Introducing the Newest Addition to the EATC

LECO’s European Application and Training Center (EATC) in Berlin serves as our European hub for cutting-edge analytical solutions, featuring advanced capabilities powered by the Pegasus HRT4D High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer.

What sets this specific laboratory setup apart is its highly modular architecture. Equipped with GCxGC (two-dimensional gas chromatography) capabilities utilizing liquid nitrogen cooling and LECO’s unique Multi-Mode Source (MMS) ion source, the system offers unmatched flexibility. The MMS allows laboratory scientists to switch seamlessly between three distinct ionization modes:

• Electron Ionization (EI)
• Positive Chemical Ionization (PCI)
• Electron Capture Negative Chemical Ionization (ECNI)

Because this transitions without requiring physical hardware changes, it ensures perfectly aligned chromatographic traces and consistent retention times—a critical advantage when detecting and identifying unknown molecules.

With this advanced analytical configuration, the Berlin EATC is equipped to tackle diverse and intricate challenges. Its workflows span across multiple vital sectors, from screening targeted molecules to identifying untargeted compounds in complex matrices like Environmental, Petroleum, and Flavor and Fragrance samples. The addition of GCxGC processing provides clear, structured contour plots that drastically improve compound identification while minimizing spectral interferences.

For specialized testing that benefits from bypassing traditional chromatography, a Direct Insertion Probe (DIP) is integrated directly onto the front of the MMS ion source. This enables direct ionization of the sample, streamlining workflows for evaluating chemical purity, computing exact molecular formulas for synthesized compounds, and studying heavy petroleum fractions like asphaltenes.

A primary pillar of the EATC’s ongoing research focuses on comprehensive Non-Target Screening (NTS) of polluted environmental samples. By leveraging a single instrument through multiple analytical approaches, lab specialists routinely isolate and identify a broad scope of contaminants—ranging from legacy pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to challenging emerging threats like PFAS and chlorinated paraffins.