Editorial pubs.acs.org/ac
Enhanced Performance Separations: Smaller, Faster, More Complex Samples
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uch of analytical separations based research is focused on developing instrumentation and techniques with enhanced capabilities, thereby providing the means to solve a variety of difficult problems. Preferably this is accomplished in a cost-effective manner and with an efficient, compact platform. The ability to effectively analyze even more complex samples has driven research into areas of multidimensional separations, selective detectors plus better and faster data handling capabilities. Long analysis times are unacceptable and high sample throughput and accuracy are essential. Thus, there is constant pressure to develop methods that are faster, more sensitive, and more selective, can handle ever smaller samples, and can do this in adverse conditions and in the presence of complex matrixes. The amount of data produced in some of these analyses can be formidable. Further, it is preferable if the treatment and display of such data does not significantly add to the analysis time. Few symposia focus on “small volume” separations and the analysis of highly complex samples like the popular and overlapping conferences: International Symposium on Capillary Chromatography (ISCC series) and the GC × GC Symposium which alternate yearly between Riva del Garda, Italy, and the United States (Fort Worth, Texas most recently). Today the topics are broader than the original meeting monikers would indicate, but it is clear that smaller, faster, cheaper, and better is the order of the day. In this virtual issue, papers published in Analytical Chemistry from late 2014 through May 2016 are featured. The unifying theme is that they were, at least in part, presented at the 2015 Fort Worth Symposia. It is no surprise that the papers highlighted here are on the cutting edge of instrument and method development (including modulators, detectors, and stationary phases). Software, modeling, and data treatment are considered. Newly developed techniques must handle incredibly diverse samples: from Mars, to third world areas, to any earth environment, as well as most biological and forensic specimens. It is seen that the capabilities of commercial instruments often lag behind developments in column technology and other demands of this scientific information age. I believe the articles in this issue point the way forward. If the right techniques and instruments are invented, then almost anyone can and does do the rest.
Daniel W. Armstrong, Associate Editor, Analytical Chemistry
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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.
© XXXX American Chemical Society
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01700 Anal. Chem. XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
