John V. Hinshaw | Authors

After 32 years as a columnist, John Hinshaw writes his final “GC Connections” article, examining how GC has changed over the years and considering where it might go in the future.

I have edited the “GC Connections” column in LCGC for over 32 years. In that time, gas chromatography (GC) has changed from a specialized separations technique to being more routine for standardized methods, while expanding outward to complex multidimensional separations and scaling downward towards miniaturization and portability. In my last “GC Connections” article before stepping away from the role of Editor, I give some perspective on how GC has changed and grown over the years, and where it might go in the future.

Most manufacturers ship gas chromatographs with a small collection of consumable parts and accessories, such as extra ferrules, inlet liners, or septa, and a few instrument-specific tools. In earlier times, some convenience items might have been included as well, like a bubble flow meter or a small set of tools, but now it’s rare to find such things in the shipping boxes. This edition of “GC Connections” lists a number of essential items that should be on hand in every gas chromatography (GC) laboratory, their function, and how to use them effectively.

Although manufacturers ship gas chromatographs with a collection of consumable parts and accessories, a number of other essential items should be on hand in every GC laboratory. What items are needed and how can they be used most effectively?

Most manufacturers ship gas chromatographs with a small collection of consumable parts and accessories, such as extra ferrules, inlet liners, or septa, and a few instrument-specific tools. In earlier times, some convenience items might have been included as well, like a bubble flow meter or a small set of tools, but now it’s rare to find such things in the shipping boxes. This edition of “GC Connections” lists a number of essential items that should be on hand in every gas chromatography (GC) laboratory, their function, and how to use them effectively.

Our annual review of new developments in the field of gas chromatography, as seen at Pittcon and other venues