Chromatography labs face mounting pressure as sample sizes shrink, detection demands grow, and waste management regulations tighten. For many, upgrading instrumentation is no longer optional. Here, leading vendors share how integrating automation, sustainability, and AI are transforming workflows, enabling efficient, error-free operation, even for users with minimal hands-on experience in chromatography.

Q: How are automation and AI shaping the future of chromatography?

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Mike Wilson, director of strategy, QA/QC, Waters Corporation:

Automation applies across the workflow, not just sample handling. There's huge potential to automate tasks including method development, setup, data processing, and reporting, creating opportunities for vendors to take routine, repetitive tasks off scientists' plates. One of the challenges is maintaining data integrity and sample chain-of-custody as more systems are integrated, especially in regulated industries.

It’s intriguing to imagine an AI-driven system where, instead of programming a gradient manually, the scientist could walk up and say, “I want to run a caffeine sample.” AI could also help with error reduction by recognizing when something seems off— for example, suggesting, “Are you sure this is the right column for your analysis?” before the experiment starts.

AI excels at analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns, enabling labs to revisit older data with new questions and extract insights that might have been missed initially. Beyond automating repetitive tasks, AI can learn company-specific protocols and execute them without detailed programming, allowing scientists to focus on higher-level decisions.

John Lesica, president, chromatography and mass spectrometry division, Thermo Fisher Scientific:

The desire to understand the inner workings of chromatography instrumentation is diminishing among scientists and technicians. Labs now prefer to minimize training and expertise requirements for separation technologies, opting for smart devices that store protocols and guide users through each step. This has driven manufacturers to innovate with ease-of-use technologies, making instruments more intuitive and leveraging machine learning to optimize performance and predict service needs. AI software tools will drive chromatography peak analysis eliminating the need for manual interpretation all geared at improving performance and productivity for scientists.

AI will be critical for enabling higher uptime by removing the need for manual calibration and optimizing instruments without user intervention. AI also helps guide field engineers, reducing the time required for repairs and increasing uptime.

Alan Owens, GC/GC-MS product manager, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments:

From an analytical instrumentation perspective, AI offers many ways to impact automation. For instance, AI-driven method development can analyze historical data to predict optimal chromatographic conditions, such as temperature, flow rates, and pressures. This minimizes trial-and-error, streamlines development, and improves reproducibility across applications. By leveraging AI, labs can optimize workflows and achieve more consistent results.

AI and machine learning also enhance data analysis, processing large, complex datasets with greater accuracy than manual review. These algorithms effectively separate overlapping peaks, identify low-intensity signals, and flag issues like baseline noise or abnormal retention times. By automating these tasks, AI ensures only high-quality data is reported, boosting both precision and efficiency in chromatography workflows.

Crystal Holt, director, global strategic marketing, Phenomenex:

Automation is transforming laboratory workflows by enhancing throughput, reproducibility, and accuracy. A key benefit is reducing scientists' hands-on time, which improves turnaround times and boosts efficiency, especially in high-demand fields such as drug discovery, environmental testing, and food safety. While automation traditionally focused on high-throughput applications, it is adaptable and can support moderate and lower-volume workflows as well.

AI is putting vast information at researchers' fingertips, making method development more efficient, accurate, and informed. This not only accelerates new method development but also improves result quality and reliability.

The synergy between automation and AI drives major advancements in lab efficiency and reliability. Automation handles mechanical tasks, while AI optimizes these processes, together creating more streamlined, accurate, and adaptable lab operations.

Q: How does modularity help labs meet their research needs?

JL: Modularity is well established, allowing customers to select different detectors, pumps, and sample preparation methods for their chromatography systems. In the future, instrumentation will become smaller and more portable, enabling it to be positioned closer to the point of analysis. Additionally, new detection solutions will be integrated alongside chromatography systems.

AO: While laboratory space may not always expand, customer demands and needs are steadily increasing. Adding more instrumentation will be crucial in the coming years, but advanced systems with high-performance capabilities typically come at a higher cost, requiring careful justification. Modular systems provide a solution by allowing labs to upgrade incrementally, reducing the need for large, one-time investments.

MW: Modularity is highly valued by some customers, particularly in labs working on more challenging or high-end applications where flexibility is needed, such as when chromatography systems are coupled with mass spectrometers. For these applications, precision is key, whether in gradient control or column temperature.

However, some degree of modularity is important across all systems, providing customers the flexibility to mix and match modules that work seamlessly together. Detection is a strong area of interest for chromatography users—whether it’s mass spectrometry, UV, fluorescence, or refractive index, offering flexibility in detection modalities is extremely valuable, even within highly standardized setups.

Q: How is sustainability influencing chromatography technologies?

CH: Many traditional chromatographic and sample preparation techniques rely on large volumes of organic solvents that can be toxic and environmentally harmful. Developing methods to use less solvent or replace harmful solvents with eco-friendly alternatives supports more sustainable chromatography. This also drives the development of more durable stationary phases with longer lifetimes and advances micro/nano liquid chromatography techniques that require less solvent and sample, generating less waste.  

JL: Sustainability has become a major focus across the industry. Efforts are being made to minimize the carbon footprint of instruments throughout their entire life cycle, from manufacturing to lab use. This includes initiatives to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and adopt more responsible packaging solutions. Ongoing exploration into new materials and design innovations continues to enhance these practices.

MW: Sustainability now touches every aspect of lab operations, from the analytical methodologies and instruments themselves, to manufacturing, distribution, and packaging. Considerations such as air miles and material usage are becoming increasingly important, with a focus on reducing plastic waste and incorporating more sustainable materials. The industry is also moving towards certifications that set green standards, ensuring products align with environmental goals and meet regulatory expectations.

Q: What are the key challenges labs face in adopting these technologies, and how are vendors addressing them?

CH: New workflows often require specialized knowledge, making training essential but also time-consuming and costly. Developing accurate, reproducible methods and ensuring regulatory compliance add further complexity. Vendors are addressing these challenges by offering comprehensive training programs and increasing labs' access to their scientific teams for customized support. This approach helps labs efficiently adopt new workflows while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.

AO: Affordability is a key concern when implementing advanced technologies. Vendors are supporting labs with flexible financial options, including trade-in programs, to reduce upfront costs. Another challenge is the specialized knowledge required to operate advanced systems. To address this, vendors are providing intuitive software with AI-driven features that simplify method development, analysis, and troubleshooting. They are also incorporating predictive maintenance technologies that use AI to anticipate equipment failures, reducing downtime. Remote monitoring, diagnostics, extended warranties, and service contracts further help labs control costs and minimize disruptions.

Alan Owens joined Shimadzu in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry as a GC-MS product specialist before ascending to the role of product manager in 2021 for GC-MS and 2023 for GC. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Alan Owens has established himself as a distinguished authority in GC and GC-MS.

Crystal Holt leads the global market development and customer insights team, shaping the company's market strategy and deciphering critical customer challenges. With a decade-long tenure within the Danaher family, Crystal brings over 18 years of extensive experience in the mass spectrometry industry. Her career has spanned diverse roles encompassing technical marketing, assay development, sales, and marketing. 

Crystal holds a master of science degree in pharmaceutical and chemical science from the University of the Pacific. During her studies, she conducted groundbreaking research under the guidance of O. David Sparkman, focusing on the identification of novel nucleotide-based complexes using a range of LC-MS/MS methodologies.

John Lesica leads Thermo Fisher’s chromatography and mass spectrometry business and 7,000 affiliated colleagues. John has an MBA from the F.W. Olin graduate school of business at Babson College, Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. 

Mike Wilson has been with Waters for the past 15 years. In his current role, he leads the development of medium- to long-term strategic plans and roadmaps for Waters chromatography business, driven by his deep knowledge and understanding of customers, markets, and technologies. Mike received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of York in the UK, where he pioneered novel analytical approaches to understand historic climate changes in Antarctica.