><strong>When analyzing complex soil and water samples for organochlorine pesticides, coextracted matrix components can contaminate the inlet and column, forcing analysts to take instruments offline for time-consuming, unplanned maintenance. Effective sample extract cleanup is the key to keeping your instruments running and generating accurate, reliable data.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Pass-through SPE using Florisil cartridges </strong>(e.g., EPA Method 3620) is a common cleanup technique, but Resprep FL + CarboPrep Plus SPE cartridges (Resprep FL+CPP)—which contain both Florisil and carbon in a dual-bed, single-cartridge format—provide a much more effective cleanup. Better cleanup means that columns last longer and instruments stay running, which increases sample throughput and lab profitability.</p><h5><strong>This webinar will cover these topics:</strong></h5><ul><li>Learn how adding carbon can improve cleanup of soil and water samples.</li><li>See how this improved cleanup improves the data collected.</li><li>Realize the reduction in routine maintenance from running cleaner extracts.</li></ul><p><strong>Join us for this valuable educational webinar!</strong></p>

Restek Corporation: Clean + Fast: Improve Productivity for Pesticides Analysis with Resprep FL + CarboPrep Plus SPE

Clean + Fast: Improve Productivity for Pesticides Analysis with Resprep FL + CarboPrep Plus SPE

Discover how Resprep FL+CPP SPE cartridges enhance soil and water sample cleanup, boosting data quality, reducing downtime, and increasing lab efficiency.

Pesticides Analysis with Resprep FL + CarboPrep Plus SPE

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div><p><strong>The analysis of pesticide residues in environmental and food safety samples is critical to ensure regulatory compliance and protect consumer health. The TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS product range is ideally suited for this purpose and offers significant advantages when analyzing GC-qualified pesticides in different sample types.</strong></p><p>Public environmental and food service providers and contract testing laboratories can significantly increase sample throughput for pesticide analysis by using an automated workflow. This includes QuEChERS extraction, purification with uSPE and PTV injection into the GC-MS/MS - fully automated by the TriPlus RSH SMART robotic autosampler.</p><p>The webinar will discuss various technologies to significantly reduce detection limits.</p><h5><strong>Learning points</strong></h5><ul><li>Time travel through the development of sample preparation</li><li>Automation and miniaturization in modern analytics</li><li>Performance features of the TSQ™ 9610 GC-MS/MS - robust, sensitive, time-saving</li><li>Using hydrogen as a carrier gas: opportunities and challenges</li></ul><h5><strong>Who should attend?</strong></h5><ul><li>Lab managers</li><li>Lab technicians</li><li>Technicians in charge of sample prep</li><li>GCMS operators</li></ul><p>If you cannot attend this webinar please register to receive a link to the On Demand version the following day.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Petra Gerhards (Regional Marketing Manager EMEA for GC and GCMS and TEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific)</p><p>Her background is over 36 years of experience in the field of GCMS, SPE and LCMS. Since joining the EMEA Regional Marketing Team for CCS in 2016, she has been involved in a lot of workflow solutions combining Vials and Closures with SPE solutions, GCMS and LCMS.</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Journey through time in Pesticides analysis

Journey through time in Pesticides analysis

Boost pesticide residue analysis with TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS. Discover automated QuEChERS workflows, uSPE cleanup, and advanced GC-MS/MS performance.

<p><strong>In this SelectScience® TechTalk, Dr. Stefan Christian Gaugler, Professor of Applied Analytics at the Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), will provide an up-to-date overview of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), focusing on their environmental impact, regulatory landscape, and associated analytical challenges. Highlighting the growing concern surrounding PFAS contamination across Europe, alongside the complexity arising from their chemical diversity and persistence.</strong></p><p>The session will explore current analytical workflows and sample preparation techniques, including the use of a novel PFAS-selective polymer for micro solid-phase extraction (µSPE), supporting efficient and automated analysis across diverse sample matrices. Attendees will gain insight into approaches for detecting both ultra-short and long-chain PFAS, as well as practical strategies to improve sensitivity, selectivity, and sustainability in PFAS analysis.</p><h4><strong>What will this webinar cover?</strong></h4><ul><li>The environmental relevance and regulatory developments surrounding PFAS in Europe.</li><li>The analytical challenges associated with PFAS diversity, including ultra-short and long-chain compounds.</li><li>Modern analytical workflows for PFAS detection using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS techniques.</li><li>The advantages of novel PFAS-selective polymer-based µSPE methods for efficient and automated sample preparation.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker: </strong>Prof. Dr. Stefan Christian Gaugler (Professor of Applied Analytics at the Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW))</p><p>Prof. Dr. Stefan Christian Gaugler is a researcher and lecturer at FHNW with a background in life sciences and analytical chemistry, driven by a long-standing interest in translating complex biomarker diagnostics into accessible solutions. Over the past 14 years, his work has focused on microsampling technologies, particularly dried blood spot (DBS) analysis.</p><p>He currently leads the micro lab at FHNW, where the team operates one of the world’s most technologically advanced dried blood spot laboratories and develops advanced methods for trace analysis of emerging contaminants. Alongside his research, he teaches advanced analytical techniques and laboratory automation, with a strong focus on bridging academia and real-world application.</p><p>His current work, including this presentation, focuses on advancing PFAS analysis to better understand and address their impact on human health and the environment.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>Moderator: </strong>Cameron Smith-Craig (Pharma and Applied Sciences Editor, SelectScience)</p></blockquote>

SelectScience: Advancing PFAS analytics across complex matrices

Advancing PFAS analytics across complex matrices

Discover automated µSPE solutions for PFAS analysis. Learn strategies from FHNW experts to overcome matrix challenges for ultra-short & long chains.

GCMS webinars focusing on SPE - page 1