Sigma-Aldrich Corporation announced that Supelco, its innovative analytical products and services research business, has launched the Ascentis Express 2.0 micron, a high-speed, ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) column platform based on the proven Fused-Core particle design.

Ascentis Express 2.0 micron Fused-Core particles are designed to provide UHPLC performance, while addressing the disadvantages inherent in existing sub-2 micron UHPLC columns. Ascentis Express 2.0 UHPLC columns deliver 300,000 plates per meter efficiency.  Furthermore, Ascentis Express 2.0 micron columns are less susceptible to column plugging due to the large 1.0 µm frits on the column inlet. While Ascentis Express columns can be used up to 1,000 bar (14,500 psi), they will produce approximately 20 per cent lower back pressure than most commercially available sub-2 µm UHPLC columns under the same conditions, reducing concerns of column frictional heating and instrument wear and tear associated with very small particles.

"Ascentis Express 2.0 is the outcome of listening to customers' needs for the UHPLC market," said Wayne K. Way, Ph.D., Marketing Manager for HPLC at Sigma-Aldrich. "Ascentis Express 2.0 micron UHPLC columns deliver the speed and efficiency needed by today's research and applied markets for use in areas such as pharmaceutical drug development and clinical diagnostics and testing."

With this launch, the Ascentis Express product line has expanded to 2.0, 2.7 and 5 micron particle U/HPLC columns. The Ascentis Express product line is scalable from UHPLC to legacy HPLC systems. The scalability assures researchers that their methods can be seamlessly transferred across campus or around the world.

Available in 11 different dimensions and two introductory phases, C18 and F5, Ascentis Express 2.0 is part of Sigma Aldrich's ongoing objective to increase the research community's access to premier products based on innovative technologies.