Empower Tip: Working with GPC/SEC data in Empower

In this tip we will begin a discussion on using Custom Fields for GPC/SEC analyses.

A few things before we get started. Please review the following tips for the mechanics of, and examples of, Custom Fields: Tip 82-90 and Tip 92-99. The GPC Default project (which comes with the GPC option) already has eight custom peak fields which we will discuss in an upcoming tip. Let’s look at some practical ways to use custom fields when dealing with polymers.

Let’s see how it’s done!

Example 1: Polymer Type

If you need to document polymer type, create a Sample Custom Field, data type Enumerated to create a list of polymer types.

STEP 2In the Sample Set Method or Alter Sample you can select the Polymer Type from the drop-down list.

STEP 3Once the data is processed, you can add Polymer Type to the report.

Example 2: Percent of Claimed Molecular Weight

STEP 4Similar to percent of label claim, often times a quality control lab needs to calculate the percent of claimed molecular weight for a polymer. First create a component custom field for the claimed or theoretical molecular weight.

STEP 5Second, a simple peak Custom Field dividing the calculated (from the calibration curve) Mw by the Claimed Mw and then multiplied by 100 will yield the percent of claimed molecular weight.

STEP 6In the Sample Set Method or Alter Sample you can enter the Claimed Mw in the Component Editor. Be sure to select Standards & Unknowns from the SampleSet Type dropdown list and enter the Claimed Mw on the Components tab for the sample.

STEP 7Once the data is processed, the result for the percentage of claimed molecular weight can be seen in Review and/or added to the report.

It’s that easy!