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Becoming A Better Chromatographer

Webinar Series

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Becoming A Better Chromatographer | Agilent

James Cain, PhD

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Small Size, Big Impact – High-Performance Benchtop GC and GC/MS with the Agilent 8850 GC

17 February 2026 | 11 a.m. EST

This webinar will explore how the new Agilent 8850 gas chromatograph, now compatible with single and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, can save users bench space, utility costs, and analysis time without compromising on performance. Viewers will see these features demonstrated through multiple applications, including gasoline aromatic composition by ASTM D5769, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), distilled spirits analysis, and more.

Mark Sinnott

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Mastering SPME: A Practical Guide for GC Analysts for a SOLID Foundation

11 March 2026 | 11 a.m. EST

Agilent offers high-quality products for Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) sample preparation. The SPME technique uses polymer phase coated fibers or Arrows to isolate and concentrate analytes from the sample. There are two types of SPME extraction techniques: Headspace (the most used technique) and direct immersion, where the fiber is immersed into a liquid sample. Agilent offers SPME fibers or Arrows in a range of chemistries that can be used with autosamplers or manual injection holders for all application spaces. This presentation will discuss Agilent’s SPME portfolio and offer guidance on phase selections for various applications.

Ryan Birney

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Column Confidence: Making the Right Choice for Your GC Needs

14 April 2026 | 11 a.m. EST

There are many column choices for GC and GC/MS, but which one is right for your method? Choosing the correct column type is paramount in being successful with your analysis. Understanding the stationary phase chemistry and the role it plays in column selectivity, as well as the dimensions of the capillary column itself, will result in a more robust and efficient analysis. This talk will discuss how the various stationary phases influence selectivity, as well as how column dimensions affect peak behavior and resolution. Join us as we match YOU with the right column for your analysis!

On Demand Webinars

The Right Liner for the Right Method: GC Inlet Essentials

On Demand | Alex Ucci

The GC liner is one of the most important consumables for your GC inlet. GC inlets convert an injected liquid phase sample into gas for transfer onto the GC column. Selecting the wrong liner can lead to incomplete transfer, poor separation, and peak tailing—often incorrectly attributed to the GC system. As a result, you could waste valuable hours on troubleshooting. Join us as we discuss the different liners in our portfolio and help guide you in the selection process.

WAX Column Technology for Today’s Lab: Updates That Matter

On Demand | Gustavo Serrano-Izaguirre

Today’s demanding GC and GC/MS applications have pushed the boundaries of GC column phase technology. Features such as improved inertness, robustness and low-bleed chemistries are now necessary to meet the needs for lower detection limits and faster analysis time that GC analysts require. While recent improvements in traditional phenylmethylpolysiloxane phases have occurred, very little had been done with another important group of GC columns, polyethylene glycol columns, also known as WAX columns. Since the introduction of DB-WAX Ultra Inert a few years ago, Agilent have also recently introduced new WAX columns, DB-FATWAX UI and DB-HeavyWAX, that are designed to meet the demands of today’s labs. In this webinar, we will discuss the advances in WAX column technology, the benefits of each of these columns, and what applications they may be able to help.

Carrier Gas Conundrum: Smart Solutions for Helium Alternatives

On Demand | Mark Sinnott

Carrier gas is a necessary component to any functioning gas chromatographic system. The rising cost of helium, due to a global shortage in supply, has forced labs to consider alternatives such as hydrogen or even nitrogen, but is this a smart choice? Does it make sense for your laboratory? What are the common pitfalls or issues that might arise? In this talk we will take out some of the guesswork associated with making this important decision and help you decide if the switch is right for you.

Choosing the Right GC Inlet: Tailoring Your Method for Optimal Results

On Demand | Mark Sinnott

Sample introduction is arguably one of the most important aspects in successful gas chromatography. The vast majority of problems that arise in GC are inlet or "front-end" related. If your sample is not introduced properly to the inlet and column, all bets are off for producing a useful high-resolution chromatogram. In this presentation we will discuss the various types of GC inlets available including when and how to use them.

Common Pitfalls in GC Chromatography: What to Avoid

On Demand | Alex Ucci

Whether you are new to GC or have been performing it for years, you may find that things just aren’t /going the way you want them to. There are many pitfalls that can cause problems and in this talk some of the topics we will discuss include:

Problematic solvents
The importance of gas traps
Syringe hygiene
Front-end maintenance
Proper conditioning
Making connections
Importance of sample preparation

Avoiding these pitfalls can help you achieve long-term reliable results.

DE-001860

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James Cain, PhD

As Product Manager in the Gas Phase Separations Division of Agilent, James helps guide the development of new technology and insights for the gas chromatography market. He is focused on understanding the needs of GC users globally, tracking changes in the market and regulatory landscape, and seeking new opportunities to apply Agilent innovation to emerging applications.

James earned his BS in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Arizona. After serving in various research and commercial roles with other organizations, including as an Agilent customer, he has been a product manager with Agilent Technologies for the last four years.

Mark Sinnott

Mark Sinnott works for Agilent Technologies as a Technical Support Engineer in the Consumables and Supplies Division (CSD). In his position at Agilent, Mark performs technical support and applications assistance to gas chromatographers worldwide. He has more than 22 years of experience in gas chromatography, including environmental analysis of compounds in air, soil and water matrices, including dissolved gas analysis for the electrical industry. Mark holds a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from California State University, Sacramento, and currently resides in Twin Falls Idaho.

Ryan Birney

In Ryan’s current role at Agilent, he provides application assistance and technical support for GC and Spectroscopy. He has been supporting Agilent in technical and sales roles for the past seven years. Ryan came to Agilent from industry, and has an BS degree in Biochemistry.