Shimadzu launches Tracera gas chromatograph

Shimadzu has announced the launch of Tracera, a new high-sensitivity gas chromatograph (GC) that incorporates a barrier discharge ionisation detector and novel plasma technology.

The device provides trace analysis capabilities and can detect almost all types of trace organic and inorganic compounds at a level of 0.1 parts per million.

It is therefore applicable for many types of high-sensitivity analyses typically performed with GC systems incorporating multiple detectors, including various techniques employed by pharmaceutical, chemical and electronics labs.

Tracera's detection sensitivity is more than 100 times the level provided by thermal conductivity detectors and more than twice that of flame ionisation detectors.

Masahito Ueda, general manager of the gas chromatography and thermal conductivity business unit for Shimadzu's analytical and measuring instruments division, said: "It is expected to improve the efficiency of high-sensitivity, trace-quantity analyses and to reduce equipment and analysis costs."

Shimadzu was originally founded in 1875 and is now a foremost developer of advanced research technologies, operating a network of sales, service, technical support and applications centres on six continents.