# Progressive Cellular Architecture in Microscale Gas Chromatography for Broad Chemical Analyses  
[PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [PERSON]DDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) [PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [PERSON]ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [PERSON]DDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) [PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [PERSON]DDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) [PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) [PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) [PERSON]  
1 Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems (Wills2), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [PERSON]ADDRESS] (W.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (X.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.-T.L. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (Y.Q.) Footnote 1: email: [EMAIL_ADDRESS], w.zhao.x.lu, z  
preconcentrator or injector, a separation column, and a detector [3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18]. Some architectures have incorporated commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) valves to route the gas flow [3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15], whereas others have eliminated the need for valves by using bidirectional pumps [13; 17]. In contrast to the typical architecture, which is considered one-dimensional, two-dimensional architectures can improve the separation of certain analytes by incorporating a second separation column with a different stationary phase [19]. In some cases, the first column contains a nonpolar stationary phase, whereas the second column contains a polar stationary phase. In \"heart-cutting\" architectures, only a fraction of the analytes eluting the first separation column is injected into the second separation column [19]. A recently reported two-dimensional GC used a first separation column to provide a rough separation and a second separation column that was tailored for one target analyte [20]. Comprehensive GC \(\times\) GC uses a modulator to inject all the analytes eluting the first dimension column into one or more second dimension columns. A three-dimensional GC has also been reported [21]. Miniaturizations of these complex architectures have also been reported; these have incorporated selective combinations of microfabricated elements such as preconcentrators, injectors, separation columns, detectors, and modulators [22; 23; 24; 25; 26]. The temperature control and programming of the separation column is typically a major source of energy consumption in uGCs [12; 27], especially those intended for a wide range of analytes. In general, high-volatility analytes benefit from a highly retentive separation column, which may incorporate a thick and retentive stationary phase or operate at a low temperature. Conversely, lower volatility analytes benefit from a less retentive separation column, which may incorporate a thinner stationary phase or operate at an elevated temperature. This represents a fundamental compromise. The progressive cellular architecture (PCA) reported in this work overcomes this compromise by incorporating a series of cells, each of which contains a preconcentrator and a separation column tailored to a specific volatility range of analytes (Figure 1).