Laboratory Products
New Enhanced Analytical Monitoring Installation at Swansea University
Dr Ruth Godfrey, University of Swansea
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new and unique UK analytical capability that offers a ‘step change’ in measurement, with the potential to detect a much broader range of organic substances (including isomers) within solids and liquids. By utilising Omni International’s (a PerkinElmer company) bead beating homogenisation technology, followed by a multi-modal sample introduction system (GL Sciences, supported by SepSolve Analytical) combined with separation/ detection via Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet spectroscopy (VUV Analytics, supported by Scientifi c Support Services UK), this technology installation will enable an enhanced picture of sample materials to be established. Collaborative partners at SepSolve Analytical will support the development of new sample introduction methods to expand this analysis across a wide range of complex matrices. We will apply this to design new, safer, cleaner and more accurate treatments, processes and technologies for recycling/re-use and manufacturing for more effective healthcare, and a resilient and sustainable Circular Economy (CE).
Swansea University’s Open Innovation environment houses world-leading experts and sector-led research in life science, engineering, analytical science, environmental and public health protection. The co-location of the environmental regulator (NRW) at Swansea enables industry, academia and government to act collectively, to better understand the content and, environmental and health impacts of manufactured products and green(er) replacements. By interfacing homogenisation and a multi-modal sample introduction to release ‘hidden’ chemicals across material types, and the applicability of Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC-VUV) to a broader range of volatile and semi-volatile chemistries, Swansea’s new installation offers enhanced analytical monitoring for substances routinely measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thus, this installation will inform the development of improved technologies, processes, products and policies that bridge the life science, health, manufacturing and environmental sectors, whilst enabling the UK to establish a more resilient and sustainable CE to protect environmental and public health.
What are the capabilities and how do they work? Homogenisation
Omni’s technology can mechanically disrupt, extract and/or homogenise virtually any sample through rapid agitation with a homogenisation (grinding) matrix. These matrices consist of beads that differ in material, size, shape and composition, and are selected according to sample type, mass/volume of sample, the target particle size, and the stability of the target molecule. Therefore, the bead type can be used to control homogenisation effi ciency given surface area, density, hardness, durability, and chemical resistance all infl uence performance (see Figure 1). For example, smaller beads can be used to generate smaller sample particle sizes, and in some cases, multiple bead sizes are used to achieve the desired pulverisation. Whilst, to control the extent and type of disruption the bead shape is key; spherical beads use impaction and hammering to isolate organelles or unstable molecules (e.g. RNA and specifi c proteins), and angular beads chop and cut samples by applying mechanical shear force to release stable molecules such as DNA and small molecules from challenging samples (e.g. cell walls and fi brous tissue).
Multi-modal sample introduction
The OPTIC-4 by GL Sciences offers a range of sample introduction options for interrogating intact solids and liquids. With a programmable inlet capable of rapidly reaching temperatures of 600ºC the system can perform thermal desorption, on-column injection, and large volume injections (LVI) for enhanced sensitivity, in-liner derivatisation and pyrolysis for these sample types. This offers signifi cant fl exibility for applications that span the breadth of applications for volatile and non-volatile species.
Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet spectroscopy
GC-VUV uses the power of high resolution GC separations with the enhanced analytical scope and selectivity of the non-destructive VUV detector, for reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis. VUV offers signifi cant potential for measuring substances across a broad range of applications given almost all chemical species strongly absorb at VUV wavelengths due to the excitation of a broad range of high energy electronic transitions (see
Figure 2: Wavelength range of relevant molecular bonding and the operating range of the VUV VGA-101 detector.
Figure 1: Diagram detailing the application need and potential matrices used to homogenise example materials (image published with permission from Omni International).
Figure 2). As a result, VUV spectra are directly related to the molecular electronic structure and are therefore, highly specifi c. GC-VUV may be considered as the GC equivalent of High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD).
LABMATE UK & IRELAND - NOVEMBER 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
