Integrated circuit (IC) boards are ubiquitous in many of the products we utilize on a daily basis. The boards contain chips, resistors, capacitors, diodes, and other devices which make up the circuitry. These devices generate heat, and the materials used to construct the IC boards must withstand high temperatures. Some of the materials contain additives for fire prevention or have fire-retardant compounds incorporated into the polymer backbone.

N-nitrosamines, a class of compounds commonly found in foods and beverages, have long been a health concern due to their carcinogenic risks [1]. These compounds are typically formed during food preparation and processing through the reaction of amines with nitrosating compounds. The conventional method of extracting N-nitrosamines utilizes a liquid-liquid extraction with harmful solvents like methylene chloride, a practice that is about to face a significant challenge with the impending EPA ban [2]. This study demonstrates a safer and more efficient solventless extraction approach. Dynamic headspace (DHS) was used to extract N-nitrosamines from a diverse range of sample types.

In forensic investigations, analyzing ignitable liquid residues (ILRs) obtained from crime scenes is critical for establishing whether a fire was deliberately set and potentially identifying a perpetrator. Traditional methods for extracting ILRs from fire debris, such as solvent, static headspace, and solid phase microextraction (SPME) extractions, often have significant drawbacks. These methods can destroy the sample, involve lengthy manual procedures, require harmful solvents, and have long incubation times.

With the global surge in the use of electronic cigarettes, there is a corresponding increase in the consumption of e-liquid. Howev-er, different regions and countries impose varying regulatory re-quirements concerning the types and concentrations of flavorings added to electronic liquids (e-liquids). Analyzing the flavorings in e-liquids poses a challenge due to their substantial content of pro-pylene glycol, glycerol solvent, and nicotine as a matrix.

Liquid-liquid extractions are used to extract and concentrate an-alytes from aqueous matrices. This extraction technique is wide-ly accepted, as shown by its inclusion in many official methods. Analytical laboratories are looking to automation to help reduce solvent usage and increase sample throughput while ensuring the high quality of the resulting data.
The GERSTEL MultiPurpose Robotic Smart Series Sampler (MPS), commonly used for sample introduction into GC or HPLC, can perform a wide variety of sample preparation techniques using a single instrument and controlling software. The sampler can be configured as part of a GC or LC system or as a bench-top work-station.

Leather and leather-like materials are used in various products such as baseball gloves, furniture, clothing, shoes, car interiors, phone cases, etc. One comes in contact with these types of mate-rials through normal daily activities. Leather is made from animal skin. The skin is composed of a fibrous collagen network. Collagen is a structure-forming protein consisting of three peptide chains in a triple helix structure.
Leather-like materials can comprise different polymers, including polyurethane, nylons, polycarbonate, polyethers, and polyesters. They are often a combination of these materials.

The global nail polish market was estimated at over $15 billion (USD) in 2023 and is expected to grow at a rate greater than 8% between 2024 and 2033. There are two main types of chemistry used for nail polish. The first is nitrocellulose dissolved in a sol-vent. The nitrocellulose hardens after the solvent evaporates. The other chemistry is based on acrylic polymers which polymerize as part of the application process. Other chemicals added to the pol-ish may include photoinitiators, stabilizers, solvents, plasticizers, pigments, thickeners, and even fragrances.

Scented products, including car air fresheners, soaps and deter-gents, candles, and even garbage bags, are ubiquitous in our ev-eryday lives. They are primarily intended to cover up malodors but can also enhance one’s mood or be used in aromatherapy.
Thermal desorption is an introduction technique for gas chro-matography that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including the analysis of fragrance compounds in consumer prod-ucts. Options for thermal desorption include direct thermal ex-traction, Twister, Thin Film SPME, air sampling, and direct injection of liquids.

The plant-based protein market has been booming in the past few years. However, flavor remains the most significant barrier to overcome. Specifically, it is a challenge to maintain the flavor of plant-based meat alternative products as they age in storage. In this study, a sensory directed analysis (SDA) approach was em-ployed to determine if adding rosemary extract, with antioxidant properties, could maintain freshness in plant-based meat alterna-tives in the form of a burger patty. The method utilized dynam-ic headspace (DHS) sample extraction and gas chromatographic separation paired with simultaneous olfactometry and mass spec-trometric detection (GC-O/MS).

Measurements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air have expanded. There are few analytical methods available which measure PFAS in air. Thermal desorption, gas chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS/MS) is being successfully used for this purpose by the US EPA for the evaluation of indoor air and indoor materials using a simple, valve-free thermal desorber architecture.