Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 22nd July 2024? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!
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<h4>👉 <a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></h4>
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👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.
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This week we bring to you poster presentations from <a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/events/568">ASMS 2024</a> by LECO, Agilent Technologies, and Thermo Fisher Scientific! And as a bonus two application notes from Shimadzu and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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💡 + 100 ASMS posters and presentations <a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=284">available in the LabRulezGCMS library</a> (unique search and filtering)
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<h4>1. LECO: <a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Long_Lifetime_Ion_Detector_GC_G_Cx_GC_TOFMS_MS_ASMS_24_LPSS_326_4c9e1fb7a1.pdf">A Novel Long-Lifetime Ion Detector for GC-TOFMS and GCxGC-TOFMS with Sub-Femtogram Detection Limits</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>poster - ASMS 2024</li>
</ul>
Introduction: Ion detection efficiency and fast response times are critical aspects of the ion detectors used in time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). With modern advancements in ionization, ion optics, and ion transfer efficiency, TOFMS systems are capable of generating high ion flux onto the ion detectors. Having an ion detector that is capable of maintaining optimal performance over a long period of time while accepting high amounts of ion flux is a significant challenge in development of TOFMS instrumentation. Improvements in detector life will minimize maintenance costs and improve TOFMS user experience. A novel long-lifetime ion detector was developed in partnership with El Mul Technologies for use in LECO’s Pegasus® BTX GC and GCxGCTOFMS. The system was thoroughly evaluated for sensitivity and robustness, including longevity of the detector.
Conclusions: The Pegasus BTX GC(GCxGC)-TOFMS with a novel Long-Lifetime Ion Detector has demonstrated the following performance characteristics:
<ul>
<li>Sub-2 fg IDL for GC-TOFMS and Sub-fg IDL for GCxGC-TOFMS </li>
<li>Linear dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude in GC-TOFMS and 4 orders of magnitude in GCxGC-TOFMS</li>
<li>Robust operation: the detector bias remains consistent and BTX peak intensity remains consistent over long periods of time, even with large numbers of samples acquired and significant amounts of charge accumulation on the detector.</li>
</ul>
<h4>2. Thermo Fisher Scientific: <a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_142_utilizing_hydrogen_pesticides_food_gc_ms_po142_asms2024_en_7ed0951b93.pdf">Utilizing hydrogen carrier gas for sensitive analysis of pesticides in food using gas chromatography mass spectrometry</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>poster - ASMS 2024</li>
</ul>
<h5>Abstract</h5>
Purpose: To demonstrate the performance of the Thermo Scientifc HeSaverH2Safer kit for iConnect split-splitless (SSL) injection module for trace analysis of pesticides using H2 as a carrier gas as a safe and sustainable solution for laboratory operations.
Methods: In this study, hydrogen was used as a carrier gas for GC-MS/MS analysis of trace levels of pesticides in food. The GC was fitted with a new hydrogen safer split/splitless injector, with chromatographic separation performed on a TG-5 SIL MS(30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 μm) capillary GC column. The chromatographic conditions applied ensured critical pair separation was achieved. The GC-MS/MS system was equipped.
<h5>Conclusions</h5>
<ul>
<li>The use of the HeSaver-H2Safer technology allows for a safe and compliant use of hydrogen as an alternative carrier gas in GC/GC-MS applications without the need to install a hydrogen sensor and removes any risk of unwanted reactions with the sample in the hot SSL injector.</li>
<li>When used with hydrogen, the limited carrier gas consumption offered by the HeSaverH2Safer mode permits a very controlled system demand for hydrogen, making this solution ideal for laboratories working with hydrogen generators.</li>
<li>Migrating the GC-MS/MS method from helium to hydrogen requires an adaptation of method parameters to address (i.e., retention time shift and different fragmentation patterns).</li>
<li>97% of pesticides in baby food and 98% in honey showed a linear response in the concentration range 0.005–0.500 mg/kg and the relative standard deviation for N=5 repeats of each sample type at 0.01 mg/kg was equal or lower than 10% for 98% of the evaluated compounds with an advanced electron ionization (AEI) source to increase sensitivity for analyte detection. Quantification and assessment of critical regulatory requirements, such as linearity and sensitivity, were performed in a single software.</li>
</ul>
<h4>3. Agilent Technologies: <a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_142_utilizing_hydrogen_pesticides_food_gc_ms_po142_asms2024_en_7ed0951b93.pdf">Analyzing Nitrosamines with Hydrogen Carrier Gas: GC/MS/MS Analysis of Nitrosamines in Sartan Drugs</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>Poster Reprint - ASMS 2024</li>
</ul>
Introduction: The limited availability of helium has been a concern, leading to a growing interest in switching to alternative carrier gases like hydrogen. Hydrogen offers several advantages over helium1 , including faster run times and improved chromatographic resolution. Helium is commonly used as a carrier gas for analyzing nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals. However, there are concerns that nitrosamines may react with hydrogen, forming unwanted byproducts. To ensure that using hydrogen as a carrier gas does not impact spectral quality, we evaluated its suitability for analyzing eight impurities:
<ul>
<li>N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA),</li>
<li>N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA),</li>
<li>N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA),</li>
<li>N-nitroso-ethylisopropylamine (NEIPA),</li>
<li>N-nitrosodiisopropylamine (NDIPA),</li>
<li>N-Nitrosodipropylamine (NDPA),</li>
<li>N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine (NDBA),</li>
<li>N-Nitrosopiperidine (NPIP).</li>
</ul>
Hydrogen carrier gas was used with the 7000E and 7010 Series GC/TQ systems equipped with the HydroInert and HES ion sources respectively, assessing spectral quality, linearity, repeatability, recovery, and compliance with nitrosamine analysis regulations.
MassHunter 13 software suite provided the tools for data acquisition and processing to be performed under a unified compliance environment. OpenLab Electronic Content Management (ECM) XT includes native tools to facilitate compliance, including the ability to create users with affiliated permissions, the generation of audit trails, and remote data storage.
Conclusions:
<ul>
<li>The 7000E and 7010 Series GC/TQ systems equipped with the HydroInert and HES, respectively, exhibited exceptional performance in determining eight nitrosamine drug impurities in sartan drug products and substances using hydrogen carrier gas.</li>
<li>The method was validated at 30 ppb with acceptable recovery and long-term repeatability. </li>
<li>The 7010 Series GC/TQ system enabled a smooth switch between helium and hydrogen carrier gas without compromising the performance of the methods. </li>
<li>Both the HydroInert and the HES sources facilitated achieving the necessary detection limits for the tested impurities.</li>
</ul>
<h4>4. Agilent Technologies: <a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_142_utilizing_hydrogen_pesticides_food_gc_ms_po142_asms2024_en_7ed0951b93.pdf">Analysis of Essential Oils Using a Comprehensive GCxGC with a Reverse Flow Modulator Combined with High Resolution GC/MS</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>Poster Reprint - ASMS 2024</li>
</ul>
Introduction: Essential oils are typically analyzed to determine their chemical composition contributing to flavor and quality as well as to evaluate their authenticity and identify adulterants. Essential oils are often complex samples with high number of volatile and semi-volatile components that include many isomers with highly similar spectra and close Retention Indices (RIs) when separated on a single column. Hence, a comprehensive GCxGC approach is preferable to achieve an appropriate chromatographic separation for this sample matrix. In this study we used comprehensive GCxGC coupled to a high-resolution accurate mass GC/MS to identify the essential oil components. Here we also investigate approaches for comparison of the complex GCxGC essential oil data.
Conclusions:
<ul>
<li>Several comprehensive GCxGC configurations and method using the high-resolution GC/Q-TOF and RFM were developed and optimized using a diesel sample. </li>
<li>Essential oils were analyzed using the optimized GCxGC approach, and the workflows for compound identification and statistical analysis were evaluated.</li>
</ul>
<h4>5. Shimadzu: <a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00746_en_e14cf49b7b.pdf">Greenhouse Gas Analyzer</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>Application</li>
</ul>
User Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Simultaneously measures the 3 main greenhouse gases: CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O.</li>
<li>Offers short analysis cycle times and is equipped with an AOC-6000 Plus syringe injection system to analyze large numbers of samples.</li>
<li>Uses nitrogen as a carrier gas for lower running costs.</li>
</ul>
Introduction: Greenhouse gases are a major cause of climate change, and carbon dioxide, (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are considered the 3 primary greenhouse gases. Although CO₂ accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions followed by CH₄, reducing CH₄ emissions is considered important because CH₄ has a warming effect that is more than twenty times greater than CO₂. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021, over 100 countries joined the Global Methane Pledge, which pledges by 2030 to reduce global CH₄ emissions by 30 % compared to 2020 levels. The Greenhouse Gas Analyzer is a gas chromatography system that has been developed by Shimadzu in collaboration with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) (Fig. 1). Measuring levels of CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O simultaneously in a single sample is difficult, but the Greenhouse Gas Analyzer has been designed to do this simultaneously, which reduces analytical errors and improves the sampling speed, giving researchers a valuable tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This Application News describes using the Greenhouse Gas Analyzer to simultaneously measure CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O levels.
Conclusion: The Greenhouse Gas Analyzer can simultaneously measure 3 greenhouse gases in atmospheric air in a single analysis. Each analysis by the Greenhouse Gas Analyzer is performed in 8 minutes with an analysis cycle time of 10 minutes.
<h4>6. Thermo Fisher Scientific: <a href="https://gcms.cz/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_002695_gc_triplus_rsh_smart_sample_prep_environ_an002695_na_en_77a5aa2300.pdf">An automated approach for the analysis of VOCs in drinking and surface water by using the TriPlus RSH SMART VOC Sample Prep Station</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>Application - Environmental</li>
</ul>
Goal: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the suitability of the Thermo Scientific™ TriPlus™ RSH SMART VOC Sample Prep Station for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking and surface water by using a fully automated sample preparation workflow.
Keywords: Automated sample preparation, TriPlus RSH SMART Sample Prep Station, volatile organic compounds, VOCs, drinking water, surface water, gas chromatography, TRACE 1610 GC, single quadrupole mass spectrometry, ISQ 7610 GC-MS.
Conclusions: The results of these experiments demonstrate that the automated sample preparation capability of the TriPlus RSH SMART VOC Sample Prep Station coupled to the ISQ 7610 GC-MS system provides an ideal solution for water testing laboratories looking to improve productivity and deliver confident results.
<ul>
<li>Static headspace is a convenient solventless extraction technique for volatiles in water with almost no sample preparation required. </li>
<li>Unattended operations of up to 210 samples can be achieved with the automated calibration dilution and ISTD addition workflows.</li>
<li>The automated addition of fresh reagent just before the incubation increases the stability of ISTD/surrogates mix, therefore improving the accuracy of the quantitation of target analytes during data reprocessing.</li>
<li>The TriPlus RSH SMART VOC Sample Prep Station ensures increased sample integrity for highly reliable quantitative analysis, and reduced errors or possible cross-contaminations, maximizing the productivity of the laboratory. Additionally, it allows saving valuable analyst time and improving safety by limiting the user’s exposure to toxic chemicals. </li>
<li>The integrated control for both autosampler and GC-MS in a single CDS ensures a streamlined automated workflow from on-line sample preparation to sequence setup, data acquisition, and reporting. </li>
<li>Suitability of headspace sampling for analysis of VOCs was demonstrated with R2 &gt; 0.990, RRF %RSD &lt; 20%, and calculated amount within 20% of the spiked concentration. </li>
<li>Inter-day reproducibility was demonstrated by running three batches of samples bracketed with QCs. Average absolute peak area %RSD across the entire evaluation period was &lt;20%, the QC calculated amount was within 20% of the expected value, and the calculated recovery was within 70–130%, with the only exception of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane for which the % recovery was 132. </li>
<li>Reliable quantitative analysis was achieved for drinking water samples and surface water samples analyzed in three different batches across six working days. All the sample results were compliant with the thresholds set by the current EU regulation.</li>
</ul>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 30, 2024

🎤 Presenter: Jan Hlavsa (Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic)💾 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/paper/28872">PDF presentation</a><blockquote>💡 Book in your calendar: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/events/787">17th Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW)</a> 13 - 15. January 2026</blockquote><h3>Abstract</h3> We present a method for the recognition of the identity and sex given a GC×GC chromatogram of a scent sample. In all stages, the method is fully automatic. First, the chromatogram is aligned by identifying 2D peak locations of pre-determined compounds that have been found to be present in all samples. The peak location is the point of maximum correlation with a machine-learned prototype of its spectrogram within a pre-learned part of the chromatogram. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=2">GCxGC</a> space is triangulated and affine warped to canonical coordinates. In the second step, the aligned chromatogram is flattened to a 1D vector whose values are, depending on the experiment, the total mass recorded at a given time, or the output of a spectrometer. The vector is the input of the identity or sex classifier. Two types of classifiers were trained and evaluated - the SVM (polynomial and RBF kernels) and a shallow convolution neural network.Experiments were carried out on data collected from the palms of 40 volunteers onto glass beads, extracted into ethanol, and analysed by a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=2-13&amp;manufacturerItems=25">LECO GC×GC-ToF </a>over a three year period ( 2019-2022) . Each volunteer provided at least 10 samples, each a week apart. In case of the gender identification, by finding an optimal linear projection of the Total Ion Chromatogram data, we achieve approximately 85% validation accuracy in sex identification using 10-fold cross-validation on a balanced dataset (50% male, 50% female) of 504 measurements from 40 identities. The top 5 validation accuracy for classifying 20 identities is approximately 60%.<h3>Video transcription</h3>Jan Hlavsa presented research focused on automatic sex classification and identity verification from human scent chromatograms using GC×GC-ToFMS. The project is a collaboration between the Czech Technical University in Prague and the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, with computational support from the LUMI supercomputer (over 120,000 GPU hours).<h4>Data and Methods</h4><ul><li>Samples: 2,528 chromatograms collected from 252 volunteers, analyzed by GC×GC-ToFMS.</li><li>Data representation: raw outputs with no pre-processing, stored as 3D tensors (mass spectrum, 1st retention time, 2nd retention time). Each dataset ~4 GB.</li><li>Chromatogram alignment: fully automatic registration using 24 chemical marker compounds and piecewise linear transformation.</li><li>Model: convolutional neural networks (CNNs) applied for both sex classification and identity verification tasks.</li></ul><h4>Sex Classification</h4><ul><li>Task: determine the biological sex of a donor from a human scent chromatogram.</li><li>Results:<ul><li>Reduced spectral dimension data: 84.5% accuracy.</li><li>Full data: 94.5% accuracy.</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Identity Verification</h4><ul><li>Task: verify whether two scent samples come from the same individual.</li><li>Evaluation metric: AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve).</li><li>Results:<ul><li>Training set: AUC = 0.96.</li><li>Validation set: AUC = 0.93.</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Key Advantages</h4><ul><li>Fully automated workflow requiring zero manual intervention during chromatogram registration.</li><li>Reproducible results with open-source Python code soon to be available.</li><li>High accuracy in both sex classification and identity verification tasks.</li></ul><h4>Conclusion</h4><ul><li>This study demonstrates that GC×GC analysis of human scent, combined with convolutional neural networks, can successfully differentiate sex and verify identity with high accuracy. Future work will focus on expanding the datasets and further optimizing the methodology.</li></ul><blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote>

Sex and person identity recognition from GC×GC analysis of scent samples (Jan Hlavsa, MDCW 2025)

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=petr+vozka">Dr. Petr Vozka</a>'s innovative research at California State University, Los Angeles is advancing the field of forensic chemistry through the comprehensive analysis of fingerprint aging. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/219">Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)</a> utilizes cutting-edge comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=13-2-3&amp;manufacturerItems=25">GC×GC-TOFMS</a>) to analyze fingerprint chemical composition changes over time [1]. Central to this complex analytical workflow is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1916">Organomation's 15 position MICROVAP nitrogen evaporator</a>, which plays a crucial role in sample preparation and concentration. This case study explores how the integration of the MICROVAP system has enhanced sample processing efficiency, improved reproducibility, and ultimately contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in fingerprint aging research that could transform forensic investigations.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_Enhancing_Forensic_Fingerprint_Analysis_How_the_MICROVAP_Sample_Concentrator_Aids_Solvent_Removal_d717987163.jpg" alt="Organomation: Enhancing Forensic Fingerprint Analysis - How the MICROVAP Sample Concentrator Aids Solvent Removal" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_Enhancing_Forensic_Fingerprint_Analysis_How_the_MICROVAP_Sample_Concentrator_Aids_Solvent_Removal_d717987163.jpg 230w," sizes="100vw" width="1080" height="733"><h5>Background: Dr. Vozka's Pioneering Fingerprint Research</h5><blockquote>Watch our exclusive interview with Dr. Petr Vozka <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KncYDw-UCdg">here</a>!</blockquote>Dr. Petr Vozka serves as an Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles, where he established the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL). His research facility has emerged as a beacon of opportunity for first-generation and underrepresented students, providing hands-on experience with advanced analytical instrumentation. The lab's partnership with LECO Corporation has been transformative, equipping students with access to a state-of-the-art comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography system [2]. This collaboration was formalized in 2023 when LECO presented Dr. Vozka with a GC×GC-enabled Pegasus TOFMS system in recognition of his extensive work in microplastics analysis using GC×GC technology, as well as his efforts in training the next generation of GC×GC users [2].Among Dr. Vozka's most promising research initiative is his collaboration with the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center on fingerprint aging research. This innovative project aims to understand how fingerprint components change over time, with the ultimate goal of developing a reliable aging model that could revolutionize forensic investigations [3]. The significance of this research extends beyond academic interest, potentially providing law enforcement with crucial temporal information about when fingerprints were deposited at crime scenes. By analyzing the complex chemical composition of fingerprints and monitoring how specific compounds degrade or transform over time, Dr. Vozka's team is laying the scientific groundwork for fingerprint chronology, an area that has traditionally depended on circumstantial evidence or witness testimony [3].<h4>The Fingerprint Analysis Workflow Challenge</h4>The analytical workflow for fingerprint aging analysis presents several challenges that require an innovative solution. The process begins with careful sample collection, where technicians moisten cotton swabs with dichloromethane and methodically swab the fingerprint from its surface [3]. This initial extraction captures numerous organic compounds present in fingerprints, with primary targets including cholesterol metabolites and squalene [3]. However, these compounds exist in extremely low concentrations in fingerprints, making their detection and quantification particularly challenging without proper sample preparation and concentration steps.Before these samples can be analyzed using the GC×GC-TOFMS system, they must undergo a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-sample-concentration">critical concentration step to remove excess solvent </a>while preserving the target analytes [4]. This intermediate step posed several technical hurdles for Dr. Vozka's research team. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/diy-evaporation-setups-vs.-professional-nitrogen-blowdown-systems-knowing-when-to-upgrade">Manual evaporation methods</a> were time-consuming and introduced significant variability between samples, potentially compromising the reliability of their aging models. Inconsistent evaporation rates and temperatures could lead to selective loss of volatile compounds, skewing the chemical profile of the fingerprint samples. Additionally, the research involved processing multiple samples from different time points to track changes over time, creating a workflow bottleneck with traditional single-sample evaporation methods.The precision required for forensic applications added another layer of complexity to the sample preparation process. Even minor variations in concentration technique could significantly impact the final analytical results and the validity of any aging models developed. The research team needed a solution that could provide controlled, reproducible evaporation for multiple samples simultaneously, while maintaining the integrity of the complex mixture of compounds present in fingerprint residues [4]. This critical stage in the analytical workflow presented an ideal opportunity for technological intervention to enhance both throughput and data quality.<h4>The MICROVAP: Efficient Sample Concentration</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1916">15 position MICROVAP nitrogen evaporator</a> from Organomation emerged as the ideal solution for Dr. Vozka's fingerprint analysis workflow. This compact benchtop evaporator is specifically designed for small batch solvent evaporations, such as concentrations of sample groups in microcentrifuge tubes, making it perfectly suited for the fingerprint extract samples collected on dichloromethane-moistened swabs [5]. The system's ability to simultaneously process up to 15 samples significantly improved laboratory throughput, allowing the research team to analyze multiple fingerprint samples within a single batch [4, 5]. This capability is especially valuable in fingerprint aging studies, where comparing samples collected at different time intervals is essential for developing accurate temporal models.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_15_Position_MICROVAP_Nitrogen_Evaporator_2_af9f41666c.jpg" alt="Organomation: 15 Position MICROVAP Nitrogen Evaporator" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_15_Position_MICROVAP_Nitrogen_Evaporator_2_af9f41666c.jpg 158w," sizes="100vw" width="2984" height="2953">The MICROVAP's precision temperature control, ranging from room temperature to 130°C with accuracy of ± 2°C, provides the careful regulation necessary for compound preservation during the concentration process. This feature is critical when working with fingerprint samples that contain a complex mixture of target compounds which may be susceptible to evaporation or degradation under higher temperature conditions. The newly redesigned heating unit offers <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/redesigned-blow-down-evaporator-for-autosampler-vials-and-96-well-plates">enhanced heat stability for low-temperature applications</a>, which is crucial for preserving thermally labile residues. The system's stainless steel luer lock hubs and 4-inch x 19-gauge stainless steel needles enable precise control of nitrogen flow, further enhancing evaporation consistency and sample integrity [5].Implementation of the MICROVAP system into Dr. Vozka's laboratory workflow was straightforward due to its user-friendly design and minimal footprint. With a digital temperature controller and adjustable flow meter, the system allows for easy optimization based on sample and solvent properties. Its compact design conserves valuable hood space, a key benefit in space-constrained academic labs. Custom-designed sample blocks and inserts ensure optimal fit and efficient heat transfer for the specific glassware used in the fingerprint analysis workflow, further enhancing the processes efficiency and reproducibility [5].<h4>Impact and Results</h4>The integration of the 15 position MICROVAP into Dr. Vozka's fingerprint analysis workflow has yielded impressive improvements in both efficiency and analytical quality. Sample preparation time has been significantly reduced, allowing the research team to process more samples in less time and accelerating their progress toward developing a comprehensive fingerprint aging model. The batch processing capability has eliminated a major bottleneck in their workflow, enabling the analysis of larger sample sets that provide more robust statistical data for their aging models. This increased throughput has been achieved without sacrificing sample quality, thanks to the MICROVAP's precise control of evaporation parameters [4].Sample-to-sample consistency has dramatically improved since implementing the MICROVAP system, resulting in more reliable detection of critical chemical markers in fingerprint residues. The research team has been able to successfully detect cholesterol metabolites across samples, although they noted that squalene was not consistently detected in all samples, highlighting the complexity of fingerprint composition analysis [3]. The controlled evaporation environment provided by the MICROVAP has minimized the selective loss of volatile compounds, ensuring that the chemical profiles obtained from GC×GC-TOFMS analysis accurately represent the original fingerprint composition [4]. This improvement in analytical fidelity is essential for developing reliable aging models that can withstand forensic scrutiny.The safety aspects of the MICROVAP system have also benefited the laboratory environment, particularly when working with dichloromethane, a potential health hazard that requires careful handling. The enclosed evaporation process of the evaporator in the fume hood minimizes researcher exposure to solvent vapors, creating a safer working environment for researchers [5]. Additionally, the system's reliability has reduced the need for sample reprocessing, conserving valuable resources and maximizing the productivity of the laboratory. The consistent results obtained with the MICROVAP system have strengthened the validity of Dr. Vozka's research findings, positioning his team at the forefront of forensic fingerprint aging analysis [4].<h4>Future Directions and Conclusion</h4>Dr. Vozka's innovative application of GC×GC-TOFMS combined with the efficient sample preparation capabilities of the 15 position MICROVAP represents a significant advancement in forensic fingerprint analysis. The integration of this specialized evaporation technology has not only enhanced research productivity but also improved the quality and reliability of analytical results essential for developing accurate fingerprint aging models [4]. As the research continues, Dr. Vozka's team plans to refine their methods further, possibly expanding their analyte panel to include additional chemical markers that may provide more precise aging information [3]. The versatility of the MICROVAP system will support these evolving research needs, accommodating different sample types and volumes as the project progresses.The successful implementation of the 15 position MICROVAP in Dr. Vozka's laboratory demonstrates the critical importance of appropriate sample preparation technologies in advanced analytical workflows. While sophisticated instrumentation like GC×GC-TOFMS receives much attention, the quality of data ultimately depends on careful sample processing throughout the analytical workflow. Organomation's MICROVAP has proven to be an essential component in bridging the gap between sample collection and high-resolution analysis, ensuring that the full potential of advanced chromatographic techniques can be reached. As Dr. Vozka continues to train the next generation of analytical chemists and forensic scientists at Cal State LA, the integration of professional-grade sample preparation equipment like the MICROVAP provides students with valuable hands-on experience that mirrors real-world laboratory practices, preparing them for successful careers in analytical science.<blockquote>In need of a sample concentrator for your lab? Easily find the best model for your application by using our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/support/contact-help-support/sample-evaporator-product-finder">evaporator product finder tool</a>.</blockquote>

Enhancing Forensic Fingerprint Analysis: How the MICROVAP Sample Concentrator Aids Solvent Removal

Cal State LA has completed a major instrumentation upgrade in its LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab, further advancing the university’s partnership with LECO Corporation and expanding opportunities for student research and training in analytical chemistry. The upgrade replaces the lab’s earlier-generation time-of-flight mass spectrometer with LECO’s newest model, the Pegasus® BTX, a benchtop detector designed for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) applications. The new system enhances analytical sensitivity, uptime, and throughput for complex chemical studies.<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_d8245334d6.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_d8245334d6.jpg 223w," sizes="100vw" width="600" height="420">The upgrade continues a collaboration that began with the launch of the LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab in 2023. Located in Rosser Hall, the lab serves as a hub for students, faculty, and industry partners to conduct advanced compositional studies of complex chemical samples.<h4>The impact of the Pegasus BTX at Cal State LA</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=Pegasus+BTX">Pegasus BTX</a> is LECO’s latest benchtop time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) detector engineered for both GC and GC×GC applications.&nbsp;Key capabilities include:<ul><li>full-mass-range data collection (even during targeted analyses)</li><li>advanced deconvolution for cleaner spectra in dense matrices</li><li>and the StayClean® ion source that is designed to require no source cleaning, even after heavy-matrix exposure.&nbsp;</li></ul>The system offers femtogram-level detection with helium or hydrogen carrier gas, up to 500 spectra/second, a 10–1500 m/z mass range, and five orders of linear dynamic range, all orchestrated by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=ChromaTOF">ChromaTOF</a>® software.These capabilities will support Cal State LA’s research and teaching in areas such as environmental analysis, petrochemicals, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and food safety, broadening opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work hands-on with state-of-the-art GC×GC-TOFMS.“This upgrade accelerates our ability to separate, detect, and identify thousands of compounds in complex samples while training students on industry-relevant workflows,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=petr+vozka">Dr. Petr Vozka</a>, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Cal State LA.“We’re excited to support Cal State LA’s mission to prepare the next generation of analytical scientists,” said Farai Rukunda, Director of Separation science at LECO Corporation. “The Pegasus BTX gives students access to the same technology they’ll use in professional laboratories.”<h4>A growing collaboration</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/article/3246">LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab</a>, established in 2023 and housed in Rosser Hall, was created as a hub for students, faculty, and industry partners to conduct advanced compositional studies of complex chemical samples. The lab represents a continued collaboration between Cal State LA and LECO Corporation to advance chemical education and innovation in the Los Angeles region.<h4>About LECO Corporation</h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/products/pegasus-btx/">LECO</a> develops analytical instruments and software solutions spanning mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and more. The Pegasus BTX represents the company’s newest evolution in GC-TOFMS technology for GC and GC×GC applications. LECO Corporation<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Cal_State_LA_A_Cal_State_LA_student_conducts_analysis_using_the_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_the_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_0df09db6ac.jpg" alt="Cal State LA: A Cal State LA student conducts analysis using the LECO Pegasus BTX system in the LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Cal_State_LA_A_Cal_State_LA_student_conducts_analysis_using_the_LECO_Pegasus_BTX_system_in_the_LECO_Complex_Chemical_Compositional_Analysis_Lab_0df09db6ac.jpg 223w," sizes="100vw" width="600" height="420"><blockquote><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.calstatela.edu/">California State University, Los Angeles</a> is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. The university is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, Cal State LA serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 270,000 distinguished alumni.</blockquote>

Cal State LA and LECO enhance complex chemical analysis with new Pegasus BTX system

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