International
CONNECTING SCIENCE, BRIDGING INNOVATION
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FEBRUARY 2026 - VOLUME 51 ISSUE
FEBRUARY 2026 - VOLUME 51 ISSUE 1
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CHROMATOGRAPHY
The future of chromatography: How AI and automation are driving laboratory efficiency and decision-making
John Beary, Agilent Technologies
The pressure on labs to perform has never been greater. Recent reports show that 60% of lab professionals are experiencing significant downtime due to equipment failures, missed calibration schedules and challenges in locating critical lab assets, highlighting the urgent need for smarter, more connected lab infrastructure. Compounding the challenge, 64% of labs have already implemented cost-cutting measures across Europe, with many also coming up against severe budget constraints and staff reductions.
However, balancing the mounting financial and human resource pressure with client expectations, regulatory demands and the need for faster turnaround times isn’t easy. So how can labs improve efficiency and productivity while also ensuring accuracy and compliance? The answer is the application of advanced automation tools, including robots, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The concept – getting smart systems to carry out tasks with minimal direct human intervention – is straightforward; turning it into a reality requires a good understanding of the available technologies and a clearly defined set of objectives. For the best results, it’s also important to be able to access siloed data and implement workflows capable of operating across a range of tools.
Turning concepts into reality
In the field of chromatography, collaborative robots, or ‘cobots,’ are transforming efficiency and precision. These advanced machines are engineered to work alongside
human operators, enhancing their capabilities by taking on repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
The ability of cobots to execute complex analytical protocols that demand a high degree of accuracy and consistency enhances the reliability and precision of the processes. This is particularly critical in the pharmaceutical industry, where accuracy is paramount to ensure the safety and efficacy of products.
Also, by performing routine and labour-intensive tasks, cobots enable labs to process a higher volume of work, without compromising on quality, freeing up human operators to focus on more valuable scientific and problem- solving tasks.
Cobots can also provide economic benefits as the efficiencies gained from their use, and the consequent reduction in the need for manual labour, can result in significant cost savings. Their adaptability and flexibility – they can be easily reprogrammed and repurposed – enables them to seamlessly integrate into a variety of chromatography workflows, adapting as the demands of the industry evolve.
The power of AI
AI is also becoming an integral tool in chromatographic and mass spectrometric (MS) analysis, particularly in the fields of biopharmaceutical development and drug discovery. Its application not only enhances data processing, interpretation, and decision-making processes, it also makes them more efficient and accurate.
For example, AI-powered systems can now handle routine tasks, such as sample processing, data analysis and report generation, while also reducing the risk of human error, leading to more reliable results. Importantly, it frees up lab staff to focus on higher-value tasks that support innovation and value creation.
Ensuring peak performance
Increasing peak detection and quantification levels are one of the key areas where AI can make a substantial impact. Machine learning algorithms can be trained to accurately identify and differentiate between peaks, even in complex chromatograms where peaks can co-elute.
This is further enhanced by AI’s ability to optimise integration parameters, such as baseline correction and peak width, ensuring more accurate quantification results. It can also extract additional information from chromatography data, such as peak area, height and retention time, which further refines the accuracy of quantifications.
A collaborative environment
It’s very hard to extract the maximum value from siloed data, which can occur when there is insufficient integration between departments, systems, or applications. This is particularly prevalent in industries that use a diverse range of data sources and proprietary technology formats spread across a number of geographical locations. As a result, there is a concerted drive to move away from vendor specific/proprietary technologies.
The Allotrope Foundation, an international consortium of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and other scientific research-intensive industries, is involved in breaking down these silos to enable seamless data integration. Its open- access data initiatives aim to create a more collaborative environment for data sharing and integration, particularly within the scientific community.
2 INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2026
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CONNECTING SCIENCE,BRIDGINGINNOVATION
HPLC Systems
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These high-quality filters, made from stainless steel or polyethylene and fitted with PEEK tubing connectors, are designed to enhance the performance and longevity of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems. By effectively removing particulates and contaminants from solvents, they help protect instruments and ensure reliable analytical results.
Manufactured from high-purity sintered stainless steel or porous polyethylene, the filters deliver superior filtration to maintain solvent cleanliness and prevent blockages. This contributes directly to the integrity and reproducibility of chromatographic data.
The white colour of the polyethylene ‘stones’ makes it easy to detect dirt or particulate build-up at a glance, enabling users to schedule timely maintenance and avoid unexpected interruptions.
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In viscometric analysis, particularly relative viscometry, the presence of dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide in high- purity solvents can lead to microbubble formation during temperature shifts or flow changes. These bubbles can destabilise detector signals and introduce pressure variations, compromising the accuracy and reproducibility of viscosity measurements.
The Cornerstone Scientific division of Microsolv has introduced the Antarisz™ Vent Filters - designed to meet the varied demands of laboratories and industrial environments. These high-performance filters are built for reliability and versatility across a wide range of applications.
Each Antarisz™ Vent Filter features an integrity- verifiable design, ensuring dependable performance for critical processes. Their durable construction allows them to withstand multiple autoclave cycles, offering long-term usability. With broad chemical compatibility, they’re suited to diverse workflows and lab setups.
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Common applications for Antarisz™ Vent Filters include vacuum line protection, venting of bioreactors, fermentation tanks, media flasks, and carboys, gas purging in cell culture, inline sterilization, and particulate removal from filling vessels. They are also ideal for venting during HPLC sample preparation.
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By incorporating an optimised degasser, these risks are significantly reduced. The degasser continuously removes dissolved gases from the solvent stream, improving flow consistency and enhancing signal stability - both essential for robust analytical performance.
Alba Cárdenas, Intrinsic Viscosity product expert at Polymer Char, explained:“We turned to Biotech Fluidics for their deep expertise in degassing and their openness to customisation. The result is a degasser that fits seamlessly into our systems, delivering smoother flow and better signal-to-noise ratios, which are crucial for achieving high- quality, repeatable results.”
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Shimadzu has announced an important update for its compact Brevis GC-2050 gas chromatograph, adding a host of new features that significantly broaden its application scope. This latest development transforms the system into a fully equipped, flexible solution capable of supporting an even wider range of industries - with particular focus on the growing demands of the Green Transformation (GX) sector.
A standout addition is the introduction of the world’s first CO2
reduction visualisation function
for a gas chromatograph. The system’s new ECO Idling Function learns usage patterns and automatically optimises operating schedules based on workload, activating energy-saving modes during idle periods. The integrated software not only cuts down on gas and electricity consumption but also displays tangible data on CO2
reductions and cost savings achieved, giving laboratories meaningful
Advanced GC with CO2 reduction visualisation insights into their sustainability performance.
To meet the increasing need for precise and efficient gas analysis in areas such as green energy development and process control, Shimadzu has enhanced its Automatic Gas Analysis System. This now pairs an improved Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) with the Auto Gas Injector GI-30, delivering superior sensitivity in a compact format.
Further extending the system’s versatility, the Brevis GC-2050 can be configured with a range of compatible accessories. These include the Jetanizer/Polyarc microreactor system for sensitive, easy quantification using a universal FID detector, and a customised GC setup featuring the VB-30 Series valve box for petrochemical and gas manufacturing applications. Other options include the TD- 30 thermal desorption system for precise
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atmospheric VOC analysis, the PY-3030D pyrolysis furnace for resin and additive characterisation, and the HS-20 NX headspace sampler for analysing volatile compounds in both liquids and solids. Additionally, a multi- detector configuration can be assembled using Advanced Flow Technology for simultaneous compound detection.
Originally launched in 2023, the Brevis GC-2050 continues to build on Shimadzu’s reputation for compact, high-performance gas chromatography systems. These new enhancements enable laboratories to access a complete, modular GC platform designed to deliver precise results, reduce environmental impact, and save valuable bench space.
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INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2026
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