Purchase of gas chromatograph (GC) and GC-mass spectrometers

Description

C3HS is a new AHRC (RICHeS)-funded facility that is being established at the University of Bristol. It will enable access for the wider heritage community to advanced mass spectrometry instrumentation and expertise for molecular and single compound isotopic characterization of typically traces of organic substances extracted from heritage materials. We will be providing access, training and analyses for external users funded through the AHRC Access scheme. This will facilitate world-leading research conducted in collaboration with a wide range of industry and HEI partners, as well as providing capacity to support our flourishing commercial enterprise that offers ORA to partners worldwide. We are building on our capacity and capability through the purchase of additional mass spectrometry instrumentation. This includes a slimline gas chromatograph-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), gas chromatograph-single quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS), a GC-high resolution accurate mass-mass spectrometer (GC-HRAM-MS) and GC-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer for routine measurement of δ13C values. Building on recent methodological developments at the University of Bristol (Geddes da Filicaia et al., 2025), compatibility of all instrumentation procured with an Agilent thermal separation probe (TSP) with minimal set up time, is crucial to enable chromatographic separation and molecular/single compound isotopic analysis of small and complex samples from heritage materials with minimal pre-treatment. A new technical staff member and Centre Manager have, or will be, appointed and as such, post-installation training and support is important.