Abstract: A device for separating analytes is disclosed. The device has a sample injector, sample injection needle, sample reservoir container in communication with the sample injector, chromatography column downstream of the sample injector, and fluid conduits connecting the sample injector and the column. The interior surfaces of the fluid conduits, sample injector, sample reservoir container, and column form a flow path having wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces of the flow path are coated with an alkylsilyl coating that is inert to at least one of the analytes. The alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH(C1-C6)alkyl, —N((C1-C6)alkyl)2, OH, ORA, and halo. RA represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is ORA. X is (C1-C20)alkyl, —O[(CH2)2O]1-20, -(C1-C10)[NH(CO)NH(C1-C10)]1-20-, or -(C1-C10)[alkylphenyl(C1-C10)alkyl]1-20-.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography apparatus includes a diffusion-bonded separation column comprising a lower substrate comprising titanium, an upper substrate comprising titanium, and a titanium patterned foil disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. The lower substrate, titanium patterned foil, and upper substrate are diffusion bonded together to form a fluid path extending from an inlet port to an outlet port, wherein walls defining the fluid path within the diffusion-bonded separation column include a titanium surface coating.

Abstract: A device for separating analytes is disclosed. The device has a sample injector, sample injection needle, sample reservoir container in communication with the sample injector, chromatography column downstream of the sample injector, and fluid conduits connecting the sample injector and the column. The interior surfaces of the fluid conduits, sample injector, sample reservoir container, and column form a flow path having wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces of the flow path are coated with an alkylsilyl coating that is inert to at least one of the analytes. The alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH(C1-C6)alkyl, —N((C1-C6)alkyl)2, OH, ORA, and halo. RA represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is ORA. X is (C1-C20)alkyl, —O[(CH2)2O]1-20—, —(C1-C10)[NH(CO)NH(C1-C10)]1-20—, or —(C1-C10)[alkylphenyl(C1-C10)alkyl]1-20-.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, and apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system. The chromatography system includes a mobile phase pump configured to pump a liquid mobile phase through a column and a restrictor positioned downstream of the column and upstream of a detector. The system also includes a valve configured to operate in at least two positions. In a first position, the valve is configured to direct the output of the column to bypass the valve and reach the detector, while in the second position the valve directs the output of the column to waste.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, and apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system. The chromatography system includes a mobile phase pump configured to pump a liquid mobile phase through a column and a restrictor positioned downstream of the column and upstream of a detector. The system also includes a valve configured to operate in at least two positions. In a first position, the valve is configured to direct the output of the column to bypass the valve and reach the detector, while in the second position the valve directs the output of the column to waste.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing chromatography may include a chromatography column and a vacuum insulated jacket having an inner wall and an outer wall. A vacuum area may be formed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall of the vacuum insulated jacket may surround the chromatography column. A gap may be formed between an outer wall of the chromatography column and the inner wall of the vacuum insulated jacket. The vacuum insulated jacket may extend beyond one or more end frits of the column. The gap may be filled with one or more materials so as to form an insulating or thermal barrier.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for ion source devices with minimized post-column volumes are described. In one embodiment, for example, an ion source assembly may include a chromatography column in fluid communication with an ion source device, the chromatography column arranged within a minimum distance of the ion source, the minimum distance comprising between about 60 mm and about 150 mm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, and apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system. The chromatography system includes a mobile phase pump configured to pump a liquid mobile phase through a column and a restrictor positioned downstream of the column and upstream of a detector. The system also includes a valve configured to operate in at least two positions. In a first position, the valve is configured to direct the output of the column to bypass the valve and reach the detector, while in the second position the valve directs the output of the column to waste.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for ion source devices with minimized post-column volumes are described. In one embodiment, for example, an ion source assembly may include a chromatography column in fluid communication with an ion source device, the chromatography column arranged within a minimum distance of the ion source, the minimum distance comprising between about 60 mm and about 150 mm.

Abstract: A device for separating analytes is disclosed. The device has a sample injector, sample injection needle, sample reservoir container in communication with the sample injector, chromatography column downstream of the sample injector, and fluid conduits connecting the sample injector and the column. The interior surfaces of the fluid conduits, sample injector, sample reservoir container, and column form a flow path having wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces of the flow path are coated with an alkylsilyl coating that is inert to at least one of the analytes. The alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH(C1-C6)alkyl, —N((C1-C6)alkyl)2, OH, ORA, and halo. RA represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is ORA. X is (C1-C20)alkyl, —O[(CH2)2O]1-20—, —(C1-C10)[NH(CO)NH(C1-C10)]1-20-, or —(C1-C10)[alkylphenyl(C1-C10)alkyl]1-20-.

Abstract: An HPLC apparatus includes a heat exchanger formed from diffusion-bonded first and second titanium substrates. At least two conduits for counterflow are defined between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: An HPLC apparatus includes a heat exchanger formed from diffusion-bonded first and second titanium substrates. At least two conduits for counterflow are defined between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: Flow through pressure sensors for use in fluid chromatography systems include a planar device formed from diffusion bonding of a plurality of metallic sheets and at least one sensing element. The planar device has a top surface, a bottom surface and a flow through channel. A diaphragm formed from a portion of one of the top or bottom surfaces is located adjacent to a sensing region of the flow through channel and is attached to the sensing element. The diaphragm is sized to deflect a distance in response to fluid pressure in the sensing region, which has an internal volume of less than about 25 microliters. The diaphragm and attached sensing element form a pressure sensor that measures strain or deflection of the diaphragm to calculate a pressure within the sensing region.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing chromatography may include a chromatography column and a vacuum insulated jacket having an inner wall and an outer wall. A vacuum area may be formed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall of the vacuum insulated jacket may surround the chromatography column. A gap may be formed between an outer wall of the chromatography column and the inner wall of the vacuum insulated jacket. The vacuum insulated jacket may extend beyond one or more end frits of the column. The gap may be filled with one or more materials so as to form an insulating or thermal barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating destructive transients of pressure or flow rate which can degrade the efficiency and useful lifetime of chromatography columns. The present invention enables a substantially constant flow of mobile phase liquid to be maintained through the chromatography system by eliminating the flow blockage interval associated with the actuation of sample injection valves. The present invention further provides a method to reduce the pressure and flow rate transients associated with pressurization of the sample loop contents when the sample loop is introduced to chromatography system delivery pressure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating a sample by chromatography includes diffusion bonded metallic sheets joined together to create a hermetically sealed interface between each adjacent metallic sheet without the introduction of a secondary material. Enclosed within the diffusion bonded sheets is a separation channel accessible by at least one of an inlet or an outlet. The separation channel is packed with micrometer-sized particles serving as a stationary phase in a chromatographic separation. Wetted surfaces of the separation channel include a coating of an organic material at least one monolayer thick.

Abstract: A chromatographic interface for sample handling and manipulation between separations or analyses is provided. The interface has an interfacing unit, a sample acquisition unit, and a sample trapping unit. The sample acquisition unit includes an inflow selector valve, an outflow selector valve, and one or more collection loops. The sample trapping unit includes a trap in fluid communication with the loop and having a stationary phase. The stationary phase can trap an analyte of interest from a fraction of the chromatographic sample separation flow. The tapping unit also has a scavenging gas source and a vacuum source; both can be used to substantially dry the stationary phase.