Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

Abstract: A laminated microfluidic device is described that includes an internal microchannel formed from laminating individual layers of the laminated microfluidic device to each other. The laminated microfluidic device also includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port each fluidically coupled to the internal microchannel. The laminated microfluidic device permits flow of sample into the laminated microfluidic device through the first port. The laminated microfluidic device fluidically couples to an external pressure source through the second port. The laminated microfluidic device permits the flow of the sample to a first component fluidically coupled to the third port and to a second component fluidically coupled to the fourth port depending on pressure within the internal microchannel of the laminated microfluidic device.

Abstract: A gas chromatographic system includes a gas chromatographic (GC) subsystem and an autosampler. The autosampler includes a carrier including a plurality of seats and a plurality of sample holders disposed in respective ones of the seats. Each of the sample holders includes: a container defining a chamber configured to hold a sample; and visible indicium on the container; wherein the container is positioned in its seat such that the visible indicium is visible. The autosampler further includes an optical sensor, a controller, at least one mirror, and a sampling system. The optical sensor is configured to read the visible indicia and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto. The controller is configured to receive the output signal. The at least one mirror is arranged and configured to simultaneously reflect images of the visible indicia of a set of the sample holders in the seats to the optical sensor.

Abstract: Certain configurations of a gas chromatography system comprising an internal gas generator are described. In some instances, the gas chromatography system may comprise an internal hydrogen generator to provide hydrogen gas to a chromatography column for separation of analyte species. In certain examples, the gas chromatography system can be operated without any external gas inputs.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device configured to provide three-way switching or switching between three or more inputs or outputs. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to one or more switching valves to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the technology, an automated thermal desorption system includes a sample tube including a chamber to contain an analyte, visible indicia on the sample tube, a thermal desorption apparatus, and a sample tube monitoring system. The thermal desorption apparatus is configured to receive the sample tube and includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the sample tube in the thermal desorption apparatus and thereby desorb the analyte from the sample tube. The sample tube monitoring system includes: an optical sensor configured to read the visible indicia on the sample tube and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto; and a controller configured to receive the output signal corresponding to the visible indicia from the optical sensor and to determine an orientation of the sample tube with respect to the thermal desorption apparatus based on the output signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

Abstract: A gas chromatographic system includes a gas chromatographic (GC) subsystem and an autosampler. The autosampler includes a carrier including a plurality of seats and a plurality of sample holders disposed in respective ones of the seats. Each of the sample holders includes: a container defining a chamber configured to hold a sample; and visible indicium on the container; wherein the container is positioned in its seat such that the visible indicium is visible. The autosampler further includes an optical sensor, a controller, at least one mirror, and a sampling system. The optical sensor is configured to read the visible indicia and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto. The controller is configured to receive the output signal. The at least one mirror is arranged and configured to simultaneously reflect images of the visible indicia of a set of the sample holders in the seats to the optical sensor.

Abstract: A Chromatography system that includes a microfluidic device configured to provide three-way switching or switching between three or more inputs or outputs. The microfluidic device fluidically coupled to one or more switching valves to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system.

Abstract: A drying device comprising a regenerable desiccant medium that is effective to adsorb water without absorption of gaseous analyte species in an introduced ambient air stream is described. The drying device can be used with a thermal desorption device to remove water vapor from gaseous analyte species prior to analysis of the gaseous analyte species. Systems including a drying device are also described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device and that implement one or more methods to direct sample to a desired fluid flow path. The methods can be used to backflush a sample to a desired fluid flow path to select certain analytes within a sample.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the technology, an automated thermal desorption system includes a sample tube including a chamber to contain an analyte, visible indicia on the sample tube, a thermal desorption apparatus, and a sample tube monitoring system. The thermal desorption apparatus is configured to receive the sample tube and includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the sample tube in the thermal desorption apparatus and thereby desorb the analyte from the sample tube. The sample tube monitoring system includes: an optical sensor configured to read the visible indicia on the sample tube and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto; and a controller configured to receive the output signal corresponding to the visible indicia from the optical sensor and to determine an orientation of the sample tube with respect to the thermal desorption apparatus based on the output signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to control fluid flow through one or more detectors. In some configurations, the device can be configured as a manifold that can receive a positive pressure to decouple the flow of fluid through a chromatography column from fluid flow through a detector. In certain configurations, sample flow can be accelerated into a detector cell comprising one or more filaments.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device configured to provide three-way switching or switching between three or more inputs or outputs. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to one or more switching valves to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices, systems and methods that are configured to control flow of an explosive carrier gas in a sampling system. In some examples, a flow control device configured to provide release of explosive carrier gas in less than an explosive amount to void space in the sampling system is described. Systems and methods using the flow control device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device configured to provide three-way switching or switching between three or more inputs or outputs. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to one or more switching valves to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of a gas chromatography system comprising an internal gas generator are described. In some instances, the gas chromatography system may comprise an internal hydrogen generator to provide hydrogen gas to a chromatography column for separation of analyte species. In certain examples, the gas chromatography system can be operated without any external gas inputs.