Shimadzu i-Series - High Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Significance of the Topic

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains a cornerstone of analytical chemistry, supporting quality control, research, and regulatory compliance across pharmaceutical, environmental, and industrial applications. The evolution toward smarter, more automated, and remotely operable systems addresses increasing demands for throughput, reproducibility, and operator flexibility.

Objectives and Study Overview

This whitepaper introduces Shimadzu’s new i-Series HPLC platform, designed to maintain the high reliability of earlier models while integrating advanced automation, remote control capabilities, and analytical intelligence. The goal is to streamline workflows, reduce user intervention, and ensure consistent data quality regardless of operator expertise.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The i-Series combines hardware innovations with software modules to enable end-to-end automation:

• Mobile Phase Monitoring (MPM-01) for gravimetric, real-time tracking of solvent volumes across up to six containers.
• Smart Flow Control (FlowPilot) to gradually ramp pump flow rates based on column oven temperature, protecting UHPLC columns from abrupt pressure changes.
• Remote Operation/Monitoring via LabSolutions Direct and LabSolutions CS, allowing method setup, startup, and chromatogram review from any networked device.
• Analytical Intelligence algorithms including i-PeakFinder for one-step peak integration, ACTO for method migration between instruments, and i-PDeA II for peak deconvolution using MCR-ALS.
• Auto-validation and system check functions to automate performance qualification, record consumable usage, and generate audit-ready reports.
• Dual-Temperature Control (TC-Optics) for both flow cells and optical components, minimizing baseline drift due to ambient fluctuations.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance evaluations demonstrated:

• Ultra-low carryover down to 0.0025% for trace analysis, ensuring minimal sample-to-sample contamination.
• Baseline stability improvement by an order of magnitude compared to non-temperature-controlled detectors.
• Accurate peak detection and integration across complex chromatograms, reducing manual correction and operator bias.
• Seamless method migration from older Shimadzu and competitor systems without manual gradient adjustments, preserving retention times and selectivity.
• Efficient remote workflows that cut laboratory foot traffic by enabling instrument control, data review, and report approval from remote locations.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The i-Series HPLC delivers:

• Enhanced throughput through unattended sequences and automated solvent management.
• Consistent, reproducible data irrespective of analyst skill level via embedded analytical intelligence.
• Reduced downtime and faster troubleshooting supported by on-screen maintenance guides and QR-linked instructional videos.
• Regulatory compliance with built-in audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity features aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11.

Future Trends and Applications

Looking ahead, integration of machine-learning algorithms for predictive maintenance, deeper interoperability within Laboratory 4.0 ecosystems, and expanded remote quality assurance workflows will further transform HPLC operations. Cloud-based data analytics and real-time method optimization are poised to drive even greater productivity and agility in regulated environments.

Conclusion

Shimadzu’s i-Series HPLC represents a significant advance in analytical instrumentation by merging robust hardware with intelligent software. The platform enhances efficiency, reproducibility, and compliance, while enabling flexible workstyles and reducing operator burden. This next-generation system positions laboratories to meet evolving challenges in high-throughput and high-quality analyses.

Reference

Shimadzu Corporation. i-Series High Performance Liquid Chromatograph Application Note, First Edition November 2020.