Greetings fellow color-writers:

I'm writing a sort of science fictionish review article on future trends in HPLC.

As far as I can see, HPLC instrumentation has reached end-point. Since the past ten years, all we have seen is an increase in "fringe" technologies like glitzier data acquisition, faster simulation software, fancier autosamplers and the like.

But there's been no real change in core instrumentation - like, say, a dramatic new pumping system that's truly pulse-free, or a column that lasts forever or a UV detector with no baseline noise - you know what I mean?

Of course, you're free to differ. In fact, I'd like you to differ. What I'm looking for is some insights into what a HPLC system will look like ten years from now.

I'd really appreciate some chromatographic inputs from minds that can see farther than mine.

(Like how about a HPLC system that actually does what it's told to do?

We can all dream, can't we? )

Warm regards,

Srinivas

i think its now time for the cap LC TO GOVERN THE INDUSTRY AS NOW TIME IS THE MAJOR FACTOR FOR THE INDUSTRY NOW A DAYS

It will be a silicon micromachined HPLC about
the size of a postage stamp that will cost $5,
have run times less than 1 minute, and will be
thrown away after each use.

Maybe you should go to LC-GC mag

there is an article called "The future of LC troubleshooting - 10 years later"

or try this.

Lots of things have happened with columns: monoliths, embedded polar groups, more pH stability, smaller particles, shorter runs.

SK Srinivas, with your "reached end-point" or "does what itīs told to do" you apparently mean that you are unhappy with the pace of development in HPLC? If not you should be. What about separating the millions of compounds in blood, ie, much higher resolution? Or putting real chromatography into "affinity chromatography" by using very weak stationary ligands.
It would be helpful to theorize where the limits of miniaturization, especially in biological material which is not at all homogeneous.
Most of all forget present QC, instead make sure that you have accuracy, not just precision. In chromatography that would require that you do analyses of your unknowns with widely differing systems (I have called this intrinsic quality control vs extrinsic for the usual present efforts; in utopia you wouldnīt need this, of course, as you would have perfect resolution).
How about a universal molecule counting detector?

Incidentally, there are absolutely pulse free pumps on the market or in use: Syringe pumps, gas pressure pumps like the one I use (mostly home grown).

Thanks one and all. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Couple of points from my side :

For Mueller : Syringe pumps have been around since the '70's. They do give pulse-free flow but the problem is - they can't take high back-pressures. Also, they have limited reservoir capacity. I've used LDC's old syringe pump many years ago. Similar problem with gas pressure pumps - they can't withstand high backpressures. Do correct me if I'm wrong. And thanks a lot for your insights.

For A. nonymous : I followed your link and read through John Dolan's article. Very useful stuff indeed. Thank you.

Regards,

S.K. Srinivas

I don't know about the rumor that syringe pumps can't take high backpressure. There are some in use today that do not have any of the problems of the old stuff from the 70's. I thought that when one is writing a review article of the future one should be familiar with the present.

On the gas pressure system: Mine has a limit of about 200 bar (N2 tanks), but since the pressure vessels are now hooked to a flow regulator, I was able to replace the pressure vessels with a cheap industrial membrane pump. As a start we can now go to about 230 bar, the limit is due to my pressure needs (columns are cleaned before backpressure rises above that) + a gas based pump damper. I am a bit leary to go to higher pressures when gas is involved. I am searching for a different pulse damper, any ideas? Membrane (diaphram) pumps are available for 10000 bars or much more, practically, there need to be no pressure limit on flow meters... so how about it developers or industry??

How about the use of hydrodynamic pumping with no mechanical parts