gas chromatography

noun

: chromatography in which the sample mixture is vaporized and injected into a stream of carrier gas (such as nitrogen or helium) moving through a column containing a stationary phase composed of a liquid or particulate solid and is separated into its component compounds according to their affinity for the stationary phase

gas chromatographic adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The research team studied the molecular structure of the samples using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry machine. —Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Feb. 2023

Other studies using chemical staining and gas chromatography showed the presence of proteins—most notably animal glue (collagen) found in two early 18th century violoncellos, and casein found in a 1730 violin. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2022

This new work builds on a 2018 study in which University of Tübingen Egyptologist Stephen Buckley and his colleagues analyzed organic residues from the mummy’s wrappings with a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2023

The researchers used a dentist’s drill to remove coin-size fragments a few millimeters thick from the inside of the containers, then analyzed their chemical makeup using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Feb. 2023

The team then processed the samples using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which basically uses heat to break up complex chemical compounds into their most basic parts, which can then be identified and quantified. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017

Back in the lab, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry machine separated all the compounds, which could then be recorded and named, resulting in an aromatic recipe of sorts. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2022

Then instead of just relying on a regular old human nose (which is a pretty good instrument, no disrespect), gas chromatography is used to separate the mixture into components so each can be isolated. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2022

The instrument inside the luggage is actually performing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is a gold-standard analytical technique to finely separate out the components of a mixture. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 Apr. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

gas chromatography

noun

: chromatography in which the sample mixture is vaporized and injected into a stream of carrier gas (as nitrogen or helium) moving through a column containing a stationary phase composed of a liquid or a particulate solid and is separated into its component compounds according to the affinity of the compounds for the stationary phase

—abbreviation GC compare column chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography

gas chromatographic adjective