Compressed gases have become an integral part of the laboratory. For many laboratory scientists, gases like hydrogen and nitrogen are used on a daily basis and are often taken for granted.

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Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most versatile and powerful instrument techniques available today. The market for MS runs the gamut of applications from pharmaceutical research and discovery labs, to military armament, to semiconductor processing, to environmental testing.

The techniques involved in successfully separating and quantifying amino acids vary from instrument to instrument. However, the processes for amino acid analysis are similar, involving hydrolysis, labeling, separation, and detection followed by data analysis.

During the last several years, the GC market has experienced strong growth in part because of new product introductions, growth in the petroleum sector, and increased opportunities in various geographies. To shed light on and determine the many realities and trends of the current GC instruments market, Strategic Directions International conducted a global survey of gas chromatography (GC and GC-MS) users. The survey was designed for individuals who are currently using a wide array of GC instruments and consumables, including aftermarket software, components, and accessories. The data were collected over the phone and by an internet-based survey. When necessary, the internet survey was followed up with direct telephone interviews of the appropriate respondents to further clarify answers.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been available comercially for over twenty years and is still finding new applications. Growth of this technique seems to be largely a function the vendors' capability to provide specific application support, especially in clinical sciences, pharmaceuticals, toxicology, pesticides, and residues analysis.

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a planar chromatographic technique introduced in the 1950s as a fast, easy, and inexpensive method for qualitative analysis. Just as with column chromatography, the chemistry and size of the particles (as well as the thickness of the layer) affects the speed and nature of the separations that are possible.

Many analytical instruments traditionally used for research and development purposes are making a significant move into the clinical diagnostic market. One such technique is flow cytometry, a method used to examine the physical and chemical properties of cells.

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is the most widespread tandem technique in the analytical instrumentation industry. In fact, these systems account for the largest installed base of mass spectrometry instruments.