The Instrumentation Center

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer

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The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer allows researchers to separate and identify specific molecules starting from vaporized samples that travel through a chromatographic column for separation and reach the mass spectrometer for detection and identification.  Molecules are introduced into the GC-MS using a microprobe that captures molecules from the air, liquids and even solids, this probe is called Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) fiber.

The SPME-GC-MS was added to the SCOPE Program in 2019 and expanded the program to be able to more easily work with Chemistry classes. With the GC-MS, users can:

  • identify several unknown components of a sample 
  • measure the amounts of specific molecules in a sample
  • detect contamination in certain types of samples
  • explore the composition of natural and artificial aromas

The GC-MS team consists of one Chemistry professor and her lab. Click here to learn more about Dr. Gionfriddo and her research.

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Last Updated: 4/11/23