How to Use gas chromatography in a Sentence

gas chromatography

noun
  • Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, the team found a ton of the usual bad smell offenders.
    — Max G. Levy, Wired, 3 June 2021
  • Davis walks me by its gas chromatography mass spectrometry system, which separates out those molecules as a slab of real meat is cooking.
    — Beth Kowitt, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2017
  • That’s where gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS to its friends) comes in.
    — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 2 July 2019
  • Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, the team discovered residue of oleic and linoleic acid, telltale signatures of olive oil.
    — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 4 June 2018
  • So, the researchers isolated the secretions and ran them through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to determine the nature of the substances in them.
    — Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2013
  • In the study, the team used a method where chemical compounds are separated in a controllable oven called gas chromatography, to determine the chemicals that make up the male pheromone blend.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023
  • The research team studied the molecular structure of the samples using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry machine.
    — Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Feb. 2023
  • Back in the lab, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry machine separated all the compounds, which could then be recorded and named, resulting in an aromatic recipe of sorts.
    — Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2022
  • As part of this second step, the team ran each sample through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, a chemical analysis technique that gives a molecular-level breakdown of compounds.
    — Prachi Patel, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2021
  • Sludge repository amassed, Halden’s team dove in, pulling the samples apart molecule by molecule using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.
    — Megan Molteni, STAT, 17 June 2021
  • The sophisticated tests now available include gas chromatography mass spectrometry, which can detect minuscule amounts of substance, and was used in missions to Mars.
    — Erik Lacitis, The Seattle Times, 30 Oct. 2018
  • Then, a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is used to separate and identify each chemical compound to create something like a recipe, or a template for historians.
    — Star Tribune, 25 Dec. 2020
  • Items were transported to the lab in a cooler in their original packaging, and then each menu item was blended into a slurry, the liquid tested for these chemicals via a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
    — Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2021
  • Then instead of just relying on a regular old human nose (which is a pretty good instrument, no disrespect), gas chromatography is used to separate the mixture into components so each can be isolated.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2022
  • The researchers used a dentist’s drill to remove coin-size fragments a few millimeters thick from the inside of the containers, then analyzed their chemical makeup using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
    — Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Feb. 2023
  • These devices employ techniques like mass spectrometry or gas chromatography, providing accurate and instantaneous results.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2023
  • Constantin uses gas chromatography to analyze popular scents, educating perfumistas on what’s really inside each bottle.
    — Jane Daly, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 July 2023
  • The team then processed the samples using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which basically uses heat to break up complex chemical compounds into their most basic parts, which can then be identified and quantified.
    — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017
  • The scientists took 20-milligram samples of the interior and exterior surfaces of nine containers, ground them into powder and subjected them to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
    — Amina Khan, chicagotribune.com, 26 Aug. 2019
  • More modern analytical methods (such as two-dimensional gas chromatography and Raman spectroscopy) are now being used to profile and differentiate dragon’s blood resins from different species.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • New use for a common tool There are existing methods for collecting information on coffee’s chemical composition, most notably liquid or gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry.
    — ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
  • In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to alternative methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, colorimetry, or spectrophotometry.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Oct. 2020
  • The extent of their cocaine contamination was quantitated via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
    — Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2018
  • The team analyzed 406 samples with organic molecules using pyrolysis gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
    — Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
  • When the sample in question was anything other than plant matter — maybe brownies or a vape pen — labs relied on something called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect THC, without figuring out the exact concentration.
    — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, 3 July 2019
  • The scientists used a portable, briefcase-size device that pulls air from the surface of the skin and collects VOCs in a filter for later laboratory analysis, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
    — Richard Conniff, Scientific American, 14 May 2018
  • The team took small samples from the black spot and analyzed them with X-ray fluorescence, synchrotron radiation powder x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, among other methods.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2020
  • Researchers used laboratory techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify 16 chemical compounds that create the enticing aroma, per Gizmodo.
    — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 May 2021
  • The scientist verifies ambergris using a technique known as capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and then Ambergris Connect issues authenticity reports to buyers.
    — Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021
  • The instrument inside the luggage is actually performing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is a gold-standard analytical technique to finely separate out the components of a mixture.
    — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 Apr. 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gas chromatography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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