The focus of this program is the development of novel separation media and materials that can be used for extraction, trace enrichment and/or separation of a range of analytes in complex samples, such as those of biological, pharmaceutical or industrial origin.

This program aims to develop a range of advanced separation technologies within the ACROSS Centre. Specifically, new multidimensional separation equipment is employed widely to provide sophisticated separation/identification performance, enhanced through hyphenation with mass spectrometric (MS) detection capabilities.

The development of microchip-based, fast and efficient portable analytical systems is a new, exiting and multidisciplinary research area within ACROSS. Results from other programs will be adapted and combined with new technology to develop chip-based analytical and chemical systems.

The overall aim of Program 4 is to advance the performance of detection techniques in fluid flow systems applicable to gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), ion chromatography (IC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), capillary electrochromatography (CEC) etc. In particular, compatibility with high-speed and miniaturised separation platforms, including microfluidic chip-based devices, is desired.

Program 5 aims to develop routine analytical tools for the extraction, isolation and separation of trace concentrations of both organic and inorganic species in complex samples (usually environmental in nature). Particular emphasis is also placed on the identification and quantification of different forms of the same element present in environmental samples. That is, the speciation of that particular element.

The aim of this program is to develop new technology for the separation of macromolecules and particles, which because of their distinct chemical and physical properties require unique approaches for separation. Research in this program covers naturally occurring biopolymers (such as DNA, RNA, proteins, glycans, etc), synthetic polymers, particles and cells.

This program aims to develop a sound theoretical understanding of chromatographic and electroseparation processes at the molecular level. Aims for 2004 involved the study of retention and migration processes in a variety of separation formats with a view to deriving models that accurately describe these processes. This program also aimed to develop methods for the simulation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) to provide an enhanced understanding of orthogonality and to facilitate prediction of the best column combinations for optimum GC×GC separations.

To complement the theoretical and fundamental research which forms the major components of the activities of ACROSS, significant effort is also directed towards the application of separation science to important application areas. In particular, the goal of Program 8 is to seek specific important real-world analyses which utilise the fundamental research outcomes achieved in the other programs.