The LC Side of “Do More with Less” - Agilent InfinityLab LC Solutions

Importance of the Topic

Modern analytical laboratories face growing pressure from increasing sample complexity, stricter regulatory requirements and rising operational costs. Liquid chromatography (LC) remains a cornerstone technique across pharmaceutical, environmental, food and chemical sectors. Enhancing LC workflows through automation, flexible method development and reduced overhead directly impacts data quality, staff engagement and corporate sustainability goals.

Objectives and Overview

This whitepaper presents Agilent InfinityLab LC Solutions designed to “do more with less.” It is structured into three focus areas:

• Chapter 1: Strategies to boost laboratory efficiency and staff satisfaction
• Chapter 2: Multipurpose instrumentation for running diverse methods on a single system
• Chapter 3: Business advantages gained from modern LC platforms

Methodology and Instrumentation

The key innovations include:

• 1260 Infinity II Multisampler: in-injector dilutions and a flexible “hotel” drawer design supporting vials and microplates
• 1260/1290 Infinity II Flexible Pumps with BlendAssist: automated on-board mobile phase mixing over 0.02–0.2% TFA ranges
• 1290 Infinity II LC with Intelligent System Emulation Technology (ISET): software-based HPLC/UHPLC method compatibility across brands
• Agilent Jet Weaver mixer: compact static mixing with low dispersion for shallow gradients
• InfinityLab SFC Solution: robust supercritical fluid chromatography for greener chiral and non-polar separations
• 1290 Infinity II Method Development System: automated column/solvent screening for up to 5,400 conditions

Key Results and Discussion

Agilent’s solutions demonstrated:

• Employee engagement improvements by removing tedious tasks and enhancing interface clarity
• Consistent quantitation accuracy in automated dilutions versus manual prep (<3% residuals)
• Precise mobile phase blending matching manual mixing within 0.1% TFA
• Retention time reproducibility below 0.06% RSD using the Jet Weaver mixer
• Seamless method transfers to UHPLC platforms via ISET, preserving legacy retention and resolution
• Extended unattended runs (over 4 days at 1 min cycle time) through high-capacity autosamplers
• Significant solvent and plasticware reductions, supporting green lab initiatives

Benefits and Practical Applications

These technological advances allow laboratories to:

1. Increase sample throughput without expanding footprint or capital expenditure
2. Reduce labor costs by eliminating low-value manual steps
3. Adopt UHPLC and SFC for faster, more selective separations with lower solvent use
4. Maintain high uptime through reliable hardware and seven-year support guarantees
5. Share instruments across sites via modular benches and stepwise upgrades
6. Align with sustainability targets by lowering energy, solvent and waste consumption

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging directions include artificial-intelligence–driven method development, enhanced digital integration for real-time monitoring, further miniaturization of LC modules, expanded adoption of automation in sample prep and greater use of greener eluents (e.g., water–ethanol mixtures) in routine workflows.

Conclusion

Agilent InfinityLab LC Solutions address the dual challenges of rising sample demands and resource constraints. By combining intuitive software, modular hardware and green technologies, laboratories can maximize data quality, staff productivity and return on investment while advancing corporate sustainability goals.

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