And again the machines speak! Today, our series features a gas chromatograph that has not been at Hof University of Applied Sciences for very long. It is used to analyze volatile organic substances. Its reference persons are Dr.-Ing. Simon Mehling and Prof. Dr. Tobias Schnabel from the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems.
Who are you? Please introduce yourself briefly.
“My full name is Agilent GC 8860 and 5977C MSD with autosampler. That means I am a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. But you can call me “super nose” – because what you can’t (or don’t want to) smell, I’ll find out for you. I’ve been sniffing my way through the laboratory of the Photonics and Water research group at Hof University of Applied Sciences since the beginning of 2024.”
What is your job? What are you particularly good at?
“My specialty is volatile organic substances. That sounds very scientific at first – but think of the funny air in a new car, the “Chinese smell” from cheap plastic toys or cigarette smoke in closed rooms. I can tell what’s in there. Even if it’s odorless! This is how it works: sample material enters my system – it is divided by my separation column, ionized and then analysed. The substances leave so-called peaks on the spectrum and, thanks to my software and database, I know exactly what’s in there. Whether carcinogenic substances, plasticizers, solvents or micropollutants in wastewater.
Basically, I work in two steps: First comes gas chromatography. This separates complex mixtures of substances into their individual components. Volatile substances are sent through a separation column – they arrive at different times depending on their chemical properties.
The second step is mass spectrometry. It breaks down the separated substances into charged particles – ions – and measures their mass. This produces a characteristic mass spectrum that can be used to clearly identify the substance – like a molecular fingerprint.”
How do you get on with your supervisors?
“I don’t want to put my nose too high up, but I’m young, smart and reliable – so it should be clear that my supervisors love me. They are Dr.-Ing. Simon Mehling and Prof. Dr. Tobias Schnabel, by the way. And I can really smell them too! They understand my complexity and work with me in a very respectful way. Incidentally, students are only allowed to use my hardware in agreed individual cases, but they are often involved in the evaluation.”
That sounds like you’re pretty confident in yourself?
“On the hardware side, I’m actually at the top level. Thanks to my autosampler, I can analyze up to 16 samples in a row. As I do this completely independently, I’m happy to put in the odd night shift. I’m just low-maintenance and hard-working. But my software, well, sometimes it needs a bit of coffee. If I’d been treated to a premium package, I’d be a lot faster. But nobody is perfect!”
Are you happy where you work?
“In my home, C002, I particularly enjoy the fact that I can see everything in the lab from my corner. I think it’s the best corner of the lab. But I’m also the biggest machine in the room and, according to the list price, I weigh 80,000 euros – so you get certain privileges. For example, the fridge right next to me, where the finest samples are stored for me. I also like to see what research is being done next door on aquaponics, I really like the aquarium and the vertical plant tower!”
How long do you expect to stay on duty?
“I won’t retire as a nose in the service of research for at least 30 years – as long as I’m well looked after. I’m counting on the team here!”
It would be better if ..
“… I had a bit more equipment. I dream of a headspace sampler so that I have even more sample injection options. Or a collaboration with my relative, the HPLC in the building next door. Rumor has it we could move in together at some point. That would be really nice!”
Anything else you want to tell us in conclusion?
“I’d love to! I’m currently sniffing for a project to combat bad air. The research project is called phoTech and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It’s about photonic air purification of indoor air, industrial air, biogenic air and city air. Think, for example, of exhaust air in the catering and industrial sectors, the smell of organic waste or building substances in existing buildings.
We help to identify pollutants and develop new, smart cleaning solutions. Simpler, cheaper and lower-maintenance than conventional activated carbon filters. My results provide the basis for the further development of the technology base. You can find out more about this on my website.”
Thank you very much for the interview!
