New, Compact GC is 30% Smaller and Twice as Fast

Celebrating this year the 50th anniversary of its presence in Europe, Shimadzu has announced the release of the new next-generation 'Nexgen GC' multidimensional gas chromatograph. The Nexgen GC achieves miniaturisation and high-speed analysis by the proprietary 'plate column' technology and multi-deans switch (patented technology). It is a next generation GC making it easy to use multidimensional analysis suitable for complex components by installing two gas chromatographs in a small body.

The conventional multidimensional gas chromatograph (MDGC) uses two ovens equipped with capillary columns, therefore the system becomes large and difficult to install. Analysis also takes time, so there may be issues in terms of suitability for processing in areas such as quality control. The Nexgen GC was developed to solve these problems. It requires of about 1/3 less laboratory space compared to conventional models, and can raise the chromatographic speed faster than before, so it is possible to halve the analysis time. Furthermore, it improves analytical productivity through high speed and space saving.

The Nexgen GC is equipped with new and advanced product features. The newly developed plate column is a compact, high performance GC column which forms a fine flow path by photo etching on a 100 mm × 100 mm plate. This product is an MDGC configuration with two column cartridges built in a compact body.
Since the column is heated directly by the flat plate heater arranged inside the cartridge, it can raise the temperature by 70°C per minute from the low temperature range (near room temperature) to the high temperature range (350°C), which was not possible with the conventional oven type GC]. Since each of the two cartridges can be heated quickly, high-speed and high separation analysis is possible. In addition, analysis time can be shortened by 'backflush function' which drives out not quantified high boiling point compounds remaining after elution of the target component.
In the Shimadzu 'heart cut analysis' which introduces only the target component in the sample for improved separation to a second column, the company’s proprietary 'multi-deans switch' has been adopted. Hardly any pressure change occurs at the first dimension column outlet, variation of retention time is suppressed and high repeatability is achieved that can perform heart cut more than once.

A full colour liquid crystal touch panel enables easy operation. Various functions such as self-diagnosis, automatic leak check of carrier gas, display of chromatogram etc. are possible with the GC body. An advanced user interface can analyse the state of the device at a glance and display the parameter setting screen with one click in the user-friendly 'LabSolutions' software. Remote monitoring of the device is also possible using a smartphone or tablet PC.