The human body is the most sophisticated atomic engineer. This idea underpins a breakthrough technology developed by an international research team led by scientists from the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University Olomouc and the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. By drawing inspiration from the way enzymes function in the human body, the researchers have created a novel material that could fundamentally change the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide and other important chemicals. The new approach simplifies the production process, eliminates the need for toxic organic solvents and expensive precious metals, and requires only sunlight, oxygen and water to operate. The results <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67189-3">were published by the prestigious journal Nature Communications</a>, which ranked the study among the 50 most significant scientific discoveries of the year.Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most important industrial chemicals. It is widely used not only in the chemical industry but also in pharmaceuticals, medicine, the textile industry and water-treatment technologies. The global hydrogen peroxide market is estimated to exceed USD 5 billion annually. Conventional production involves a multistep process that relies on toxic organic solvents and costly palladium-based catalysts. In addition, both the starting chemicals and the resulting waste products can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Cesti_vedci_vyvinuli_material_pro_vyrobu_chemikalii_z_vody_a_slunce_Inspirovali_se_lidskymi_enzymy_2_c4d5ecbafb.webp" alt="CATRIN: Czech scientists develop a material for producing chemicals from water and sunlight, inspired by human enzymes" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Cesti_vedci_vyvinuli_material_pro_vyrobu_chemikalii_z_vody_a_slunce_Inspirovali_se_lidskymi_enzymy_2_c4d5ecbafb.webp 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1200">“Our aim was to develop a material that enables the efficient, environmentally friendly and affordable production of hydrogen peroxide. When designing this photocatalyst, we were inspired by the structure and behaviour of enzymes in the human body. The result is a technology that does not require toxic organic solvents or expensive precious metals and instead uses a low-cost material based on carbon, nitrogen and copper. It operates in water using only sunlight and oxygen from the air,” said Radek Zbořil, leader of research teams at CATRIN and CEET.In developing the new photocatalyst, the Czech scientists mimicked the function of cytochrome c oxidase—an enzyme that enables human cells to obtain energy by transferring electrons to oxygen. This process relies on copper atoms embedded in the enzyme’s structure, and it was precisely this mechanism that the researchers sought to reproduce.“We very precisely replicated the chemical environment of metals within the enzyme’s structure and anchored copper atoms onto the surface of extremely small carbon nanoparticles with photocatalytic properties. When exposed to light, highly efficient electron transfer occurs between the carbon nanoparticles, the copper atoms and oxygen molecules. This process closely resembles an enzymatic reaction and enables high hydrogen peroxide production,” explained the first author of the study, Lukáš Zdražil, who is affiliated with both CATRIN and CEET.Producing hydrogen peroxide using sunlight and water has been a long-standing goal of research teams worldwide, as it eliminates the use of toxic organic solvents and avoids the formation of hazardous by-products. Until now, however, research in this area has largely remained at an academic level, mainly due to the use of noble metals and often complex photocatalyst designs. Laboratory studies have also resulted in relatively low hydrogen peroxide yields, which could not compete with existing industrial processes.“The new photocatalyst achieves hydrogen peroxide production rates up to two orders of magnitude higher than all previously reported systems, bringing us much closer to industrial requirements. In addition, the material is completely non-toxic, easily recyclable and reusable,” added Zdražil.The Czech teams are now focusing on potential applications of this technology in decentralised production units. Such systems could enable efficient, local production of hydrogen peroxide, for example for use in agriculture, pharmaceutical manufacturing or environmental applications. The combination of solar energy and materials inspired by enzymatic systems may also lead to further promising advances.“I believe that mimicking the structures and functions of iron- and copper-based enzymes could pave the way for other innovative technologies in the chemical industry and pharmaceuticals, such as the production of epoxides, alcohols or phenols,” concluded Zbořil.

 Czech scientists develop a material for producing chemicals from water and sunlight, inspired by human enzymes

<h4>"Education is central to how I approach research"</h4>Analytical scientist Dr Bob Pirok of the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences has been awarded the 19th annual ‘Emerging Leader in Chromatography Award’ by LCGC International, a well-known global publisher in the field of separation science. Pirok will receive the award at the upcoming Pittcon 2026 conference held 7-11 March in San Antonio, Texas.With the Emerging Leader in Chromatography Award, LGCG International recognises the achievements and aspirations of talented early-career separation scientists who have made strides toward the advancement and applications of chromatography techniques. Pirok is honoured for his work in the development of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC×LC), automated method development, and chemometric data analysis.Already in his early career, Pirok has emerged as a prominent figure in addressing long-standing challenges in LC×LC, which include method complexity, data interpretation, and experimental optimisation. His research is characterised by close interaction between theory, instrumentation, and application, as well as sustained collaboration with academic and industrial partners. On a mission to transform advanced chromatographic techniques into practical and robust analytical tools, Pirok has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and established an internationally visible research program at the interface of separation science, statistics, and artificial intelligence. All this within a few years of receiving his PhD in 2019.<h4>Automated method development</h4>Central to Pirok’s research is the novel modular AutoLC platform, which enables prototype automated method development. With a capacity to run unsupervised (i.e. without human input), it is able to tackle samples of unknown composition by autonomous analysis of (2D-)LC(-MS) data. It is flexible, able to support different optimization strategies and capable of integrating tools developed by scientists in the global chromatographic community.Accessibility and sustainability are key motivations behind AutoLC, says Pirok: “State-of-the-art separation technology is often overly sophisticated. We aim to make it more robust, automated, and usable beyond a small group of specialists, as efficiently as possible. By providing more detailed and reliable molecular information, such technologies can better inform molecular design and accelerate the development of new materials and applications.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/HIMS_From_left_to_right_Bob_Pirok_Prof_Peter_Schoenmakers_Ph_D_candidate_Gerben_van_Henten_and_postdoc_researcher_Tijmen_Bos_in_the_Auto_LC_lab_at_the_Van_t_Hoff_Institute_for_Molecular_Sciences_a4fe9bc6f7.jpg" alt="HIMS: From left to right: Bob Pirok, Prof. Peter Schoenmakers, PhD candidate Gerben van Henten, and postdoc researcher Tijmen Bos in the AutoLC lab at the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. The AutoLC workflow builds on concepts originally introduced by Schoenmakers in 1978, which have now been adapted and extended within a modern, automated framework by the AutoLC team. Schoenmakers, who retired in 2022, was awarded the 2023 LCGC Lifetime Achievement Award." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_HIMS_From_left_to_right_Bob_Pirok_Prof_Peter_Schoenmakers_Ph_D_candidate_Gerben_van_Henten_and_postdoc_researcher_Tijmen_Bos_in_the_Auto_LC_lab_at_the_Van_t_Hoff_Institute_for_Molecular_Sciences_a4fe9bc6f7.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="700" height="425">He is especially grateful to his students who continuously challenge assumptions and push the technology further. “They show why research and education belong together”, he says. “In fact, education is central to how I approach research. Many of the ideas behind AutoLC grew directly from discussions with students, in the lab, in courses, or while trying to explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible way. Seeing students grow into independent scientists, capable of questioning methods and building new ones, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.”&nbsp;<blockquote><h5>About Bob Pirok</h5>Bob Pirok (Den Helder, 1987) completed his MSc in analytical chemistry at the University of Amsterdam, followed by doctoral research conducted in close collaboration with industrial partners including Shell, DSM, and Heineken. After earning his PhD in 2019 with Prof. Peter Schoenmakers, Pirok was appointed tenure-track assistant professor at the Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. There, he co-founded the Chemometrics and Advanced Separations Team (CAST) and was appointed associate professor in 2025.Pirok is also a visiting researcher at Gustavus Adolphus College in the United States and Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Pirok has received the Shimadzu Young Scientist Award (2015), the Csaba Horváth Young-Scientist Award (HPLC 2017), and the Journal of Chromatography Young-Scientist Award (2018). He is a driving force within the University of Amsterdam’s analytical chemistry programs, where he teaches courses in chemometrics, statistics, and separation science and supervises many MSc and BSc students. Pirok serves on the Early Career Board of Analytical Chemistry and is active in professional networks such as the European Chemistry Thematic Network.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/HIMS_Bob_Pirok_speaking_at_the_Balaton_2025_symposium_in_Siofok_Hungary_in_September_2025_106d7cffb5.jpg" alt="HIMS: Bob Pirok speaking at the Balaton 2025 symposium in Siófok, Hungary, in September 2025" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_HIMS_Bob_Pirok_speaking_at_the_Balaton_2025_symposium_in_Siofok_Hungary_in_September_2025_106d7cffb5.jpg 204w," sizes="100vw" width="857" height="655"></blockquote>

Bob Pirok receives LCGC Emerging Leader award

Join analytical chemist Dr. M. Farooq Wahab from the University of Texas at Arlington as he breaks down the science behind chromatographic peak shapes in this episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast. Perfect for undergraduate chemists and researchers alike, this conversation covers:<ul><li>What makes an ideal chromatographic peak shape and why it matters &nbsp;</li><li>Common reasons your HPLC peaks might show tailing, fronting, or distortion &nbsp;</li><li>Practical tips for diagnosing and troubleshooting peak shape problems &nbsp;</li><li>How to use visual and digital tools (like Excel) to analyze your chromatogram data beyond basic numbers &nbsp;</li><li>The importance of baseline correction, denoising, and signal processing in chromatography &nbsp;</li><li>Advice for students and early researchers aiming to excel in analytical chemistry</li></ul>Dr. Wahab shares lively insights from his research and decades of experience, revealing the underlying physics, chemistry, and engineering behind the peaks you see—and why peaks tell the story of your chromatography.Whether new to HPLC or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode demystifies a critical topic that impacts every chromatographer.<h3>Video Transcription</h3>The interview with Dr. M. Farooq Wahab focuses on why chromatographic peak shape matters and how it can be used as a practical diagnostic tool. He explains that the ideal peak is a narrow, symmetric Gaussian shape because it’s easier to detect and integrate reliably, but real peaks often show tailing, fronting, broadening, or splitting, which can compromise quantitation and interpretation.Dr. Wahab groups the main causes of distorted peaks into three buckets: thermodynamic effects (overloading the column’s capacity), kinetic effects (multiple interaction sites causing slow desorption and tailing), and fluid-dynamic/packing effects (non-uniform packed beds leading to fronting, tailing, or split peaks). He also highlights chemical interactions with metal surfaces in LC hardware—especially strong binding of phosphate-containing compounds to iron/steel—that can cause severe tailing or even complete loss of the analyte, sometimes requiring cleaning with chelators like EDTA.He cautions that single-number metrics such as tailing factor or asymmetry are convenient but can hide important details, so analysts should assess the full peak profile, using more advanced evaluations (e.g., Gaussian/derivative-style tests) when needed. For troubleshooting, he recommends “back to basics” benchmarking: run the manufacturer’s QC method on a new column to separate instrument issues from method/column/operator errors.Finally, the discussion broadens to data handling and career advice. Dr. Wahab argues for reproducible, transparent data analysis (sharing code/supporting files) and encourages students to use accessible tools like Excel (and carefully verified AI help) to explore peak diagnostics, denoising, and baseline correction—often best understood via frequency-domain thinking. He closes by advising young scientists to build skills across the “four pillars” of analytical chemistry: chemistry, physics, mathematics, and scientific computation, and to pursue science with passion and realistic expectations.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

HPLC Peak Shapes Explained: Why Your Chromatography Peaks Are Not Perfect & How to Fix Them

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