Such studies cannot be done in the standard manner of transporting samples from the field back to the laboratory. Modifications and improvements to these portable instruments is a continuing process. We are also studying ways of improving benchtop high-speed GC instrumentation to make it more versatile. Perhaps the most important need for high speed GC are interfaces for rapidly sampling from liquid and solid phase matrices. For example, we have designed and built spray extraction devices for isolation of analyte compounds from complex aqueous wastes.
Methods involving membrane extraction technology and thermal desorption are also under study.
Designing new apparatus and studying fundamental processes that could lead to advances in sampling and extraction technology are important functions of our group.