Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gas Chromatography: Sample Injection Systems01:08

Gas Chromatography: Sample Injection Systems

1.8K
In gas chromatography, the sample is introduced as a vapor plug into the carrier gas stream for high efficiency and resolution. A microsyringe injects the sample solution into a heated sample port, vaporizing it and mixing it with the carrier gas. This process is important to ensure the sample is properly prepared for analysis. Thermally sensitive samples can be injected directly into the column and volatilized by slowly increasing the column temperature.
Two primary injection methods are used...
1.8K
Gas Chromatography: Introduction01:13

Gas Chromatography: Introduction

4.6K
Gas chromatography (GC) is a technique for separating and analyzing volatile compounds in a sample. Its primary purpose is to identify and quantify components in complex mixtures, making it essential in fields such as environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. GC is also called vapor-phase chromatography (VPC) or gas-liquid partition chromatography (GLPC).
In GC,  a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a...
4.6K
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)01:14

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)

7.6K
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is the combination of analytical techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in a single instrument for analyzing a mixture of compounds. The gas chromatograph separates the compounds in the mixture, and the mass spectrometer analyzes each compound separately to determine the molecular masses and molecular structures.
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall....
7.6K
Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors01:13

Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors

2.4K
Detectors in gas chromatography (GC) help identify and quantify the components of a mixture by translating chemical properties into measurable signals, which are displayed on a chromatogram. Detectors can be categorized into two main types: destructive and non-destructive.
A non-destructive detector allows a sample to be analyzed without altering or consuming it, meaning the sample can be collected after detection for further analysis. Examples include thermal conductivity detectors and...
2.4K
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I01:21

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I

1.9K
There are different types of detectors used in gas chromatography, each with its own specific properties that make it suitable for detecting certain types of analytes. The most commonly used detectors in GC are thermal conductivity detector (TCD), flame ionization detector (FID), and electron capture detector (ECD).
TCD is the earliest and most widely used detector that operates by measuring the changes in the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas. When a sample compound enters the detector,...
1.9K
Gas Chromatography: Types of Columns and Stationary Phases01:17

Gas Chromatography: Types of Columns and Stationary Phases

2.9K
Gas chromatography (GC) relies on stationary phases to separate and analyze components in a sample. There are two main types of stationary phases: liquid and solid. Liquid stationary phases are non-volatile, thermally stable, and chemically inert liquids coated onto the column. Solid stationary phases are particles of adsorbent material, such as silica gel or molecular sieves.
For an analyte to remain on the column for a sufficient amount of time, it must exhibit some level of compatibility (or...
2.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A Sub-Milliwatt Graphene-Based Thermal Conductivity Detector for On-Site Gas Analysis.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

A MEMS Microbolometer-Based ATR Mid-Infrared Sensor for Direct Dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> Detection and UV-Induced Sediment Carbon Assay in Aquatic Environments.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Controlling Cell Migratory Patterns Under an Electric Field Regulated by a Neural Network-Based Feedback Controller.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

A modular fluorescent camera unit for wound imaging.

Communications biology·2025
Same author

A bioelectronic device for electric field treatment of wounds reduces inflammation in an in vivo mouse model.

PloS one·2024
Same author

A pro-reparative bioelectronic device for controlled delivery of ions and biomolecules.

Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
11:44

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

9.9K

A miniature closed-loop gas chromatography system.

Hao-Chieh Hsieh1, Hanseup Kim

  • 1Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Utah, SMBB-3100, 36 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. haochieh.hsieh@utah.edu hanseup.kim@utah.edu.

Lab on a Chip
|February 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary

A novel miniaturized circulatory column system enhances effective length for high-efficiency separation. This system achieves record-breaking column length and theoretical plate numbers using microcolumns and controlled fluidic flow.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
07:57

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector

Published on: July 25, 2014

20.5K
Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography
08:22

Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography

Published on: May 15, 2020

8.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
11:44

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

9.9K
Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
07:57

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector

Published on: July 25, 2014

20.5K
Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography
08:22

Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography

Published on: May 15, 2020

8.2K

Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Microfluidics

Background:

  • Traditional gas chromatography (GC) systems often require long columns for high-efficiency separations, leading to large instrument size and high operational pressure.
  • Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) scale columns offer miniaturization but face limitations in achieving sufficient effective column length for complex separations.
  • Developing compact, high-performance separation systems is crucial for portable and on-site analysis applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a miniaturized circulatory column system designed to magnify effective column length for enhanced chromatographic separation.
  • To demonstrate the system's capability to achieve high theoretical plate numbers and efficient separation of target molecules at low operational pressure.

Main Methods:

  • A circulatory column system was constructed using a tandem of 25 cm microcolumns and six valves for fluidic control.
  • The system enabled chromatographic separation in a circulatory motion, magnifying the virtual column length.
  • System performance was evaluated by measuring theoretical plate numbers and demonstrating separation of a pentane/hexane mixture.

Main Results:

  • The system successfully achieved a 16-fold elongation of virtual column length up to 800 cm using two 25 cm microcolumns, the longest reported for MEMS-scale GC columns.
  • A high theoretical plate number of 68,696 was achieved with pentane after 15.5 circulatory cycles, yielding a record plate number per length-pressure of 1611 plates m⁻¹ kPa⁻¹.
  • Successful separation of pentane and hexane was demonstrated, with peaks magnified through circulation, confirming the system's separation efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • The miniaturized circulatory column system effectively magnifies column length and enhances separation efficiency at low pressures.
  • This technology represents a significant advancement in MEMS-scale chromatography, offering potential for highly efficient, portable analytical devices.
  • The system's performance metrics, including record plate numbers, highlight its potential for demanding analytical applications.