| Date: September 15, 1997 | Comparison Chart  |
HPLC is an essential work-horse for most bio-laboratories. Without a functioning system, the days of gravity columns-once a not-so-fond, distant memory-can return with a vengeance. And a system that no longer fits your research needs can collect dust like so much scrap metal.
In choosing an instrument, consider the demands your research will place on it. For example, determine what type of solvents you will most often use. Solvent compatibility of the system will directly affect the service of the instrument. Titanium and PEEK (polyethylethylketone) are regarded by many scientists to be more biocompatible than stainless steel for bio- chromatography systems.
Consider flexibility as well. Most systems are modular, allowing users to pick and choose accessories to best fit their research needs. Autosamplers and fraction collectors can automate the loading and collection tasks to improve productivity, and a whole range of detector types is ...
