MRI/RUI(Chemistry): Development of High Speed Gas Chromatography - Multiplex Coherent Raman Spectroscopy

在主要研究仪器(MRI)计划的支持下，斯佩尔曼学院的Peter C.教授将开发一种基于拉曼光谱的最先进的高速(100赫兹)检测器，以识别高速气相色谱仪(GC)的洗脱液。由此产生的仪器将能够快速和准确地鉴定GC洗脱液，能够区分异构体并提供官能团信息。潜在的应用包括：a)分析空气、水或沉积物中的污染物；分析未知反应产物或天然产品中发现的化合物；c)研究杀虫剂和除草剂的降解产物；d)分析石油产品，如地下水中甲基叔丁基醚等添加剂的存在或去向；e)研究食品、香料、原料和香料中添加剂或过敏原的存在或去向；f)研究聚合物加热时的分解和脱气。这些研究还将为属于代表性不足群体的本科生提供密集的研究培训。将色谱与光谱检测器连接起来的串联技术是分析混合物的最强大的工具之一。通过结合两种技术，串联仪器可以克服单一技术的局限性，例如由于混合物造成的光谱拥堵，或者仅使用色谱保留时间难以识别未知物种。这种高速气相色谱/拉曼联用仪将推进高速分离科学的知识，并在包括材料化学和环境科学在内的许多科学领域得到应用。

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, Prof. Peter C. of Spelman College will develop a state-of-the-art high speed (100 Hz) Raman-based spectroscopic detector to identify eluents from a high speed gas chromatograph (GC). The resulting instrument will be capable of rapid and accurate identification of GC eluents, able to distinguish among isomers and provide functional group information. Potential applications include a) analysis of air, water or sediment for pollutants; analysis of unknown reation products or compounds found in natural products; c) study of the degradation products of pesticides and herbicides; d) analysis of petroleum products, for example, the presence or fate of additives such as MTBE in groundwater; e) study of the presence or fate of additives or allergens in foods, flavors, feedstock and fragrances; and f) study of polymer decomposition and degassing upon heating. These studies will also provide intensive research training for undergraduate students who are members of underrepresented groups. Tandem techniques that interface chromatography with spectroscopic detectors are among the most powerful tools available for analyzing mixtues. By combining two techniques, tandem instruments can overcome the limitations of a single technique, for example spectral congestion due to mixtures, or difficulty identifying unknown species using only chromatographic retention times. This high speed GC/Raman instrument will advance the knowledge in high speed separation science, and find applications in many areas of science, including materials chemistry and environmental sciences.