Merck KGaA presents the world's fastest solution for Analytical Chromatography

Small column but convincing effect: The new ChromolithSpeedROD provides maximum separation performance and highestresolution whilst reducing analysis time. Darmstadt/Munich (PROTEXT) - The world's latest innovation iscovered in black plastic, light, thin and only about 5 cm long -the new Chromolith SpeedROD monolithic column for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), developed by Merck'sresearchers. The column packing comprises solid rods of porous silica.These rods have different sized pores based on a new, patentedsol-gel process using highly pure, metal-free alkoxysilanes.SpeedROD is being launched in Germany today by Merck at Analyticain Munich. It is scheduled to be available throughout Europe inthe latter part of 2000. Field testing is planned for the USA andJapan in mid-2000. HPLC columns are indispensable in the modern analyticallaboratory. They are packed with porous material and separatemixtures of substances into their respective components. Theseparation is based on the fact that the various components ofthe mixture require different lengths of time to pass through thecolumn. Modern analytical techniques require such separations tobe as fast and precise as possible. Merck has now provided thesolution in the form of Chromolith SpeedROD. This monolithiccolumn has a porosity of 80%, i.e. the permeability is some 15%higher than that of conventional columns. Hence, for the firsttime, chromatographic analysis can be performed precisely whilstusing high flow rates. The pore structure of the packing materialreduces column back pressure to a minimum. Apart from its optimal separation efficiency, ChromolithSpeedROD also enables analyses to be performed at maximum speed;the pore structure allows the components for separation to betransported through the column at high speed and low pressure.The low column pressure also enables high flow rates of up to 10ml/min. to be used. Hence, Chromolith SpeedROD significantlyreduces analysis time by up to 70%. A re-equilibration time ofless than 2 minutes is required between runs. "This new column allows our analytical customers to increaselaboratory productivity significantly" says Patrick Surkyn, Headof the Chromatography Separation Department at Merck. Chromolith SpeedROD is the fastest chromatography columncurrently available on the world market. It is eminently suitedto high-throughput analysis as currently used in thepharmaceutical industry in the search for new active substances.Chromolith SpeedROD can also be used in parallel withconventional HPLC columns. ots Original Text Service: MerckKGaA Internet: http://recherche.newsaktuell.de Contact AlexandraKlimm Tel. +49 6151 72 2213 Fax +49 6151 72 3138 E-mailalexandra.klimm@merck.de E-mail: pressestelle@merck.de Internethttp ://www.merck.de

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