DEVELOPMENTS AT NIST POC: Marcia Salkeld (301) 975-4188. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a number of new devices and methods involving a variety of technologies. In certain cases other parties have participated in the development of these technologies. NIST Docket Number: 94-029; Title: Apparatus and Method for Long Term Use of Chromatographic Automatic Sampler Vials; Description: Researchers in the Thermophysics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a new technology to solve problems in chromatographic analysis may occur when an automatic sampler vial is used with volatile compounds. The problems are most pronounced when the laboratory desires to store and use samples for a long time. This NIST invention provides a solution to these problems. The approach is especially suited to the handling of volatile organic compounds that are very important in fuels research, alternative refrigerant research and in many environmental analyses. It also provides the very desirable feature of dispensing sample that is at very low concentration or even at infinite dilution, since no commercial automatic sampler is currently capable of doing this for the analyst. The device is very simple, and can be constructed and prepared with a liquid sample in a few minutes. It requires the use of minimum quantities of sample and substantially decreases the hazards associated with handling volatile organics in the laboratory. Any parties interested in the further development of licensing of the technologies described above may write to: J. Terry Lynch, Licensing and CRADA Office, Industrial Partnership Program, Division 222, Building 221, Room B256, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. This is not an announcement of a contract or a grant. NIST Docket Number: 95-030; Title: Method and Apparatus for Methane Marker Placement in Chromatographic Samples; Description: Researchers in the Thermophysics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a method and apparatus for methane marker placement in chromatographic samples. Calculation of many gas chromatographic retention parameters, requires that raw retention data be corrected for gas hold-up (sometimes called dead volume) of the chromatographic system. In this disclosure, two easily constructed devices that provide continuous methanization to liquid samples or solutions are described. They provide sample methanization sustainable for several weeks or even months, and address many of the difficulties inherent in older methods that are currently used. This long-term feature makes the techniques especially suitable to extensive retention studies done at multiple temperatures on multiple stationary phases, and also for analyses in commercial laboratories, where wasted time translates directly into lost dollars. Moreover, one of the devices is applicable to commercially available automatic sampler vials. Any parties interested in the further development or licensing of the technologies described above may write to: J. Terry Lynch, Licensing and CRADA Officer, Industrial Partnerships Program, Division 222, Building 221, Room B256, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. This is not an announcement of a contract or grant.

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