<p><strong>ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI, designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the input it receives. ChatGPT does not predict the future, solve highly technical chromatographic problems, or troubleshoot an instrument for you. So, what can ChatGPT do, and why is the entire world talking about it?</strong></p>
<p>I first want to mention that I am not an AI expert (nor blogger), but rather someone who loves separations, gas chromatography, and anything that could simplify academic work. I believe ChatGPT is such a tool; however, it is sometimes misunderstood for something that it is not. Allow me to share my story with ChatGPT and some of its intriguing “tricks” with you.</p>
<p>In January 2023, just two months after the public release of ChatGPT, I was traveling to the 14th Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop in Liege, Belgium, all the way from Los Angeles (true story). Amid a longer layover, I decided to give ChatGPT a try. The initial requirement was to complete registration, and that&#39;s precisely where my journey took a pause. Tired of repeatedly entering my information and fabricating fake email addresses, I often encountered rapid responses like, &quot;This email address (poopitypoo@gmail.com) does not exist.&quot; Their efficiency left me intrigued. This marked my initial, almost comical first encounter with ChatGPT.</p>
<p>Following an enjoyable conference experience, I made my way back, engaging with my students and prompting them to embark on a paper-writing endeavor. Our starting point was the creation of a paper outline. Concluding the meeting, I strolled to my office (a 90-second walk), receiving a text from my students along the way:</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_text_messages_Petr_Vozka_2023_05737766ab/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-text-messages-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - text messages (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<p>In no time, the outline landed in my inbox. And at that point, I finished the registration and started exploring ChatGPT&#39;s capabilities. And if you&#39;re wondering why, simply see below: the ChatGPT-generated outline (achieved in under 90 seconds) with the outline I had envisioned (added parts are marked in <em>italics</em> and omitted parts with <strong>bold</strong>).</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_prompt_1_Petr_Vozka_2023_0243dfb1c8/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-prompt-1-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - prompt 1 (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<h5><strong>I. Introduction</strong></h5>
<p>A. Brief overview of the importance of olefin quantification in <strong>gas chromatography</strong> <em>fuels made from plastic waste</em></p>
<p>B. Introduction of two dimensional gas chromatography (GCXGC) and flame ionization detector (FID)</p>
<h5><strong>II. Method Development</strong></h5>
<p>A. Selection of column dimensions and stationary phases</p>
<p>B. Optimization of GCXGC parameters such as modulation time and flow rate</p>
<p>C. Determination of optimum temperature programs for each column</p>
<p>E. Development of calibration standards using olefinic compounds and saturated hydrocarbons</p>
<p>F. Comparison of FID response factors for olefins and saturated hydrocarbons</p>
<p>G. Derivatization techniques for improving olefin detection and quantification</p>
<p>H. <em>Normalization of chromatograms and calculations</em></p>
<h5><strong>III. Results and Discussion</strong></h5>
<p>A. Evaluation of the developed method for olefin detection and quantification</p>
<p>B. Comparison of the developed method with existing <strong>GC methods</strong> <em>ASTM-approved methods</em></p>
<p>C. Discussion of the advantages and limitations of the developed method</p>
<p>D. <em>GCxGC method linearity</em></p>
<h5><strong>IV. Conclusion</strong></h5>
<p>A. Summary of the key findings of the study</p>
<p>B. <strong>Implications of the developed method for olefin quantification in various industries</strong></p>
<p>C. Future directions for further improvements of the developed method.</p>
<p>So, that isn&#39;t bad, is it? It&#39;s important to note that ChatGPT may not always provide accurate or reliable information, and its responses are based on patterns it learned from its training data. It can sometimes generate plausible-sounding yet incorrect or nonsensical answers, <strong>so critical thinking is advised when using its outputs</strong>. This aspect becomes particularly evident when ChatGPT is prompt to provide reference suggestions, as the references it generates are mostly made up but sound plausible due to ChatGPT&#39;s lack of direct access to external databases.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_prompt_2_Petr_Vozka_2023_2dd3e9b59a/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-prompt-2-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - prompt 2 (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<p>Here are a few examples generated by ChatGPT:</p>
<p>(1) Marriott, P. J., &amp; Shellie, R. (2002). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–a review. Journal of Chromatography A, 965(1-2), 175-195.</p>
<p>(2) Phillips, J. B., Harada, R. M., &amp; Reichenbacher, K. (2011). Performance of a two-dimensional gas chromatography system with a nonpolar–polar column combination for the separation of compounds in gasoline and diesel fuels. Journal of Chromatography A, 1218(28), 4391-4397.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, these publications do not exist; however, if they were, we would definitely want to include them in our manuscript.</p>
<p>In a similar manner, ChatGPT can assist you in preparing the structure for the <strong>Introduction</strong>. Another useful tool is to ask ChatGPT to condense your <strong>Abstract</strong> if you need to meet a word count requirement. If the Abstract generated by ChatGPT turns out to be too short or long, you can continue with the instructions and direct ChatGPT to extend or shorten it. Alternatively, if you find yourself pressed for time and unable to read an entire paper, you can request ChatGPT to provide a summary of the results for you.</p>
<p>Since English is not my native language, I often use ChatGPT to check my grammar and even to rewrite, polish, or paraphrase certain paragraphs. For example, each paragraph presented here has been reviewed by ChatGPT. (Here is a helpful tip: copy and paste each paragraph individually before proceeding to the next one.) You might even move this one step forward and generate a paragraph.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_prompt_3_Petr_Vozka_2023_aba47a96e0/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-prompt-3-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - prompt 3 (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<p><em>“Using ChatGPT responsibly within academia involves a balanced approach that harnesses its advantages while upholding scholarly principles. Remember, ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacement for critical thinking or original research. To optimize its utility, define the specific aid you need, whether refining language or idea generation. Employ focused and evolving prompts to elicit accurate responses, cross-referencing its suggestions with reliable sources and experts to ensure credibility. While ChatGPT enhances your work, avoid overdependence by using it as a supplementary resource rather than a primary creator. Uphold ethical standards by transparently acknowledging ChatGPT&#39;s contributions in your work. By adhering to these practices, a symbiotic relationship between AI technology and academia can be nurtured, fostering responsible and effective integration.”</em> – ChatGPT, 2023</p>
<p>No, there&#39;s no need to say &quot;please.&quot; I just prefer to be polite, just in case ChatGPT becomes Skynet from “The Terminator” movies one day.</p>
<p>You might come across a rumor suggesting that ChatGPT can answer questions from MIT exams, leading to the assertion that AI could potentially earn a university degree from such esteemed institutions. This was later refuted by several studies, with the conclusion that ChatGPT is indeed not capable of obtaining a degree from MIT. However, ChatGPT can answer simpler questions in a very efficient way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities switched to remote teaching, which included remote student exams. Since students were capable of consistently finding methods to search for answers online despite the exams not being open-book format, one solution was to implement essay-type or true/false questions. However, these are no longer viable options, as ChatGPT can solve these general questions without the need for students to gather information from several sources and writing the summary in their own words (see below).</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_exam_answer_1_Petr_Vozka_2023_395cc2443c/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-exam-answer-1-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - exam answer 1 (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/The_LCGC_Blog_Are_You_Sick_of_Hearing_About_Chat_GPT_exam_answer_2_Petr_Vozka_2023_1712617c72/The-LCGC-Blog-Are-You-Sick-of-Hearing-About-ChatGPT-exam-answer-2-(Petr-Vozka-2023).jpg" alt="The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT - exam answer 2 (Petr Vozka, 2023)"/></p>
<p>An example of an essay-type question to support my argument could be: &quot;Briefly describe how a TOF mass analyzer works, based on the relationship between flight time (t), mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), and electric field (E).&quot; I haven&#39;t included the answer here, but you can give it a try yourself. As more and more students are using ChatGPT, professors will have to adapt as well.</p>
<p>So, what is the conclusion if there is one at all? Up until now, ChatGPT has remained ad-free and freely accessible, a rarity in my view. So, why not take advantage of it? Just keep in mind that ChatGPT is &quot;only&quot; proficient in a diverse array of natural language processing tasks, encompassing but not limited to: generating text (offering coherent and contextually relevant content based on given prompts, thus facilitating the creation of articles, blogs, poems, and more), completing text (forming sentences or paragraphs, serving as a valuable tool for brainstorming, writing prompts, and content generation), summarizing text (concisely condensing lengthy passages while retaining essential information), translating languages, extracting data (retrieving structured data from unstructured text), and much more.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Petr_Vozka_Petr_Vozka_Assistant_Professor_na_California_State_University_Los_Angeles_2_1e25f61f27/Petr-Vozka-Petr-Vozka-Assistant-Professor-na-California-State-University-Los-Angeles-2.jpg" alt="Petr Vozka: Petr Vozka, Assistant Professor na California State University, Los Angeles"/></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><strong>About the Author: Petr Vozka (<a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/219">Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)</a></strong></h4>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Petr+Vozka"><strong>Petr Vozka</strong></a> is an assistant professor of analytical chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the California State University, Los Angeles, USA. He is also the director of the Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C3AL). His research focuses on characterizing complex chemical mixtures using state-of-the-art techniques, such as two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) and high‑resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). His primary focus is on developing methods for analyzing products from plastic waste conversion processes and organic compounds adsorbed on microplastics. He has one patent, six military reports, 25 journal publications, and over 30 research presentations, which include 10 invited lectures and invited presentations. He was invited as a keynote speaker to the 14th Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop in 2023.</p>
</blockquote>


The LCGC Blog: Are You Sick of Hearing About ChatGPT?

<p><strong>In the realm of analytical chemistry, particularly in the specialization of chromatography, the </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/218"><strong>Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW)</strong></a><strong> stands out as a benchmark event. Hosted annually, this workshop not only showcases innovations in multidimensional chromatography but also fosters a deeply collaborative and inclusive scientific community. This article presents a structured overview of the key highlights and offerings of MDCW, based on insights shared by Dr. Petr Vozka (</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/219"><strong>Cal State LA's Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab (C³AL)</strong></a><strong>) in an interview with</strong> <strong>Organomation</strong>.</p><h4><strong>What Is MDCW?</strong></h4><p>The <strong>Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW)</strong> is a technically focused, research-driven conference dedicated to advancing chromatography practices. The event brings together scientists from around the world to explore topics such as:</p><ul><li><strong>Gas Chromatography</strong> (GC)</li><li><strong>Liquid Chromatography </strong>(LC)</li><li><strong>Supercritical Fluid Chromatography</strong> (SFC)</li></ul><p>Unlike many commercial conferences, MDCW is known for its <strong>academic rigor</strong>, <strong>collaborative environment</strong>, and <strong>comprehensive educational sessions</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Key Features of MDCW</strong></h4><h5><strong>Free Registration and Generous Support</strong></h5><p>One of the standout aspects of MDCW is its <strong>completely free registration</strong>, made possible by the generous sponsorship of industry and academic partners. This eliminates financial barriers for students and early-career researchers.</p><p><strong>As Dr. Petr Vozka emphasized:</strong></p><p>“<i>The registration is completely free, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Attendees also get lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks every day</i>.”</p><h5><strong>Global Accessibility</strong></h5><p>MDCW alternates locations between <strong>Europe and the United States</strong>, enhancing accessibility for international researchers. This geographical rotation ensures that:</p><ul><li>Scientists from multiple continents can participate over time.</li><li>Institutional and regional barriers to access are minimized.</li></ul><h5><strong>Comprehensive Coverage of Chromatographic Techniques</strong></h5><p>The conference is not limited to one method. It incorporates presentations and discussions on GC, LC and SFC. This broad scope ensures that MDCW remains a key venue for <strong>cutting-edge separation science</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Community and Collaboration</strong></h4><h5><strong>An Atmosphere of Support and Innovation</strong></h5><p>MDCW is highly regarded for its <strong>welcoming and collaborative culture</strong>. Attendees often form long-term professional relationships and research collaborations that persist beyond the event.</p><p><strong>As Dr. Vozka described:</strong></p><p>“<i>The atmosphere is incredibly supportive and collaborative. People genuinely root for each other, and many long-term partnerships grow out of these interactions</i>.”</p><h5><strong>Real-World Collaborations</strong></h5><p>Dr. Vozka shared a personal example of the value of these connections:</p><p>“<i>I met </i><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Katelynn+Perrault"><i>Dr. Katelynn Perrault </i></a><i>at my first MDCW. We started collaborating and now she’s one of my mentors. We talk almost regularly about research</i>.”</p><h4><strong>Commitment to Open Access and Digital Sharing</strong></h4><h5><strong>Recordings and Posters Available Online</strong></h5><p>MDCW’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond the physical event. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/218"><strong>All presentations and posters are made available online</strong></a> via the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/1"><strong>LabRulez</strong></a> platform, contributing to the global exchange of scientific knowledge.</p><ul><li>Open-access approach encourages knowledge sharing.</li><li>Attendees can revisit sessions and share content with peers.</li></ul><p><i><strong>Note</strong>: Presenters who prefer not to share their data publicly are fully respected, and their materials are not posted without consent.</i></p><h4><strong>Growing Popularity and Future Outlook</strong></h4><h5><strong>A Rapidly Expanding Event</strong></h5><p>The most recent edition of MDCW saw <strong>record attendance and abstract submissions</strong>, indicating its rising prominence and influence in the field of multidimensional chromatography.</p><p>“<i>This past year was especially exciting</i>,” said Dr. Vozka. “<i>It shows how fast the conference is growing</i>.”</p><h4><strong>Upcoming Event Details</strong></h4><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/events/787"><strong>17th MDCW</strong></a> is scheduled for:</p><ul><li><strong>📅 Date: </strong>January 13–15, 2026</li><li><strong>📍 Location:&nbsp;</strong>Williamsburg, Virginia, USA</li></ul><p>With its established reputation and growing community, MDCW 2026 is expected to deliver another impactful event.</p><h5><strong>How to Get Involved</strong></h5><ul><li><strong>Visit the official website</strong>: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.multidimensionalchromatography.com"><strong>MultidimensionalChromatography.com</strong></a></li><li><strong>Explore previous content</strong>: Watch <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg-M6fM-05MrGrDggkl_UKzzcHPWPmssh"><strong>session recordings</strong></a> and browse <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=366"><strong>poster archives</strong></a> on YouTube and the website of LabRulez</li><li><strong>Engage with the community</strong>: Follow MDCW updates on academic and social media platforms.</li></ul><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>The Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW) is more than just a scientific meeting — it is a <strong>community of scholars and practitioners committed to advancing separation science</strong> in a collaborative, inclusive, and highly accessible manner.</p><p>From the zero-cost registration to the atmosphere of open mentorship and the global reach of its content, MDCW offers unmatched value to researchers at all stages of their careers.</p><p>Whether you're a student just beginning your journey or an established expert seeking meaningful collaborations, MDCW is a must-attend event.</p><blockquote><h5><strong>About the Speaker</strong></h5><p><strong>Dr. Petr Vozka</strong> is an expert in chromatography and a returning organizer and participant at MDCW. His experience and enthusiasm for the workshop reflect the values of inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and scientific advancement that define the event.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Petr_Vozka_1329d3773e.jpg" alt="VŠCHT: Petr Vozka" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Petr_Vozka_1329d3773e.jpg 143w," sizes="100vw" width="917" height="1000"></p></blockquote>

Why MDCW Is the Premier Conference in Chromatography

<h3><strong>A Beginner’s Guide to Multidimensional Chromatography</strong></h3><h4><strong>Instructors:</strong></h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Pierre-Hugues+Stefanuto"><strong>Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto</strong></a> (University of Liège)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Katelynn+Perrault+Uptmor"><strong>Katelynn Perrault Uptmor</strong></a> (William &amp; Mary)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Dwight+Stoll"><strong>Dwight Stoll</strong></a> (Gustavus Adolphus College)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Petr+Vozka"><strong>Petr Vozka</strong></a> (California State University Los Angeles)</li></ul><h4><strong>Course Description</strong></h4><p>So...you <strong>want to do multidimensional chromatography</strong>? If you are getting started in the field using either <strong>liquid</strong> or <strong>gas chromatography</strong>, you’re in the right place.&nbsp;</p><p>This course will cover a <strong>brief history and introduction</strong> to both multidimensional gas chromatography and multidimensional liquid chromatography. <strong>Discussion</strong> will also include <strong>basic system components</strong> and <strong>data handling</strong> strategies to apply after acquiring your data. A <strong>hands-on portion</strong> of the course will also include <strong>familiarization with common system components </strong>and consumables for both GC and LC, as well as the opportunity to <strong>use a commercial GC×GC instrument</strong>.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_dbcdc3a939.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_dbcdc3a939.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1068"></p><h3><strong>Agenda</strong></h3><h5><strong>8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and Welcome Activity</strong></h5><h5><strong>9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Part I – History, Terminology, Fundamental Concepts</strong></h5><ul><li>Brief history of the development of multidimensional separations</li><li>Terminology</li><li>Fundamental Concepts</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_8_7e45b60c83.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_8_7e45b60c83.jpg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133"></p><h5><strong>10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Coffee Break</strong></h5><h5><strong>10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Part II – Introduction to Multidimensional GC</strong></h5><ul><li>Method basics (column selection, method parameters, carrier gas choices, detector considerations)</li><li>Modulator selection (thermal, flow, others)</li><li>Method development made simple</li><li>Data preprocessing and initial handling</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_9_6febfa8e79.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_9_6febfa8e79.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1200"></p><h5><strong>12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch</strong></h5><h5><strong>1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Part III – Introduction to Multidimensional LC</strong></h5><ul><li>Modes of multidimensional separation commonly used with LC (heartcut, multiple heartcut/selective comprehensive, fully comprehensive)</li><li>Interfaces used for multidimensional LC</li><li>Common use cases of multidimensional LC (industry and academic research examples)</li><li>Introduction to method development strategies</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_cover_c35c2f0c01.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_cover_c35c2f0c01.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="909"></p><h5><strong>2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Part IV – Laboratory Instrument Familiarization – Rotations 1 &amp; 2</strong></h5><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_3_9ac0ce4b78.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_3_9ac0ce4b78.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1002"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_4_aebe28dad1.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_4_aebe28dad1.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1068"></p><h5><strong>3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Part IV – Laboratory Instrument Familiarization – Rotations 3 &amp; 4</strong></h5><ul><li>Participants will be put in small groups and rotate to different stations to familiarize with a variety of GC and LC components used for multidimensional systems including:<ul><li>Rotation 1: 2D LC – Interfaces, valves, columns, acquisition software</li><li>Rotation 2: GC×GC – Tuning, sequence setup, acquisition</li><li>Rotation 3: GC×GC – Hardware and consumables</li><li>Rotation 4: GC×GC – Data processing examples</li></ul></li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_5_2c6c0bd100.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_5_2c6c0bd100.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1004"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_7_57ee0ca0e1.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Short_Course_Day_0_7_57ee0ca0e1.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1068"></p><h5><strong>4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Final Wrap-Up and Discussion</strong></h5>

17th MDCW 2026 - Short Course (Day 0)

17th MDCW 2026 (Day 1)

17th MDCW 2026 (Day 2)

<h3><strong>Program</strong></h3><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/17mdcw_finalguidebook_12_11_2025_22ba7e3576.pdf"><strong>Guidebook (PDF)</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/17mdcw_abstract_book_ce82f32591.pdf"><strong>Abstract Book (PDF)</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>Thursday January 15, 2026</strong></h4><h5><strong>8:30 – 8:45 AM Registration</strong></h5><h5><strong>8:45 – 9:00 AM Opening Remarks</strong></h5><h5><strong>9:00 – 9:20 AM O-16 No more split ends? Flow-modulated GC×GC-QMS analysis without splitting off the GC flow</strong></h5><ul><li>Kirk Jensen (JEOL USA, Inc.)</li></ul><p>Flow-modulated two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is an excellent solution for low-boiling point compounds that are difficult to separate by thermal modulation without cryogens. Pairing a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) with GCxGC can offer better dynamic range, increased sensitivity, and lower cost to GCxGC applications, however, many MS instruments can not accept the high flow rate coming from flow-modulated GCxGC. In this study, a flow modulator was installed in a QMS system designed to accept high GC flow rates, and tested using perfume and pesticide applications. Results detailing the sensitivity and effectiveness of the QMS system with high GCxGC flow input will be discussed, as well as a comparison to thermal modulation results from the same system.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Kirk_Jensen_JEOL_USA_Inc_d251bc463a.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): O-16 No more split ends? Flow-modulated GC×GC-QMS analysis without splitting off the GC flow (Kirk Jensen, JEOL USA, Inc.)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Kirk_Jensen_JEOL_USA_Inc_d251bc463a.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><h5><strong>9:20 – 9:40 AM O-17 One-shot tensor decomposition of full-scale GC×GC datasets for resolving petrochemical groups</strong></h5><ul><li>Paul-Albert Schneide (University of Copenhagen)</li></ul><p>Tensor decomposition methods such as PARAFAC and PARAFAC2 have been proposed for resolving co-elutions, and extracting purified spectra in two-dimensional chromatography datasets. However, the application of these methods is usually restricted to local regions-ofinterest (ROIs). Therefore, additional pre-processing steps, are required and processing multiple samples at once can be difficult due to retention time shifts (e.g., it is difficult to define a ROI that captures the same analyse signal in multiple samples).&nbsp;</p><p>This work presents an application of fast, shift-invariant tensor decomposition, which was used for the decomposition of full-scale GCxGC-VUV datasets. The results show that chemical groups can be resolved, which are non-separable with conventional, templatebased approaches, such as aliphates and olefines, Furthermore, the extracted peak areas are in good agreement with the quantitative results of the reference methods (e.g., bromine number for olefines).</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Paul_Albert_Schneide_University_of_Copenhagen_37a1c507cb.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): O-17 One-shot tensor decomposition of full-scale GC×GC datasets for resolving petrochemical groups  (Paul-Albert Schneide, University of Copenhagen)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Paul_Albert_Schneide_University_of_Copenhagen_37a1c507cb.jpg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1072"></p><h5><strong>9:40 – 10:00 AM O-26 Counting Double Bonds: GC×GC–FID for Plastic Pyrolysis Oils</strong></h5><ul><li>Petr Vozka (California State University LA)</li></ul><p>Plastic pyrolysis oils (PPOs) are unresolved complex mixtures in which the level and speciation of unsaturation govern storage stability, upgrading severity, and the quality of fuel‑range cuts. Yet routine, transferable olefin quantitation is hampered by extensive coelution and isomer diversity. This talk presents a GC×GC–FID workflow that “counts double bonds” by selectively derivatizing olefins to reposition them within the two‑dimensional separation space, cleanly separating them from paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics. The method produces carbon-number- and class-resolved olefin distributions (wt.%) for whole oils and distillates in the gasoline, jet, and diesel distillation range.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Petr_Vozka_California_State_University_LA_980c4246f2.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): O-26 Counting Double Bonds: GC×GC–FID for Plastic Pyrolysis Oils (Petr Vozka, California State University LA)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Petr_Vozka_California_State_University_LA_980c4246f2.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><h5><strong>10:20 – 10:50 AM </strong>Coffee Break</h5><h5><strong>11:10 – 11:30 AM O-25 Unexpected solvent selectivity effects in 2D-LC separations of non-ionic copolymer surfactants</strong></h5><ul><li>Ella Sontowski (Gustavus Adolphus College)</li></ul><p>Analysis of non-ionic copolymer surfactants is challenging due to complexities of the mixture of molecules that results from industrial-scale synthesis involving heterogeneous starting materials. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) involving hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) and reversed-phase (RP) separation modes has been shown to be particularly effective for this purpose. The HILIC mode is highly selective for the separation of oligomers that vary in the number of hydrophilic (e.g., ethylene oxide [EO]) repeating units, and the RP mode is highly selective for the number of hydrophophic repeating units, such as polypropylene oxide (PO). In our work on separation of EO/PO copolymer mixtures by 2D-LC we have discovered that certain mobile phase compositions used for the HILIC separation yield unexpected selectivities for isomers of these copolymers that can result from differences in the way the EO/PO oligomers are assembled during the synthesis reaction. In this presentation we will share results of a systematic study of mobile phase constituents that exhibit these selectivity effects, and demonstrate the utility of these new-found effects in ultra-high resolution 2D-LC separations of EO/PO copolymers showing that they provide insights into the species-level composition of these complex mixtures that was not possible previously.</p><h5><strong>11:30 – 11:50 PM O-24 USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY WITH ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY AND COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY TO DEVELOP A COMBINED APPROACH TO GREEN GUNSHOT RESIDUE ANALYSIS IN THE FORENSIC LABORATORY&nbsp;</strong></h5><ul><li>Grace Saunders (William &amp; Mary)</li></ul><p>Gunshot residue (GSR) is expelled as a "plume" of vaporized material during a firearm discharge event. As it disperses, condenses, and settles on surfaces in vicinity of the discharge, it creates chemical depositions that provide essential information for forensic casework involving criminal firearm usage. GSR contains organic (OGSR) and inorganic (IGSR) components, both of which may carry evidentiary value. Traditional analyses involve the targeted point analysis of IGSR via scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and conclusions are drawn based on a well-established elemental and morphological profile "characteristic" to IGSR. This method has lost impact as a standard for forensic analysis due to increased use of "green" - heavy metal-free - ammunition, which omits the lead, barium, and antimony that are traditionally seen as the "characteristic" markers of GSR. This study aimed to develop a holistic approach to the analysis of GSR using both SEM-EDS as a targeted approach to IGSR analysis and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) as a nontargeted approach to OGSR analysis. GSR samples were collected from the hands of shooters at a police firearms recertification training using the tape lift method. SEM-EDS was used to identify IGSR and develop new morphological and elemental profiles for heavy metal-free residues. OGSR components have been positively identified through sample analysis via liquid extraction, chromatographic separation via GC×GC-TOFMS, and data processing. Future work on this project will include the optimization of data processing methods and the development of SPME as an alternative sample extraction method.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Grace_Saunders_William_and_Mary_a498ed6ef2.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): O-24 USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY WITH ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY AND COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY TO DEVELOP A COMBINED APPROACH TO GREEN GUNSHOT RESIDUE ANALYSIS IN THE FORENSIC LABORATORY  (Grace Saunders, William &amp; Mary)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Grace_Saunders_William_and_Mary_a498ed6ef2.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><h5><strong>11:50 – 12:10 PM O-23 Identifying the transition from ante-mortem to post-mortem odor in cadavers in an outdoor environment</strong></h5><ul><li>Darshil Patel (University of North Dakota)</li></ul><p>This study investigates the transition from ante-mortem to post-mortem odor in human remains during the early post-mortem period in an outdoor environment. Three cadavers (donors) were placed at an outdoor human decomposition facility, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected and analyzed using thermal desorption coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TDGC × GC-TOFMS). The key findings revealed that nitrogen-containing compounds were predominant in early post-mortem VOC profiles, driven by enzymatic and bacterial activity. Esters, alcohols, and halogenated compounds were also identified, with esters linked to microbial transformation and alcohols possibly formed by lipid peroxidation. Ante-mortem VOCs were persistent across samples, influenced by skin microbiota and environmental factors like UV radiation, complicating the detection of decomposition odor. Post-mortem VOCs became more prominent after ADD 73.4(experimental day 3), signaling the transition to the bloat stage of decomposition. Variations in sample collection methods and external factors such as temperature were found to affect VOC abundances. This study provides critical insights into odor transition and has implications for the use of search and rescue (SAR) and human remains detection (HRD) dogs. Further research is needed to standardize methods and assess odor transitions across diverse environments and seasons.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Darshil_Patel_University_of_North_Dakota_c36bb4605e.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): O-23 Identifying the transition from ante-mortem to post-mortem odor in cadavers in an outdoor environment (Darshil Patel, University of North Dakota)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_Darshil_Patel_University_of_North_Dakota_c36bb4605e.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><h5><strong>12:10 – 12:30 PM Poster Awards (Sponsored by SCSC) and Closing Remarks</strong></h5><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_GC_Poster_Prize_Madison_L_Williams_72040f5a29.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): GC Poster Prize - Madison L. Williams (The State University at Buffalo New York), Comparison of solid phase microextraction coatings for headspace extraction of volatile perfluoroalkyl substances using one- and two-dimensional gas chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_GC_Poster_Prize_Madison_L_Williams_72040f5a29.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_GC_Poster_Prize_Madison_L_Williams_2_5c553378f6.jpg" alt="MDCW: 17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3): GC Poster Prize - Madison L. Williams (The State University at Buffalo New York), Comparison of solid phase microextraction coatings for headspace extraction of volatile perfluoroalkyl substances using one- and two-dimensional gas chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_MDCW_17th_MDCW_2026_Day_3_GC_Poster_Prize_Madison_L_Williams_2_5c553378f6.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p>

17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3)

Article

Product

Events

Webinars

Application

Academy

Video

Poster

Scientists

Plastics

Environment

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Water

Health

Presentation

Scientific article

Interview

Toxicology

Popularization

Science and research

Software

Covid-19

Career

Laboratories

Various

Zaměření

Type of News

Focus

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17th MDCW 2026 (Day 3)

17th MDCW 2026 (Day 2)

17th MDCW 2026 (Day 1)

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Upcoming events

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Webinars

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