CHICAGO, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Waters Corporation WAT -0.67%  is proud to announce that the Pittcon Editors' Silver award for the most innovative product introduced at the 2014 Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy goes to the Waters® ACQUITY  QDa™ Detector.

"On behalf Waters employees worldwide, we are honored that the Pittcon Editors have recognized the new ACQUITY QDa Detector at this year's Pittsburgh Conference," said Art Caputo, President of the Waters Division for Waters Corporation.  "This marks the fourth time in the last ten years that the editors have recognized a new Waters technology reinforcing our innovation leadership role.  Congratulations to Waters' ACQUITY QDa development and commercialization teams on this well deserved honor."

Previously, the Pittcon editors recognized ACQUITY® UltraPerformance LC® (UPLC®) in 2004, the SYNAPT® High Definition MS (HDMS™) in 2007 and ACQUITY UltraPerformance Convergence Chromatography™ (UPC2®) in 2012.

Waters® ACQUITY  QDa™ Detector is the first mass detector to bring high-quality, mass spectral data to chromatographic separations. Designed as a synergistic component of a chromatographic system, the ACQUITY QDa Detector is compatible with Waters ACQUITY® UltraPerformance LC® (UPLC®) , ACQUITY UltraPerformance Convergence Chromatography™ (UPC2®) , Alliance® high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Waters supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and LC-based purification systems.

The ACQUITY QDa Detector is the realization of a vision that started 20 years ago at Waters, blending chromatography and mass spectrometry technologies together in a way that gives every analytical scientist access to mass spectral data regardless of their previous experience with mass spectrometry. The ACQUITY QDa Detector adds a whole new dimension to separation science and it is the most progressive leap forward in chromatography detection since the first photodiode detectors were introduced decades ago.

The ACQUITY QDa Detector is a small, easy-to-use and affordable mass detector that brings high-quality mass spectral information to chromatographic separations. Mass spectral information greatly enhances chemical compound identification, something that is very important to laboratories doing method development, sample profiling, chemical synthesis and purification. The ACQUITY QDa Detector provides mass spectral information at the push of a button.

The ACQUITY QDa Detector complements optical detection, such as the PDA detector, by confirming the identity of compounds with mass spectral information. Additionally, the ACQUITY QDa Detector extends the limits of sample detection for a chromatographic separation by quantifying compounds having no UV response or that are present at levels not detectable and quantifiable by optical detection.  By simplifying laboratory workflows, the detector enhances the value of every analysis and increases productivity by eliminating the need to run additional assays or turn to time-consuming alternative techniques in order to establish with certainty the levels and identity of specific sample compounds.

The Pittcon Editors' Awards were launched 19 years ago to award the most innovative products introduced at Pittcon. This year's Pittcon featured a vast array of new products and technology from nearly 1,000 exhibitors from around the globe. More than 150 trade editors and reporters nominate the products they believed deserved special recognition for their innovation and importance and in a closed session, they convene to discuss the merits of each and cast their ballots for the gold, silver and bronze awards.

For more information: www.waters.com/separate