Lab Life-Line Monthly
Practical Advice for the Busy Analytical Lab
from
ACCTA, Inc.
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Vol. 5, No. 1. First Quarter, 2017 |
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Chromatographers - You Are Not Alone!
At the end of our Troubleshooting seminar, we have a slide with this title. It is a reminder that if you are new to chromatography, or just having a problem that you can't solve, you do not have to figure it out yourself (although that can be rewarding if you are successful).
Fortunately, your colleagues have been quite active on the internet, and there are many resources that can help you. These are the main options that people should explore.
Chromacademy
This online training and information portal has one of the largest collections of information for chromatographers. The site has expanded from its initial chromatography focus to now include information on sample prep, MS, lab skills, and more. Content includes text, graphics, animations, recorded webcasts and even graded quizzes to test your understanding. A separate set of forums is also available.
A limited amount if information is available for free, but the full content is based on a subscription. The annual fee is very reasonable.
Disclosure: we are involved with Chromacademy as on-demand instructors for North American laboratories.
LinkedIn Groups
This free social networking site (it is "Facebook for Work") also has an active groups section covering a very wide variety of topics in all professional fields. There many groups with a chromatography focus. For example, I subscribe to the following groups:
- Drugs / Toxicology / Analytical Chemistry
- LCGC
- API and Drug Product Analytical Services Group
- African Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Society (ACMSS)
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry - Method Development
- Analytical Laboratories
- Analytical Scientists
- Chromatographer Chemists
- Chromatography
- Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry (LC, MS, LCMS) User's Forum
- Chromatography Talk
Chromatography Forum
This is one of the original forums, and has thousands of threads on all chromatography topics. The site is free and also has links to other training courses and seminars, and many of them are free.
LCGC Magazine
Originally started as a print magazine, LCGC has grown into a significant print and online source for chromatographers. The monthly journal, available in print or electronic form, has very readable content, and monthly troubleshooting columns that we highly recommend. The price is right - it's free!
And There Are More Options
In addition there are other sites that offer some combination of training, discussion, and commercial information. A quick search will also help you find other groups devoted to training, troubleshooting, and repair.
Vendors
If instrument and column specific information, the manufacturer is usually a good place to start.
And Don't Forget About
ACCTA, Inc!
So, remember, you are not alone. Many of your friends and colleagues are available to help you get over the rough spots. Don't be shy about asking for help with a problem; we have all been through that!
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Please Give Us Some Feedback!
Please take a few minutes to give us some feedback:
What would you like to see this year for topics and content? Troubleshooting?
Instrument information?
ChemStation tips?
Method issues?
Other?
Just repy to this email with your suggestions.
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Register Now For
The 3rd Annual (New) Chicago LC School
Des Plaines, IL
21-23 March 2017
This three day course offers two days of informative lectures on all practical aspects of modern HPLC. Topics include:
- Language of Chromatography
- HPLC Instrumentation
- Operating Modes
- Column Selection and Selectivity
- Best Practices in HPLC
- Troubleshooting
The third day is a hands-on laboratory, where students will be able to explore a separation problem using equipment provided by local vendor representatives. You will have a chance to work on the latest chromatography instrumentation while you get a better understanding of the technique. It is a fun learning experience that is enjoyed by all. |
"Trouble is a common state of affairs in manufacturing."
– Eugene L. Grant and Richard S. Leavenworth,
Statistical Quality Control, 6th ed., 4
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Contact Details
Merlin K. L. Bicking, Ph. D.
ACCTA, Inc.
3534 Jessie Ct, Saint Paul, MN 55125 USA
Phone: +1 (651) 731-3670
Email:
info@accta.com
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