ACQUITY® UPLC System with PDA eλ, ELS, and FLR Detectors

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) is a significant advancement over the conventional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that achieves dramatic increases in resolution, speed and sensitivity in liquid chromatography. The UPLC technology allows users to work at higher efficiencies with a much wider range of linear velocities, flow rates, and backpressures.

The NanoMed Fab is equipped with two UPLC systems from Waters. The ACQUITY® UPLC system with PDA eλ, evaporative light scattering (ELS) and fluorescence (FLR) detectors allows users to characterize their formulations with 2D/3D spectroscopy light absorbance, improved lipid detection, and fluorescence. The PDA eλ detector allows users to detect and quantify lower concentrations of sample analytes and compare spectra across a broad wavelength range. The  ELS detector complements the PDA eλ detector by providing enhanced sensitivity for the detection of semi-volatile components and low peak dispersion such as lipid-based nanomedicine. On the other hand, the FLR detector offers a high-sensitivity, multi-channel fluorescence detection.

Specifications and features

• The PDA eλ detector:
  • Wavelength range: 190 to 800 nm
  • PDA signal linearity range: up to 2.0 AU
  • Simultaneous 2D and 3D operation
  • Able to quantitate trace impurities
• The ELS detector:
  • 60° scatter angle detection to minimize stray light and optics polarization for long-term optimal sensitivity
  • Nanogram-level detection limits
  • Improved detection for semi-volatile compounds
  • Able to detect lipids
• The FLR detector:
  • Detects any any component with chemiluminescent properties, such as fluorescence or phosphorescence
  • Detection modes: 2D, 3D, and on-the-fly spectral scanning
  • Low volume requirement: < 2 μL